Baji Quan

Baji Quan means "Eight Extremes Fist". It features explosive, short-range power and is famous for its elbow strikes and shocking power it develops.

The essence of Baji Quan lies in Jin (Power). Most of Baji Quan's moves utilise a one hit push strike from a very close distance. The bulk of the damage is dealt through the momentary acceleration that travels up from the waist to the limb & further magnified by the charging step. Jin has many forms and is developed through many years of practice and horse stance.

The major features of this powerful Art include elbow strikes, arm/fist strikes, hip checks and strikes with the shoulder. All techniques are executed with a very distinctive form of short power, developed through rigorous training.

Baji focuses on in fighting, entering from a longer range with Baji's distinctive charging step and issuing power from up close.

Pigua Zhang

Pigua Zhang or chop-hanging palm due to its emphasis on palm techniques is often practiced along with Baji quan and features explosive, long-range power.

It originated in Hebei Province of North China, but today is also well known in other places. Pigua's power is from the acceleration force of the arms, which are often in rotation. The hip movement in Pigua is more subtle and gentle compared to Baji quan because you only need enough to guide the big chops whereas in Baji quan, the hammer punches, elbows and swings rely completely on the quick and powerful rotation of the hips and sink to bring its power out.

It is often said that originally Baji quan and Pigua zhang were the same art but split hundreds of years ago. Li Shu Wen remarried the two systems in the late 19th to early 20th century and today these two styles are often taught as complementary arts.

There is a Chinese martial arts proverb that goes: When Pigua is added to Baji, gods and demons will all be terrified. When Baji is added to Pigua, heroes will sigh knowing they are no match against it.