Liuhe Bafa

Liuhe Bafa is one of the major internal style martial arts. It utilizes the power of Xingyiquan as its center, the stepping patterns of Baguazhang for its turning and spinning, and the neutralizing power of Taijiquan for its variations. Its movements are sometimes high, sometimes low, sometimes fast, and sometimes slow. These movements resemble that of floating clouds and flowing water, in that they are sometimes calm and sometimes surging. Therefore, it is also known as Water Style. The movements of Liuhe Bafa are constantly fluctuating with clearly defined forward, backward, upward, downward, and lateral motions. Each and every movement is led by the mind (xinyi). The mind initiates and the movements follow. It is therefore, also known as Xinyi Liuhe Bafa. There are two Liuhe Bafa routines: Liuhe Bafa Quan and Sanpan Shiershi. The Liuhe Bafa Quan consists of sixty-six postures including over five hundred martial applications. It is divided into two sections, and each section is practiced as a routine. The Sanpan Shiershi routine is for foundation training and includes advancing, retreating, rising and lowering movements, which are designed to develop reaction skills for combat.