The beautiful, complex movements of bagua require a lifetime to master fully, but can be practised with significant physical and mental health benefit at any level. In this highly illustrated guide, Master He, a fifth generation practitioner, introduces the ancient Daoist principles on which bagua is based, its place within the Chinese martial arts, and the approach to life it nurtures. Sequences of photographs set out a programme of study, showing the beauty of the movements, and the positions and transitions the practitioner is aiming for.

Bagua Daoyin supports and trains the body and the mind to promote balance and harmony. The external movements are echoed in the internal body, which promotes the flow of energy that leads to greatly improved health, a tranquil and focused mind, and increased longevity. Practitioners quickly report reduced stress levels and increased enjoyment of life.

This fully illustrated introduction to Bajua Daoyin will be essential reading for bagua, xingyi and taiji practitioners at all levels, dancers, and indeed anyone interested in improving their physical and mental well-being.

He Jinghan is a fifth generation practitioner of the Bagua Quan lineage. At the age of 15, he started studying yang style taiji quan and a the age of 23 was introduced to Master Gong BaoZhai and began to specialize in Bagua. He was disciple of Master Gong for 23 years, until his teacher's death. He Jinghan now focuses on the cultivation of the arts and the promotion of Bagua Daoyin.

Contents

Foreword-An introduction to He Jinghan and bagua quan-by Paul Alexander
Translator's introduction by David Alexander
Introduction The treasure that belongs to you
Chapter 1 Bagua, bagua quan and bagua daoyin
Chapter 2 Bagua daoyin, the guiding principle of bagua
Chapter 3 Interview with Master He Jinghan
Chapter 4 Paying for life with life-the Master's apprentice years
Chapter 5 Understanding intuitively
Chapter 6 Things you ought to be aware of when exercising
Chapter 7 Give me fast food, nothing else will do-the contemporary concept of health
Chapter 8 To love others you must first love yourself, to love yourself you must love your body
Chapter 9 Finding your centre
Chapter 10 Opening up the body's unobstructed space-A new key to the body
Chapter 11 Don't use your feet just to walk-Teaching you to make your body as light as a swallow
Chapter 12 Relax, do not collapse
Chapter 13 The sexual function is the natural manifestation of bodily health
Chapter 14 Menopause-Grasp your second youth
Chapter 15 Everything comes from the body-Entering tranquility through movement
Chapter 16 The song of martial arts-The form
Chapter 17 Shape, potential force and spirit in posture
Chapter 18 Between yin and yang
Chapter 19 Sixiang quan
Chapter 20 The melody of the flow-Bazhang quan
Chapter 21 A master's confession
Chapter 22 A brief account of the life of Master Gong Baozhai
About the author