Wenan county, home to Baguazhang eight diagrams palm — one of the major internal (Neijia) Chinese martial arts — has found a way to pass the art to younger generations.
The art is derived from the philosophy of the Book of Changes, an ancient Chinese book of divination and a source of Confucian and Taoist philosophy. It is characterized by the use of spiral movements with evasive footwork, relying primarily on open-hand techniques and full body movement, according to Xinhua News Agency.
To pass on the kung fu style, Wenan county has made it a compulsory course for primary and secondary schools. The courses on the theory and practice of Baguazhang are offered at 25 schools in 13 townships of the county, according to the local government.
Wang Jiandong, a sixth generation inheritor of Baguazhuang, has taught the martial art to around 2,000 students at the local Wenzhu Martial Arts School.
"The local government has continued to strengthen the inheritance and preservation of Baguazhang. It's our responsibility to carry it forward as inheritors," he said.
