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The Way through Baguazhang
八卦掌道
Wherever you are in the world, come learn the way of martial arts as an everyday experience beyond just fighting and self-defence, but "being" just is.
LEARN MORE on Anchor Podcasts
https://anchor.fm/peter-hainzl-baguazhangBy tradition and orthodoxal acceptance Baguazhang is one of the three traditional - neijia - internal martial arts of China. The other two are Taiqiquan (or Tai Chi for short) and Xingyiquan. With the 'internal' meaning that the style had its roots in Taoism (within China) instead of Shaolin Buddhist practices (coming from outside China i.e. India).
Overtime, internal has also come to mean that the style can be used as a form of physical meditation, and trains one's inner wellbeing and reality first, before improving one's external ability to fight.
My own journey along the martial arts way, started long before I actually did my first palm change, when at the age of fifteen - in a moment of darkest gloom - I stumbled upon the I-Ching.
Learn more about the internally focused martial art of baguazhang on Anchor Podcasts
https://anchor.fm/peter-hainzl-baguazhangThe martial art of Baguazhang through its founder Master Dong Haichuan 董海川師傅 of the late Qing Dynasty is only around 150 to 200 years old, compared to the 易經 I-Ching, that is said to be more than 5,000 years old and in essence is the seed of what can be regarded as culturally Chinese.
Since picking up a copy of the book at my local bookstore, it has been a guiding light along my path, the way, that has led me to 圍碁 Weiqi, 兵法 Bingfa, 茶禪 Chazen and then on to 八卦掌 Baguazhang and 氣功 Qigong. Of which, I have been doing baguazhang continuously in Sydney, Australia since 2003.
My experiences along the path, shared with the world, are available as a free podcast at https://anchor.fm/peter-hainzl-baguazhang
One man's internal story along the way to Bagua Shan 八卦山.
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What I Do
Along with writing and publishing regular podcasts at https://anchor.fm/peter-hainzl-baguazhang, I do baguazhang everyday.
I run twice-weekly Qigong classes at my local community centre, where we are dedicated to pushing the envelope on what's possible in Qigong.
Going beyond breathing and meditation, to experiencing Qigong as a physical sensation that can be transmuted because a lot of my students are wanting to become healers and so much more.
I have more than sixteen years experience in the way of tea, through operating my own tea business and practicing Chazen. Being less formally ridget than the Japanese Cha-no-yu ceremony, Chazen is a simple daily ritual that allows martial artists to get more deeply in touch with their spiritual side or practice an easy form of mindfulness.
Because certain martial art nuances can only be truly understood, when a person 'marries' into the culture of their respective martial art, I advise and counsel a lot of men on how to live in a mixed cultural household. And how to integrate the seemingly two separate strands of wanting to be a martial artist outside of the dojo and the everyday world we all must live in, into one coherent life.
"The way through baguazhang"
https://anchor.fm/peter-hainzl-baguazhang
"The BAGUAZHANG ART OF WAR”
If you want to know about me and my journey along the martial arts path, and are a bit reserved in contacting me or are just unable to because I am in Australia and you are somewhere else, then you can but my books: The Baguazhang Art of War series from Amazon and all good online book retailers.
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Some questions I get frequently asked around Baguazhang...
Does Baguazhang lead to Qi Cultivation?
Yes, it does. Most people begin learning Baguazhang for one of two reasons: Either they are wanting to learn an effective way to defend themselves, or are wanting to strengthen their back muscles. At some point these goals are achieved and the meditative qualities of walking in a circle kick in to become qi cultivation in itself.
What makes Baguazhang unique?
Baguazhang is unique because the forms are done walking in a circle. And mostly uses open palms - Zhang 掌 instead of closed fists - Quan 拳 for striking. As a fighting style it is also known for targeting the undefended back of an opponent versus the easily defended front. While this may seem controversial to some, most masters end up using this unique knowledge for healing rather than harming others.
Baguazhang vs Baguaquan?
There is a lot of confusion as to whether Baguaquan 八卦拳 is the same thing as Baguazhang 八卦掌.
On one level, mostly in China due to lack of accuracy and poor translations, they are the one and the same. However, some schools use the character Quan 拳 to promote their effectiveness as a fighting style instead of Zhang 掌, because it has the implication of "coming in peace" or "gentle way" first and fighting last.
On another level, the two styles are different like the way twins can be the same and yet have subtle differences.
Is Baguazhang the same as Taichi?
While visually to the untrained eye, they can look very similar, they are not. Part of the confusion is that Baguazhang can be done as slow as Taichi. But it can also be done fast like hard external styles. And that many Taichi masters are also Baguazhang masters.
Can Baguazhang lead to Enlightenment?
Like the proverbial answer of how long is a piece of string, the answer to that question is "How long is your piece of string?" This question seeks to find the something where only the nothing exists.
道: What is the Tao of Baguazhang?
Ah... A much better question than "Can Baguazhang lead to enlightenment?" The Tao of Baguazhang is simply the path you walk. Some people walk an established path and others must find their own way. And this can include seeking enlightenment. But only, if that is what you truly want. If it is, then the Tao will find you just as much as you will find it.
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Watch free video
FREE video of me, having fun, doing my Dui Baguazhang 兌八卦掌 form at Shizuoka-shi Yoshiwara Temple in Japan (with relaxing music) 😊
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Get in touch with me, on...
linkedin.com/in/peterhainzl/
facebook.com/peter.hainzl.7
instagram/baguazhang_
