Pa Kua Chang Kung Fu Program
(pronounced Ba Gua Zhang Gong Fu)About our levels of training Bagua Kung Fu:
The Beginner curriculum
focuses on movement vocabulary of the first two levels of the eight level curriculum. Training includes breaking down basic boxing, leg work, kicking drills, etiquette and self-defense drills AND you will get an incredible workout! Children and Adult classes are kept separate. Students are also introduced to chi kung exercises for health.We recommend all beginners to participate in the Kung Fu Fitness, T'ai Chi Fitness and the Wushu Fitness classes. While target drills are performed in these classes, no sparring will be.
The goal of the beginner curriculum is to train the body in flexibility, coordination, and strength, and to introduce the concepts of basic self-defense strategy.
Our intermediate curriculum
focuses on the
"thinking" aspects of self-defense, and the athleticism
of forms and weapons. Students who have been evaluated by Sifu may participate in the Black Sash level classes with his permission. Ba Gua's famous
circle walking and forms are refined at this level. Controlled
sparring exercises are introduced, as well as the continuing
education of the physical and mental exercises introduced in the
beginner curriculum. Weapons applications of staff and saber are
practiced as well. Bagua students are welcome in any of our school classes, but are to focus on learning new skills and sparring during Black Sash class times.
Advanced students
have proved themselves fit and focused, ready for the "whole picture' that the training in
Bagua Zhang provides to the practitioner. The
curriculum of the advanced student must be self-motivating and
includes focus on internal or soft-style defense skills as well
as advanced forms, sparring,and the meditative awareness of chi
kung. Only at this level can the bagua practitioner delve
further into the treasures of leaning how to apply true street
fighting Ba Gua Zhang tactics in various situations.
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| weight training | ||||
| yoga | ||||
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| tae bo / kick boxing | ||||
| running |
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Traditional Chinese Martial Art
the following was taken from an interview with Grand Master Park by Chi Magazine:
"Pa Kua Chang [Eight Trigrams Palm] is one of the primary internal systems of the Chinese martial arts. The origin of Pa Kua is uncertain and is a matter of continuing historical research. What is known is that the fundamental concepts, philosophy, and principles of Pa Kua were derived directly from nature. There are two important components to Pa Kua training: Health and Self Defense. Both are essential elements to the full and complete development of the Pa Kua practitioner. Pa Kua integrates Chi Kung, Meditation, Physical Conditioning, and Scientifically-based Fighting Principles into a complete and comprehensive martial discipline. Perhaps best know for its distinctive circle walking training methods, Pa Kua is also renowned for its highly evasive footwork, powerful palm strikes, snake-like body movements, and lightning fast combinations."
Simple to learn concepts of self-defense
All schools of martial arts teach the basic, "punching, kicking, and blocking." So what is the difference where you go or what style you learn? With the Pa Kua Chang, the smart martial art, you will be amazed at how you can develop real self defense, regardless of your size or strength or current ability. Ba Gua Chang is not an art based solely on "techniques." You will learn how to apply the ancient principles of: Yin & Yang, Wu Xing, and the Yi Jing, that teach you how to think, emphasizing how to evade and how to avoid a potentially dangerous situation. With Ba Gua Chang you will discover the most effective and efficient methods that work for you. (What works for one person will not necessarily work for someone else!) Classes include instruction in:
- Fundamentals
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- Technique Drills (strikes, blocks, stances, kicks, and footwork)
- Body Training (flexibility, explosive power, balance)
- Ba Gua Forms
- Open hand and weapons (broad sword, staff, and more)
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- Ba Gua trademark circular forms
- Self-defense
- Research Sparring
- Multiple opponents
- Weapons application
- Chi Kung for increased energy
- Breathing for meditation
- Slow movement exercises
- Concentration exercises
The Chinese Connection's head instructor is seventh generation lineage disciple Sifu Buckman.
Students progress through eight training levels (gua) that comprise the fundamental program leading to Assistant Instructor level (Black Sash level). Level testing is given quarterly and is free. No prior experience is required to begin training. Ages 16 and up.
