Tu Na Si Ba - The "Secret" Breathing Methods of Xing Yi Quan. Chinese-English Edition with link to online video of Tu Na Si Ba performed by Master Song Zhi Yong. In Northern China and in Shanxi Province, the purported birthplace of Xing Yi Quan, Master Li Gui Chang is a legendary figure in the world of martial arts. Few practitioners have approached Master Li's achievements in Tai Ji Quan and Xing Yi Quan. Li studied Xing Yi Quan and Ba Gua Zhang with the great Dong Xiu Sheng and Tai Ji Quan with Liu Dong Han. Li Gui Chang's expression of Xing Yi Quan is sometimes referred to as the Xing Yi "Body Method," because of its emphasis on subtle internal body actions and internally sensing Qi and Jin. Hence, it is completely congruent with Daoist Yang Sheng (nourishing life) practices. In this unique book, Song Zhi Yong, a senior disciple of Li Gui Chang, reveals the formerly "secret" foundational training which is the key to Master Li's Xing Yi Quan: Tu Na Si Ba (Four Essential Breathing Forms) San Ti Shi (Three Body Posture Training). Tu Na Si Ba was traditionally only taught to senior disciples, and has never before been written about in English or Chinese. Tu Na literally means "spit out" (Tu) and "receive" or "accept" (Na). In both martial and Daoist practices, Tu Na refers to breathing exercises associated with self-cultivation. When practicing the gentle, slow movements of Tu Na Si Ba, one effectively "breathes out the old and takes in the new" (Tu Gu Na Xing). This combination of inner-directed movement and breathing builds up Qi in the body, while simultaneously strengthening the tendons and bones. Every aspect of Tu Na Si Ba directly connects to the spirit, internal mechanics and martial techniques of Xing Yi Quan. The practice of Tu Na Si Ba is particularly critical to understanding and developing skill in San Ti Shi and Pi Quan (Splitting Fist), the core practices of Xing Yi Quan. The final section of this book presents San Ti Shi, the fixed standing (Zhan Zhu

In its first English-language edition, this detailed training manual is a complete guide to Gao baguazhang, as preserved through the lineage of Liu Fengcai. The youngest of the major bagua lineages, Gao bagua shows the influence of taiji quan, xingyi quan, and shuai jiao. It incorporates traditional bagua weapons, pre-heaven palms, and animal forms in addition to sixty-four individual post-heaven palms and their accompanying two-person forms. A unique synthesis of health-building techniques, Daoist theory, and practical fighting applications, Gao-style bagua is an example of the finest internal-arts traditions. The original manuscript for The Cheng School Gao Style Baguazhang Manual was completed by the art's founder, Gao Yisheng, in 1936. It was not published at the time, but handed down to his student Liu Fengcai, who edited and published the first Chinese edition in 1991 with the help of his own student Liu Shuhang. In 2005, Liu Shuhang published a revised and expanded version, and this was again expanded and reissued in a third edition in 2010. Now, the manual has been translated and fully updated for its first English-language edition. Including over 400 photos showing step-by-step techniques and forms, the manual documents the fundamentals of the art as well as detailed descriptions of techniques and empty-hand forms, laying the groundwork for advanced training. This edition includes rare photos of important masters in the Gao lineage, lineage charts, biographies, and other updates, making it the essential companion for anyone studying Gao style and a useful guide for any practitioner of baguazhang or other Chinese martial arts.

Nei Gong: The Authentic Classic, (Nei Gong Zhen Chuan) is an obscure text of unknown origin, yet it stands alone as the definitive text on internal energy and the generation of internal power. Hand copied, and passed from teacher to student, it is one of the "secret transmissions" of Chinese martial arts. Nei Gong: The Authentic Classic, is a practical manual on internal energy development and its fundamental importance in the martial arts and fa jin (emitting force). It draws heavily on Daoist meditation and alchemical practices which are said to promote health and longevity. The text is divided into four sections: 1. Nei Gong Jing (Internal Energy Classic); 2. Na Gua Jing (Received Trigram Classic); 3. Shen Yun Jing (Transported Spirit Classic); 4. Di Long Jing (Earth Dragon Classic), which are meant to be read in order. In this way the reader is guided step by step through the details of Nei Gong practice, and in the Di Long Jing, its application to self-defense. Translated by a team of experts, the text is accompanied by extensive footnotes and diagrams that clarify the more obscure passages which otherwise pre-suppose a knowledge of Daoist texts and imagery from the I-Ching (Book of Changes). The appendices further explicate the relationship of Nei Gong: The Authentic Classic to the internal martial art Xing Yi Quan.

In Ba Gua Circle Walking Nei Gong: The Meridian Opening Palms of Ba Gua Zhang, author Tom Bisio details the practice method and theory of this powerful system of internal exercise. The postures, alignments and practice methods are clearly explained and correlated with practical discussions of meridian pathways and pathologies from the perspective of internal Nei Gong practice. These discussions are accompanied by extensive illustrations, including drawings rendered from photographs of famous Ba Gua masters holding the Nei Gong postures. Also included are medical applications of Ba Gua Circle Walking Nei Gong and an introduction to the rarely taught Ba Gua Energy Accepting Palm, in which vital force (qi) is absorbed from the natural environment.

With detailed photographs and clear instruction for practice, this is the first book comprehensively to cover the history, development and training methods of this rarely taught esoteric internal martial art. The deceptively simple postures and movements of Yiquan are highly effective for achieving results for both health and combat, making it very appealing to martial artists, and Master Tang here reveals the secrets of a martial art still surrounded in mystery. He also provides a history of the origins and lineage of the Yiquan tradition, as well as detailed information on the stances and movements, weapons, and programs, grading and teaching. This complete guide to Yiquan will be essential for anyone interested in Yiquan or oriental martial and internal arts more generally.

This book includes: the complete xing yi history and lineage going back eight generations; written transmissions taken from hand-copied manuscripts handed down from third and fourth generation practitioners Dai Long Bang and Li Neng Ran; 16 health maintenance and power development exercises handed down by the famous xing yi master, Wang Ji Wu; xing yi qigong exercises handed down by master Wang Ji Wu; xing yi's standing practice and theory is described in detail with photographs of both Wang and Zhang; and xing yi five element long spear power training exercises demonstrated by Zhang Bao Yang.