Zhaoshi Bagua Qinnamen is the formal name of our Wushu School now......use to be just the SF Wushu Team, I adopted that after I formally accepted new disciples. Zhaoshi because its the style of Master Zhao Da Yuan and Qinnamen because both he and Grandmaster Li Zi Ming both loved qinna (joint locking) techniques and gathered them from many different styles and not just Bagua. Students have often asked me what's the fascination with Bagua? Bagua is in some ways quite unique; it is a univesral Martial Arts built around the principles of the I-Ching. The I-Ching is about change.....directions, flowing into different applications constantly...it's principles can be applied to any style. In Dong Hai Chuan's time...he taught only advanced Martial Artist...and mainly he showed them how to incorporate their own styles with Bagua. Bagua techniques can vary tremendously....has Shaolin, Mantis, Pigua, Tungbei. Taiji, Xing-i and many more styles......power while generated the same way is utilized differently. For many years most of my students assumed I learned alot of different Taiji Styles from many different Masters, but in reality many of the different styles I practiced are because my Bagua teachers have very broad curriculum. Even Master Feng, practiced Bagua, but also Mantis, Tung-bei, Shaolin, and Xing-i.
Fu Style Bagua for instance includes: SunTaiji, Fu Taiji, Liang-i, Xing-i, Wu Dang Sword, Daanshizhang and Tiger and Leopard Fist (these look like Shaolin)..........and part of our Qinnamen curriculum includes Yang Style Taiji....with a distinct influence by Qinnamen. anyway it means studying many different styles and techniques!
So a typical weekend class can look pretty interesting...........
Practicing Dingshibazhang begins workout with 40 minutes of cricle walking.
Then punching and kicking bags to develop power in their techniques
Then practice applications...learning to evade block and strike.
My "amigo: Glenn is teaching relaxation and developing neigung using the Chen Taiji Baton and Ruler techniques
My other "amigo" Marvin is teaching Choi Lai Fut Staff and daggers to develop coordination and power.
In another corner we have Vanessa, Ryan C, Ryan Y., and Loren....helping out with the contemporary Wushu Kids........good for me...can't teach everyone at once! Kevin works with the students on correct wushu basics......yea!!
Things can get a little crazy at times but everyone is having fun and learning something new!!
Ok time to go......heading off for the airport!
Coming: Sept 14 Mid-Autumn Festival Sept 15 Dragon Boat Festival Oct 12 4th Annual Golden State Chinese Martial Arts Champions