Baguazhang
Helen Liang Demonstrates Baguazhang
Derek Cheng demonstrates Bagua Dao
Baguazhang is a martial art that was practised secretly for
millennia by Daoist hermits before it emerged from
obscurity in the late 19th century C.E. The most famous
modern proponent, Don Hai Chuan, became the bodyguard of
the Empress Dowager, and was a teacher well respected by
China’s most famous masters.
It is characterised by fast circular footwork, agile body
movements, and lightning-fast hands. It is one of the
famous three Neijia (Internal) styles which also include
Taijiquan and Xingyiquan.
Baguazhang training is very aerobic, and can teach you to:
“Walk like a dragon, retrieve and spin like an ape, change
momentum like an eagle, and be cam and steady like a still
tiger.”
The use of open palms instead of fists, and the use of
“negative space” is one of the things that makes baguazhang
particularly good for defeating multiple opponents.
Bagua contains powerful strikes. But the emphasis on flow
and constant change is what gives this art its versatility.
The options to choose between strikes, throws, joint locks,
pressure point control, and varying degrees of control,
make this art useful for self defence and for law
enforcement.
Bagua training is very aerobic, and emphasises stability
and agility.
The training is based on an understanding of 8 basic palm
shapes and their “energetic qualities”. Students learn the
natural methods of changing smoothly from one to another,
in a way that follows the flow of nature.
Baguazhang was practised for centuries by Daoist hermits
before it emerged from obscurity in the late 1800’s. The
most famous modern proponent, Dong Hai Chuan, became the
bodyguard of the Empress Dowager, and became a teacher well
respected by China’s most famous
masters.
LEVEL 1
Baguazhang Qigong
Basic Bagua Footwork (Mud Sliding Step) with turning Palms – left and right
Bagua Basic Eight Palms:
Upward Palm,
Downward Palm,
Upright Palm,
Embracing Palm,
Chopping Palm,
Scooping Palm,
Picking Palm,
Drilling Palm
Basic Eight Palms Routine and understanding its applications,
Single Palm Change,
Double Palm Change,
Following Through Palm Change,
Reversing Body Palm Change,
Turning body Palm Change,
Double Embracing Palm Change,
Grinding Body Palm Change,
Rotating Body Palm Change.
Eight Palms Sparring Routine
LEVEL 2
Bagua Deer Hook Sword Routine,
Bagua Body Conditioning
carrying weight,
post training,
two person body conditioning training
Basic Bagua Theory:
What is Bagua
Pre-Heaven arrangement of Bagua
The sixteen key words of Baguazhang
LEVEL 3
Swimming Body Baguazhang Routine and understanding its applications;
Bagua Cane
LEVEL 4
International Bagua Competition Training or other Baguazhang Routines,
Iron Shirt Qigong Training
Bagua Sword,
Bagua Broadsword,
Bagua Staff Routine.
Baguazhang is taught in private lessons. It is also taught in group lessons as part of the Neijia Wushu (Internal Kungfu) Curriculum.