内家拳

Internal Martial Arts

Taiji Quan

The Northern Wú style of Taiji Quan ( 吳氏太極拳 ) is known for its relaxed character, giving practitioners the ability to off-balance an opponent at first touch by borrowing their force.

Taiji Jian forms include the 64 posture long form of Wang Maozhai and the condensed 32 posture form arranged by Wang Peisheng. Taiji Dao consists of a traditional long form that has commonalities between Wu and Yang style, as well as a 12 posture two-handed dao routine that includes partner exercises. The Taiji dao includes a partial edge, narrow guard, and ring pommel that can be manipulated to quickly change direction. The Taiji spear 24 posture form is a longer routine with the long hardwood spear, approximately 3m in length (this is a different weapon to the shorter flexible flower spear and the long pole used for body development).

Bagua Zhang

Yin style Bagua Zhang ( 尹派八卦掌 ) is known for its smooth and fluid nature, giving practitioners the ability to change spontaneously in response to an opponent's actions.

Bagua Shibajie Dao is a circular practice of the goose feather saber (a long and narrow saber with guard) made famous by Ma Gui, who used its methods to great effect during the fall of the Qing dynasty. After an introductory sequence, eight sections of eight movements are performed walking on the circle. Bagua Chun Yang Jian is a linear bagua sword practice developed by Liu Dekuan

Xingyi Quan

Hebei Xingyi Quan ( 河北形意拳 ) is known for its stability, giving practitioners an ability to express sudden and explosive power. Xingyi is direct and practical, with drills for saber, sword, and spear performed modeled on the art's five element practices.

Hei Quan

Hei Quan is a colloquial name for Baiyuan Tongbei Quan. In addition to fundamental practices of jibengong, basic skills, and the eight ancestor fist routine, I practice the Tian Gang Dao, a 36 star form of long sabre called the miao dao, which is similar to the Japanese odachi. Tian Gang Dao is a form passed down within Baiyuan Tongbeiquan and is taught in 13 sections. It dates from the mid 18th century. Zhang Yun’s Tongbeiquan lineage includes Li Shusen (1902-1975), who trained with Li Zhendong (1882-1977), who taught members of the Chinese 29th Army sword skills during the Sino-Japanese War.