Qiang Shan Ba Gua Zhang Association
The Ba Gua Zhang of Lu Shui-Tian
Handed down to Master Bok-Nam Park over seventeen years of training, and taught today by the association’s authorized instructors in the United States and Europe.
The art
A complete martial art, and a health practice
Ba Gua Zhang is one of the primary internal systems of the Chinese martial arts — the others being Tai Ji Quan and Xing Yi Quan. At its best it integrates health and self-defence into a complete and comprehensive martial discipline, perhaps best known for its distinctive circle walking training methods.
Combat
A system of Ba Gua Zhang handed down to Master Bok-Nam Park by Lu Shui-Tian, Qiang Shan Ba Gua Zhang is a complete combat and health-focused martial art. Originally known for its effectiveness against multiple opponents, Ba Gua Zhang is characterized by its highly efficient and evasive footwork, powerful palm strikes, snake-like body movements, and lightning-fast combinations.
Qi Gong
The Ba Gua Zhang system of Qi Gong focuses on moving the joints, ligaments and tendons with the goal of strengthening the organs to improve one’s overall health. Following Natural Principles, our system of Qi Gong combines the ideas of Continuous Movement, Proper Breath, and Purposeful Focus to effectively cultivate and circulate Qi within the body.
The Ba Gua Zhang motto
Given to Master Bok Nam Park by Lu Shui-Tian, the Ba Gua Zhang Motto instills four ideals that not only are essential to developing one’s martial art, but also in applying the principles of the art to everyday life.
Wisdom
Wisdom is required to make progress; the student must “think deeply” and research thoroughly.
Benevolence
The practitioner must remain humble, show respect to everyone, and promote goodwill towards others.
Sincerity
A student must undertake their training with serious commitment in order to develop skill to a high level.
Bravery
A student needs to remain calm and clear, and must learn to conquer and control his or her own fear.
Lineage
Teacher to student, without a gap
Lu Shui-Tian learned primarily from Li Qing-Wu, who was from a secret Ba Gua Zhang lineage separate from Dong Hai-Chuan. Master Park’s name appears on the stele at Dong Hai-Chuan’s burial site, formally documenting him as a true sixth generation lineage disciple.
- Li Qing-Wu
- Lu Shui-Tian
- Park Bok-Nam
The association
Cultivate, preserve, and spread the art
It is the mission of the Qiang Shan Ba Gua Zhang Association to cultivate, preserve, and spread the art of Ba Gua Zhang as taught by Master Bok-Nam Park, to keep its teachings consistent with natural principles, and to serve as a resource for its members and schools.
The philosophy and principles forming the basis of the Ba Gua of Lu Shui-Tian are derived directly from nature. As such, they are rooted in the real world, and are governed by the laws of physics and human physiology. They are not gifts from the gods, nor are they based on magic or mysticism. Anyone with proper instruction and training can learn this art.
Quality instruction
Ba Gua cannot be learned from a book
It is an inescapable fact that no sophisticated or comprehensive martial art, such as Ba Gua Zhang, can be learned or mastered without the direct, continuous supervision of a qualified and experienced instructor.