just commenting

by just commenting
(usa)

Actually, bagua is not hard to learn, with the right teacher. The problem is that bagua is a beltless system based upon the book of changes, and therefore has been 'changed' or 'adapted' with so many other styles and systems through out the years, and so it appears like information overload, so to speak. Bagua itself (the original Dong Hai quan teachings) are not hard to understand at all, and the elements of the style are actually rather easy. Like I said the system has been (as recommended by Dong Hai chuan himself) has been changed and modified into so many different styles that when one approaches bagua for the first time, they seem to get a sense of information overload, i.e. 8 animal, 64 palms, classic, Liang, park nam (spelling?) and all the different schools. Not to mention the circle forms vs. the linking forms, it is just a matter of (forgive the expression) bastardization of a central idea. But like I said, Dong Haichuan actually recommended that this happen, as long as the original idea of the verses, or book of changes and it's application (as he taught) was adhered to.
I said all of that to say, I would suggest that some one starting out with bagua look to the classical style and it's theory or verses, and adapt that teaching, and those ideals, to their own style of study and practice. After all, that is (in summary) what Dong Haichuan said to do.
just commenting.