Articles
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Beyond Forms Practice
By Bok-Nam ParkAdapted and re-edited by F. Hriadil Forms should not be taught to students until the fundamental skills are first developed. “I have water to give to thirsty students. But, unless they have a cup for me to pour it into, they cannot hold the water.” The “cup” is symbolic of the fundamental skills…
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AN INTERVIEW WITH MASTER BOK-NAM PARK
Master Park Bok-Nam is the Senior Lineage Disciple of Lu Shui-Tian of Shantung Province, China. He is an internationally renowned authority on Ba Gua Zhang (Pa Kua Chang) and has developed one of the most comprehensive training programs available for learning Ba Gua.
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BA GUA EIGHT IMMORTALS SWORD
Throughout many of the dynasties in China, tales and legends have been told about Taoism that involve balance in nature, mysticism, and immortality. Among some of the most popular stories that have been told are those about the Ba Shen or “Eight Immortals.”
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Qi Gong Meditation Practice
As with all methods that are taught in our system, every student must start with the basics. The Basic Meditation Exercise, is very simple and direct. This method is designed to help the student learn how to relax the body, calm the mind, and improve mental concentration and focus.
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The Goals of Qi Gong Practice
The specific goals of Qi Gong (Chi Kung) practice may vary from one discipline to another; however in general, the martial arts practitioner will first want to develop and promote overall health and well-being by seeking a balanced distribution of energy in the body and by improving the body’s efficiency in terms of energy movement…
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The Stance For Combat
Pa Kua Chang (Ba Gua Zhang) is the art of continuous change and adaptability. As a result, Pa Kua recognizes that one of the necessary ingredients for success in combat is a high level of mobility and maneuverability. Furthermore, Pa Kua understands that the key to mobility and maneuverability lies in stepping and footwork, and…
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Qi Gong Breathing Exercises
When referring to Qi or Internal development, the first aspect that should be addressed is Breathing. It is clear that a human being can live for a number of weeks without food and a number of days without water; but, a person cannot survive for much more than a few minutes without air. Developing the…
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Mythical Power of the Palm
Many people today have learned about Internal Energy and wish to cultivate it for various reasons. Their reasons may range from promoting better health and longer life to creating a higher level of spiritual consciousness. The true martial artist, though, seeks to cultivate Internal Energy and direct it to the limbs for fighting application, as…
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The Individual Expression of the Art
The first and foremost principle of Pa Kua Chang is adaptability and change. Those who try to define Pa Kua Chang too rigidly, and structure its practice and application based solely on form, have moved away from the true intent of the art.
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Pa Kua Chang Adaptability
Pa Kua Chang is an art that is based on principles and, as such, there is no strict definition of the art related to form or application.