Baguazhang

Modern Baguazhang was created by Dong Haichuan in the 19th Century. Dong purportedly taught each of his students differently, capitalizing on their existing strengths. The two most popular styles of Baguazhang come from two of Dong's students - Yin Fu and Cheng Tinghua.

Yin style's hand posture focuses on the 'oxtail palm' which has the fingers straight with the thumb tucked to the side. The back is held relatively straight, even in low squats (though not necessarily perpendicular to the ground as in Taijiquan). It's is said that Yin Fu had a background in Shaolinquan before learning from Dong, so this style focuses more on striking.

Cheng style's hand posture focuses on the "dragon's claw" where the fingers are slightly separated and grasping inwards. The body has a more pronounced bow to it than Yin style. Cheng Tinghua reportedly was a shuaijiao (chinese wrestling) exponent and so this style focuses more on entries to throws than rapid striking.

In Xinyi-Dao, we practice Cheng style baguazhang (as descended from the Cheng Tinghua to Yang Mingshan to Wang Rongtang to Li Tailiang lineage). Our practice of baguazhang is structured to help express the spirals throughout the body. Basic concepts such as "first move around the opponent, then move the opponent around you" are taught, explored, and drilled.