DVDs: GAO Style Ba Gua

Luo De Xiu is one of the main representatives in Taiwan of the Gao Style of Ba Gua which is often distinguished by its "Line Work." Gao style shows many aspects of its applications in a straight line, Xing Yi style fashion which makes some principles easier to understand and master. Each DVD shows each divided into three parts: the introduction to the straight line Gao exercise; the group practice of the exercise; the instruction on applications of the exercise. Luo speaks English most of the time - the presentation was done in Colorado - but it is strictly ambient recording so some is lost. His teaching, though is brisk and self explanatory. His hands are educated and direct.Luo was a senior student of Hong Yi-Xiang, and studied Gao style with several of Zhang Jun Feng's top people. He also studied under Sun Xi-Kung's student Liu Jian.

Marcus Brinkman, OMD, a long time student of Luo's, has made a number of superior instructional DVDs showing more details and especially applications of the Gao style. His newest is Bagua Bear Boxing.

Tom Bisio is the student of Gao JiWu. He and Gao have co-authored a number of books on the art and made much new material available to practitioners. His DVDs below are instructive for any style of Bagua and are unusual in that they spend three hours showing Bagua applications as well as the key exercises.

We are also happy to add Gao Ji Wu's original VCD series now, for the first time, transposed to DVDs (the VCD series is out of print...)

If you have any trouble playing the Gao Ji Wu DVDs...

DVD#22051 Yin Yang Blades
About an hour, $15.95 special each, Chinese Only
41 Minutes

One of the fastest performances sets of a normally not that fast weapon. This one takes alittle room. The movements of the Mandarin Duck knives (or yin yang, or deer horn, or midnight noon) are very clear and well presented. There are also some knife applications, against spear and a breakdown of the basic strikes. Good clear instruction, but this seriese is completely in Chinese.

 

DVD#22052 Post Heaven 64 Palms
About an hour, $27.50 special each, Chinese Only
92 Minutes

This is Cheng Style Gao Branch of Bagua. Here is a series of Bagua kicking patterns, most of them about six movements which are immediately repeated on the other side. Other techniques are demonstrated including some grappling maneuvers. The movements are clearly shown with plenty of the details that make such actions work. Though not every move is shown the bulk of the material is quite understandable. A good practice series for those interested in seeing some applications and practicing the Bagua arts in a marital way. Teacher Ge Guo Liang is a fourth generation student of the Gao style. His movements are assured and particularly adapted to the directness of a stocky man. Good clear instruction, but this seriese is completely in Chinese.

 

DVD#22053 Double Headed Spear
About an hour, $15.95 special each, Chinese Only
61 Minutes

A number of spear sets in the Bagua system are for the two-headed spear. The reason is probably obvious looking at the structure of Bagua and its symmetries. This has a clear breakdown with teacher and student both working on the set. There are frequent demonstrations of the moves with double spear contending with a large single headed spear. The movements of the set are solid and reasonable despite the fact that the weapon is the double-headed spear. Good clear instruction, but this seriese is completely in Chinese.

 

DVD#22054 Bagua Big Saber
About an hour, $15.95 special each, Chinese Only
41 Minutes

No longer available ! Please place me on your Search List if you ever find this item.

The nice thing about this branch of the Bagua system is that the movements have the flavor of Bagua but retain the look of solid applicable martial actions. This saber form is no exception. It employs an oversized weapon but not excessively so. A number of the sections are shown with application of saber battling straight sword or another saber. Good clear instruction, but this seriese is completely in Chinese.

DVD#22055 Bagua Straight Sword
About an hour, $15.95 special each, Chinese Only
55 Minutes

A very solid sword set for Bagua, in fact one of the best I’ve seen. The assistant instructor is quite limber and the poses are easy to see and hard to imitate because of this. A classical set with clear actions and done with a distinct Bagua flavor. As usual, solid movements typical of Cheng style and especially Gao Branch. Requires at least intermediate skills to catch the correct poses and nuances.Good clear instruction, but this seriese is completely in Chinese.

 

DVD#22056 Pre Heaven Palms
About an hour, $27.50 special each, Chinese Only
135 Minutes

The Pre Heaven or intrinsic palms of Bagua shown as palm changes with some representative applications shown against a partner. Even the basic palm positions are demonstrated. A crucial form to this style of Bagua. Good clear instruction, but this seriese is completely in Chinese.

 

DVD#25301 BaGua Bear Boxing
About 30 minutes, $24.95 PLUM price only $21.95, English

Bagua Fighting techniques are based on the eight core palms, also known as the Animals. Many Bagua students practice these postures but not all are familar with their application. Marcus Brinkman, long time practitoner and student of Gao-style teacher Luo De Xiu, shows the usage of BEAR style boxing. Employing bumping and shaking to off-balance and conquer the opponent, these moves are energetic, dynamic and clever. Brinkman shows dozens of ideas and methods of attack including striking, throwing and grappling. Feel the power and ferocity of the Bear.

 

DVD#24300-24301 BaGua 64 Hands (Parts 1 and 2 )
About an hour, $15.95 special each, Chinese

Sadly, both of these are now out of stock, and we are not sure if we can get them again. Please CLICK HERE to add your name to the waitlist.

The 64 HANDS is a famous component of Gao Style. Something like a cross between Xing Yi and Ba Gua, they are performed in straight lines or "roads." Each of the eight roads has, in turn, eight techniques. Each road is shown with breakdowns for its self defense applications. In Gao style this is the predominant way to introduce the student to usage of the Ba Gua movements. Much hand trapping and switching, also throws and Chin Nah. Accompanied with a list of the 64 Hands in Chinese.

This first DVD shows the first four roads. The second DVD shows roads five, six, seven and eight. (Note: the original VCD version of this was three disks but it has been brought together in the larger DVD format. The VCD series is now out of print.) Also, please note: these DVDs may have trouble playing on a regular DVD player. You will need either a region-free player or VLC for your computer (see note at top.) We recommend VLC for ALL pesky playing problems...

This DVD contains the first half of the eight straight-line clever hand methods and two-person application sets belonging to "Returning Body Palm" (the third Pre-Heaven Palm). These straight-line

methods are:
1) Chuan--Piercing, used to make contact with the opponent and to create pressure upon the adversary's body.
2) Ban--Moving, moves the adversary's hands and feet to a different direction.
3) Jie -Intercepting, intercepts the adversary's energy while it is still inside.
4) Lan -Obstructing, obstructs the adversary's energy when it enters.

 

Special OFFER for this series:
Any two DVDs for only $75.00 (save $15.00) All four for $140.00 (save $40.00))

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DVD#12072 Gao Ba Gua CLEVER HANDS vol. 2     
with Luo De Xiu

This DVD contains the second half of the eight straight-line methods and two-person application sets belonging to "Returning Body Palm". These straight- line methods are:
5) Ting- Twisting, the skill of twisting, as if twisting a towel.
6) Fan -Overturning, used so that the adversary is unable to predict your movement.
7) Zou -Walking Away, used so the adversary is unable to stick to you in combat.
8) Zhuan -Turning, the body spins like a ball in reaction to the adversary.

Special OFFER for this series:
Any two DVDs for only $75.00 (save $15.00) All four for $140.00 (save $40.00))

DVD#12073 Gao Ba Gua SUBTLE SKILLS vol. 1

old cover

with Luo De Xiu

This DVD contains the first half of the eight straight-line methods and two-person application sets belonging to " Swallow-Overturning Covering-Palm". These straight- line methods are:
1) Tui - To Push (push the mountain into the sea) The opponent seeks to escape and I go with him and pursue.
2) Tuo - To Lift (lifting hand palm) The action is in lifting upward.
3) Dai - To Carry (carrying hand palm) Go with the opponent's force and then pull and dissolve it. Using one hand to lead, using two to carry.
4) Ling - to Lead (leading palm method) Twist inwards then move toward another direction.
IMPORTANT NOTE: There is about a 20 second silent section in the middle of this DVD. It is in a demo section and affects nothing. We just didn't want you yelling at us...

 

 

Special OFFER for this series:
Any two DVDs for only $75.00 (save $15.00) All four for $140.00 (save $40.00))

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DVD#12074 Gao Ba Gua SUBTLE SKILLS vol. 2
with Luo De Xiu

This DVD contains the second half of the eight straight-line methods and two-person application sets belonging to " Swallow-Overturning Covering-Palm". These straight- line methods are:
1) Zhan - (adhering hand method) Adhere to the opponent.
2) Nian - (sticking hand method) Sticking without letting go.
3) Lian - (connecting linking palm) The power is uncut.
4) Sui - (following hand method) What the opponent wants, I give.

Special OFFER for this series:
Any two DVDs for only $75.00 (save $15.00) All four for $140.00 (save $40.00))

DVD#24149 & 24150 Bagua Introduction to San Shou Fighting

In this TWO DVD SERIES Marcus Brinkman, acupuncturist and student of Luo De Xiu, shows a very organized approach to Bagua fighting applications. Brinkman starts every action from a loose San Shou position then shows how it can be applied in the pattern to get the general idea. He covers the Eight basic actions. His movements, rooted in the Gao style, are general enough for anyone to benefit. His hands are light and subtle to the point where some might sense he is being lackadaisical. Nonetheless the applications give a very clear approach to entering and controlling with Bagua actions. The eight points of this approach are: Volume #1: Chuan (pierce), Ban (move), Jie (intercept) and Lan (obstruct). Volume #2 covers: Ting (twist), Fan (overturn), Zou (walking) and Zhuan (Turning). These techniques live up to their name: Clever Hands. This would be an excellent class workout or workshop approach with a lot of partner who might change among themselves while applying the methods.

See a clip from this series