Adam Hsu – The Ba Ji Thunder

What You’ll Learn In The Ba Ji Thunder

This first set of 7 DVDs uses Xiao Baji as its central form. However Sifu Hsu, in over 8 hours of instruction, gives much more than just form instruction. This is a thorough introduction to the entire style of Bajiquan, divided up into three main topics: Basic Training (Top Secret,) Baji Jia (Indoor Skill,) and Application (Real Usage.) Spread over these 7 disks is history, ‘real’ basics and their meaning, three levels of power, training methods, Baji energies, form instruction and, of course, authentic usage derived from the principles, not the form.

Continuing with his major presentation of Baji Quan, Sifu Adam Hsu presents a three DVD course all devoted to Baji’s most popular form: Da Baji or Big Baji.

The saying goes that the first form, Xiao Baji, is a “dead” or “structure” form and that Da Baji is a “live” form. Rather than emphasizing posture and structure, Da Baji introduces the fundamental fighting actions of the style, not to mention being a form beautiful for its simplicity.

Not only does Adam Hsu give background, principles, goals and methods but he takes you back to traditional culture of Kung Fu by concentrating his excellent teaching method on the meaning and mastery of the movements, with the order and elaborations of the form as relatively insignificant. Not a simple empty-handed form instruction, the series is aimed at setting you not he road to high level Baji while also firming the foundation of your entire martial experience.

There is a fine point to be made here:: Hsu Sifu has done something almost unprecendented in this offering: he has chosen to NOT give typical instruction for the actual Da Baji form. To emphasize: there is no step-by-step instruction—plant your foot here, punch there, etc. Instead, Hsu has used this most important form to teach how to do Baji. He teaches not only each move, but the variations, methods and rationale for each move. Stringing them together into a form, given all this information, is the easy part.

Many practitioners, especially those with intermediate or advanced martial experience, will be able to use the many included form demonstrations, along with the foundational instruction, to learn the set. Or, even easier, is to pick up Hsu Sifu’s earlier DVD on Da Baji (information and discount info below) where he does teach this form step by step.

It is almost impossible to emphasize the importance of the lesson here: forms are important, but principles of usage are fundamental. Form derives from principle, usage is born from structure.

Liu Da Kai (Six Big Openings) and Ba Shi (Eight Shapes) are two the treasures of Baji style. This Third Series, of the comprehensive course taught by world-famous practitioner, Adam Hsu, concentrates on the core of Baji; the hands-on training. In this series pole work and partner work are brought to a new high.

Two rare selections—Liu Da Kai and Ba Da Shi—are shown and explained. As though making his point about forms and training for him, both belong to “half-form and half-training” category which Sifu Hsu has talked about from the very first disk.

It is here, through marching practice of some complex techniques, where you acquire Baji’s distinct flavor and power. Each powerful action explodes with a retort as loud as a cannon…or a peal of thunder. This is the heart and soul of the art and caps enough information for even an avid practitioner.

More courses from the same author: Adam Hsu