Gong Fu Qiao Yao “Gong Fu Skills” Q&A - Di Guoyong - Pt.3
Master Di Guoyong
“Gong Fu Qiao Yao” is a publication by the “Zhong Hua Wu Shu” magazine in China which was published in 2012. The national magazine had asked numerous respected masters of various styles of Chinese martial arts to be technical advisors and it gave the readers opportunities to send in questions which these teachers would then address and these were released over a long period in their monthly magazine. In 2012 the publication compiled these Q&A articles and published them in a single book. I will gradually translate these and make them available in English for the international community.
Question from Wang Xiaobo of Hebei’s Shen County
I have been practicing Xingyi Quan for three years. Some people say that in order to improve my skill level, I should also learn Bagua Zhang. I want to ask, why is it necessary to learn Bagua Zhang when practicing Xingyi Quan? Is it impossible to reach the peak of martial arts without learning Bagua Zhang?
Master Di Guoyong’s Answer
In the past, there was a saying: "If you combine Xingyi with Bagua, then you need to fear neither gods nor demons." Another common saying was: "Xingyi’s hands, Bagua’s footwork." This means that Xingyi Quan’s hand techniques are quite outstanding, while Bagua Zhang’s footwork is excellent being very agile and mobile. Traditionally, it was commonly advocated that practitioners of Xingyi Quan should also study Bagua Zhang, and vice versa, in order to complement their strengths and weaknesses.
Bagua Zhang is particularly known for its diverse footwork, which includes advancing, retreating, pivoting, and circling movements that make it exceptionally agile. In contrast, Xingyi Quan focuses on more straightforward and direct movements, charging forward with great force. One art is renowned for its hand techniques, while the other excels in footwork; one is direct and forceful, while the other is smooth and flexible. If a practitioner can combine these two styles, they will complement each other perfectly, enhancing their martial abilities like adding wings to a tiger. This is one reason why many Xingyi practitioners also train in Baguazhang.
Another reason is rooted in the historical development of both arts. In the past, the older generations of Xingyi and Bagua masters maintained strong relationships, frequently exchanging knowledge and skills. A famous example is the often cited story of the encounter between Dong Haichuan and Guo Yunshen, where their mutual respect following a purported match led them to become friends who often trained together and refined their techniques. Although this story is most likely myth, its effect resulted in their disciples continuing this tradition of interaction, frequently sharing and incorporating each other’s teachings. Over time, it became quite common for many Xingyi Quan practitioners to later study Bagua Zhang, and vice versa, to compensate for any gaps in their own training.
Many legendary martial artists, such as Zhang Zhaodong, Li Cunyi, and Sun Lutang, were highly proficient in both Xingyi Quan and Bagua Zhang, reaching the pinnacle of martial arts mastery.
For these reasons, many modern Xingyi Quan practitioners also train in Bagua Zhang. However, it is still possible to achieve a high level of skill by specializing in just one art. At the highest levels of martial arts, different styles share common principles. Mastering one style deeply allows for a comprehensive understanding of all martial arts. Conversely, if one spreads their training too thin, trying to learn everything but mastering nothing, they will fail to reach true martial excellence.
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