| You want to find out about one of the rarest, most | | | | So Ba Gua Zhang taught me there is another way. |
| underrated forms of martial arts fighting? I learned all | | | | Fighting doesn't have to be all straight ahead attacking. |
| about this great fighting style called Ba Gua Zhang. It | | | | You can subdue a threat with skill instead of trying to |
| really blew me away because this style of fighting is | | | | just maul the guy. The basic concept of this style is to |
| not like most fighting styles, especially all that stuff you | | | | constantly move and change your approach to any |
| might see on television or in the movies. | | | | given situation. No matter what your opponent throws |
| What makes Ba Gua Zhang so different is the fact | | | | at you, be ready to keep adapting. |
| this style is based on the open fist philosophy rather | | | | One of the main things you do when you first start |
| than the closed fist. You see, the object is to strike | | | | practicing this style is the circle walk. It is really very |
| down your opponent with skill rather than simple brute | | | | simple. You just walk around in a circle. Seems silly |
| force. It takes a bit longer to get really good at this kind | | | | maybe, but you stay in motion and, believe you me, a |
| of fighting but it has some really good things going for | | | | moving target is harder to hit than a non-moving one! |
| it. | | | | So your opponent has to come to you and moving |
| When I was younger, I used to get into fights all the | | | | around gets him out of his comfort zone. It also |
| time. This was before I learned how to fight for real | | | | prepares you to defend yourself. It is much tougher to |
| and also before I matured quite a bit and learned that | | | | move fast if you are just standing there still. If you are |
| fighting is not always necessary. I used to fight with | | | | already moving, it is easy to keep moving, get it? |
| my fists instead of my head and that got me not only | | | | Another thing that is important to know is the idea |
| into a lot of trouble but also a lot of broken bones. | | | | behind palm changes or different postures your upper |
| Especially my fist. Any decent fighter worth his salt | | | | body is exacting. I mean, heck, your lower body is |
| has broken a hand or two. It is not much fun, it hurts a | | | | doing something, why not give your upper body |
| lot and it puts you out of commission for a while, too. | | | | something to do as well, right? These moves get you |
| What happens if you have to defend yourself the | | | | ready to fight. It is like priming the pump or winding the |
| next day and you've got a broken hand? You are in | | | | spring of a catapult - preparing for battle, if you will. |
| trouble that's what. | | | | That is how real fighting is, quick and spontaneous. |