Learn The Principles of Ba Gua Zhang Sparring

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Would you like to learn about one of the most unusual, most underrated forms of martial arts fighting? I learned all about this great fighting style called Ba Gua Zhang. It really amazed me because this style of fighting is not like most fighting systems, especially not like all those extreme moves you might see on television or in films.

Ba Gua Zhang is so different because this style is based on the open fist philosophy instead of the closed fist. The object is to strike down your opponent with skill instead of using basic brute force. It takes a bit longer to get proficient at this type of fighting but it has some very good things going for it.

When I was a young lad, I used to get into fights all the time. This was before I learned how to actually fight and also before I had matured and discovered that fighting is not always necessary. I used to fight with my fists instead of using my brain and that got me not only into a lot of trouble but also a lot of broken bones -- especially my fists. Any good fighter worth his salt has broken a hand once or twice. It is not fun, it hurts like crazy and it puts you out of commission for quite a long time. What happens if you have to defend yourself the next day and you've got a broken hand? You are in big trouble, that's what.

Ba Gua Zhang showed me a better way. Fighting doesn't have to be just straight-ahead attacking. You can overcome a threat with the use of skill instead of trying to just destroy the guy. The main concept of this style is to constantly move and adapt your approach to any given situation. No matter how your opponent approaches you, be ready to keep adapting.

One of the key things you do when you begin practicing this style is the circle walk. It is quite simple. You just walk around in a circle. Seems silly maybe, but you stay in motion and, as everyone knows, a moving target is much harder to hit than a motionless one! So your opponent has to come to you and moving around gets him out of his comfort zone. It also helps you to defend yourself. It is much more difficult to move fast if you are just standing there still. If you are already moving, it is easier to stay in motion, makes sense?

Another important point is the idea of palm changes or different postures in your upper body. I mean, if your lower body is doing something, why not give your upper body a job to do as well, right? These moves prepare you to fight. It is kind of like priming a pump or winding the spring of a catapult - preparing for battle, if you will. That is how real fighting is, quick and spontaneous.

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