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• Posted by schmuhl on 8/30/2008 1:53am | 3 Replies

  A Detailed Study Of Ba Gua Zhang's Single Palm Change

  "The single palm change is the most important move in Ba Gua in terms of training the body and developing the inherent power of Ba Gua. The single palm change is also the most important component of Ba Gua in its combat application. If a practitioner can learn how to execute and apply the single palm change properly, he will be well on his way to developing a high level of Ba Gua skill." -- Dan Miller
  
  What did you think of this article?

• Posted by Hispanicpalm on 10/22/2008 9:51am

  RE: A Detailed Study Of Ba Gua Zhang's Single Palm Change

  Dan Miller was onto something with this statement. But I believe the pushing millstone postue and circle walking practice are as important and make the single palm change what it is.
  Think about it. Look at every Ba Gua Zhang form, system, ect... no matter what master the system comes from. All true Ba Gua Zhang systems connected to Dong Hai Chuan have pushing millstone posture, Circle walking and single palm change or numerous variations of these practices. And if you really pay attention to detail you will find that the mastery and understanding of the pushing millstone posture, Ba Gua circle walking and Single palm change is the key to effective Ba Gua Zhang combat application. The hidden truths will be revealed through intense and dedicated study of the single palm change.
  
  Just my thoughts, gotta go
  
  Peace

• Posted by triumph on 3/24/2009 4:26pm

  RE: A Detailed Study Of Ba Gua Zhang's Single Palm Change

  yes, it is.
  It keeps you in the posture that is most adaptable and defensive/offensive.

• Posted by Craig on 6/14/2009 6:08pm

  RE: A Detailed Study Of Ba Gua Zhang's Single Palm Change

  Dan,
  
  congratulations, this is just about the best piece of work that i've read on SPC to date that's out there, well done, I thoroughly enjoyed reading it.
  
  When I first starting learning ba gua around 6 years ago (Liu Hung Chieh's form as brought to the west by Bruce Frantzis) I didn't fully understand how such a simple 'form' could be used or even be all that effective. As I've practised over the intervening years the SPC has slowly opened up it's opportunities and possibilities for change and martial effectiveness. I have of course been very fortunate to have had instructors who have been able to teach me both the health aspects of the SPC and the martial aspects too, in essence bringing it alive once the basic form has been learned.
  
  I totally agree with you that the SPC morphs according to the need and situation you are faced with. The core movement is ultimately the same however subtle changes sneak in where required according to the combat situation. You may have only inches instead of feet to manifest your change with power, Liu's form is a large circle form which spirals to small circles upon impact however the form is also clever in that the small gears actually provide the power for the moves so space is never a problem when you need to deliver the goods as it were.
  
  It took me a while to grasp the concept of ba gua having spent the best part of 15 years learning highly codified and rigid forms in Tae Kwon Do and Lau Gar Kuen, Bruce's book The Power of Internal Arts opened the door but my head wasn't quite ready for it. I would say however that your article should be kept as a bluprint for beginners and other more experienced practitioners when wrestling to understand their own particular versions and nuances within it.
  
  best regards
  
  Craig Wilson
  Ba Gua Beginner