The Bagua Teachings Sun Zhi Jun

Born in Cheng village, the area where Cheng Ting Hua was born and famous for BaGua practitioners, Sun Zhi Jun is the real thing. In his seventies now he is mobile, fluid and limber. His mastery of not only hands but weapons forms is quite something. He has often been called one of BaGua's top fighters and his definitive movements back up this estimation. He is considered by some to be one of the best of the Cheng stylists. His movements are generous, changeable.

IMPORTANT! A few customers have had problems playing this series on their DVD players. Although the series is coded at NTSC playable in all regions, it does not come up on all DVD players. You should have no problems playing these on your computer; we always recommend the free download of VLC player for trouble-free playing of DVDs OR VCDs on your computer.

DVD#24383 Eight Diagrams Health Palm
by Li Chun Ling, Sun ZhiJun's disciple,
Swimming Body Eight Trigram Palm Series of Cheng Style
Single DVD, English subtitled, about 48 minutes, $19.50

This, and the DVD below, are tied together as useful introductions to Bagua. Actually, the Health Palm (24383) is probably more difficult than the Hologram Palm (24384), and should offer a good challenge to those learning or continuing in their Bagua studies.

In the Bagua Zhang Health Palm, the forms and shapes are extensions of Chinese medical theory, and almost a NeiGong. These sectioned movements are explicit and easy to imitate.

Also, both DVDs have an enviable section on the splits (?).

Teacher Li is a good instructor and carries forward her teacher's clarity and dedication.

Some Features: Good details, larger movements, some fa jin, more precise movements with more 
breakdown, more holding postures.

DVD#24384 Eight Diagrams Hologram Palm
by Sun ZhiJun's disciple, Li ChunLiang
Swimming Body Eight Trigram Palm Series of Cheng Style
Single DVD, English subtitled, about 48 minutes, $19.50

Quantity

This “hologram” form has the purpose of introducing correct and important “shapes” for Bagua training. Each posture starts with one or two quick movements of the arms and then a change of direction.

Unlike most Bagua styles, each of these forms can be practiced in place with no walking or locomotion at all. Also each of these forms can be learned one side at a time, making it much easier for the early states of memorization. All postures grow from the previous Bagua move with an emphasis on correct arm positions and long clear movements Demonstrations include both adult and child.

DVD#24273Bagua Basics
Sun ZhiJun
Swimming Body Eight Trigram Palm Series of Cheng Style
Single DVD, English subtitled, 48 minutes, $15.95

Here are the basics of Bagua seen through the lens of the Cheng style. Though all styles are, ultimately, Bagua each branch has its special skills and requirements. In this DVD Sun himself shows basic hand positions, leg positions, locomotion and each, in the final section basics of the Bagua sword. The basics are, of course, essential but the bonus here is to listen to those little details informed by a lifetime of Bagua experience. These are the questions that you would ask an instructor over and over for exactness and structure. Of particular interest is the Cheng style of movement with a gliding steps and, in some instances, a very low to the ground leg position..

Sun ZhiJun
Swimming Body Eight Trigram Palm Series of Cheng Style
Single DVD, English subtitled, 55 minutes, $15.95

The Eight Mother Palms constitute the core exercise of the Bagua system. Here is a well done presentation of the Cheng style version of the art with the core palms up which future skills will be built. The first full series is the Cheng Mother Palms which, in all styles of Bagua, is the foundational exercise to create the other, more complex variations. Mr. Sun also shows a complete version of the Swimming Body Eight Turning Palms. The instruction is good and clear for this crucial information about the Cheng style Bagua Zhang.

DVD#24275

Sun ZhiJun
Swimming Body Eight Trigram Palm Series of Cheng Style
Single DVD, English subtitled, 55 minutes, $15.95

The two-headed spear can sometimes be the butt (pun intended) of crude martial jokes such as knowing which end is up, etc. In truth it is one of those weapons that makes you wonder why it was invented in the first place. This is, of course like any weapon, unless you see someone who actually know what he is doing. Sun Zhi Jun makes this fairly obscure weapon considerably more acceptable through his common sense approach and demonstration of its special characteristics in usage. When you think about it the two-headed spear is actually one of those perfect weapons for Bagua which include the Judge's Needle and the Elk Horn knives. All of these weapons can easily be employed with Bagua's special skills such as reverse rolling and around the back energy. This is a good set, one of the better two-headed spear forms we've see, with a distinctly Bagua flavor and set of movements.

Sun ZhiJun
Swimming Body Eight Trigram Palm Series of Cheng Style
Single DVD, English subtitled, 55 minutes, $15.95

A really good presentation. With the help of his able assistant, Li ChunLing, Mr. Sun demonstrates postures and movements form the Saber which show not only its use but the requirements of good performance. He even goes on to show taboos with the weapon. For instance he forbids the normal body wrapping skills of the saber during Bagua performance. The set itself is well constructed, functional yet beautiful with constant turning and a real attempt to live up to the title of the style "Swimming Body." Definitely not for beginners.

DVD#24277

Sun ZhiJun
Swimming Body Eight Trigram Palm Series of Cheng Style
Single DVD, English subtitled, 65 minutes, $15.95

Sun, aided by his student assistant, teaches the Straight Sword of the Cheng branch. As one might expect a strong performance, a lot of confidence and a definite style. Ms. Li ChunLing shows the details while Sun gives some very interesting background on his sword and the play of the sword in Bagua generally. He is a strong advocate of "walking the Sword" and stopping only rarely in the practice. This sword, as in the case of the Bagua Saber, is longer than most and a little more difficult to wield. A very nice set with excellent construction. As Sun says, and we agree, very few sword rolls as they have little use in martial sword play. .

Sun ZhiJun
Swimming Body Eight Trigram Palm Series of Cheng Style
Single DVD, English subtitled, 80 minutes, $15.95

A nice performed set by assistant instructor Li ChunLing with a continually moving set of Sun Moon Blades. Then Mr. Sun shows up to gives us background not only on the weapons but their practice in the art of Bagua. There is a lot of instruction on the different ways to practice, safety tips on not cutting yourself, and a little historical review of the weapon and its creator, Mr. Dong Hai Chuan. Breakdowns are clear and well organized. One of the most compact and complete presentations for this weapon that we have seen. Instruction and advice from a professional.

Sun ZhiJun
Swimming Body Eight Trigram Palm Series of Cheng Style
Single DVD, English subtitled, 44 minutes, $15.95

The Eight Turning Palms set is also called the Eight Old Palms. Here is a very short and easily learned form based on the eight mother positions where you essentially walk a circle with holding each of the primary positions for Cheng style Bagua. Demosntrated by Li Chun Ling one of Sun's top student, she gives very clear and straight forward explanation for each position and movement. We strongly suggest that people who might be serious about Bagua pick up a set like this or the Old Palms of Kang Ge Wu. It adds a real foundation to the rest of the palms you will learn later.

Sun ZhiJun
Swimming Body Eight Trigram Palm Series of Cheng Style
Single DVD, English subtitled, 56 minutes, $15.95

A medium sized linking set of great charm and skill mostly concentrating on body changes. In his introductory remarks Mr. Sun is very determine to make everyone understand that this is 24 moves with 64 palms but is not a linear, xing yi type form and is therefore one of the last of the completely tradition pure bagua forms of the Cheng school. As far as size of form one of the most attractive of the Bagua sets with plenty of challenges. Swimming Body is a particular emphasis in the Cheng school and this is one of the best examples, move for move, that you could see.