Ba Gua Nei Gong Vol. 3: Twelve Posture Standing

Embedded within the martial art Ba Gua Zhang is a complete system of internal exercises that promote self-healing and longevity and transform consciousness. Ba Gua Nei Gong consists of nine powerful and profound methods of internal exercise and self-cultivation. This book is the third in a series of manuals on Ba Gua Nei Gong. It can be used in conjunction with actual instruction in Ba Gua Zhang, or employed as a stand-alone instruction manual. This book presents Ba Gua's unique 12 posture standing practice. Ba Gua Twelve Posture Standing Nei Gong imparts "Sinew Strength." It is therefore an excellent exercise for strengthening the body and stabilizing the joints. Unlike basic standing in which the body is evenly balanced on two legs, Twelve Posture Standing presents a challenging mix of back-weighted, front-weighted and even single leg postures that develop balance and refined strength and power. Each stance engages with the energy and breath in a unique and different way. Therefore regular practice of the 12 postures, not only strengthens, but also opens up, the whole body. These twelve postures, or "stances," are in some sense frozen moments of movement from one position to another. Holding such moments of transition - in which the center of gravity has just moved and is about to move again - allows one to sense the internal energetic configuration of a part of a movement. In this way, one can fully engage with the spiral power configurations - wrapping, twisting, drilling, and coiling - that those stances impart. An additional section of the book details Ba Gua Three Posture Standing, a precursor to the Single Palm Change - Ba Gua Zhang's signature maneuver. Ba Gua Zhang is known for its circular walking, fast footwork and rapidly changing postures and palms. Twelve Posture Standing and Three Posture Standing provide balanced counterpoints to Ba Gua's moving postures and the eight basic palm changes. The books in the Ba Gua Nei Gong Series are: Ba