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Xing Yi Quan Linking Forms
Presented here are the names of the movements in the Xing Yi Linking Forms as they are practiced in the Xing Yi Quan of Master Li Gui Chang. Knowing the names of the movements helps
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Yi Jin Jing 易筋经：Part 1
Yi Jin Ying literally means “Transform Sinew Method or “Sinew Changing Method.” Yi Jin Jing is method transforming weak and flaccid tissues into healthy and strong sinews. From the perspective of traditional Chinese medicine, the
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Basic Training of the Ba Gua Straight Sword (Ba Gua Jian Ji Ben Gong): Part 1
This ‘Basic Training of the Ba Gua Straight Sword’ is an excerpt from the book Ba Gua Three Harmony Sword – Ba Gua San He Jian (八卦三 合 剑) by Zhang Quan Liang. Master Zhang
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Supine Qi Gong of Ma Li Tang Part 1
Ma Li Tang (1905-1989) was a famous modern exponent of Qi Gong. He was and expert in Martial arts, Qi Gong and traditional Chinese medicine. He is famous for popularizing the Six Healing Sounds, but
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Monks, Meditation, and Mountains: The Body as a Sacred Landscape in Daoism: Part 4
Daoist Immortals are associated with mountain peaks, the sacred pivots between the energies of Heaven and Earth. Monks Meditation and Mountains examines the image of the mountain as sacred landscape and its reflection in the
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Thirty-Two Words of the Ba Gua Jian (Sword)
The Thirty Two Words of the Ba Gua Jian (Chinese straight sword) traditionally refer to each weapon, describing a method of using and training that weapon. The “words” are the basic techniques and methods of
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Stepping Patterns, Rhythms & Internal Movement in the Internal Arts and Five Animal Play Exercises: Part 1
Five Animal Play Exercises Walking, along with breathing, sitting and standing, is one our most primal movements. Very early on in China there was a recognition that these primal movements could have profound effects on
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Monks, Meditation, and Mountains: The Body as a Sacred Landscape in Daoism: Part 3
Daoist Immortals are associated with mountain peaks, the sacred pivots between the energies of Heaven and Earth. Monks Meditation and Mountains examines the image of the mountain as sacred landscape and its reflection in the
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Monks, Meditation, and Mountains: The Body as a Sacred Landscape in Daoism: Part 2
Daoist Immortals are associated with mountain peaks, the sacred pivots between the energies of Heaven and Earth. Monks Meditation and Mountains examines the image of the mountain as sacred landscape and its reflection in the
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Monks, Meditation, and Mountains: The Body as a Sacred Landscape in Daoism: Part 1
In Daoism the sacred peaks are viewed as numinous pivots between Heaven and Earth. Mountains in China often conjure up images of Daoist immortals, perfected beings who have transcended Yin and Yang and unified with
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Correcting Qi Deviations: Negative Reactions to Meditation and Nei Gong
Students often worry about experiencing negative reactions (Qi Pian Cha or “Qi Deviations”) to meditation and Qi Gong or Nei Gong exercises. Negative reactions can occur from incorrect practice and are a medically established fact.
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HAI TONG PI SOAK
Hai Tong Pi is a very effective soak for treating chronic obstruction (Bi) in the lower back and limbs. It can be used as a compress or a soak/fumigation for sports injuries or in the
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Treating Overstretched Ligaments & Tendons with Chinese Medicine: Part 1 by Tom Bisio
Injuries to the tendons and ligaments, what Chinese medicine collectively refers to as the sinews, can be difficult and slow to heal. For the martial artist and athlete these kind of injuries can be frustrating
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Master Chen Quan Gong on Xing Yi Quan Theory and Training – Part 2
Part 2 of a discussion of Xing Yi Quan theory and training by Li Gui Chang’s senior disciple, Chen Quan Gong. Master Chen talks freely and openly about how to train Xing Yi correctly and
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Training Formulas and Injury Prevention for Grapplers
This article is in response to several requests I have received from grapplers who are interested in preventing and treating common grappling injuries. In the 25+ years I ran a Chinese medicine clinic specializing in
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Making Medicine: Gaos – Plasters/Pastes
by NYIA Instructor Adam Wasserman L.Ac. This article is the first in a series of articles that focus on the processes of making medicine. It’s easy to walk into a pharmacy in Chinatown and walk
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The Many Uses of Yunnan Baiyao (Yunnan Paiyao) – An Essential Part of Chinese Emergency Medicine
Yunnan Baiyao should be an essential part of any first aid kit, Western and or Eastern. Originally part of every Chinese Soldiers first aid kit, and later used extensively on the battlefields of Vietnam, Yunnan
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Excerpt from Xing Yi Quan Shu by Li Jian Qiu: Internal and External Harmonies: 6th Discourse: Important Theory 第六章 六 要論
This is an excerpt from Xing Yi Quan Shu by Li Jian Qiu. Li Jian Qiu was a disciple of Li Cun Yi. He describes his lineage as follows: Li Kui Yuan taught Sun Lu
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Li Kui-Yuan Discusses Xing Yi Quan
We are pleased to be able to share one of the most succinct and cogent discussions of the correct practice of Xing Yi Quan by Master Li Kui-Yuan, a student of the famous Guo Yun-Shen.
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Ba Gua’s Eight Hands: Form 1 – The Uplifting Palm
In this series we present Ba Gua’s Eight Hands, or Eight Linear Forms, as taught by Guo Gu Min. The pictures and text are excerpted from Compendium of Ba Gua Zhang Art by Guo Gu
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Thoughts on Daoist Physiology Fundamental to Inner Alchemy: Dantian and the Curious Meridians: Part 1
Catherine Despeux is one France’s great Daoist scholars. Unfortunately many of her translations and essays are only available in French. In her introduction to a a Treatise on Daoist Alchemy and Physiology by Zhao Bichen
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Ba Gua Lian Huan Zhang 八卦连环掌 (Ba Gua Chain Linking Palm)
The names of the movements in the Ba Gua Lian Huan (Ba Gua Chain Linking Form) of Master Gao Ji Wu.
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八要 Eight Necessities & Eight Words: Xing Yi, Ba Gua And Tai Ji
Each of the internal arts, Tai Ji, Ba Gua and Xing Yi have there own eight word mnemonic containing the key principles and actions inherent in the movements. Traditionally students memorized these eight words so
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Ba Gua Zhang Thirteen Elbows 八卦掌十三肘
The names of the movements of the Ba Gua Zhang Thirteen Elbows form as taught by Zhang Hua Sen, disciple of Li Zi Ming.
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Xing Yi Quan’s Twelve Animals: Excerpted From ‘A Detailed Collection of the Xing Yi Quan Skills’ by Liu Wen Hua (Part 1)
Liu Wen Hua was the son of the famous Xing Yi Boxer, Liu Qi Lan. Liu Wen Hua’s book, A Detailed Collection of Xing Yi Quan Skills, is a gem. More than a mere how-to
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A Medical & Physiological Study of the Health-Giving Effects of Ba Gua Zhang Practice
This important health study shows the profound effects of Ba Gua Zhang practice in preserving health in the elderly. Conducted by the Beijing Ba Gua Zhang Association in 1990, the study reviewed the effects of
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Longevity Tonic for Martial Arts Practitioners
Martial arts practitioners often use Longevity Tonics, or training formulas and herbal tonics, that help replenish vital energies often over-taxed through hard training. These kinds of tonics aid the body in replenishing qi, blood and
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Weapons Training in Ba Gua Zhang: Part 2
A discussion of the purpose of training with traditional weapons in Ba Gua Zhang and description of the characteristics of each weapon and its benefits. In Part 2: The Ba Gua Cane (Zhang), Spear (Qiang),
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Weapons Training in Ba Gua Zhang: Part 1
A discussion of the purpose of training with traditional weapons in Ba Gua Zhang and description of the characteristics of each weapon and its benefits. In Part 1: The Saber (Dao), Sword (Jian), Staff (Gan)
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12 Animal Poems of Xing Yi Quan
The poems relating to the Twelve Animals of Xing Yi Quan give the practitioner insight into the internal dynamic and Jin (energy, strength and spirit) of each animal. These insights ai correct performance and application.
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Die Da Wan (Trauma Pills or “Hit” Pills)
Die Da Wan (“Trauma Pills” or “Hit Pills”) are an important tool in treating traumatic injury. The application of Trauma Pills as a treatment modality is very specific, yet like many tools in Chinese medicine
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Essence of Boxing Science Interview with Mr. Wang Xiang Zhai – Part 2
In the early 1940’s Wang Xiang Zhai was interviewed several times by reporters from Beijing newspapers. Those interviews have been collected and reproduced in various books on Xing Yi Quan and Da Cheng Quan under
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Free Video: Ba Gua Seize and Pull Drills
Seizing-Pulling Partner Exercises are part of the Foundational Training in Ba Gua Zhang. These important drills develop basic skills in leading and pulling the opponent, while simultaneously teaching one how to escape being led and
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Essence of Boxing Science Interview with Mr. Wang Xiang Zhai – Part 1
In the early 1940’s Wang Xiang Zhai was interviewed several times by reporters from Beijing newspapers. Those interviews have been collected and reproduced in various books on Xing Yi Quan and Da Cheng Quan under
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Free Video: 12 Standing Postures of Ba Gua Zhang Linked
The Twelve Standing Postures of Ba Gua Zhang are a method of dynamic stance training which strengthens the entire body and stabilizes the joints. These twelve postures open and close the cavities which enclose the
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Jiao Guo Rui’s 15 Points on Nei Gong and Five Animal Play: Part 2
This post is the second part Jiao Guo Rui’s 15 Points on Nei Gong and Five Animal Play of excerpted from the book, Les Jeu Des Cinq Animaux (Five Animal Play) by Jiao Guo Rui,
