Neijia

Lineage

My first exposure to internal martial arts was through a friend in NYC who trained in Chinese martial arts while I was learning goshin-jutsu (self-defense methods derived from karate, judo, and aikido). I told myself at the time when I had developed enough skill at modern jujutsu I would learn something like Bāguà zhang, which fascinated me with its circular practice.

Fifteen years later, I was introduced to a senior aikido and karate practitioner who had learned Gao Lineage Bāguà. I trained with him privately and over time reworked my goshin-jutsu practice based on what I was learning of more advanced body mechanics, balance, and sensitivity from Bāguà. Learning Bāguà really changed everything I was doing up until that point.

My Gao Bagua instructor introduced me to a formal lineage of internal martial arts in Yin Cheng Gong Fa North America he was training with in order to learn Taiji. I joined classes in western Maryland and then began traveling regularly to Pittsburgh to study directly under Zhang Yun laoshi, who studied under the late Grandmaster Wang Peisheng in Beijing before moving to the United States in 1989. This quickly became my primary martial arts practice. I became Zhang Yun's 40th lineal student in Princeton, New Jersey, in 2015.

Practice

My internal martial arts practice includes a traditional curriculum of unarmed practices as well as sword, saber and spear. My main practices include Hebei style Xingyi Quan, Northern Wu style Taiji Quan, Yin style Bagua Zhang. I also practice aspects of the Cheng and Liu styles of Bagua Zhang as well as Shi style Baiyuan Tongbei Quan. The weapons component of my practice, unlike many demonstration-focused lineages, are combatively focused and include two person drills.

Curriculum

Foundational body training exercises called jibengong as well as qigong including zhan zuang methods help develop the body, mind and spirit. Each art takes its own approach to these but I feel the three internal martial arts of Bagua, Taiji and Xingyi complement each other.

I spend much time practicing the 83-posture Wu Taiji Quan form of Yang Yuting as well as tuai shou methods including fixed and moving step patterns, including eight movement da lu. I also practice the 64 posture Taiji straight sword, one and two-handed saber routines, and 24 posture Taiji spear.

My Bagua Zhang practice now includes the eight mother palm neigong of Cheng Tinghua, 64 linear bagua methods and chun yang (pure yang) straight swordpractice of Liu Dekuan, the 64 circular palms of Yin Fu as well as the associated 18 interceptions saber practice of Ma Gui.

From Xingyi Quan I practice santi shi pile standing, five elemental fists, twelve animal tactics, partner forms for the five elements, five element ten step linking form, the mixed skill practice called za shi chui and a version of five element sword, saber and spear.

I also maintain a small practice of jibengong, basic skills, the eight ancestors form, and 36 star miao-dao practice from Tongbei.

Where To Train

From time to time I have worked with experienced martial artists interested in deepening their understanding of internal martial arts. I do not hold a regularly scheduled class at this time but can be reached via email.

In Washington, Impact Martial Arts outside Bellingham holds weekly classes in Wu Taijiquan I recommend that are taught by my senior colleague. Other YCGF groups are listed on the YCGF website linked to above.

Neijia

Lineage

Practice

Curriculum

Where To Train

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