8 November AD 2025

Baguazhang’s Verses: An Exploration of the Advanced Palms Special Tactics: This palm technique differs significantly from others: • Before striking to the West, we first create a distraction in the East. • Pointing high and hitting low — who can decipher our strategy? • Rolling up a curtain of pearls and flowing in reverse is truly remarkable. Triangulation • Mastery requires proficiency on at least two sides of the hand. • With one hand crossing and one hand striking straight, triangulation is achieved. • It feels as though one embraces their adversary close to the chest. Waist Power • When positioned high, prepare to lower; when low, prepare to rise. • Angling the body and stepping around removes the need for haste. • Utilize waist power to roll, angle, and wheel back. • At the waist’s furthest reach, unleash hard power. Waist and Footwork Balance • Hardness leads, but pliancy is hidden within. • Conversely, when pliancy takes the forefront, hardness holds back. • Our pliancy originates from the waist and footwork, making us both stable and agile. Trading the Body for a Shadow • Upon reaching the limit of movement, turn the body. • Exchange your physical presence for a shadow, leaving no trace. • The unpredictability lies in the footwork, driven by the waist’s initial extension. Tendon and Sinew Power • Strength is emitted from the sinews and bones. • The Achilles tendon connects from the spine to the brain. • A follow-up step releases full power. Waist and Footwork Mastery • If the adversary is hard, respond with pliancy. • When both sides use hardness and pliancy, use the waist for victory. • Strong footwork resolves conflict. Stepping Coordination • For proper stepping, initiate with the waist. • Without proper waist movement, steps become mistimed. Short Steps • In changing techniques, keep steps short. • Ground should be rubbed while walking, moving with calm steadiness.