8 minute read
The Eight Palm Releases of Baguazhang Nasser Butt
The Eight Palm Releases of Baguazhang are a most excellent training method designed to teach you not only how to break holds, but far more importantly the skill of total body mechanics.
This rare training method and its follow on strikes should be seen as an extension of the Eight Palm Neigong covered earlier in this issue. It is a means by which the practitioner shows his dexterity and skill at understanding the fundamentals of each palm. They should not be viewed as techniques — they should be looked upon as means by which to understand the dynamics of each palm and how intent is generated and connected with the said palm.
Grabs and holds are common practice in martial arts — Baguazhang makes light work of them by not only breaking the grab or hold, but also by continuing the attack by the very hand which your opponent believes he has control over.
In this article I will briefly cover the palm, the type of grab or hold it breaks and a follow-up or ‘peripheral’ strike. Students need to be made aware that whilst the breaks are specific for the related palm, the follow-up strikes can vary. What is presented here are the traditional follow-ups to help the student develop the concepts! Further, it is not in the scope of this article to explain every detailed movement and nuance of each dynamic — for that a competent teacher is required. It is impossible to teach such subtleties via an article using the written word despite the use of images. Students should merely use this article as a reference or guideline to the subject.
In Part One I shall be covering the first four palms. In the entire method, B is performing the drill.
Palm Number One
Palm Number One — Heaven It breaks a hold from the opposite hand of the opponent.
The palm faces up.
B
B stretches out his fingers, his palm concaving to form the Dragon palm.
A B
A grabs B’s right wrist from above with his left hand
B
B rolls his palm to face up, using his centre, thus breaking the hold and…
B
Simultaneously thrusts his fingers towards A’s throat!
Grabbing A’s wrist, lifting his arm upwards as B’s elbow loads… He steps forwards and smashes his elbow into A’s ribs.
A grabs B’s right wrist from below with his left hand
Palm Number Two B
B now continues with the follow-up strike by feeding his left palm under his right wrist and…
Palm Number Two — Earth. It also breaks a hold from the opposite hand from an attacker — but this time when held from the underside.
The palm faces downwards.
A B
B immediately forms the Dragon palm and thrusts his fingers towards A’s throat as in the previous method.
B
B
This breaks A’s hold and B instantly feeds his left hand under his right wrist and continues with the secondary strike. This time, due to the nature of the angle, B now continues with an elbow strike to A’s face!
Palm Number Three
Palm Number Three — Fire.
This is considered the main fighting palm of Bagua. It faces outwards and also breaks a hold from the opposite hand of the opponent.
B forms the Dragon palm and turns into the grab… As he flexes his wrist and places his thumb underneath and his fingers outside of A’s wrist.
A B
Again, A’s left hand grabs B’s right arm from the side or top.
B
B turns to his left flexing A’s wrist and causing the release…
Palm Number Four
Palm Number Four — Thunder.
The palm faces slightly inwards, with the fingers tilted upwards at an angle of approximately 45º. It breaks a hold from the opposite hand of the opponent. B’s left hand smashes down on A’s forearm just below the elbow as his right hand smashes in the face with a back fist!
A B
A grabs B’s right wrist from the side with his left hand. B instantly forms the Dragon palm.
B rotates his body to the left as he raises diagonally as if he is about to scratch his own head! This breaks A’s hold. B’s left palm now reaches under his right wrist and grabs A’s wrist.
B raises A’s arm and as his right elbow loads vertically… B hammers his right elbow straight under A’s armpit, striking with the tip of his elbow.
This covers the first four breaks and their follow-up methods. Palms five through to eight will be covered in the next issue of Lift Hands — Volume 19.
Fa-jing Ch'uan Internal Chinese Boxing
Schools are pleased to announce our fifth annual T'ai Chi Ch'uan Camp on the sundrenched island of Cyprus in November 2021
Based at the scenic Hadjios Valley Resort in Mazotos - a couple of kilometres from the pristine beaches off the Mediterranean coastline — this will be a great opportunity to learn one of the most ancient Chinese martial arts, renowned for its health properties, on the island of Aphrodite over 3 days.
The camp includes:
Qigong Old Yang Style T'ai Chi Practical Training Methods For Health/ Martial Arts Self-Defence
Whether you are a novice or already have some experience and would simply like to brush up on the foundations, or have ever wondered how the art is used as a system of selfdefence — then this will be the perfect way to get a great insight into T'ai chi Ch’uan (Taijiquan). You will receive a minimum of 5 hours/day of training under instruction over 3 days.
Date: Friday - Sunday, November 2021 TBC Training will begin at 12pm Friday.
Cost of training: 240 Euros for those registering by Friday 26 September 2021. (The cost will rise to 260 Euros for those registering after this date.)
Cost of Accommodation: TBC Euros/Villa based upon a minimum of 3 nights (Fri/Sat/Sun) at Apollo Villas. Each additional night is TBC Euros for those wishing to extend their stay or
arrive earlier. We have negotiated an exclusive special rate with Apollo Villas, allowing you to spend three days in luxury at an incredibly low price!
Please note, although partners and family are welcome, accommodation will be prioritized for those training as this is a busy time of the season!
Each villa is selfcontained and has two bedrooms and can sleep up to 4 people sharing.
All villas are fully furnished, including a functional kitchen as well as a washing machine and fridge. Full Wi-Fi is available throughout the resort at no extra cost.
Meals:
All guests will find a basic ‘Welcome Pack’ upon arrival at their villa for making their own breakfast , etc.
For lunch and supper we have negotiated a special rate at the local Mazotos Tavern - based in the centre of the village, where Bambos and his family serve up the most delicious traditional meals with a wonderful friendly service!
Alternatively, folk are free to make their own arrangements or even cook in the villa, buying produce from the local high street, if they so wish.
Participants will be expected to arrive on site by Friday morning latest or Thursday* evening earliest and depart Monday or after the final training session on Sunday, unless they have extended** their stay in advance and are departing later depending upon flights. */** These will incur additional charges. All accommodation costs must be paid in full at the time of registration. (PLEASE NOTE THESE ARE NONREFUNDABLE.)
Nearest Airport: Larnaca (15 km from resort).
Information for local carhire services is available upon request.
Please contact Nasser Butt for further information and registration:
Tel: +44(0)7792242150 Email: explosivefist@gmail. com
Visit our website for further information on what we teach:
www.fajingchuan.co.uk
Website for Hadjios Valley:
www.apollovillas.com/ hadjios-valley/
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Gaku Shi Juku Kendo Kai
