Qiang Shan Ba Gua Zhang Association
The Ba Gua Zhang of Lu Shui-Tian
Handed down to Master Bok Nam Park by Lu Shui-Tian, and taught today by the association’s authorized instructors in the United States and Europe.
The art
A complete martial art, and a health practice
Ba Gua Zhang is one of the primary internal systems of the Chinese martial arts — the others being Tai Ji Quan and Xing Yi Quan. At its best it integrates health and self-defense into a complete and comprehensive martial discipline, perhaps best known for its distinctive circle walking training methods.
In the Ba Gua Zhang of Lu Shui-Tian, skill in self-defense provides little without health because, without health, skill will not last. And health without skill in self-defense is not martial art. Both are essential to the full development of a practitioner.
Combat
A system of Ba Gua Zhang handed down to Master Bok Nam Park by Lu Shui-Tian, Qiang Shan Ba Gua Zhang is a complete combat and health-focused martial art. Originally known for its effectiveness against multiple opponents, Ba Gua Zhang is characterized by its highly efficient and evasive footwork, powerful palm strikes, snake-like body movements, and lightning-fast combinations.
Qi Gong
The Ba Gua Zhang system of Qi Gong focuses on moving the joints, ligaments and tendons with the goal of strengthening the organs to improve one’s overall health. Following Natural Principles, our system of Qi Gong combines the ideas of Continuous Movement, Proper Breath, and Purposeful Focus to effectively cultivate and circulate Qi within the body.
The Ba Gua Zhang motto
Given to Master Bok Nam Park by Lu Shui-Tian, the Ba Gua Zhang Motto instills four ideals that are essential not only to developing one’s martial art but also to applying the principles of the art to everyday life.
Wisdom
Wisdom is required to make progress; the student must “think deeply” and research thoroughly.
Benevolence
The practitioner must remain humble, show respect to everyone, and promote goodwill towards others.
Sincerity
A student must undertake their training with serious commitment in order to develop skill to a high level.
Bravery
A student needs to remain calm and clear, and must learn to conquer and control his or her own fear.
Lineage
From Lu Shui-Tian to the association
Master Park’s name appears on the stele at Dong Hai-Chuan’s burial site, formally documenting him as a true sixth generation lineage disciple.
- Lu Shui-TianBrought Ba Gua Zhang from China to Korea, where he taught in Inchon and gave his students the four ideals of our motto.
- Master Bok Nam ParkLu Shui-Tian’s chosen successor. He came to the United States in 1987 and has spent nearly 40 years fulfilling Lu’s wish of spreading Ba Gua Zhang to the world.
- Qiang Shan Ba Gua Zhang AssociationFounded by Master Park to carry on the art as taught by Lu Shui-Tian. Its authorized instructors teach in the United States and Europe.
The association
Cultivate, preserve, and spread the art
It is the mission of the Qiang Shan Ba Gua Zhang Association to cultivate, preserve, and spread the art of Ba Gua Zhang as taught by Master Bok Nam Park, to keep its teachings consistent with natural principles, and to serve as a resource for its members and schools.
The philosophy and principles forming the basis of the Ba Gua of Lu Shui-Tian are derived directly from nature. As such, they are rooted in the real world, and are governed by the laws of physics and human physiology. They are not gifts from the gods, nor are they based on magic or mysticism. Anyone with proper instruction and training can learn this art.
Learning Ba Gua Zhang
Ba Gua cannot be learned from a book
No martial art as sophisticated as Ba Gua Zhang can be learned or mastered without the direct, continuous supervision of a qualified and experienced instructor.