Liuhebafa (Lokhupbafa) Standing Set

Liuhebafa (LHBF) is one of the main systems of  internal martial arts from China. It has elements of taijiquan, xingyiquan, and baquazhang in it, particularly focusing on the turning generated from core muscles such as the abdominal obliques and shoulder girdle muscles such as the serratus anterior. The particular tradition I practice and teach comes from Liang Zipeng who was also a well known yiquan practitioner, so there are elements of that in it as well.

This particular practice has much to offer for martial artists practicing with applications in mind, but the gentle turning and spiraling offers much for those interested in health and wellness. This standing set is something I put together to focus on the health aspects and it is particularly useful in online classes as many participants do not have the space to study liuhebafa when streaming in from a computer or casting to the TV. It still contains the general principles. 

Check out the video and if you are interested in attending class, click here for the schedule.

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Rotate Torso to Improve Health

Turning Pelvis, Lower Ribcage, Shoulder Girdle

In taiji and liuhebafa, rotation is evident in many of the movements. This is especially true in liuhebafa which really highlights rotation and it features rotation in three main centers in the body; the pelvis, lower ribcage and shoulder girdle.

There are many martial applications with this type of rotation, but the health benefits are evident. Included are:

• Mobilization of the the innominate bones (the main pelvic bones on the right and left) leading to better function of the sacroiliac joint and lumbar spine,
• Mobilization of the low ribcage which engages the abdominals, improves health of the respiratory diaphragm and massages the internal organs like the liver, stomach and spleen.
• Mobilization of the shoulder girdle leading to better shoulder health, a strong and stabile shoulder girdle and better health of the thoracic and cervical spine.

Check out the tutorial to start learning and practicing the basics and click here for in-person classes in Temple Terrace or my zoom classes online. 

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Liuhebafa Qigong Patterns

Liuhebafa (brief history of the form I practice)

Liuhebafa (known in Cantonese as Lok Hup Ba Fa), is one of the major internal martial arts from China. It is similar in some ways to taiji, though lesser known, especially in the West. The liuhebafa that I learned comes most directly from Liang Zipeng. Liang Zipeng was a recognized student of Wu Yi Hui who was likely the most instrumental figure in the wider transmission of this art. However, Liang Zipeng only learned the first half with Wu and he created his own second half from knowledge of other styles such as Yiquan, Xingyiquan and Baguazhang, The liuhebafa I learned is most closely related to the version his student, Moy Linshin taught, though there are other sources and influences in the version I am doing now.

Liuhebafa Qigong Patterns

To teach Liuhebafa, I have 'created' several small qigong patterns (drills). I say created, but these are really just isolated movements from the liuhebafa form that are modified only to make them more bilateral (done on both sides) and repetitive so that you can isolate and train certain movement patterns. If you were to learn these patterns, that would be enough to work on mobilizing the shoulders, ribcage, pelvis and spine while massaging the internal organs. This is the purpose of these qigong patterns. Practicing these patterns would also facilitate learning the liuhebafa form. I put these together for that reason, so that they can be practiced in my classes. But I also teach them in my online Zoom classes. I find these patterns are much more adaptable to online classes than the full form, although they are a useful element of live class. Click here for the class info.

Check out two of these patterns in the video below.

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Liuhebafa (Lok Hup Ba Fa) Qigong Patterns

Qigong patterns from Liuhebafa

I am creating a series of qigong patterns derived from liuhebafa (lok hup ba fa), based on movements from the bare hand form of the tradition taught by Liang Zipeng and passed on by Sun Di and Moy Linshin.

There are six patterns for Part I of this form. Part II of this form is quite different from most versions of liuhebafa, and Liang Zipeng mostly created this second half as a unique form. I will post more about patterns for Part II separately.

Liuhebafa movement patterns

The following movements are the basis for the Part I qigong patterns. The video below shows one of these patterns.

1. Commencement of Liuhebafa
2. Stop Cart and Ask Directions. (See Video Below)
3. Wild Horse Chases Wind
4. Nine Circulations of the Golden Pill
5. Part Clouds and See Sun
6. Gentle Wind Sweeps Leaves

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