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Xing Yi Master Li Jian Qiu on Attacking & Defending in Xing Yi
Li Jian Qiu (李劍秋) was a disciple of Li Cun Yi. Li Jian Qiu is the author of Xing Yi Quan Shu (形意拳術) – “the Art of Xing Yi Boxing” – written in 1919 during
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Muscle-Tendon Change, Marrow Washing & Fascial Training: Part 2 by Tom Bisio
This is the second part of four posts on the Muscle-Tendon Change, Marrow Washing & Fascial Training. This series of articles examines the efficacy of the Muscle-Tendon Change and Marrow Washing exercises on fascial fitness,
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Li Jian Qiu on Xing Yi Boxing – The Benefits of Xing Yi Training
Li Jian Qiu (李劍秋) was a disciple of Li Cun Yi. Li Jian Qiu is the author of Xing Yi Quan Shu (形意拳術) – “the Art of Xing Yi Boxing” – written in 1919 during
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Muscle-Tendon Change, Marrow Washing & Fascial Training: Part 1 by Tom Bisio
This article is the first in a series of articles that examine the efficacy of the famous Muscle-Tendon Change and Marrow Washing exercises on fascial fitness, bone and marrow health, and immunity. From a Chinese
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More Xing Yi Paradoxes
Last month we looked at some “Xing Yi paradoxes.” These can also be thought of as “aphorisms” – pithy statements that contain important truths and observations. The use of somewhat mysterious, pity statements often serves
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From the Archives: Ba Gua Zhang 12 Standing Postures
In the last few months we have received several requests for information on the 12 Standing Postures of Ba Gua Zhang. We looked through our archives and found two posts on the 12 Standing Postures:
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Xing Yi Quan Paradoxes
Great masters of the internal arts often employ seemingly paradoxical statements to explain the principles of internal boxing. Over the years I have found some of the Xing Yi sayings very helpful, both for my
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An Interview with IAI Instructor Thad Wong: Part 2
IAI instructor Thad Wong has trained extensively in Ba Gua Zhang with Internal Arts international (IAI). In the course of his training he has made several trips to Beijing with IAI founder Tom Bisio and
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An Interview with IAI Instructor Thad Wong: Part 1
IAI instructor Thad Wong has trained extensively in Ba Gua Zhang with Internal Arts international (IAI). In the course of his training he has made several trips to Beijing with IAI founder Tom Bisio and
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Grasping the “intangible” – Understanding Xing Yi Quan
Grasping the “intangible” – Understanding Xing Yi Quan By IAI Xing Yi Instructor Matt Tomkiel “Xingyi merges body and function.” – Liu Qi Lan (1819 – 1889)* Xingyiquan trains the body to spontaneously respond to
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Golden Ointment (Jin Huang Gao) – an Indispensable Herbal Formula
Jin Huang Gao (Golden Ointment) is a unique and very adaptable herbal formula for external use. It has many applications including treating trauma, infected wounds and various kinds of boils and sores.
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Ba Gua Zhang 48 Methods: Methods 37 to 48
The Thirty-Six Songs discuss and clearly explain how to properly train Shen Fa, footwork (Bu Fa), movement and rotation, the pathways of Qi and walking the circle, the pathways of Jin and the connection with
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Inflammation Part 3: Other Perspectives on Inflammation – Causes & Consequences
Current research has introduced other perspectives on both the causes and consequences of inflammation, including more global perspectives. The previous articles on inflammation focused largely on inflammation due to traumatic injury to soft tissue: Inflammation
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Short Video Clips from the IAI Ba Gua /Xing Yi Summer Intensive (08/13/22)
More than 20 students and instructors came together in Stamford, Connecticut, for the IAI Ba Gua /Xing Yi Summer Intensive on August 13th and 14th. Everyone trained hard for 8 hours each day. People came
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Ba Gua Zhang 48 Methods: Methods 25 to 36
The Thirty-Six Songs discuss and explain clearly how to properly train Shen Fa, footwork (Bu Fa), movement and rotation, the pathways of Qi and walking the circle, the pathways of Jin and the connection with
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Inflammation Part 2: Inflammation, RICE, & Chinese Medicine
This is Part 2 of an article on Inflammation by Tom Bisio. Read Part 1 at the link below. What is Inflammation? In Inflammation Part 1: Inflammation, Joint Injuries & Anti-Inflammatory Drugs, the dangers of
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Ba Gua Zhang 48 Methods: Methods 13-24
The Thirty-Six Songs discuss and clearly explain how to properly train Shen Fa, footwork (Bu Fa), movement and rotation, the pathways of Qi and walking the circle, the pathways of Jin and the connection with
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Inflammation Part 1: Inflammation, Joint Injuries & Anti-Inflammatory Drugs
A recent Canadian study offers important clue to why some back pain becomes chronic. The study suggests that taking anti-inflammatory drugs for acute pain inhibits healing, while also indicating that inflammation is the key to
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Xing Yi Rhymed Verses: 橫拳 Heng Quan (Crossing Fist)
The “songs” or rhymed verses of Xing Yi Quan give the practitioner insight into the essential internal and external actions of the movements in Xing Yi. This article covers three verses pertaining to Heng Quan
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What is Zang Fu Tui Na?
Two questions I have received many times in the last year are: Exactly what is Zang Fu Tui Na? Is Zang Fu Tui Na the same as Visceral Manipulation or Chi Nei Tsang? Answering these
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Ba Gua Zhang 48 Methods Part 1: Methods 1-12
The Thirty-Six Songs, discuss and clearly explain how to properly train Shen Fa, footwork (Bu Fa), movement and rotation, and the pathways of Qi and walking circle, pathways of Jin and the connection with techniques.
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Xing Yi Rhymed Verses: 炮拳 Pao Quan (Cannon Fist)
The “songs” or rhymed verses of Xing Yi Quan give the practitioner insight into the essential internal and external actions of the movements. This post covers three verses pertaining to Pao Quan (Cannon Fist).
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Xing Yi Rhymed Verses: 崩拳 Beng Quan (Bursting Fist)
The “songs” or rhymed verses of Xing Yi Quan give the practitioner insight into the essential internal and external actions of the movements. This post covers three verses pertaining to Beng Quan (Bursting Fist).
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How to Treat a Black Eye with Gong Fu Sports Medicine
This video documents an actual treatment of a severe double black eye using Chinese herbs and a hard-boiled egg. This is a traditional Gong Fu Sports Medicine treatment of a black eye which disperses stagnant
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Internal Martial Arts, Zhan Zhuang Standing & the Internal Organs by Tom Bisio
Some form of Zhan Zhuang – “Stake Standing” or “Pile Standing” – is an important part of the physical and energetic training in all Chinese internal styles. Zhan Zhuang has many purposes and many spiritual
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Xing Yi Rhymed Verses: 鑽拳 Zuan Quan (Drilling Fist)
The “songs” or rhymed verses of Xing Yi Quan give the practitioner insight into the essential internal and external actions of the movements. This post covers three verses pertaining to Zuan Quan (Drilling Fist).
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Training with Xing Yi Master Song Zhi Yong: Part 2 by Tom Bisio
Training with Master Song Zhi Yong changed my whole approach to martial arts in general, and more specifically, Internal Martial Arts. Song Zhi Yong is a senior disciple of legendary Shanzi Xing Yi Master Li
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Xing Yi Rhymed Verses: 劈拳 Pi Quan (Splitting Fist)
The “songs” or rhymed verses of Xing Yi Quan give the practitioner insight into the essential internal and external actions of the movements. This post covers three verses pertaining to Pi Quan (Splitting Fist).
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Training with Xing Yi Master Song Zhi Yong: Part 1 by Tom Bisio
Training with Master Song Zhi Yong changed my whole approach to martial arts in general, and more specifically, Internal Martial Arts. Song Zhi Yong is a senior disciple of legendary Shanxi Xing Yi Master Li
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Ba Gua’s 36 Songs Revisited – Songs 25 to 36
Part Three of our re-translation and commentary of the Ba Gua Zhang’s 36 Songs covers Songs 13-24. The commentaries for each song are excerpted from Writings on Ba Gua Zhang Skills (八卦掌术集成) by Guo Gu
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Ba Gua Zhang’s 36 Songs Revisited – Songs 13 to 24
Part two of our re-translation and commentary of the Ba Gua Zhang’s 36 Songs, covers songs 13-24. The commentaries for each song are excerpted from Writings on Ba Gua Zhang Skills (八卦掌术集成) by Guo Gu
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Metal Injury Combined with Latent Pathogen: a Chinese Medicine Die Da Case Study by Hal Asbury
This very interesting Chinese medicine case study by martial artist and Chinese medical practitioner Hal Asbury combines a Die Da injury and infection with the presence of a latent pathogen. The case deftly illustrates traditional
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The Importance of Embracing the “Martial” in Internal Martial Arts by Tom Bisio
A significant percentage of students who take up internal martial arts focus only on the Nei Gong exercises and perceived “health” aspects of these arts while eschewing the martial aspects. This approach stems from misconceptions
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Ba Gua Zhang’s 36 Songs Revisited – Songs 1 to 12
The 36 Songs give critical advice about the body alignments and training methods of Ba Gua Zhang. Generations of Ba Gua teachers and students regularly consult the 36 songs for the martial wisdom that they
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Investing in Loss in Internal Martial Arts by Tom Bisio
Last month we featured an article on Eating Bitter. This article addresses a related topic, “Investing in Loss,” another important concept in Chinese Internal Martial Arts. “Investing in Loss” is frequently mentioned in relation to
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Master Li Gui Chang’s Tai Ji Songs
Master Li Gu Chang’s instructions on Tai Ji Quan, found in his book, Tai Ji Push Hands Training Instructions (太极推手演练指导Tai Ji Tui Shou Yan Lian Zhi Dao), are deep and profound. In this post we
