bagua zhang

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.

Continue ReadingEverything You Need to Know About Ba Gua Zhang

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.

Continue ReadingMr. Wei Qinwen’s Biography

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.

Continue ReadingMr. Guo Gumin’s Biography
Read more about the article Inside Interview of Zhuge Jiabao

Inside Interview of Zhuge Jiabao

Mr. Zhuge Jiabao, an early disciple of Mr. Guo Gumin, one of the second-generation leading figures of Liang-style Baguazhang, is highly respected in the Liang-style Baguazhang community for his decades of dedication. One day, while visiting "Wu Soul" magazine, I discussed Mr. Zhuge's situation with the editorial staff, who hoped I could help interview Mr. Zhuge, mainly to understand how the Baguazhang predecessors taught and practiced, and the extent of their skills. I found the topic proposed by "Wu Soul" meaningful for exploring, inheriting, and promoting Chinese traditional martial arts, so I gladly accepted.

Continue ReadingInside Interview of Zhuge Jiabao
Read more about the article Untold Secret Two Auxiliary Methods for Practicing Baguazhang

Untold Secret Two Auxiliary Methods for Practicing Baguazhang

Indeed, routines like the Eight Major Palms are core to Baguazhang, but many fail to realize that basic exercises are also an essential part of Baguazhang. Like the foundation of a skyscraper, although basic training is slow to show results and time-consuming, if it is solid, the main structure will be stable. Therefore, practicing basic exercises is necessary. Although it may seem tedious at the beginning, with real dedication, one can deeply understand and appreciate the essence, which changes one's perception and understanding: masters of Baguazhang from older generations all emphasize the cultivation of basic skills.

Continue ReadingUntold Secret Two Auxiliary Methods for Practicing Baguazhang