History
Baguazhang was created in the mid 1800s by Dong Hai Chuan (pictured left). He introduced the concepts of circles and spirals in the movements of Kung Fu. One of his primary disciples was Cheng Ting Hua, who was a wrestling teacher prior to studying with Dong Hai Chuan. Sifu Aaron is a 6th generation Cheng Style Baguazhang Master.
Cheng Ting Hua was killed in the Boxer Rebellion in China in 1900. His brother, Cheng Dian Hua, was able to escape and furthered the development of Cheng Style Baguazhang. Sun Zhijun (pictured right) grew up in Cheng village and spent his lifetime studying with Cheng Dian Hua’s son Cheng You Sheng and Cheng Ting Hua’s son Cheng You Xin and helped to train all of Cheng You Xin’s disciples.
Early Baguazhang training did not consist of forms, but more of individual exercises and movements. It was Sun Zhijun who connected these movements into a flowing routine to create the forms that we have today. Sun Zhijun had students that he taught Baguazhang to as Wushu (which is like Kung Fu gymnastics) to appease the government after the end of the Cultural Revolution, but preferred his Kung Fu students because they were more interested in application than visual appeal. In interviews with other Kung Fu masters asking about which master knew Baguazhang as a fighting style and could use it effectively, the answer was hands down Sun Zhijun. Li Chunling was one of Sun Zhijun’s top disciples who learned Baguazhang as Kung Fu. He painted a scroll for her (pictured left) declaring her as his favorite disciple and taught her the entirety of his knowledge in Baguazhang. Sifu Aaron is an Inner Door Disciple of Li Chunling. She has not altered the style from how she was taught and teaches Sifu Aaron to a very high level of detail.
8 Turning Palms
The focus of our level 1 class is Baguazhang basics and the 8 Turning Palms. It meets Tuesdays at 1pm and 5:40pm.
The 8 Turning Palms were the original exercises from Cheng Style Baguazhang. We begin class with some light stretching followed by stance work. In each class the first 15-20 minutes are spend on building the foundations of Baguazhang; Post training, Baguazhang stepping, Baguazhang changing of direction, Bagua Palm, and Circle Walking. Drills and exercises are included to help with continuity and flow of movement. Exercises and drills are designed to help students progress rapidly in proficiency of movement in this style.
Students learn the 8 Turning Palm form in a systematic way of learning that breaks is down into more simple components so that it can easily be grasped. We’re not going to lie, this is a very advance style of martial arts. Being that, we feel it is important to teach it in such a way that students can grasp the concepts and be successful in their development. The form is first broken down in a straight line version. Later the circle is added, along with turning of the waist and coordination with the eyes. Once students grasp the form on one side of the body, then they are taught how to do it with the other side of the body. We are not just right handed or left handed, we are both handed. While this form does contain combat applications, it is considered more of a developmental form. It conditions and teaches the body how to move with Baguazhang so that students can be more successful at the higher levels where thing start to get much more difficult.
Towards the end of class we spend about 10 minutes on martial application as well as listening Push Hands from Tai Chi to develop sensitivity, timing, and distancing. These are foundational martial skills necessary to be able to properly execute application.
Class is concluded with Tao philosophy and sitting meditation.
8 Mother Palms Linking
In the Level 2 Baguazhang class the focus is on the 8 Mother Palms and its Linking form. This is the class where we get more into application and more advanced Baguazhang movement. It meets on Tuesday evenings from 7-8:15. Foundational exercises are taken to a slightly higher level providing newer challenges to students without becoming too difficult too quickly. We continue work on the 8 Turning Palms building speed, fluidity, and martial expression. Force is generated by harnessing centrifugal force rather than relying on brute muscle, so attention to detail is necessary to be able to move at fighting speed.
Students in this class are introduced to the 8 Mother Palm changes in Cheng Style Baguazhang and taught how to link them together into a fluid, cohesive form. From a martial sense, we are building the ability to flow and create endless combos through the movements. This is how Baguazhang can be used to tackle many opponents at once. Instead of sticking to one opponent, you go through them. Trampling, throwing, breaking, and uprooting. This style of fighting is not a sport, it was designed to save one’s life and end the fight immediately. To be used effectively it requires the practitioner to have focus, agility, spirit, awareness, and a keen sense of physics.
Towards the end of class we spend time working with Tai Chi push hands in more of a martial way. Now that students have developed sensitivity and listening skills through their bodies, they are taught how to listen into another person’s body and to manipulate their center of gravity. Time is spent discussing and practicing application from the 8 Mother Palms so that students can have a greater understanding of how Baguazhang actually fights. In this way they can start to “see” an opponent in their movement and start to piece together a greater understanding of Baguazhang.
Class concludes with Tao philosophy reading and sitting meditation.
64 Palms
The 64 Palm form is the combat form of Cheng Style Baguazhang, and the focus of our Level 3 class. This class meets on Thursday evenings from 7-8:15 after the Baguazhang weapons class. It teaches the rest of the combat applications for our style of Baguazhang. This is very advanced training. Warmups include the 8 Turning Palms, while still focusing on foundational work. We do not have time at this point to work on all of the basics, so it is expected that students practice at home so that they can continue to advance in Baguazhang. Time is spent improving on the 8 Mother Palms with attention to detail so that students can move at speed and execute with power and efficiency.
Baguazhang moves in very different ways than most would expect in fighting. It is said to move “Like a Dragon riding on the Wind”. It is very fluid, takes advantage of negative space, and uses physics to uproot and throw an opponent while maintaining its center of gravity. Imagine it as being the eye of a tornado. Much more time is spent in this class learning how Baguazhang fights and developing martial proficiency. While Baguazhang shares similar principles as Tai Chi, it is very much not Tai Chi. Baguazhang is not well understood in most places in the United States, and understanding of it as a fighting style is near impossible to find. Luckily, Sifu Aaron tracked down the highest level Baguazhang master he could find in the world and became her disciple. Part of discipleship is being taught all of the “secrets” that are not taught to standard students. Within that lies the keys to martial application in Baguazhang. At this point in class, Tai Chi push hands changes into a moving, flowing sparring that utilizes footwork and movement within the circle.
We practice push hands to develop the skills needed to apply Baguazhang application, but do not go into full contact sparring. To do so would be irresponsible and lead to certain injury. Actual Baguazhang application is practiced in a safe setting with a responsible partner so that proficiency is developed. We hope that our students never get into a place where they need to use their skills to defend themselves, but train them so that they can if necessary. In studying any martial art, it is necessary to develop the skills to be able to use it effectively and with confidence. If students find themselves in a place where they need to defend themselves, what is necessary is to just connect push hands skills with Baguazhang application. “It is better to be a Warrior in a Garden, then a Gardener in a War.”
Class concludes with Tao philosophy reading and sitting meditation. We feel it is very important to impart the wisdom to make good decisions and find harmony in the world around us when learning a martial art so that students can keep a calm and peaceful heart/mind. The worst thing one can do in a combat situation is to become tense, stressed, and angered.
Baguazhang Weapons
Baguazhang weapons class is held on Thursday evenings from 5:40 - 6:40. We open the class for a month when starting with a new weapon, then close it to new students while we focus on that single weapon until students reach proficiency. Baguazhang has some very unique weapons that are particular to our style of movement. One weapon only found in Baguazhang is the Double Moon Knives (pictured to the right). Other weapons include the Broadsword (dao), which is much longer than the typical Kung Fu broadsword, the Straight Sword (jian), which is also much longer than the typical straight sword, the Spear, and the Hook Swords.
The hook sword form was created by my master, Li Chunling. The spear form was created by her Master, Sun Zhijun, specifically for her. She has also published a book on Baguazhang Spear.
When we start a new weapon the first month is dedicated to learning basics and foundational work. Most of this comes from breaking down parts of individual movements found in the form that teach concepts of movement. This creates an understanding of how the weapon “thinks” and lays down the ground work to help students be more successful as they progress. The forms we teach can be thought of as the textbooks for learning the concepts of how to move with the weapons. They teach movement, speed, power, and application. Because it is too dangerous practicing application with partners with the weapons, we find safe ways to work with them so that students gain an understanding of how to actually use them in combat. One method is to have them go through the form while another person is attacking them with another weapon at a slower speed. When you have to interact with another weapon and have the physical feedback of blocking, striking, and parrying, it builds the muscle memory and shows the power and structure necessary to be effective with the weapon. We start slow so that students can build critical thinking skills without being overwhelmed with stress and anxiety. As students become more confident we start to increase speed and intensity appropriately.
When we open the class to new students priority is given to the higher ranking students, but if there is room in the class we allow students who have been training an adequate amount of time and show self control and discipline. The weapons we use are real weapons and can be used in combat should a zombie apocalypse break out, however none of the weapons are sharpened. When working with weapons safety is always the first priority. There is no reason to have sharpened blades in a classroom with learners.
Class is concluded with Tao philosophy reading and sitting meditation.
Discipleship
Becoming a Baguazhang disciple means you are a Baguazhang Master. There are different levels of Mastery, and after 10 years of discipleship one is considered a fully realized Master. Because Sifu Aaron is an officially recognized 6th Generation Cheng Style Baguazhang Master, he has been given the authority to take on disciples of his own.
Disciples will be chosen based on dedication, personality, spirit, and love for the art. I tell my students that I do not choose my disciples, they choose themselves. It is the students who have their heart in the right place and are not afraid to be their best. These students are usually easy to spot. They are dedicated to their personal growth and do not “burn out” after a short period of time.
Students who are taken in as disciples will receive one-on-one personal tutelage, receive all of the Kung Fu secrets from our lineage, be taught to how to teach, and be pushed to perform at very high levels. Another term for disciple is an “Inner Door Disciple”, this means that they are allowed into the home of their master and are treated as a family member. The Chinese word for Disciple can also translate as Apprentice. It is the master’s responsibility to train the disciple well so that the disciple can continue to spread and promote the art of Baguazhang. Disciples will be expected to teach in some capacity, and will maintain a lifelong connection with Sifu Aaron and Baguazhang.
As an ambassador of Cheng Style Baguazhang, I hope to take on many disciples so that our Kung Fu may continue to spread and flourish in this country and around the world.
