Bagua Video Tai Dao or Large Saber

The Bagua Tai Dao or the large saber is considered by most practitioner's to be Bagua's ultimate training tool. In Bagua this saber's large size aids and is such great tool for developing coordination, strength, and to aid in the development of whole body movement and power which Bagua is well known for in the martial arts. Due to the saber's lager size makes the weapon difficult for the practitioner to wield and or maneuver compared to the normally smaller sabers used in other martial arts.

In the following video Master Di Guoyong shows how gracefully the Tai Dao or Bagua's large saber can be trained and worked with as he performs a demonstration for a few students. This video was shot in Beijing back in 2004. After training all morning we took a break and Master Di Guoyong decided to show us the Tai Dao and the following form.

YouTube link to this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d3zNTXbH5B8 for those who have iPhones or enjoy YouTube formats.

Bagua is a wonderful art and the Tai Dao a great training tool as well. Hopefully you have enjoyed this video. Over the years I have been lucky enough to have had the chances to meet and study bits of this wonderful art with a number of differt teachers. Bagua, Taiji, Xingyi all have different flavors, yet internal movement is key to all of these arts. The forms are just methods to help train and to aid in understanding the flavor of each art but without the internal connect the forms just become another empty dance. On that note remember the basics and seek the internal connections that these wonderful arts have to offer.

Bagua Stepping and Tang Ne Bu (Sliding in the Mud)

In Bagua stepping is very important. In this video clip of Master Di Guoyong of Beijing shows the basics of Tang Ne Bu (Sliding in the Mud) which is one of the points he wanted to make sure was understood. There are some nice close-ups of Master Di Guoyong showing very clearly how this should look.

A persons understanding of stepping and Tang Ne Bu (Sliding in the Mud) is a very important one in Bagua. Tang Ne Bu is one of the basics skills for correct Bagua practice. Hopefully this video clip will be helpful in aiding one in this understanding as well as the practice of this art form.



YouTube link to this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n2fJ7y0_u-c for those who have iPhones or enjoy YouTube formats.

Master Di Guoyong is a disciple of the late Bagua Master Li Zi Ming (his third teacher). Also Master Di studied with Wu Binlou (his second teacher) and Zhao Zhong (his first teacher.) Master Di Guoyong Is also part of the the Xingyi Research Society and Baguazhang research society which are a part of the Beijing Martial Arts Association.