Sun Zhi Jun - Swimming Body Eight Trigram Palm of Cheng Style [8 DVD Set]

DVD 1: Basic Training
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.

DVD 2: Eight Trigram Mother Palm and Swimming Body Eight Trigram Palm Series
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 3: 24 Moves (64 Palms)
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 linear as in Xingyiquan 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.

DVD 4: Eight Trigram Turning Palms
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. Demonstrated 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.

DVD 5: Eight Trigram Broadsword
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 6: Eight Trigram Sword
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.

DVD 7: Eight Trigram Double Spear
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.

DVD 8: Eight Trigram Double Masakari
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.