Sunday, August 30, 2009

Zhang Zhaodong's martial arts

While seeing my teacher recently I had a chance to delve more into Zhang Zhaodong's xingyiquan and got to learn a bit more about the correct posture in Zhang Zhaodong style bagua. I would like to share a few points about Zhang Zhaodong's martial arts in this article (though admitedly I know very little about Zhang Zhaodong style since I have only learned the five elements and three animals from his xingyi and just a few basic palms from his bagua).
1) Zhang Zhadong style has extremely extended postures. Much more extended than other styles of xingyi and bagua. This is partially because Zhang was a very tall and broad chested man, he thus developed a style that would give him a great deal of power and an even longer reach. This style is good for me because I am a large guy, so it allows me to express force more clearly through my whole frame.
2) Zhang Zhaodong's xingyi has a unique use of the rib cage in many movements. In santi shi the rib cage is separated from the rest to the torso and turns forward. In Pi the shape is basically the same. In Zuan the rip cage extends forward to assist in throwing the fist out. In Pao the rib cage is turned dramatically in place of the hips so that much of the power is developed by the ribs. In Zhang Zhaodong's bagua the posture is hugely extended and the chest is pushed out as opposed to curved in like in Cheng style bagua. The body mechanics are very difficult and require a lot of energy expenditure to get them right. My teacher has only shown me a few basic palms since he believes that if I start the form right away I will only have a Cheng style posture (which I think is probably true since its difficult to break old habits). The bagua has an even longer posture than the xingyi.

From what I've learned, Zhang Zhaodong style is a very nice practice with many phsyical challenges and it will require a great deal of work on my part to master the style. I hope that I don't make too many mistakes over the time between now and when I go to see my teacher next :D

Saturday, August 22, 2009

Montreal craziness

Well folks, I have once again been blessed to be able to come down to Montreal and see my teacher. This time around we have been working on the 64 circular palms of Cheng style baguazhang and some basic elements and animals of Zhang Zhaodong's xingyiquan (hopefully in preperation to learn more of that wonderful xingyi bagua). I've also been reviewing zhang's bashi and I think I've made real progress on it. Expect a video soon :D
I'll be coming back to Guelph next weekend and trying more actively to promote my club. I want to get lots of people out circle walking in the park and maybe even doing some xingyiquan.
Have a safe and happy rest of your summer and keep training!!