Bagua, or Ba Gua Zhang, is an internal Chinese Martial Art style, utilizing circular movements and palm methods, and has various sub-styles. Gao and Chen Pan Ling are two styles taught at PATHS Atlanta.
Bagua – Martial Art Tactics & Techniques
Among the tactics emphasized in this system we find circular evasive footwork, a distinctive upright grappling system, and a preponderance of pulls, pushes, shoves and throws.
These tactics are designed with the thought of moving ones self and others safely through a larger number of opponents. In this context, pulling an opponent around and pushing him sharply into one of his allies starts to make a lot more sense than simply hitting him. A much more broad strategic palette becomes open and the environment becomes your ally, not your enemy.
The Style of Gao Ba Gua
Gao Ba Gua can be seen as a two fold system. On one hand, a martial craft that is very effective when learned well. Many of our members have acted as bodyguards for the Dalai Lama, Ralph Nader, and others or have worked in law enforcement. On the other hand, Gao Ba Gua is a true art.
Connected to the I Ching, the system is broken into 8 stages, like the notes of a musical scale. Each stage can be used to explore different aspects of life, your relationships with the world and the people around you, and your own body. It is this side that makes the art traditional and separate from sport oriented or more narrowly focused modern training systems.
Gao Baguazhang’s Curriculum
Gao Ba Gua is designed to provide an incredible work-out for the more advanced student; combining flexibility, athletic movement, stamina, coordination, and balance. However, the program accounts for beginners and can be adapted to fit most ages and athletic ability levels.
The curricula includes the 24 heavenly stems containing the basic "hinges" of the system and an introduction of the basic footwork. Next, one begins to learn the 64 linear forms, in which the main fighting strategies of the art are learned. This stage involves more complex movements and begins to develop tactical fluency. The training then progresses to include the circular changes and mother palms which are key to the highest expression of the art.
While learning these forms, the student will gain increased fluidity of motion, along with greatly expanded tactical options. There are also many drills and training method used along the way including ample hands on practice with partners.
A Bit of History & Lineage
The Gao Ba Gua system originated in the early 1900’s with Gao I Sheng, and our lineage was passed from him to Jang Jun Feng. Jang Jun Feng came to Taiwan after the fall of the Republic in China and passed the art to Hung I Mien, one of the two famous Hung brothers. Hung I Mien then passed it on to Allen Pittman, who taught in Maryland and Atlanta, Georgia for over two decades. David Jones, one of Mr. Pittman’s senior students, has been teaching the Atlanta classes since Allen relocated to France in 2006.
For individuals who would like to try Ba Gua but are restricted by time, age, or physical conditions we also offer Chen Pan Ling’s condensed Ba Gua system. Chen Pan Ling Ba Gua consists of only 8 circular changes, making it less complete but much easier to learn than Gao style.
It confers excellent health benefits and gives a true taste of what Ba Gua is while being adaptable to anyone who has a body and a little time. Practical martial applications can be derived from this form of Ba Gua.
We also offer self defense courses involving the use of a walking cane that are based on Chen Pan Ling’s "Thunder stick" form. This is a short form developed by CPL to help the older folks he knew protect themselves from "Bad dogs and pickpockets". While based in Shao Lin methods, this form is condensed, easy to learn, and full of practical applications for street self defense. Old and young alike enjoy and derive benefit from the practice of these techniques.
