Ba Gua is often referred to a the sister of Tai Chi Chuan. It is a Northern Style of Chinese Martial Art. In the late 1940's BaGua the Martial Art began being pulled into Philosophical practices and a basis of Chinese Medicine.
In Kuo's book, Tai Chi Chuan is referred to as the 13 movements. This was understood to be the 8 gates (energies) of the Bagua, combined with 5 stepping of Hsing Yi.
One good friend, an Oriental Medical Doctor who had graduated Chinese Medical School in Beijing said that all the Doctors there, were required to learn basic BaGua. She told me that they weren't required to be proficient, but to see the philosophy in motion.
The Taoist philosophy is primarily associated with BaGua. Which is understandable. The creator of the system had taken time away from society, and practiced the teaching of the Taoist observations, which included walking a circle while meditating. The understanding of continuous motion and flowing with change is a basis that it is built upon.
Ba Gua has main components:
1. Walking the Circle(s)
2. Primarily Open-hand martial art system
Fundamentals in bio-mechanics and balance
There primary techniques that are used to establish baseline strength and balance.
The first four palms are offered in a Bagua Beginner Workshops.
