CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform, 2014. — 206 p.
Beginning Bagua is probably the most down-to-earth, practical book about Bagua currently available.
It is written to provide concrete, directly useful information on Bagua. This book covers the basics of body use stepping, static posture training, Qigong, key movements, striking and throwing applications, circle walking as well as how Bagua's intellectual framework applies to martial tactics and to general training. Much of what you will find in this book is useful not just to practitioners of Bagua, but to martial artists in general.
Beginning Bagua is extensively illustrated with photos of both solo movements, basic exercises, palm changes, and martial applications.
Bagua is often presented as mysterious, complicated, and difficult. It certainly requires study and practice, but this book provides the keys to make sense of the 'abstract' movements, to see the logic behind them, and to begin to develop useful skills. This book can save you a lot of grief and confusion! The information itself is presented in a straightforward way, based on direct experience, and written with at least occasional humor.
Beginning Bagua is the first book in a series that will look at aspects of Bagua with increasing detail and an emphasis on practicality.
Edward Hines started his practice of Baguazhang in 1991 in the Taiwan Republic of China. He is currently based in Paris, France.