This and other stories have come into Chinese culture through a strong oral tradition. What is fact may never be determined. However, the fact remains that Bagwa movement exists and many of those who practice Bagwa movement have found that the increased internal and external strength they have developed has benefited their daily lives tremendously.One legend is that Bagwa was the name of a man born in a remote province of China over 1500 years ago. At a young age Bagwa traveled into the mountains to learn. From his training and study of nature, Bagwa reached a point of tremendous internal and external strength and ability. One night in a dream, Bagwa saw the province in peril from an impending invasion. He came down from the mountains to warn the Royal family and offer his assistance to help protect the kingdom.
The School of Oom Yung Doe, The Grandmaster Iron Kim
At that time, during a crisis, it was common for people of all different positions, of all different ages, man, woman, and child alike to come to the aid of the Royal family to protect the kingdom. Bagwa was one of many individuals who offered to help. With the Royal Familiy's permission, his task was to build a strong army to protect the kingdom. With his knowledge and training, he was able to assemble an army in one tenth the time normally necessary. Each solder was taught the knowledge and skill to be a qualified general.When the time came to do battle, this elite fighting force easily defeated the opposing force about one hundred times as strong. Bagwa had saved the kingdom and made the province a better place for its people. The King's main wish had always been his concern for the protection of each citizen and after the opposing army was defeated he felt that the needs of the Kingdom would best serveed if Bagwa would take the throne. With his head down the King offered the throne to Bagwa whom he respected. Bagwa's humbled response was that he was still learning and that he had a long way to go and wished to return to the mountains and continue his training. He could not accept this victory with pride and was troubled with the thought that others would remember him as a great warrior.The King then asked Bagwa what he should do to protect the kingdom if there was another threat. Bagwa agreed to stay 100 days to further train many prominent citizens of the kingdom, including higher nobility, priests, offers, and other leaders involved in protecting the kingdom. Legend has it that some of these individuals never passed down the knowledge of Bagwa movement, while others further developed the practice of Bagwa and secretly passed that knowledge down from generation to generation in their own family line. Over the centuries it is believed that the knowledge of Bagwa movement was secretly passed down until a few hundred years ago, when it began to be taught more openly to the public.When Bagwa finally left, he respectfully bowed to the King. As he slowly walked away in a peculiar stepping manner, the King called after him, asking him questions. There was no response. Only Bagwa's rhythmic breathing that sounded like BAAAG WAAA! BAAAG WAAA! BAAAG WAAA! Within a short distance from the town, the King saw his body disappear, almost as if it floated away.This special, circular walking position was derived from the movements of different animals and is called Bagwa Walk. The original form, consisted of over 70 positions, has been expanded and passed down over the centuries to encompass many different offensive and defensive positions.This legend has been passed down from generation to generation through a rich oral tradition from the time of the Han Dynasty.
also, does Ba Gua have the cross leg/scissor stance in any of its' applications? I thought no. Observe some of the stances from this webpage of OYD: http://www.oomyungdoe-nw.com/8martia...ung/index.html
As Joan River says: "Talk amonst yourselves"..LOL