Swimming Body Eight Trigram Palm Series of Cheng Style – Sun Zhi Jun

Salepage link: At HERE. Archive:

Sun Zhijun, expert of Baguazhang(Eight Trigram Palm), 8 Duan Chinese Wushu ranking. Born in 1933, Sun’s home town is Shen County of Hebei Province as Cheng Ting Hua: the master who created “Swimming Body Eight Trigram Palms”. He studied first with Liu Zi Yang who was a top disciple of Cheng Ting Hua, then with Cheng You Sheng (nephew of Cheng Tinghua) and also Chen You Xin (Second son of Cheng Ting Hua. All these experts were among the most respected masters of Cheng style Baguazhang. But is was mostly Chen You Sheng who supervised very strictly Sun’s Baguazhang training up to his full mastery. With more then seventy years of practice, Sun Zhijun brings us all the authentic knowledge and effectiveness of his art.

Li Chunling is one of Sun’s top disciples, 6 Duan Chinese Wushu ranking. Ms. Li was Gold medallist in several International Wushu Competitions.

Here’s What Others Say about “Swimming Body Eight Trigram Palm ” by Sun Zhijun – Complete Collection 8 DVDs 

“A great collection for all Pakua chang practitioners” by R. Prescott – London (UK)

I discovered this collection with pleasure: one key feature in Sun style is the natural walking but in the same time the emphasis on lower, large stretching legs.

Swimming dragon becomes alive with Sun Zhijun, fast and very supple even at 80 years old and he still can do down on large stretching posture. No need to dig more about lineage or any kind of formal reference, this guy has the “thing” to keep him flexible and fit at this age that’s the real spirit of martial art. Anyone should look it closely.

“Pretty complete and precise materials on Cheng style Baguazhang” by M. Santos – Barcelona (Spain)

I used to practice Cheng style BGZ according to Liu Jingru’s DVDs and I have even train with Liu and his students.

Then I found this new DVDs set which is finally quite nice. The specific style of Sun gives new possibilities of training and understanding. For example simple details on hands forms or steps are slightly different. But sure its the same lineage, both Sun and Liu are remarkable though.

I also enjoy the demonstration of Sun disciple, giving us the idea of a faster pace with still the same precision in the movement.

Sun’s BGZ is very practical as his teaching materials. For example the Eight old palms set seems to be less complex and in the same time mnore fluid linking.

Again judging various teachers materials give you a new way of thinking in terms of BGZ. I would say for more linking movements in Old palms Sun’s way is great but for didactic issues (and symmetrical training) Liu’s way leads the way.Just my opinion. Anyway it’s certainly a reference to have in your files for Baguazhang.

A final detail: the step (mud step) takes another way with Sun and I believe too that his method is more practical. And a charming Ms. Li in explanations and performance…

Details of the each set included in “Swimming Body Eight Trigram Palm of Cheng Style” by Sun Zhijun…..

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..

• Artists: Sun Zhijun & Li Chunling
• Media: 1 (one) x DVDs converted into 1 (one) avi video file without quality loss.
• Soundtrack: Chinese
• Subtitle: English
• Duration: 48 mins

DVD 2: Eight Trigram Mother Palm and Swimming Body Eight Trigram Palm Series

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.

• Artists: Sun Zhijun & Li Chunling
• Media: 1 (one) x DVDs converted into 1 (one) avi video file without quality loss.
• Soundtrack: Chinese
• Subtitle: English
• Duration: 55 mins

DVD 3-24 Moves (64 Palms )

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.

• Artists: Sun Zhijun & Li Chunling
• Media: 1 (one) x DVDs converted into 1 (one) avi video file without quality loss.
• Soundtrack: Chinese
• Subtitle: English
• Duration: 56 mins 

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.

• Artists: Sun Zhijun & Li Chunling
• Media: 1 (one) x DVDs converted into 1 (one) avi video file without quality loss.
• Soundtrack: Chinese
• Subtitle: English
• Duration: 44 mins

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.

• Artists: Sun Zhijun & Li Chunling
• Media: 1 (one) x DVDs converted into 1 (one) avi video file without quality loss.
• Soundtrack: Chinese
• Subtitle: English
• Duration: 55 mins

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.

• Artists: Sun Zhijun & Li Chunling
• Media: 1 (one) x DVDs converted into 1 (one) avi video file without quality loss.
• Soundtrack: Chinese
• Subtitle: English
• Duration:65 mins

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.

• Artists: Sun Zhijun & Li Chunling
• Media: 1 (one) x DVDs converted into 1 (one) avi video file without quality loss.
• Soundtrack: Chinese
• Subtitle: English
• Duration: 55 mins

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.

• Artists: Sun Zhijun & Li Chunling
• Media: 1 (one) x DVDs converted into 1 (one) avi video file without quality loss.
• Soundtrack: Chinese
• Subtitle: English
• Duration: 80 mins