Resources Articles
By Bok-Nam ParkAdapted and re-edited by F. Hriadil Forms should not be taught to students until the fundamental skills are first developed. “I have water to give to thirsty students. […]
Master Park Bok-Nam is the Senior Lineage Disciple of Lu Shui-Tian of Shantung Province, China. He is an internationally renowned authority on Ba Gua Zhang (Pa Kua Chang) and has developed one of the most comprehensive training programs available for learning Ba Gua.
Throughout many of the dynasties in China, tales and legends have been told about Taoism that involve balance in nature, mysticism, and immortality. Among some of the most popular stories that have been told are those about the Ba Shen or "Eight Immortals."
As with all methods that are taught in our system, every student must start with the basics. The Basic Meditation Exercise, is very simple and direct. This method is designed to help the student learn how to relax the body, calm the mind, and improve mental concentration and focus.
The specific goals of Qi Gong (Chi Kung) practice may vary from one discipline to another; however in general, the martial arts practitioner will first want to develop and promote overall health and well-being by seeking a balanced distribution of energy in the body and by improving the body's efficiency in terms of energy movement and usage. This will include methods aimed at integrating and harmonizing the MIND + the BODY + the BREATH utilizing a safe, gentle, and well-balanced approach. Balance, efficiency, and a natural approach are the key elements to building a body which is strong internally. If the body's internal systems are not balanced in terms of energy production, distribution, and consumption; then, the body is not working optimally and any attempt at utilizing internal energy in a martial art or healing practice will only cause further imbalance that can eventually damage the body's internal systems.
Pa Kua Chang (Ba Gua Zhang) is the art of continuous change and adaptability. As a result, Pa Kua recognizes that one of the necessary ingredients for success in combat is a high level of mobility and maneuverability. Furthermore, Pa Kua understands that the key to mobility and maneuverability lies in stepping and footwork, and the key to stepping and footwork lies in the stance/posture.
When referring to Qi or Internal development, the first aspect that should be addressed is Breathing. It is clear that a human being can live for a number of weeks without food and a number of days without water; but, a person cannot survive for much more than a few minutes without air. Developing the ability to breathe fully and efficiently is the key to significantly improving a person's health and quality of life.
Many people today have learned about Internal Energy and wish to cultivate it for various reasons. Their reasons may range from promoting better health and longer life to creating a higher level of spiritual consciousness. The true martial artist, though, seeks to cultivate Internal Energy and direct it to the limbs for fighting application, as well as healing application. In this article, we will discuss a set of exercises designed to bring this mythical internal power to the palm. These exercises are called, “The Forty-Eight Month Palms.”
The first and foremost principle of Pa Kua Chang is adaptability and change. Those who try to define Pa Kua Chang too rigidly, and structure its practice and application based solely on form, have moved away from the true intent of the art.
Pa Kua Chang is an art that is based on principles and, as such, there is no strict definition of the art related to form or application.
Looking for an article from our previous site? We may have not moved it over yet.
In the meantime, you can visit our article archive at
www.pa-kua.com.
Find Out More
By Bok-Nam ParkAdapted and re-edited by F. Hriadil Forms should not be taught to students until the fundamental skills are first developed. “I have water to give to thirsty students. […]
Master Park Bok-Nam is the Senior Lineage Disciple of Lu Shui-Tian of Shantung Province, China. He is an internationally renowned authority on Ba Gua Zhang (Pa Kua Chang) and has developed one of the most comprehensive training programs available for learning Ba Gua.
Throughout many of the dynasties in China, tales and legends have been told about Taoism that involve balance in nature, mysticism, and immortality. Among some of the most popular stories that have been told are those about the Ba Shen or "Eight Immortals."
As with all methods that are taught in our system, every student must start with the basics. The Basic Meditation Exercise, is very simple and direct. This method is designed to help the student learn how to relax the body, calm the mind, and improve mental concentration and focus.
The specific goals of Qi Gong (Chi Kung) practice may vary from one discipline to another; however in general, the martial arts practitioner will first want to develop and promote overall health and well-being by seeking a balanced distribution of energy in the body and by improving the body's efficiency in terms of energy movement and usage. This will include methods aimed at integrating and harmonizing the MIND + the BODY + the BREATH utilizing a safe, gentle, and well-balanced approach. Balance, efficiency, and a natural approach are the key elements to building a body which is strong internally. If the body's internal systems are not balanced in terms of energy production, distribution, and consumption; then, the body is not working optimally and any attempt at utilizing internal energy in a martial art or healing practice will only cause further imbalance that can eventually damage the body's internal systems.
Pa Kua Chang (Ba Gua Zhang) is the art of continuous change and adaptability. As a result, Pa Kua recognizes that one of the necessary ingredients for success in combat is a high level of mobility and maneuverability. Furthermore, Pa Kua understands that the key to mobility and maneuverability lies in stepping and footwork, and the key to stepping and footwork lies in the stance/posture.
When referring to Qi or Internal development, the first aspect that should be addressed is Breathing. It is clear that a human being can live for a number of weeks without food and a number of days without water; but, a person cannot survive for much more than a few minutes without air. Developing the ability to breathe fully and efficiently is the key to significantly improving a person's health and quality of life.
Many people today have learned about Internal Energy and wish to cultivate it for various reasons. Their reasons may range from promoting better health and longer life to creating a higher level of spiritual consciousness. The true martial artist, though, seeks to cultivate Internal Energy and direct it to the limbs for fighting application, as well as healing application. In this article, we will discuss a set of exercises designed to bring this mythical internal power to the palm. These exercises are called, “The Forty-Eight Month Palms.”
The first and foremost principle of Pa Kua Chang is adaptability and change. Those who try to define Pa Kua Chang too rigidly, and structure its practice and application based solely on form, have moved away from the true intent of the art.
Pa Kua Chang is an art that is based on principles and, as such, there is no strict definition of the art related to form or application.
Looking for an article from our previous site? We may have not moved it over yet. In the meantime, you can visit our article archive at www.pa-kua.com.
