This site is an attempt to present the skills, training methods, history, and theory of Ma Gui style, (through Liu Wanchuan to Li Baohua) baguazhang in an organized manner. I (Andrea Falk, director of the Ma Gui Ba Gua Association – North American and European Branch) hope to give people a clearer understanding of the system through this site. Photos and videos will gradually be added for each skill and training drill. Organizational and class information is also given so that anyone interested can become involved.
This site is an unoffical site, my own notes as I sort out the system. Consider it a rather extensive blog. Opinions expressed are my own. The website of the International Ma Gui Ba Gua Association is www.maguibagua.com. It has been recently updated and has more contents in English than before. Some things that I have translated for the International Association are now only at that site.
The most striking characteristic of Ma Gui baguazhang is the slow and stable circle-walking that develops lower leg strength, qi and blood flow, and whole body power. The body develops to resemble Dong Haichuan and Ma Gui - a thick trunk and back with well developed dantian, firm wrists and ankles, powerful legs and arms, rosy complexion, and calm expression. When practising techniques, footwork is clean and quick, always using koubu and baibu. The system also emphasizes horse stance training to develop useable whole body power in techniques, and specific fast stepping with techniques practices that develop the coordination for the application of this power. Training this system simultaneously develops your health and martial ability. It is not a performance or routine based style.
There is a training manual that reproduces this website (with some added details, integrated photos, and print friendly formatting) in e-book format. Four parts are available, separately, or as one file: Part One: circle-walking and the eight models, Part Two: Changes: Dragon Changes. Part Three: The 16 techniques, and Part Four: the 88 routine. Coming soon, part seven: History.
Check out the Ma Gui Ba Gua Asscociation – North American and European Branch website at www.maguibagua.org. The secretary, Philippe, runs it. It is a members only site that includes a forum, videos, and opinion polls. This is the official English language forum for the International Association as well.
We are organizing a seminar in Tokyo in 2012, in mid August. Please let Andrea or Li know if you plan to attend. The seminar will be organized by the International Ma Gui Ba Gua Assocation.
Indoor location for Quebec City, Saturday mornings 9:00 to 10:15, 880 rue Père Marquette. Outdoor location Bois du Coulonge, Monday evenings 17:45 to 18:45. Winter: in the parking lot at the barn, first driveway on the right following the road in from the parking lot. Spring: at the bottom of the first field on the left following the road in from the parking lot. Summer and fall: just below that field into the woods.
Wikipedia article on Ma Gui, written by Johnathan Hall.
Walk the circle one step at a time, in the footprints of the masters.
NEW Big news. Li Baohua has a visa to visit Oklahoma city, May 18 - 28. May 19-20 will be classes for association members, and May 26-27 will be an open seminar. Contact Justin for information.
Last update to the site: May 14, 2012. Each page is individually dated so you can see when each page has been changed.
