Baji Quan (Eight Ultimates Boxing)

BaJi Quan is said to date back hundreds of years and has traditionally only been used by the Emperor's imperial guards. This powerful form of Kung Fu projects energy forward like a canon. This approach to BaJi comes directly from Li Shu Wen the most famous modern master of the style. The same man whose students served as bodyguards to Mao Tse- Tung (Li Chen-Wu), Chiang Kai-Shek (Liu Yun Chiao) and the last Emperor, Pu-Yee (Ho Tien-Kuo).Su Yu Chang is in direct lineage through another famous BaJi teacher, Liu Yun Chiao. See biographical information on the teachers.

BaJi is one of our favorite styles. And no wonder. Powerful, fluid and incredibly simple while being truly beautiful at the same time, Eight Ultimates (BaJi) captures your attention from the first moment you see it .

Baji is known throughout China as an extremely effective form, it is often called "The Bodyguard Style". Ba Ji is based on driving force and exquisite body mechanics gleaned from the actions of the Tiger and the Bear. See more about this style.

At the end of 2015, Sifu Adam Hsu came out with the first DVD collection in his Baji Thunder series, Foundations (#24896, below.) His goal was to truly teach the great style, Bajiquan, not just as he learned it from Wutan Grandmaster Liu Yun Chiao, but also by adding to the instruction from his own contribution to teaching of over 50 years.

We are happy to announce the second Development (#24897) and third volume Advanced (#24898) completing the series. All in all, this amounts to 14 DVDs (over 16 hours) and, in our modest estimation, about 2-3 years of training.

Hsu Sifu's method and information make this one of the most complete presentations we have ever seen on any style . Even more than that, his approach—focusing on training and usage—continues to remind us that form and routine develop from the qualities gained by understanding a style's structure, not the other way around. Timing, shape, feedback and spirit—these are just a few of the primary qualities we must practice to make the martial experience unique.

In our opinion, this series demonstrates not only how Bajiquan should be taught, but how all traditional Chinese martial arts should be apprehended. We even believe that these DVDs will improve your martial arts whatever style you practice, because it reinforces the way to study, not just the study itself. For the price of about five months of lessons here is at least three years work. This is one of the few instances I can honestly say that if I were asked about studying from videos or studying with a good local practitioner/teacher, I would probably advise buying the DVDs.

DVD 24896 Baji Thunder: Foundations: Xiao BaJi
Chinese language subtitled in English

This first set of 7 DVDs uses Xiao Baji as its central form. However Sifu Hsu, in over 8 hours of instruction, gives much more than just form instruction. This is a thorough introduction to the entire style of Bajiquan, divided up into three main topics: Basic Training (Top Secret,) Baji Jia (Indoor Skill,) and Application (Real Usage.) Spread over these 7 disks is history, 'real' basics and their meaning, three levels of power, training methods, Baji energies, form instruction and, of course, authentic usage derived from the principles, not the form.

For a comprehensive index of these contents, CLICK HERE.

7 discs (over 8 hrs.) for $210.00 retail, PLUM price $185.00
Order any three sets from the "virtual studio" series for an additional 10% discount (discount shown in shopping cart)

Order either or both of Adam Hsu's earlier DVD on Baji (#21004 and #21005) along with this new DVD, and get 20% off of the earlier DVD(s). Use coupon "Dabaji" (without the quotations)

DVD 24897 Baji Thunder: Development: Da Baji
Chinese language subtitled in English

Continuing with his major presentation of Baji Quan, Sifu Adam Hsu presents a three DVD course all devoted to Baji's most popular form: Da Baji or Big Baji.

The saying goes that the first form, Xiao Baji, is a "dead" or "structure" form and that Da Baji is a "live" form. Rather than emphasizing posture and structure, Da Baji introduces the fundamental fighting actions of the style, not to mention being a form beautiful for its simplicity. Not only does Adam Hsu give background, principles, goals and methods but he takes you back to traditional culture of Kung Fu by concentrating his excellent teaching method on the meaning and mastery of the movements, with the order and elaborations of the form as relatively insignificant. Not a simple empty-handed form instruction, the series is aimed at setting you not he road to high level Baji while also firming the foundation of your entire martial experience.

There is a fine point to be made here:: Hsu Sifu has done something almost unprecendented in this offering: he has chosen to NOT give typical instruction for the actual Da Baji form. To emphasize: there is no step-by-step instruction—plant your foot here, punch there, etc. Instead, Hsu has used this most important form to teach how to do Baji. He teaches not only each move, but the variations, methods and rationale for each move. Stringing them together into a form, given all this information, is the easy part.

Many practitioners, especially those with intermediate or advanced martial experience, will be able to use the many included form demonstrations, along with the foundational instruction, to learn the set. Or, even easier, is to pick up Hsu Sifu's earlier DVD on Da Baji (information and discount info below) where he does teach this form step by step.

It is almost impossible to emphasize the importance of the lesson here: forms are important, but principles of usage are fundamental. Form derives from principle, usage is born from structure.

For a comprehensive index of the contents, CLICK HERE.

3 discs (about 3 hrs.) for $105.00 PLUM price $90.00
Order any three sets from the "virtual studio" series for an additional 10% discount (discount shown in shopping cart)

Order either or both of Adam Hsu's earlier DVD on Baji (#21004 and #21005) along with this new DVD, and get 20% off of the earlier DVD(s). Use coupon "Dabaji" (without the quotations)

 

DVD 24898 Baji Thunder: Advanced: Liu Da Kai and Ba Da Shi
Chinese language subtitled in English

Liu Da Kai (Six Big Openings) and Ba Shi (Eight Shapes) are two the treasures of Baji style. This Third Series, of the comprehensive course taught by world-famous practitioner, Adam Hsu, concentrates on the core of Baji; the hands-on training. In this series pole work and partner work are brought to a new high.

Two rare selections—Liu Da Kai and Ba Da Shi—are shown and explained. As though making his point about forms and training for him, both belong to “half-form and half-training” category which Sifu Hsu has talked about from the very first disk. It is here,through marching practice of some complex techniques, where you acquire Baji’s distinct flavor and power. Each powerful action explodes with a retort as loud as a cannon…or a peal of thunder. This is the heart and soul of the art and caps enough information for even an avid practitioner.

For a comprehensive index of the contents, CLICK HERE.

4 discs (about 3 hrs.) for $140.00 PLUM price $120.00
Order any three sets from the "virtual studio" series for an additional 10% discount (discount shown in shopping cart)

Order either or both of Adam Hsu's earlier DVD on Baji (#21004 and #21005) along with this new DVD, and get 20% off of the earlier DVD(s). Use coupon "Dabaji" (without the quotations)

 

#24192 Baji Jia Quan #1
This is once again a Double DVD.
$54.95   (double DVD)

A fine presentation of Baji basics and form from the Liu Yun Chiao lineage. Tony Yang has been practicing Baji for a good part of his life. In this presentation he gives many basics, single and two person training, all aimed at creating a strong foundation in this impressive style. Nicely filmed with tasteful and clear exterior shots, this is a good addition to your Baji library.


Basic Training - Bear Step
Good marching exercises
Grand 8 Movements of Ba Ji Jia
8 Stampings
Form - Ba Ji Jia (Structure Form)
Partner Exercises
Partner Form
Baji/PiGua combination form (converted from VHS) along with breakdown

#21004 BaJi Quan #1 Baji Jia
$34.95 or 10 % off for ordering the set

Basic Training - Bear Step
Grand 8 Movements of Ba Ji Jia
8 Stampings
Form - Ba Ji Jia (Structure Form)
Internal Training - Ch'i compiling
Post Training - Single Post
Power Issuing - Sinking, expanding, twisting power

#21005 Baji Quan #2 Baji Fist
$34.95 or 10 % off for ordering the set

Basic Training - Tiger Arm
Grand 8 Movements of Ba Ji Fist
8 Poundings
Form - Ba Ji Fist (Representative Form of Ba Ji Style)
Internal Training - Ch'i Awakening & Ch'i Expanding
Post Training - Cross Post
Power Issuing - Advanced Sinking, Expanding & Twisting Power
Authentic Usage from Ba Ji Chuan

#29930 Liu Da Kai (Lio Ta Kai) Six Great Openings Baji

Sifu Su Yu Chang, the head of the Pa Chi Tang Lang organization, shows one of the most important forms in the Baji system: Liu Da Kai. This DVD covers an introduction to the Liu Da Kai form: the True Story of the forms; developing energy of Liu Da Kai; breakdown and applications; combat techniques and a two person form with exercises. NOTE: Sifu Su is an acupuncturist and gives some very interesting information from the health standpoint which is not the standard TCM fare.

42 minutes with English subtitles for the Taiwanese narration; Hard to find!!