| Feature Article
Bagua Grandmaster Ma Chuan
Xu’s visit to Canberra (February 2004)
–
Chief Instructor Brett Wagland
|
Grandmaster Ma
Photo taken in Jan 2004 |
Bagua (short for Baguazhang - Eight Trigram Palm) is a
Taoist martial art based on the theory of I Ching or the Book of
Changes. Bagua makes use of circular walking to develop internal
power. It belongs to the internal family of martial arts. Tai Chi and
Xing Yi are its cousins, so to speak
Grandmaster Ma Chuan Xu is one of the last truly
great Bagua experts. Although Grandmaster Ma is 71 years old, he is
still very strong and agile and can easily defend himself against ten to
twenty attackers. This is no exaggeration. Grandmaster Ma was employed
as the head martial arts coach at the Beijing Municipality Public
Security Bureau and at the Beijing Railway Bureau. He is the president
of the Beijing Bagua Research Association and keeper of the Liang style
Bagua. During his service, his fighting skills have been tested in many
life-and-death combats. Grandmaster Ma captured more than 110 thieves
and bandits, single handedly, within a month at the Zheng Zhou train
station.
Grandmaster Ma has been training in martial arts for
sixty years. His teacher was none other than the famous Li Zi
Ming (1904-1993) of the Liang system of Bagua. He explained that his
training was very rigorous. He used to spend two hours per day walking
the Bagua circle at low level, that is, thighs being parallel to the
ground. Although Bagua is a highly practical martial health system, it
has always been considered as somewhat mysterious. If practised
correctly, one can develop nei gong or internal power which is the
essence of all high level Chinese martial arts. This power flows like
mercury and when it strikes, it feels like electricity. Grandmaster
Ma’s hands are very soft. However, when he demonstrates his internal
power, his fingers become as hard as steel spikes. Grandmaster Ma
commented that once one has reached this level of internal power,
fighting a gang of twenty people is not a problem.
Grandmaster Ma visited Sydney for a month. As arranged
through Kingsley Fong, the Sydney organiser, Grandmaster Ma agreed to
come to Canberra to conduct a workshop. It was a golden opportunity for
martial arts and internal health arts practitioners to learn from such a
high level master. Not only was Grandmaster Ma an inspiration to watch,
he showed us all the meaning of agility – walking like a cat at 71 years
of age. In the workshop, Grandmaster Ma taught the Downward Palm
circular walking, an internal training foundation exercise. This
exercise helps to develop nei gong and understand the true nature of
agility. The ability to change quickly is an essential fighting skill.
Grandmaster Ma also taught chin na, the art of joint locking – the six
essential methods of Bagua joint controls. Grandmaster Ma is able to
apply chin na by using three fingers. He was very willing to answer
questions on developing internal power (distingusihing fact from
fiction) and all aspects of the training.
|
Grandmaster Ma
Photo taken in Jan 2004 |
Grandmaster Ma stated that the first stage is to
develop Dan Tian qi (internal energy). Strengthening the middle Dan
Tian (the body centre - just below the navel and inside the body)
affects all the meridians and other Dan Tians. In Bagua, this is
achieved through the practice of circular walking. There are eight
basic walking postures to develop internal spiralling power. There are
three different levels of the leg stance: high, middle and low. The
direction of the circle changes periodically throughout the walking,
balancing the yin yang energies of the body and environment. When one’s
internal energy is strong, one will feel a ball of energy at the body
centre. One cannot advance to the other levels, such as directing the
energy at will for healing or martial purpose, until this stage has been
reached.
Grandmaster Ma is also well versed in Xing Yi and
Tai Chi. As he said, “once one has truly mastered one form of martial
arts, it is easy to know other styles of kung fu.” It is not about
learning different movements and techniques. The same principles apply
to all internal martial arts. Once one’s internal power is developed
and the body is strong, supple, agile and coordinated, learning other
forms of martial arts is easy.
Working with Grandmaster Ma was sheer inspiration.
His explanations and demonstrations have helped to increase our
understanding of what internal training is all about and have inspired
us all to continue to develop our training to higher levels. Below are
some comments from students who participated in the Bagua workshop:
“Grandmaster Ma's incredible internal skill was
apparent. His demonstration of lifting his organs high into his chest
and then dropping them deep into his abdomen was amazing. His emphasis
in the importance of basic foundation training methods such as low
walking was very affirming for those of us already training in the Wu
Dao Gong system.”
Luke
“What really struck
me the most about Grandmaster Ma was his ability to move so fluidly and
lightly even at the age of seventy-one. His whole body always moved as
one. His use of the waist was highly refined. His foot work was clear
and so natural that it appeared he had prepared his steps before he even
began moving.
His fa jin (the issue of explosive internal power) was truly amazing.
His ability to move from stillness to full power and back to stillness
in the same instant demonstrated the high level of relaxation and
coordination his many years of hard training had cultivated.”
Chris
“Once again this
workshop reminded me that as much as I learn about Tai Chi and the other
Chinese martial arts, I am still only scratching the surface. Who would
have thought that the discomfort I felt for about an hour and a half
would reward me with such a great feeling of freedom and flexibility in
my shoulders, knees and ankles for the next two days!
The familiar glow that displaces the feeling of restriction and
arthritic discomfort always renews the urge to try and train more. I am
always pleased when I can find time in a busy life to attend workshops
like this one. Thank you.”
Dave
“Grandmaster Ma's
Bagua workshop gave an interesting glimpse of some different methods of
internal martial arts training, at the same time emphasising for me the
benefits of our regular training.
Grandmaster Ma himself is testimony to the benefits that can be gained
from consistent, good quality practice. He moves with great balance and
control. He sometimes also showed power and speed. However, even when
he didn't, it was easy to tell that these qualities were present, and
that Grandmaster Ma could bring them out quickly if he needed to. His
personality was also impressive; he seems to be relaxed and aware at all
times, and to be confident of his abilities without seeming arrogant.
Grandmaster Ma's explanation of some of the theories behind the training
was interesting. It showed that although Bagua, Tai Chi and Xing Yi
begin from different approaches, they can, and ultimately should, be
integrated. They can be three pathways to the same destination. It was
also very interesting to hear him talk about what the underlying
theories of each of the three arts are.
Working in a large group for a single afternoon can only provide a
chance for a brief look at new ideas, or at different ways of looking at
concepts we think we already know. The opportunity to observe
Grandmaster Ma was very worthwhile and reinforced the value of the
practice that we currently do. Now all I have to do is carry it into
effect by practising harder!”
Nigel
|
| Grandmaster Ma
with Workshop Participants |
“Boundless energy;
alert eyes watching and assessing; friendly character; cheerful laugh;
enthusiastic; highly skilled; darting fast and light to defend and
attack; flexible and strong; soft and hard; unassuming; quiet.
Inspiring. “
Elisabeth
“After seeing Grandmaster Ma in the flesh, it soon becomes
obvious of how continuous and diligent practice of internal martial arts
can lead to good health long into our lives. He demonstrated agility
and speed and precision of movements that were testament to his life
dedicated to the martial arts. I found him inspirational and he has
motivated myself further to learn, and train as much as possible in the
internal martial arts.”
David
“Grandmaster Ma
spoke at length about the cultivation of internal energy. He gave us
many interesting insights into what beginners should be mindful of in
their practice, as well as what to aspire to in the future, as we
improve. He made it clear that diligence, concentration and dedication
are essential if you want to reach a high standard.
You could tell just by looking at his form movements and joint locking
techniques that he has spent his whole life developing his skills to a
very high level.”
Bernie
“The Bagua
workshop with Grandmaster Ma Chuan Xu was a unique, rewarding, and
inspiring experience. Grandmaster Ma was able to explain and
demonstrate Bagua as if it were so simple. My appreciation of
Grandmaster Ma's skill and agility increased further when given the
opportunity to learn the Downward Palm circular walking myself. It was
not as easy as it looked. Under the guidance of Grandmaster Ma,
students also learnt joint locking techniques that let us take revenge
upon our instructors for all the hard hours of Chicken Legs they had put
us through! Like a smiling assassin, Grandmaster Ma would softly take
your hand and within seconds, you were wishing he hadn't chosen you to
demonstrate with.
Grandmaster Ma's effective defence techniques against weaponry further
instilled in me the magnitude of his ability. Grandmaster Ma's
explanation that a weapon in someone else's hand was a gift to him was
expertly demonstrated, giving a small insight into the depth of his
capabilities. You don't want to mess with this grandpa. This rare
opportunity to witness such an advanced martial arts practitioner has
inspired me to work much harder and smarter in my own training.”
Lyndal
“I drew enormous inspiration from Grandmaster Ma’s
Bagua workshop. He stressed the importance of foundation training to
build internal energy. Then he led the group in Bagua circular
walking. As with any traditional internal martial art, this was hard
work! Grandmaster Ma made the practice look easy but this was
deceptive. Correct practice required continuous concentration and
attention to detail in the placement of legs and feet, arms and hands,
and the torso and head. This was no stroll around the circle!
Grandmaster Ma then taught some chin na applications from Bagua. These
too demonstrated his mastery of the art. His apparently soft hands
transformed into steel talons as he effortlessly applied locks and
holds!
Grandmaster Ma himself made a great impression. Although in his early
seventies, he is full of life, laughing and happy, and as sprightly as a
kitten. His Bagua circular walking demonstrations were spirited and
showed a speed and agility that someone half his age would be proud of!
I can only hope that he returns to Canberra in the future for further
workshops. "
Peter
“I felt privileged
to have the opportunity to learn from Grandmaster Ma. I was in awe when
I saw him demonstrate his abilities and amazed at the level of internal
power that can be achieved.”
Michael
For an interview with Grandmaster Ma, visit this link:
http://www.chinafrominside.com/ma/bagua/machuanxu.html
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