Yin Style Baguazhang is an art of striking while moving. It is a martial art with precise theoretical and technical qualities. Its fighting theory and usage, outward appearance, and internal development methods all originate from and accord with a classic of ancient Chinese philosophy known as the Book of Changes. It is this philosophy which gives us the rules of the circle and square. In Yin Stlye Bagua, we turn round and strike square. In accord with the symbolism and meaning of the eight trigrams in the Book of Changes, Yin Style Bagua has eight distinct systems within the art. Each of these systems, represented by a trigram and particular animal, stands on its own as a complete martial art with unique developmental and fighting methods. Each animal system uses a different part of the body to generate power: Lion uses the waist; snake uses a binding, constricting force that can be generated by any part of the body; bear uses the back; dragon uses the feet; phoenix uses the shoulders; rooster uses the elbows; unicorn uses the waist to remove the opponent’s force; and monkey uses the legs. Yin Style Bagua places particular emphasis on single and combined strike practice paired with various types of footwork. A practitioner will use all parts of the body to execute attacks, with the use of accurate footwork and leg techniques being particularly important. Bagua leg techniques are said to be “heavy” — heavy not only in their power, but also in the heavy emphasis placed on …