Bagua
八卦掌
Baguazhang (八卦掌, "Eight Trigram Palm") is a Chinese internal martial art — neijia (內家) — characterized by continuous circular walking — zou zhuan (走轉) — rapid direction changes, and open-palm strikes. It is designed for fighting multiple opponents.
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Bagua develops extraordinary agility, spatial awareness, and the ability to change direction instantly through zou zhuan (走轉, circle walking). Its walking meditation — xing gong (行功) — creates a unique mind-body practice.
At a Glance
Who It's For
What You'll Learn
Circle walking — zou zhuan (走轉) — meditation and footwork
Ba Mu Zhang (八母掌, Eight Mother Palms)
Rapid direction changes — kou bu (扣步, hooking step) and bai bu (擺步, swinging step)
Open-palm strikes and coiling throws — rou shen lian huan zhang (柔身連環掌)
Internal power generation through spiraling body mechanics — chan si jin (纏絲勁, silk-reeling energy)
Your First Class
Wear comfortable clothing. Expect extensive circle-walking practice, basic palm positions, and single/double palm change drills. Classes run 60-90 minutes.
Watch & Learn
Gallery
Legends of Bagua
Dong Haichuan (董海川)
Dong Haichuan founded Baguazhang (Eight Trigram Palm), one of the three major internal Chinese martial arts alongside Tai Chi and Xingyi. His circle-walking meditation practice became the foundation for a martial art renowned for its evasive footwork and spiraling power.
Sun Lutang (孫祿堂)
Sun Lutang was the only martial artist in history to achieve mastery in all three major internal Chinese martial arts — Xingyi Quan, Baguazhang, and Tai Chi Chuan — and synthesized them into Sun-style Tai Chi. His scholarly writings were the first to articulate internal martial arts theory in print.
Cheng Tinghua
Yin Fu
Related Styles
Xing Yi
Xing Yi Quan (形意拳, "Form-Intention Fist") is one of the three major Chinese internal martial arts — neijia (內家). It uses direct, linear strikes based on the wu xing (五行, Five Elements) — pi (劈, splitting), beng (崩, crushing), zuan (鑽, drilling), pao (炮, pounding), heng (橫, crossing) — and shi er xing (十二形, twelve animal forms).
Tai Chi
Tai Chi — Taijiquan (太極拳) — is a Chinese internal martial art practiced for health, meditation, and self-defense. Its slow, flowing movements build balance, reduce stress, and develop internal energy — qi (氣).
Kung Fu
Kung Fu — gongfu (功夫) — is a broad term for Chinese martial arts, or wushu (武術), encompassing hundreds of styles. Training typically includes forms — taolu (套路) — conditioning, and combat applications with an emphasis on philosophy and tradition.
Aikido
Aikido (合気道) is a Japanese martial art focused on redirecting an attacker's energy through joint locks and throws. Founded by Morihei Ueshiba, it emphasizes harmony and non-resistance.
Popular With
Chi Master
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