Of the internal martial styles, LiuHe BaBa is ' rare'. It is a
high bred matrix of principles and forms from various sources and times; it can be and has been described partially correctly
by many sources depending on the point of view and depth of knowledge/ experience. [ The addended listing below was written
and translated by teacher John Chung Li, available to his students.]
It
is most often simply described as :
(1)
a 3-way union of exercises in series of taiji + xingyi + bagua. This is correct
in principle only. 太極拳, 形意拳,
八卦掌
(2)
a 4-part-series with an extra-special-part: part-1: taichi-, part-2: xingyi-, part-3: bagua-,
and a part-4: called 'water'-style. These views are both correct and incorrect.
(3) as an exericse-series that 'blends'
together 'taiji', 'xingyi', and 'bagua' forms and principles, into its own unique exercise
'water' style, yet visually remains similar to the other three. This is partially correct but misleading.
[ Note:
there are some 'teachers' that claim it is impossible as taichi-, xingyi- and bagua- principles and forms
as they believe they are 'incompatible'. In fact, they are actually quite mutable to interchange and should be viewed variable
aspects without separation.]
The Analysis viewpoint :
The usual LiuHe BaFa
exercise consists of sixty-six named-form-postures, each consisting of several motions; collectively the exericse-series includes
over five hundred martial applications [simple calculating 66x the number of applications within each form would held:
66x5=330, 66x7=462, 66x8=528] In practice, however, there are shorter and longer exercise-series depending on the teaching
and the students stamina.
(4)
As this 66-form exercise is divided into two sections, again, there are interpretations of each divisions'
utility and intent: usually it is observed that the 'first' section is a routine more of a 'taiji' and 'xingyi'
nature and that the 'second' section is a routine more of a 'bagua' nature. Again, this viewpoint is partly
correct and incorrect; both sections can be shown to contain taiji-xingyi-bagua and 'water' style methods and applications.
The 'original' or first known 'water' style exercise from Shanghai is mostly represented in the second-half with some required
deletions. The first-half is more of a mixture with repeats from LuHong Ba Shi Palm. 呂紅八勢
(5) As
there is a division of two sections, it has also been said that the first sections' intent is to bring about a integration
of the mind-body relation; while the second sections' intent is more of an esoteric center-channel opening exercise; this
is from a taoist qigong-spirit viewpoint. [ suggested by Taoist Eva Wong, a student of Moy Lin-shin who founded a non-martial
Taoist TaiChi- ]
This idea is also mentioned by the International Taoist Tai Chi Society Founder, Moy Lin-shin: "Lok Hup Ba Fa (or Liu He Ba Fa)
originated with the Taoist sage Chen Hsi-I of Hua mountain (Hua Shan), who lived during the late Tang dynasty, about the 9th
century of the current era. Chen Hsi-I was known for his methods of cultivating health and longevity. One of these
methods was a set of movements known as Lok Hup Ba Fat, the six harmonies and eight methods of mind and intention. Recognized
as the internal art par excellence the moves of Lok Hup are designed to stimulate and massage the internal organs and exercise
the spine. The Lok Hup form consists of 66 movements that are noteworthy for their graceful, spiral turning. The movements
may be regarded as an 'intensifier' of the turning and stretching effects that are already evident through the practice of
Taoist Tai Chi. Movement originating from the spine forms the essence of Lok Hup and this art is most beneficial to students
who have already developed some degree of spinal articulation through practice in Taoist Tai Chi." Msr.Moy was a student of
Leung Zhi-peng; who was also the teacher of John Chung Li.
(6) Another way to understand the 'what' and 'how' of this exercise
comes from its' names : 'water style' all of the movements can and in principle should be performed as
'floating clouds', 'flowing water', or as a 'swimming dragon'. Sometimes it is soft-slow and calm, at other times quick and
surging. [Today, one must always ask the question, is the current exericise derived from and continuous with 'water'
qigong principles; or does it only contain a reminent of these original 'water' style-principles; or is it a hopeful recreation
of them in name only?]
There is also the question [and some documentation] that
supports the idea that the Mt.Hua Boxing is a separate, but notable, school that still exits and that the 'water' style-principle
is somewhat related or surrounds it. [The documentation referred to is that of the Wu Family, which supports the idea that
Wu Yi-Hui did not create what he learned; however Wu did conglumerate what was taught in Nanking Martial Academy later from
input of fellow Academy Teachers.]
There currently exits three names for the exercise : [
Note: some teachers claim that these are 'correct' school names without consideration that beyond
the LHBF name, all additions are adjective and are unlikely to be used in general.] Others claim that each is a 'naming' for
a similar exercise that were cojoined: [ 華嶽希夷門 + 六合八法 ]
華嶽 心意 六合八法 HuaYo= HwaYu 'central ideas' + LiuHe BaFa-boxing
[ Note that phonetically taoist xiyi 希夷 mimics principle xiyi- 心意 ]
HuaYo-LiuHe-XinYi-BaFa
: the high-standards [like Mt.Hua in Shenxi] guide to achieving 'harmony' by 'methods' [6 as 1 together and 8 method-principles],
but the central guiding idea, is xinyi, the heart-center-intent/ intention.
[
this is the line of teaching from the Chen Y.Y. to Choi Wai-Lun traditional school ] This title is also given as HuaYo-XinYi-LHBF,
which can be read as famous Mt.Hua Shan's 'intuitve' and the 6x8-unity-by-harmony text-principles.
The
error in choosing this title is that xin-yi is also the name of one of the CIMA boxing styles [as is xing-yi] and this leads
to confusion the title is the 'xin-yi' style of 'LHBF' or is related to the LiuHe xinyi-boxing. Although LHBF may be similar
to and may be practiced in the manner of xin-yi [ying-yi] it is not derived from either.[ unfortunately, some students only
understand the LHBF movements if done as xinyi- ]
A longer, verbose collective of descriptive level of standing adjectives is the following :
六合八法三盤十二勢
Liu He Ba Fa San Pan Shi Er Shi, briefly as...
三盤十二勢
SanPan ShiErShi - 3 Divisions, 12 Spirits [3-levels and 12-anima]
LiuHe BaFa-Sanpan Shi-er-shi: the principles of 'harmony' by 'methods' is achieved at
3-standing levels and by emmulating form-principles of the 12-animals, shi-er-shi [advancing, retreating, ,
which develop mobility skills for moving with a situation or partner.] { this is the line of teaching from Liu Yaoxing } Note
: these first two names are overly verbose and demonstrate the influence of Bagua- classification concepts...as well as the
influence of these teachers in Nanjing.
A newer, sucinct name, utilizing the already known Tai-chi-exercise and to differentiate it from the conservatism of the Hong
Kong school is:
華嶽太極拳
Mt.Hua Yue-inspired Tai-Chi-chuan pugalism.
Hua Yo [Hwa Yue] Tai Chi-: Also, taking the most basic forms from LHBF and executing them to the soft,
centralized principles of taichi-, this exercise has also been named; this was a more modern naming by John Chung Li, however,
Mr.Li was strongly influenced by teacher friends: T.T. Liang while in Boston, and by Han Xing-yuan while in Hong Kong; a touch
of Cheng Man-ching-syle with Yi-Quan; in itself a novel update and a simplification. Mr. Li also studied the Hun-Yuan
Chang principles while in Hong Kong, but rarely divulged this to most students; he later renamed his teachings as Yon-boxing.
This 'openness' to evolving and improving what Msr. Li had learned led to his being opposed by the secular attitude of Chen
Yik-Yan in Hong Kong. [ Note: there are some recent 'teachers' that claim it is impossible to blend yiquan
with LHBF. ]
(7) A pragmatic historical/ principle view would be that its' foundation utilizes both
stepping, stance, and the axial-torque-power of LiuHe-XingYi-Quan, and that it adapts the the yin-yang turning-stepping
and evading patterns of MiTsung-BaGua and Aikido, and that the resilient-absorbing/ neutralizing principles
and slowed-pace of practice characteristic of taiji carry throughout the exercise. This view is correct superficially
and is also the official assessment of a noted martial-arts historian. [there exists also personal documents from
the survivors of Wu Yi-Hui's family which counter-attest that the exercise does predate Msr.Wu.]
(8) A pragmatic observation is that the exercise encompasses the water-flowing principles
[which can be shown to have an ancient lineage] passed from the three immediate teachers of Wu Yi-Hui were bonefide
in principle, but that the actual forms taught by Wu in Nanjing show form and principle influence from the exercise known
as Lu Hung's Eight-tactic-strategies, 呂紅八勢
Lu Hong Ba Shi, [which was Msr. Wu's many MA exercises]
and some martial patterns drawn from other teachers of the Nanjing Martial academy. [It can be easily shown that the
complete system is also dividable into four (4) parts: a start=finish, a flowing-series which is best in principles, a martial-series
mostly within the second half which is almost identical with the Eight-Strategies series (and is thus not a qi-gong like as
the flow-series), and a standing and weight-shifting aspect that is partly like Yi-quan and partly like the 'universal' tai
chi- standing of Kuo Lien Ying, one-legged.] The influence and embedding of the Lu Hong 8-links patterns appears in the
repetition of a turning, side to side pattern, similar to a 'waving' hands in clouds, but higher as in a single-change palming;
each LuHong series begins and repeats this form-pattern. Toying with this known connection and observing that there exists
no public records of a LHBF exercise before the Nanjing Academy (and also knowing that the Chinese are fond of word similarities)
the formula name LuHong BaShih, LHBS, ...is of the same four name pattern and phonetically similar to LiuHe BaFa, LHBF. Thus
a possible simple, already in use archaic style, carries over : LHBS [ LH8 ] to LHBF.
For current 'styles' of the exercise, there is further influence entering from the yi-quan
standing exercises. Neither of these degrades the LHBF, but both impede the flow character of 'water' style. The water
style tends to be more akin to the health-dancing that the Yi-quan aspires to [implemented lastly by Wang Xiang-jai] ; resulting
in a better sense of flowing which the 'water' style starts with.
To add to the confusion, the original principles of 'water-style' tend not to be distinctly
taught, separately, from the bulk of the Nanjing academic curriculum. There are teachers who concentrate on the LiuHe BaFa
core 66-form series without the Nanking addendum.There is also an attempt to retrieve or rediscover some of the family history
by visiting and linking with the family lines of Wu Yi-Hui or of Chen Yik-yan this results in a huge collection of addended
exercises that are not required
Although currently, the presentation
of LHBF is as a Song Dynasty originating martial exercise centered around a famous mountain Hua Shan and from a reknowned
sage, Chen [Bo] Tuan, Master Xi-yi,
> there exists a pre-history, which influenced
the Song Dynasty
> there exists other locales where it exists, and
> there exists alternate form numbers and interpretations.
> there exists addended exercises, martial and purely
health making.
> there exists teacher narratives that accept 'histories' without question, but still introduce
the telling teachers deviations to the narrative.
(9) The waterstyle-LHBF exercise of Wu YiHui : includes so many concepts
and forms, a practitioner can perform them in the stylized-manner of his choice or as a mixed 'plasma' :
- Center inpenetrable, Shell-Perimeter
soft-yielding, rubber-ball, standing-post, Tai Chi-
- Center void, Shell-Perimeter
hard-woven, wire-mesh-ball, orbit-turning-track, BaGua
- Center resilient, Shell-Perimeter
hard-inpenetrable, metal-ball, axial-tensigrity, XinYi
- Center singularity, Shell-Perimeter
folding-vortex, omnipotent-point, primordial
- Center everywhere, Shell-Perimeter
nowhere, spiraling, cirrus, string
Waterstyle-LHBF can and often is
done both slow and fast and with fa-jing pulses similar to those seen in Chen-style, 'to stay awake'; I personally
do not recommend this, it is better to flow through using occasional fa-li, test pulses. In comparison to LHBF,
the pure water-principled-style is more eceletic and free-evolving, ever-changing and without distinct martial style and it
can be done without martial intent. This continuous flowing without intention is called mo-jin and is considered
a high achievement in yi-quan. I have been told that it appears like a swimming in circles or like a chasing
a ghost; I have also been told that when done this way, it is identifiable as unalike any of the other three-CIMA styles.
[ Note: the 'water' style aspect of exercise is an archaic principle...as is the concept of 'tai-chi'
supportive-center-pivot reference; both have come down through
Chinese MA history as 'examples', both have had their names 'rewritten'. Teacher Wu Yi-hui is known to have named
his exercise LiuHe+BaFa for his Nanjing classes [but it includes many other adapted MA's]; Wu also used the name 'water' style
boxing when he was in Shanghai before Nanjing [where he first presented it] and again, as water-style boxing when he
demonstrated it for teacher Sun Lu-tang [who also taught at the Nanjing Academy] and when Msr. Sun permitted Wu to teach
his student: Ho Xing-ze...he later identified Foxx's 'LHBF' as being a 'water' boxing and later taught the differing water
boxing to Foxx which he now uses exclusively. Although associates and proteges of Wu Yi-hui have claimed that the 'water'
boxing only came into later use for marketing, this does not seem to be completely true. Thus, there seems to be an 'earlier'
water boxing Shanghai to Nanjing and a later LHBF that some 'chose' to call water boxing.
Liu He Pa
Fa System:
Originally, some have said have been called "Water Boxing"
水拳 [
this is however also just a principle with a long history ]. The 'water' or flowing principle is the release of the kinesthetic knowledge innate to the body; thus
the water style-principle is archaic and long-predates its absorption and naming with the LiuHe BaFa boxing-system. ( 六合八法拳) by teacher: Wu Yi Hui.
The Wu Yi Hui, Shanghai to Nanjing System consists of just the LHBF series and the Lu Hong Eight Potentials. + [ LH8 + LHBF ]
The academic curriculum of Nanjing includes reworked six forms of various origins, with associations to
swimming-flowing to emphasize and augment the the core principles, that have complementary and oppositional balance, and swimming
and coiling and aspects. thus, [ LH8 + LHBF + swimming/ coiling boxing ]
The Nanjing LHBF exercise is of 66 forms and was taught in the late
nineteen thirties in Nanjing and later in Shanghai.
The influence of protege-student Chen Yik-yan who was sponsored to teach in Hong
Kong addends further exercises; most of these seem to meet Chen's medical-health needs, ie. qigong and his 'interpretations', This results in a
Chen YY Hongkong version which should be clearly identified. Most students of Chen while
in Hong Kong chose to teach only the core basics and may select on some of the addended aspects.
築基 六合八法拳 Zhu Ji-LiuHe BaFa Chuan,
[The term, Zhu Ji ( 築基 )has been used
to identify the 'core' of LHBF - 'Finding the Foundations' [seeking the
roots] this is not a principle unique to LHBF and does not represent 'the original, ancient form' through
lineage. The term comes from Chinese alchemy, and is one of its four principle parts. Zhu ji [Zhu Zi] is in practice,
has esecially the same objectives as zhan zhuang post standing of Yi chuan. Furthermore, there are far too many homonyms related:
Zhu zhi is the generic name for a scholar.
There is no evidence
that the system was only or first called zhu ji as claimed by some. It represents an absorption of taoist alchemical
terminology to the exercise.
There is however
a possible 'phonetic' intention as a prominent poet of the First Song Dynasty has an almost identical 'sounding' name.
Further, one
of the 'Four Diamonds' the top four students of Yiquan founder Wang Xiang-zhai, who were sent to Nanjing to 'learn'
LHBF, developed his matrixed version and named it as Zhu-ji Chuan. 築基拳
三盤十二勢 San Pan Shi Er Shi
- 3 Level-Divisions, 12 Animals-form, this is best understood as part of a 'toolbox' of auxilliary expressions at various
height levels to demonstrate variability; it is not actually necessary. Its' inclusion is believed of BaGua influences from
Nanjing. In effect it is more of a reminder that the LHBF exercise can also be variably practiced a three-working levels.
Further, almost all MA or Shaolin or Wu Dang pugalism tends to have this as trait or name.
>Addended-Exercises of Various Sources, to Augment Teaching :
呂紅八勢 LuHong BaShi - Lu Hong's 8 Imperative Tactics
[ LH8 was a complete archaic system incorporated into or used with LHBF ]
龍虎戰
Long Hu Zhan - Dragon and Tiger Fighting
螫龍遊 Zhe Long You
- Coiled Dragon Swimming
螫龍拳 Zhe Long Chuan - Coiled Dragon Fist
[NOTE: they were external
exericses [southern Shaolin] reworked to coexist with and augment the LHBF. There origins seems to be from the teaching staff of the Nanjing Central Martial Academy.]
>Addended Exercises taught or adapted
to Instruction :
推手
Tui Shou - Push Hands [vaious styles: tai-chi, mantis, wing-chun]
混元球
Hun Yuan Liu
- Wooden Ball-Table Rolling Methods
>Exercises Associated : Rarely Mentioned,
陳摶 功 Chen Tuan Qi Gong -Taoist Sleeping Chi Kung of Chen Tuan
水 功 Shui Gong -Waterwash Qi Gong
太极尺
Tai Chi Shih -Ruler-standard
>Exercises
not historically a part of, nor coexisting with, LHPF :
Weapons practice per LHBF styling
represents an unnecessary addition.
[This same ideology was expoused by Wang Xiang-zhai re: Yi-quan]
心意棍 Xin Yi Guan - Heart-mind Intent Staff
露花刀 Lu Hua Dao - Flower Broadsword Dew Mist Broadsword
玉川劍
Yu Chuan Jian
- Jade River Straight Sword
Internal Cultivation
:
[ This appears in the HK school of
Chen YY who had various health and mobility problems, which evenutally resulted in his
death. ]
韋佗功 Wei Tuo Gong - Standing Meditation
太陽功 Tai Yang Gong - Solar Meditation
先天座 Xian Tian Zhuo - Before-Heaven Meditation
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