Author Description

This book presents the tradition of baguazhang as it is encapsulated in the thirty-six verses and the forty-eight methods verses, which were written to preserve the oral teachings of baguazhang's originator, Dong Haichuan. The verses contain advice on the body structure and connections, power, methods, and tactics of baguazhang - invaluable for practitioners of all lineages. This is the first time that the verses are presented in a stand-alone book with an in-depth discussion, with historical and social background, and including versions from different lineage sources. Andrea Falk, the translator and author, brings to the book forty-five years study and experience in the Chinese martial arts as well as Chinese classics, history, language, linguistics, literature, philosophy, religion, and sociology. She lived for years in China for her training, and continues to visit often.