Other Martial Art

What is Baji quan? why its so powerful

If you’re fascinated by martial arts that combine raw power, explosive force, and a deep cultural heritage, then Bājì Quán might be exactly what you’re looking for. Known as the “Eight Extremities Fist” or “Eight Extremes Fist,” Bājì Quán is a Chinese martial art famous for its fierce strikes, close-range combat techniques, and uncompromising approach to self-defense. But it’s more than just a fighting style—it’s an art that’s woven into the history, philosophy, and spirit of traditional Chinese culture. So, buckle up, and let’s dive into everything you need to know about Bājì Quán. From its origins and techniques to training principles and modern applications, we’re about to unpack the essence of this powerful martial art.

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Everything You Need to Know About Ba Gua Zhang

If you’re intrigued by martial arts that blend fluid movement with philosophy, spirituality, and a touch of mystery, then Ba Gua Zhang might be just the thing you’re looking for. Known as the “Eight Trigram Palm,” this martial art is as mesmerizing to watch as it is powerful to practice. But Ba Gua Zhang isn’t just about self-defense; it's a complete system that’s steeped in ancient Chinese wisdom, mystical practices, and intricate, circular movements that are like poetry in motion. Let’s dive into the world of Ba Gua Zhang and unravel everything you need to know about this unique martial art.

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Advanced Combat Techniques: Understanding Vital Organs and Joints

Picking up from where we left off, we continue to explore the role of the hip joint in technical movements. I will introduce two types of force exertion in the hip joint: thrusting and rotating. Let's use the "Push Thrust" move from boxing as an example to explain the thrusting force.        In boxing, the Push Thrust is a basic takedown technique. Unlike the pushing actions in self-defense videos online, the Push Thrust requires the explosion of full-body strength, propelling forward while the hands carry and then thrust forward vigorously.       This move is somewhat akin to the Tiger Pounce in Xingyi Quan, resembling the pounce of predators like wolves and tigers during a hunt. Note that once executed, this move is almost impossible to counter. Here, I advise against retreating to absorb the impact and then trying to counter with an over-the-shoulder throw, as that might send you flying even further.    Now, let's break down the Push Thrust. First, the front foot steps forward, allowing sufficient space for force generation. Then, the back foot pushes off the ground, driving the whole body forward, and the hip joint thrusts forward, powering the upper body to lean forward and push with the hands. This move can also be combined with the "Catch" technique, grabbing the opponent's shoulders to complete the movement. When ensuring an effective attack that the opponent can't dodge, this move can directly knock down the opponent.

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San Da: the front hand straight punch.

 In this article, I will explain the most basic and commonly used punch in Sanda: the front hand straight punch.      In the realm of combat, the front hand straight punch mainly comes in two types: one involves turning the front foot (this type of front hand straight punch is often intended for direct strikes, causing damage to the opponent with strong lethal power).         The second type does not involve turning the front foot. Compared to the first type, this front hand straight punch has weaker lethal power, but it is more effective in connecting subsequent actions. Its primary use is for probing the opponent, measuring the striking distance, scoring points, and linking subsequent actions for combination attacks (such as a front hand straight punch followed by a back hand straight punch, or a front hand straight punch followed by a throwing technique).

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How a Taoism Practices

I perform this practice once upon waking and once before sleeping. If time allows, I also do it in the afternoon. The duration is flexible. I approach the practice slowly and naturally, without focusing on appearances or controlling my breathing. I close my mouth slightly with my teeth lightly touching and my tongue resting against the roof of my mouth. I sit straight with an erect spine, relaxed shoulders, and a contained chest. My eyes are nearly closed (as if lowering a curtain). I place both hands lightly on my lower Dantian in the Taiji symbol posture. Either crossed-legged or in a natural sitting position is acceptable. I breathe out turbid air from my mouth and then slowly inhale fresh air through my nose, replenishing the air expelled from my Dantian. I exhale quickly and inhale slowly, fully exhaling and inhaling. I repeat this breathing three times to expel all turbid air from my abdomen, then settle my mind, putting all thoughts aside. I redirect my vision and hearing inward, concentrating the essence in my kidneys, guarding my eyes, the soul in my liver, guarding my mouth, the spirit in my heart, guarding my nose, and the thoughts in my spleen, with concentrated intent.

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Mr. Wei Qinwen’s Biography

    Mr. Wei was originally from Funing County, Hebei Province but was born in Shenyang and taught martial arts at the Jilin Institute of Technology until his retirement. His father was a wealthy businessman who ran a restaurant, and Mr. Wei, out of necessity, began apprenticing at the restaurant after finishing elementary school. Despite the daily toil, he continued to self-study diligently, seeking advice from the restaurant's patrons whenever he encountered difficulties. Thanks to his hard work and extraordinary intelligence, he made significant progress in his studies, laying a solid foundation for his future work and teaching. In his youth, Mr. Wei was frail and often ill, but was fortunate to be taken as a nominal disciple by Mr. Li Wenbiao, a renowned third-generation Baguazhang master and president of the Shenyang Martial Arts Association, who taught him Baguazhang.

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Mr. Guo Gumin’s Biography

         Guo Gumin, originally named Decang, was born on September 20th of the 13th year of the Guangxu Emperor (1887) and passed away on August 25th, 1968. His ancestral home was Guojiazhuang, twenty miles south of Yi County, Hebei Province. In his youth, he left home for Beijing to apprentice at an old clothing business. During his apprenticeship, through an introduction, he met the second-generation master of Baguazhang and founder of Liang style Baguazhang, "Clothing Liang" Liang Gongzhen, and thus began his training in Baguazhang under him.

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Ba Gua Zhang Popular Question & Answers

Why do practitioners of Baguazhang constantly walk in circles? Baguazhang, also known as Turning Palm, is vividly described by some as the "Millstone Door" due to practitioners' continuous left and right rotational walking in circles. The Bagua Song by Master Dong Haichuan goes: "Travel the ends of the earth with the primordial qi, the true essence of Bagua is my domain, every move does not stray from the change of feet, standing still is deemed to have fallen to the ground." The constant walking in circles, rotating left and right, is a major characteristic of the Bagua martial art school, making it unique, efficient, and an important skill.

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