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.

Gao Style Bagua

Gao Style Bagua and Bagua in general is something I believe can have a lot to explore and offer. Here are two wonderful exercises from the Gao Bagua system from Taipei, Taiwan. The following two videos were filmed back in February of 2000. Like foundation skill sets from the Wujifa system the following two videos I believe are very good fundational skill sets for development of full body movement.

Over the past few months I've hesitated to put other exercises on this blog and have been encouraged to do so. I also believe in these skill sets and practice them as well with my Wujifa and so I feel pretty good about sharing them here with all of you.

The first Video is called "Ban" which is one the the skill sets from the "10 Heavenly Stems" or "Tain Gan." Like silkreeling this exercise aims to engage full body movement and development.

From the Gao Bagua system:
Ban



YouTube link to this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wnrSIcg8BQk for those who have iPhones or enjoy YouTube formats.

From the Gao Bagua System:
Golden Chicken


YouTube link to this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5wZSLyVWNyI for those who have iPhones or enjoy YouTube formats.

I hope you enjoy these two Videos from Taipei,Tawain and the Gao Bagua system... Yes they are a bit rough and grainy, yet they are pretty darn functional to play with...

So, I'll end with simply saying... I hope you enjoy doing them as much as I have over the years. As you get a better feel for the Kua or inguinal creases these are two excellent methods to take things up another level or notch in your practice!