八卦掌

Baguazhang (Bāguà zhǎng) is a form of internal martial arts characterized by its utilization of circular walking methods as part of its foundational practices. Founded by Dong Haichuan (1797-1882) in the mid 19th century, it has spread into many styles over time.

I practice Yin, Cheng, and Liu style bagua as taught in Yin Cheng Gong Fa by Zhang Yun and his senior disciples.

Yin Fu was Dong Haichuan's first disciple, and travelled with him to Mongolia when they worked as tax collectors for prince Su, a member of the imperial court. Ma Gui was a senior disciple of Yin Fu, and also learned directly from Dong Haichuan.

Cheng Tinghua (1848–1900), a skilled wrestler, was the fourth lineal disciple of Dong Haichuan and studied with him likely for six years (1876-1882), after Dong retired. Cheng, an optician, was killed while still middle aged in the Boxer Rebellion, and there is much variety in Cheng Style practice today. This may be due to Cheng teaching different students uniquely, or that many had not completed their training with him by the time of his death.

Liu Dekuan was a disciple of Dong Haichuan who was a reknowned weapons master. He helped arranged many weapons forms taught in Beijing internal martial arts groups. Liu Dekuan's linear bagua is practiced by many Cheng style groups.

Wang Peisheng's first teacher was Ma Gui and so Yin Cheng Gong Fa preserves a practice of Yin Style Bāguà to this day. He also later learned Cheng style and Liu style Bāguà from Yang Yuting's bagua instructor, Gao Kexing.

Curriculum

I practice the sixty four circular palms of Yin Fu and the eighteen interceptions saber (sibajie dao) of Ma Gui; the eight mother palms (bamuzhang) circle walking neigong and the eight big palms (badazhang) as taught in this line of Cheng baguazhang, the sixty four linear bagua methods of Liu Dekuan (bagua sanshou) as well as circle walking with jian and the bagua pure yang sword (bagua chunyang jian).

Bibliography

  1. Shengli, L., 2006. Combat techniques of Taiji, Xingyi and Bagua: Principles and practices of internal martial arts. Blue Snake Books.
  2. Wang, Mu, 2011. Foundations of Internal Alchemy: The Taoist Practice of Neidan. Translated by Pregadio, Fabrizio. Golden Elixir Press.