The Eight Post Methods
Of
Liu Style Baguazhang
Taught by Guo Zhenya
Written by Lin Guohua
Demonstrated by Xing Jun
From Wudang Magazine 2007.6 #202
Translated by Joseph Crandall
The Eight Posts are the beginning skill methods of Liu Style Baguazhang. They
emphasize cultivation the body, externally by the ability to coordinate twisting and
turning and developing the skills of bracing the sinews and drawing out the bones.
Internally they cultivate the drumming swaying round rolling energy and the skill of
microcosmic horizontal movement.
1. Squeeze (Squeeze the Horse Post)
Both feet are separated slightly more than shoulder
width. The distance is about the length of three of
your own feet. Simultaneously the knees hook
inward. Bend the knees and squat down to make the
Squeeze the Horse step. Both arms are lifted up
level with the chest. They stretch out to the front
with the palms facing diagonally toward each other.
They are like holding up a ball. The fingers are
naturally spread open. The tiger’s mouths are
rounded. The tips of the elbows hang down. The
chest is hollowed and the back is rounded. The buttocks are constrained. The eyes gaze
toward the front. (pictures 1 and 2)
Essential points: The toes grip the ground. The knees hook and the legs squeeze. The
belly is raised and the groin sinks. The buttocks are constrained and
the back is rounded. The shoulders are relaxed and the elbows drop.
The head pushes up and the neck is erect.
Function: This mainly trains the complete energy of the whole body. It cultivates
the dantian neigong. It lays the foundation for moving the inner five
elements. It strengthens the body, prevents disease, and nurtures long
life.
Smiling Tiger Martial Arts
Pinole CA, 94564
Copyright 2007 – all rights reserved
2. Push (Push the Mountain Post)
1) The actions of the lower limbs are the same
as in Squeeze the Horse post. The left hand
is held levelly by the front of the chest. It is
level with the shanzhong point. (CV 17)
The palm faces downward. The right hand is
placed by the dantian area. The palm faces
upward and is opposite the left palm like
embracing a round shape. (picture 3)
2) The actions of the lower limbs are the same
as above. Use the waist as the axel and
rotate toward the left. Both palms simultaneously overturn outward and push to
the outside. (picture 4)
Notes: Use the left form as the template. The right form is similar only the
directions are reversed. The left and right sides make one cycle. Repeat this 36 times.
Essential points: The waist area is loose as it turns. The eyes follow the turning of
the hands. The hands must roll and overturn. The waist must twist.
Function: Pay attention to training the waist strength and the palms’ sideways
pushing strength.
Smiling Tiger Martial Arts
Pinole CA, 94564
Copyright 2007 – all rights reserved
3. Winding (Winding Body Post)
1) The actions of the lower limbs are the
same as above. The arms each stretch
out levelly toward the left and right
like holding up a heavenly object.
(picture 5) Then the left hand moves
down by the upper belly. The palm
faces up. The side of the palm is
opposite the navel area. (picture 6)
2) The actions of the lower limbs are the
same as above. The waist rotates
toward the left. The left hand, from the navel area, moves along
the Dai meridian to arrive behind the back. The back of the hand
makes contact with the mingmen point. (Du 4) The right hand
simultaneously pierces up toward the left to uphold. (picture 7)
Notes: Use the left form as the template. The right form is similar
only the directions are reversed. The left and right sides make one
cycle. Repeat this 36 times.
Essential points: The waist area is loose as it turns. Use the waist to
pull the hand. Use the will to move the qi.
Function: This mainly trains waist strength. It opens up the Dai meridian.
Smiling Tiger Martial Arts
Pinole CA, 94564
Copyright 2007 – all rights reserved
4. Twisting (Twisting and Piercing Post)
1) Both legs stand straight, about shoulders width apart.
Then they slightly bend and squat down making the
Squeeze the Horse step. The hands separate and open
to uphold levelly to the left and right. Their height is
even with the shoulders. The palms face up like
upholding a heavenly object. (picture 8)
2) Pivot on the toe of the left foot. Twist and rotate the
left hip inward. Rotate the waist. Simultaneously, the
left hand bends and makes a horse head palm by the
hollow of the shoulder. (picture 9)
3) Pivot on the toe of the left foot and
simultaneously rotate outward. The
left hand, from below the left
armpit, twists and pierces toward
the left front direction. This makes
the lower posture. (picture 10)
Notes: Use the left form as the
template. The right form is similar
only the directions are reversed. The
left and right sides make one cycle.
Repeat this 36 times. (pictures 11 and
12)
Essential points: Turning the foot,
twisting the hip, rotating the waist
must be coordinated as a unit. It must
not stop or be obstructed.
Function: This trains the whole body’s rolling, drilling, vying, and wrapping
strengths.
Smiling Tiger Martial Arts
Pinole CA, 94564
Copyright 2007 – all rights reserved
5. Thrusting (Lower Thrusting Post)
1) The right leg bends. The left
leg stretches out straight
making a left lying step. The
left hand is by the lower jaw
area with palm facing up. The
right hand stretches out straight
with the palm facing up.
(picture 13)
2) Continuing from the above
posture, the body does a
swimming motion toward the
left front direction and makes a
left bow step. The left palm
stretches out straight toward
the left front direction and
thrusts out. (picture 14)
Notes: Use the left form as the template. The right form is similar only the directions
are reversed. The left and right sides make one cycle. Repeat this 36 times. (pictures
15 and 16)
Essential points: Use the waist and hip’s pulling motion to thrust the palm out. The
whole body must be coordinated.
Function: This has opening the hip joint and strengthening the hip joint agile nature
and coordinating it with the whole body. It is also used to develop thrusting and
piercing strength in the hands.
Smiling Tiger Martial Arts
Pinole CA, 94564
Copyright 2007 – all rights reserved
6. Slapping (Double Slapping Post)
1) The right leg bends. The left leg
stretches out straight making a left
lying step. The left hand is by the
lower jaw area with palm facing up.
The right hand stretches out straight
with the palm facing up. (picture 17)
2) The left hand pierces out below the
right armpit making a double crossed
form. (picture 18) Simultaneously,
the body twists toward the right.
Both palms make an outward
pushing form. (picture 19)
3) The body turns suddenly toward the left.
Both palms slap toward the left. (picture
20)
Notes: Use the left form as the template. The
right form is similar only the directions are
reversed. The left and right sides make one
cycle. Repeat this 36 times.
Essential points: The body must pull the hands. Issuing energy must be fierce and
quick.
Function: This trains horizontal slapping and issuing strength in both palms.
Smiling Tiger Martial Arts
Pinole CA, 94564
Copyright 2007 – all rights reserved
7. Overturning (Overturning Body Post)
The left leg is in the front. The right leg in the rear
bends to make an empty step. The left hand is
positioned by the waist area with the palm facing
up. The right palm pushes down by the front of the
left knee. (pictures 21 and 22) The body rises. The
left palm pushes out from below the right palm.
(picture 23) The left foot hooks inward and the right
foot swings out. Simultaneously, the left hand
moves past the top of the head and pushes down by
the front of the left knee. The right hand is
placed by the waist area. (pictures 24 and 25)
Notes: Use the left form as the template. The
right form is similar only the directions are
reversed. The left and right sides make one
cycle. Repeat this 36 times.
Essential points: When overturning the
body, use the twisting, overturning, rising and
falling of the waist to generate the pushing
motions of the palms. It must be whole body.
Function: This mainly trains the twisting and overturning of the waist and body. It
opens up the liver meridian and regulates it.
Smiling Tiger Martial Arts
Pinole CA, 94564
Copyright 2007 – all rights reserved
8. Raise (Raise the Sinews Post)
The right foot stands straight. Lift up the left foot
until it is as high as the knee. The left palm pierces
toward the front. The right palm protects the front of
the hip. (pictures 26 and 27)
Notes: Use the left form as the template. The right
form is similar only the directions are reversed. The
left and right sides make one cycle. Repeat this 36
times. (pictures 28, 29, and 30)
Essential points: The toes grip the ground. When
raising the foot, the toes must hook upward as much
as possible. The dantian embraces the qi. The whole
body uses combined energy.
Function: This stimulates the foot’s shaoyang
meridian. It causes the kidney’s jing to get solid.
From this one can cultivate the meridians
throughout the body.
Smiling Tiger Martial Arts
Pinole CA, 94564
Copyright 2007 – all rights reserved
