Baji Quan
Baji Quan is a Chinese martial art that features explosive, short-range power and is famous for its elbow strikes. Its full name is Kai Men Baji Quan which means open-gate eight-extremities fist. It originated in Meng Village, Hebei Province, China. It is popular in Northern parts of China. First Grand Master of Baji Quan was Wu Zhong(1712–1802), a Chinese Muslim around three hundred years ago. Wu Zhong learnt Baji Quan from two wandering monks called Lai (癞) and Pi (癖) who was a disciple of Lai. During the reign of Emperor Yong Zheng (1723-1735), Baji Quan was officially adopted by the imperial bodyguards defending their monarch. Other famous masters included Wu Xiufeng 吳秀峰 and Li Shuwen 李書文 (1864–1934). Li Shuwen's students included Huo Dian Ge 霍殿閣 (bodyguard to Pu Yi, the last Emperor of China), Li Chenwu (bodyguard to Mao Zedong, first Chairman of P. R. China), and Liu Yun Qiao 劉雲樵 (instructor of the bodyguards of Chiang Kai Shek). Then Baji Quan acquired a reputation as the "bodyguard style".
The lineage holder of Wu’s family style Baji Quan in China is Grand Master Wu Lian Zhi (吳連枝). Master Leon Xu is 8th Generation of Disciples of Wu's Baji Quan under Grand Master Wu Lianzhi. Wu’s Baji Quan is transmitted through generations by the members of the Wu family in Meng village. There is famous Baji Quan International Training Center that was built in Meng village in 2006. It covers 6660 square meters, with a huge outside training ground and an indoor training hall that covers 520 square meters.
Main characteristics of Baji Quan: Stance training (LiangYi Ding 两仪顶) ; Explosive power: is trained by some special methods, like "six big opening" (liu da kai 六大開) (Ding, Bao, Dan, Ti, Kua); Internal training: focuses on an explosive technique of Qi circulation (called Xing Qi, or moving internal energy), with “Heng” and “Ha” sounds. Fighting techniques and tactics: Baji Quan is a close range fighting style with the principles “Ai, Bang, Ji, Kao”(挨, 膀, 挤, 靠), and “San Pan Heji” (三盘合击).
The forms of Baji Quan are divided into bare hand and with weapon forms. Bare hand forms include 12 Baji Quan Small Frame Routines, Baji Black Tiger Routine, Baji Dan Zhai, Baji Dan Da (Dui Da), Baji Luohan Gong, and Baji Si Lang Kuan etc. There are many weapon forms, including Liu He Da Qiang (spear), Chun Yang Jian (sword), Ti Liu Dao (sabre), Xing Zhe Gun (staff), Pudao, and Chun Qiu Da Dao etc.
The forms of Baji Quan are divided into bare hand and with weapon forms. Bare hand forms include 12 Baji Quan Small Frame Routines, Baji Black Tiger Routine, Baji Dan Zhai, Baji Dan Da (Dui Da), Baji Luohan Gong, and Baji Si Lang Kuan etc. There are many weapon forms, including Liu He Da Qiang (spear), Chun Yang Jian (sword), Ti Liu Dao (sabre), Xing Zhe Gun (staff), Pudao, and Chun Qiu Da Dao etc.
Main contents of Baji Quan we teach:
• Traditional Training Basics of Baji Quan
• Basics of Stances in Still and Movement pose
• Liu Zhou Tou (Six Elbow Techniques六肘头)
• Jin Gang Ba Shi (8 Warrior Style Techeniques 金刚八式)
• Liu Da Ba Zhao of Wu’s Baji Quan (吴氏八极六大八招)
• Wu’s Baji Quan Routines in Bare Hand and with Weapons
o Baji Xiaoji 1 Lu (Baji Small Frame 1八极小架一路)
o Baji Ti Liu Dao (Baji Broad Sword八极提柳刀)
o Baji Dan Da (Baji Single Routine八极单打)
o Baji Xing Zhe Gun (Baiji Monk Stall 八极行者棍)
o Baji Dui Da (Baji Fighting Set八极对打)
o Baji Liu He Da Qiang (Baji Spear八极六合大枪)
o Baji Si Lang Kuan (Baji Si Lang Kuan八极四郎宽)
o Baji Pu Dao (Baji Pu Dao八极扑刀)
o Baji Chun Qiu Da Dao etc (Baji Chun Qiu Da Dao八极春秋大刀)等
• Traditional Training Basics of Baji Quan
• Basics of Stances in Still and Movement pose
• Liu Zhou Tou (Six Elbow Techniques六肘头)
• Jin Gang Ba Shi (8 Warrior Style Techeniques 金刚八式)
• Liu Da Ba Zhao of Wu’s Baji Quan (吴氏八极六大八招)
• Wu’s Baji Quan Routines in Bare Hand and with Weapons
o Baji Xiaoji 1 Lu (Baji Small Frame 1八极小架一路)
o Baji Ti Liu Dao (Baji Broad Sword八极提柳刀)
o Baji Dan Da (Baji Single Routine八极单打)
o Baji Xing Zhe Gun (Baiji Monk Stall 八极行者棍)
o Baji Dui Da (Baji Fighting Set八极对打)
o Baji Liu He Da Qiang (Baji Spear八极六合大枪)
o Baji Si Lang Kuan (Baji Si Lang Kuan八极四郎宽)
o Baji Pu Dao (Baji Pu Dao八极扑刀)
o Baji Chun Qiu Da Dao etc (Baji Chun Qiu Da Dao八极春秋大刀)等
