Traditional Bagua Classes in Ann Arbor, Michigan
Discover the art of Bagua Zhang, a traditional Chinese internal martial art known for its dynamic spiraling movements, solid but fluid footwork, and practical self-defense applications. Magic Dragon Bagua specializes in teaching authentic Gao Style Bagua Zhang, emphasizing short range internal power training.
Magic Dragon Bagua classes in Michigan
“Traditional gao style bagua classes provide the same health and defense benefits as training Xing Yi Quan & Tai Chi Chuan together. ”
In the Internal Chinese Martial Arts, or neijia quan, Bagua Zhang is the youngest of the “three sisters.” Bagua reached the height of it’s development about 150 years ago. Like today, the first generation bagua classes had students from many different martial arts backgrounds and so bagua has both striking and joint locking influences. The strongest weapon in Bagua is the palm strike of which there are many variations.
Gao Style Bagua classes offer a comprehensive system of health & defense.
At the heart of our Bagua classes in Michigan lies the complete Gao Style Baguazhang (Gāo Shì Bāguàzhǎng 高式八卦掌) curriculum, one of the most refined and comprehensive lineages of Bāguàzhǎng (八卦掌) taught in the Midwest today.
Students begin with the foundational Eight Pre-Heaven Palms (Xiāntiān Bā Zhǎng 先天八掌), also known as the Eight Mother Palms (Bā Mǔ Zhǎng 八母掌), which develop the characteristic circle-walking (quān zǒu 圈走), spiraling body mechanics (chán sī jìn 纏絲勁), and whole-body power that make Bāguàzhǎng famous.
From this primordial foundation, practitioners progress to the sophisticated 64 Post-Heaven Palms (Hòutiān Liùshísì Zhǎng 後天六十四掌), a rich system of practical fighting techniques and fluidly linked to the eight directional changes of the bagua.
Training is rounded out with intensive partner drills (shuāng rén duì liàn 雙人對練), sensitivity and pushing exercises (tuī shǒu 推手), precise basic exercises (jī běn gōng 基本功) and standing meditation (zhàn zhuāng 站樁) practices.
Whether you are a complete beginner or an experienced martial artist seeking authentic internal arts, our Bagua classes in Michigan offer step-by-step guidance in this rare and powerful system, preserving the complete lineage of Gao Yisheng (高義盛) as transmitted through Master Zhang Junfeng and his senior disciples.
Join us in the Ann Arbor / Metro Detroit area and experience one of the most complete traditional Bāguàzhǎng programs available in Michigan today.
The Bagua Class Blog
Traditional Gao Style Bagua classes in Michigan
Shifu Chao gives weekly bagua classes in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Though the bagua classes cover circle walking, single palm change the post heaven palms etc, our primary focus is the development of internal power.
Like Tai Chi, Bagua uses open palms for striking, trapping and seizing, it also uses fingers for piercing as well as an occasional fist. In it’s entries and attacks Bagua is less direct than Xing Yi and more direct than Tai Chi, it uses a lot of trickery.
Circle Walking Meditation
Develop internal energy, improve body alignment, and cultivate mindfulness through the foundational practice of Bagua Zhang circle walking. This method enhances balance in movement in all directions
Palm Changes and dynamic movement
Learn the essential palm changes of Bagua Zhang, designed to build striking power, adaptability, and fluid transitions. Shifu Chao teaches the pre-heaven circle walking palm changes as well as the post-heaven linear palms.
Bagua Push Hands and Self-Defense Training
Develop Bagua Zhang’s powerful palm strikes, including Kai or opening palm. Our training includes a lot of partner exercises to develop push hands ability. From push hands training comes the ability to use bagua for self defense.
Bagua Standing Meditation
Deepen your internal practice with Bagua standing meditation, a method to build root stability, cultivate internal force, and even heal many posture related issues. This practice enhances energy circulation and structural alignment for both health and martial applications.
Bagua Breathing Methods
Learn how to use the breath and movement together. Shifu Victor Chao teaches natural and reverse breathing. The methods are deep enough to help even experienced qigong practitioners.
Strength, Conditioning, and Longevity Training
Build a strong foundation with specialized exercises that enhance endurance, flexibility, and joint health. Our conditioning methods support long-term martial arts practice and overall physical vitality.
From a young age Shifu Chao studied Bagua Zhang and Xing Yi Chuan in his native Taiwan.
Shifu Victor Chao
- Yi Zong direct disciple
- 20 years teaching experience
- Specializes in push hands
Our Bagua classes emphasize partner work.
- Posture testing
- Static push hands drills
- The 3 physical harmonies, or wan san hei method
There are very few bagua classes in North America, especially in the midwest region. Shifu Chao has been teaching Bagua, Xing Yi and Yi Quan in Michigan for 20 years. In our Wednesday evening Bagua class, there are regular students from all over Michigan including Wyandotte, Jackson, Ann Arbor, Ypsilanti and Utica.
If you would like to try a bagua class fill out the form below and we’ll get right back with you. Students of all styles and abilities are welcome.
