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In Chinese Internal Martial Arts there is an oft-used expression, “Eating Bitter” (吃苦 Chi Ku). To “eat bitter” means to “bear hardship” – enduring something unpleasant, without complaint, while maintaining a positive attitude. In the
Circle Walking holding fixed postures (Ding Shi Ba Gua Zhang) is the key to mastering Ba Gua Zhang. Ding Shi Ba Gua Zhang (also known as Circle Walking Nei Gong) is both a basic foundational
Guo Gu Min’s Ding Shi Ba Gua Zhang changes are a great subject for home study. Guo’s emphasis on the Yao, is incredibly useful for the development of Shen Fa and power. Interpreting Guo’s Ding
“Just get out there and get some work done” Years ago, I read an essay about training where the author quoted his high school gymnastics coach saying, “Just get out there and get some work
If you think Dim Mak or Dan Xue strikes are merely the stuff of legend or kung fu movies, think again. Over-aggressive massage to points on the Pericardium and Heart Meridians can cause symptoms resembling
Recently I received an interesting question in relation to Kidney Breathing (deep abdominal breathing) that I think is worth discussing: When I teach Qi Gong, and talk about kidney or abdominal breathing, I am often
Master Li Gu Chang is generally known for his high-level of skill in Xing Yi Quan, so it is easy to forget that he was also a “Master-Hand” in Tai Ji Quan. Li Gui Chang
Even More Ding Shi Ba Gua Zhang Homework! Guo Gu Min’s Ding Shi Ba Gua Zhang changes are a great subject for home study. Guo’s emphasis on the Yao is incredibly useful for the development
Recursion in Internal Martial Arts: Going Back to the Beginning by Tom Bisio One of the difficulties that students encounter in internal arts is that the very first, foundational, basic training exercises and principles that
In this article we will address two common questions that have come up recently since we launched our online programs on Daoist health and meditation. What is the difference between Dao Yin, Daoist Yoga and
Recently in treating two cases of Covid with herbal formulae and Qi Gong, I not only gained a much greater appreciation for the efficacy of two herbs (Da Huang and Chai Hu), and some of
I’ve contemplated writing about the practice of San Ti Shi in the context of the Xing Yi “Triangle” for many months. Not an easy subject! Previous attempts to convey some of the images and sensations
More Ding Shi Ba Gua Zhang Homework! Guo Gu Min’s Ding Shi Ba Gua Zhang changes are a great subject for home study. Guo’s emphasis on the Yao, is incredibly useful for the development of
The mandarin Duck Knives (or Deer Horn Knives) are “short range bladed weapons with long power” that are perfectly matched for the techniques and palm changes in Ba Gua Zhang. The Mandarin duck knife form
Yoga Stretching Oil Flexibility combined with strength is part of the equation that allows us to move with coordinated ease, while simultaneously maintaining joint integrity. Some people are naturally flexible and easily able to maintain
Over the years I have found one of the things that confuses Xing Yi and Ba Gua students is the difference between training and application. Training does not at first seem to relate to fighting,
Our recent posts by IAI instructors Kelly McDonald and Thad Wong, “Resurrecting a Ba Gua Form from the Past” and Keith Norris, “Detailed Analysis of Guo Gu Min’s Ba Gua Ding Shi Form” were a
Writing and filming our upcoming Daoist Meditation Online Learning Program over the last year has given me a lot of opportunity to reflect on what makes Daoist Meditation methods so unique and powerful. Daoist Meditation
I asked for a homework assignment and was given the task to review Guo Gu Min’s Ding Shi form, practice it, ponder it, and come back with my observations to discuss with Tom Bisio and
Wind in Chinese Medicine by Tom Bisio Read Part 1 HERE Read Part 2 HERE Characteristics of Wind 1. Wind Prevails In The Spring However, Wind can occur in any season. 2. Wind Can Be
While Ba Gua Zhang is an effective martial art system, its benefits extend far beyond fighting and self-defense. It is also well regarded as method of self-cultivation, meditation, health and longevity practice. While my initial
Wind as Internal Atmosphere or Pressure In traditional Chinese medicine, the body is viewed as a landscape that is continuous with the landscape of heaven and earth outside of us. On some level there is
In China the Mid-Autumn Festival takes place with the arrival of the full moon between mid-September and early October. This full moon is known as the Western Harvest Moon, which this year (2020) falls on
By IAI Instructors Thad Wong & Kelly McDonald As is so often the case in Ba Gua Zhang, it all comes back to Ding Shi. Over the past couple of years, fellow Ba Gua Instructor
In my kung-fu teacher’s clinic there was always a pot of herbs ready to be heated at a moment’s notice. Often as we treated one patient, another would be sitting with his hand or foot
Seasonal Energy Each of the seasons has a characteristic energy with its own characteristic climate. Spring is temperate and changeable; summer is hot; autumn cool; winter, cold. During the cycle of the seasons the energies
Metal Element Students of Traditional Chinese medicine and internal martial arts often have questions about the Metal Element. Why is the Metal Element confusing? One problem is that the associations attributed to Metal often don’t
Another excerpt from on the Fundamental Body Alignments of Ba Gua Zhang that stimulates new thoughts about the basics. This article is excerpted from Miraculous Secrets of Dong Hai Chuan’s Ba Gua Zhang (董海川八卦掌神功秘诀 )By
Gao Ji Wu was born in 1942. He began learning Chang Quan (Long Fist or Long Boxing) as a child and later progressed to learning the internal martial arts under his father. Having practiced martial
After decades of practicing Ba Gua Zhang I still find small gems that increase my understanding of the art in books by different Ba Gua Zhang teachers. In this brief discussion of the legendary Guo
Chronic Stage 3 Injuries This stage begins 3-4 weeks after the injury. Swelling and inflammation are generally gone, but stiffness and aching pain may still be present. A minor sprain should be resolved by
More Ba Gua training you can do at home. Use the Ba Gua Zhang kicking bag to train kicking skills that are natural extensions of the Mud Wading Step. The kicking bag helps you train
One of the interesting things about the Chinese internal arts is the many different levels of practice possible even in the most fundamental exercises. Ba Gua’s 12 Standing Postures are a good example of this.
Here are two more Ba Gua Zhang Ball Exercises that one can do at home using weighted balls to develop internal body connection. These are traditional exercises common to many styles of Ba Gua Zhang.
The Xing Yi / Tai Ji Ball Exercises come from Xing Yi Master Shang Ji. These ball exercises are useful for internal body training, and require no special equipment beyond an ordinary basketball. The ball
This is the second installment on the Mother Palms of Ba Gua Zhang. The Eight Mother Palms are an essential part of Ba Gua Zhang training and the primary foundational Nei Gong exercise. The Mother
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