A martial arts friend recently sent me a video and mentioned that a clip featuring my training was included. Out of curiosity, I watched it.

The video presents a thoughtful exploration of Baguazhang, viewed through the lens of Ilan, a seasoned martial artist with a deep background in mixed martial arts. His analysis stood out with clarity and insight,something rarely found in modern martial arts discourse.

I am truly grateful for how he approached Baguazhang,not merely as a method of combat or a contest of strength, but as a profound art that goes beyond winning. It is heartening to see this level of depth, respect, and curiosity from someone outside the traditional internal martial arts circle.

I'm a BJJ black belt and I've had a Bagua máster throw me in such a way I couldn't break the fall. I love their throws.

I have studied Chen style Ba Qua Zhang for 30 years and  am 81 now.  It is indeed  the most interesting martial art I have studied and Have rank in several Judo, Shotokan Karate, Iaido, to name a few.  Yes had my own dojo for 30 years currently retired.  Teach Ba Qua at a Senior Club for health benefit anti aging only now.  It is the jewel of my lifetime martial study.  Great to see your video.  Thank you for this.  Please continue with respect for the art which you have demonstrated here..  Where am I ?  Fenelon Falls area outside of the stone jungle.  lol

I'm 38 now and I'm with you completely on the training for longevity philosophy. I wanna be able to use my body effectively and without injuring myself right into old age.

Bagua is the style Aang uses in ATLA. Best depicted in his fight against Zuko early on in the show. A true master of it can stay behind you through the entire fight

The most intimidating martial arts master I've ever met and practiced with was a master named He Jinbao, the martial lineage holder of Yin Style Bagua. Not only does He Jinbao have tremendous power, his qinna, his throws, and his technical skill are high level. He Jinbao is getting older but he's worth training with if you have the opportunity. 💯

Martial arts - how to win a fight.
Self Defense - how to get out of a fight.
Combatives - how to win a knife fight with a gun.

BAGUA IS BAD ASS! Let me know if you would train it.

I've been training martial arts since I was 16, I'm 41 now. I've been training Bagua for about 4 years solid. It's important to understand that Dong Haichuan never taught anyone who wasn't already an accomplished martial artist, with only one recorded exception.


His first student, named Yin Fu(the first teacher of that exception I mentioned) was a well-known exponent of Shaolin systems, so when he was taught, his variation focused more on striking.

His next major student was Cheng Tinghua, who was a grappling expert before meeting Dong. His variation of the style was therefore more centered in grappling, and is likely most of what you're seeing in these videos because his system was very spread out as he himself enjoyed teaching.

My point being here is that from everything I have learned and studied, Dong Haichuan didn't really want to teach novices. He wanted to impart principles and physics more than a standardized style. So it's not necessarily that Bagua is a sneaky grappling style that presents itself as a striker, the emphasis varies depending on which branch of the system you're looking at.

Just wanted to point that out, add my two cents.


Also, there are linear drills at least in a couple of Bagua lineages. The forms don't show that and it's not strictly linear but not everything in Bagua is it strictly circular. In a lot of respects the point of the footwork which is constantly changing is to say you fight from any direction you need to and if executing the footwork correctly, you should be able to do so without really having to reset as most other martial arts require you to do between movements.

One additional point. Circle walking in bagua ( if taught with internal principles) is actually a form of internal power development like standing postures( zhan zhuang) in other styles. The upper body has stationary postures, while the lower body is moving ( obviously not easy to develop). These are known as the pre heaven palms. Then the circle walking develops to encompass the various palm changes and applications
Again showing the depth of bagua for both fighting applications, body development and at higher levels an internal meditation ( alchemy)

Their footwork and use of circles makes Bagua effective for takedowns. Even if you resist their first takedown attempt, they will find another angle.

Bagua is based on the dragon, 🐲, constantly circling its body around you

What most people don’t understand about bagua is that usage really is taught through the mother forms and the linear forms, everyone learns the circular connected palms first, that is not where usage and understanding of bagua is developed.

bagua is great and it doesn't really matter what style of bagua,   the principle is always there  simple but so useful

Bagua is perfect for body flexibility, releasing the facia around the muscles, keeping the joints loose, etc.   The martial part is just an added benefit to this martial art that is great for longevity and keeping the body moving like a young person.

I was always curious about this style. This video got me over the hump to take lessons and have been for a couple months now and loving it. Thank you for this 🙏

Do in-depth videos on Xing Yi or Yi Quan…

There is a story told among the teachers in Beijing that Don Haichuan didn't start off teaching his "A" game to his students. Then he got a promotion at work - tax collector in Inner Mongolia. Once he heard he was going to tell Mongols to give him gold he decided his students needed better skills. Dunno if it's true, but it's a great story.

i have practiced bagua in my youth but it is difficult to find a sifu nowadays

Like Okinawa Goju Ryu but tripple as tough.

Nearly 55, all of my training is longevity based now, lol.  Background in Tae Kwon Do, Fencing, military combatives. Now: Boxing on a reflex bag/ speed bag to preserve nervous system/ prevent Parkinsons, Tai Chi, and pre-911 combatives ( Fairbairne type).  Always interested in Bagua, can' t find a school.  Great video as usual.😊