How to Learn Ba Gua Zhang Online

Ba Gua Zhang is a fighting art that falls into the family of Chinese martial arts that are often simply referred to under the blanket name of Internal Arts. As with any martial art, Ba Gua Zhang is certainly best learned from a qualified instructor in your area. People who are already experienced in other martial arts, however, may have the basic skills required to allow them to learn some of the techniques and principles of a new art using third-party resources, such as books, DVDs and the Internet.

Instructions

    • 1

      Find videos online that demonstrate the basic stances of Ba Gua Zhang. When learning any new martial art, start with the basic stances and footwork that make up the foundation of the art. All martial arts are built on a foundation of footwork, and if you are not rooted and moving properly you will never learn the other movements of the art in a way that will be practical.

    • 2

      Study videos and images of Ba Gua forms that you find online. Start with beginner forms such as the basic-skills form and the eight-lines form. Do not simply try to replicate these movements without prior experience in Chinese martial arts. If you have a solid foundation in Tai Chi or Wushu, however, you should understand the basic bio-mechanics and balances at work, and may be able to grasp some of the intricacies of the Ba Gua forms.

    • 3

      Try to replicate what you have viewed, always following what you already know about proper body movement and its combat application. If something seems unfamiliar, awkward, or if you can't grasp the purpose behind a particular movement, you should contact a qualified Ba Gua instructor to help clarify your question.

    • 4

      Use forums and e-mail to connect with online martial arts communities that have expressed experience with Ba Gua Zhang. The Internet allows practitioners to share a wealth of information on a variety of arts, and this is a valuable resource.

    • 5

      Look for a Ba Gua Zhang class or special seminar in your area to receive some real-world, hands-on instruction. Many schools and fitness centers offer free introductory sessions for prospective students. Experienced martial artists may be able to grasp some of what they are seeing presented in online material, but there is never a substitute for studying with a skilled teacher.