Gao-style baguazhang


Gao Style Baguazhang is the style of Baguazhang descended from Gao Yisheng, a student of Cheng Tinghua, who founded one of the two main branches of Baguazhang. Gao is alternatively said to have originally studied with Song Changrong or Yin Fu, later studying with one of Cheng's students, Zhou Yuxiang. Gao style is one of the most widely practiced Baguazhang styles in the West; there are also many practitioners in Tianjin and Taiwan. It has many variations held within various lineages, some which are given below:
  • Dong Haichuan
  • *Cheng Tinghua
  • **Zhou Yuxiang
  • ***Gao Yisheng
  • ****Wu Jinyuan
  • ****Wu Huaishan
  • *****Wu Guozheng
  • ****Liu Fengcai
  • *****Wang Shusheng
  • *****Liu Shuhang
  • *****Chen Baozhen
  • *****Han Fangrui
  • ****He Kecai
  • *****Cheung Sing Tang
  • ****Zhang Junfeng
  • *****Hong Yixiang
  • ******Luo Dexiu
  • ******
  • ******Su Dongchen
  • *****Hong Yiwen
  • *****Hong Yimien
  • ******Allen Pittman
  • ****Wu Mengxia
  • *****Wu Min'an
  • *****Bi Tianzuo
  • ****Bi Motang
  • *****Bi Tianzuo
The Gao style system is referred to as the Gao Yisheng branch of the Cheng Tinghua system of Baguazhang. Essentially, Gao Style Bagua is a unique subsystem. The Gao style system, because of Gao's own martial progression over time, can be found to have a number of different permutations, represented in these various lingages. All are valid examples of Gao style Bagua because they all represent Gao Yisheng’s progression as a martial artist. Gao was refining and creating sets until he died. He changed his straight line, pre-heaven and weapons sets more than once in his life but at its core it is a complete Baguazhang system.
Gao style explicitly divides training into two categories: pre-heaven and post-heaven. Pre-heaven training includes walking the circle and practicing changing palms on the circle; this material is similar to that found in the other Cheng styles. Post-heaven training consists of 64 linear palms is said by Gao Yisheng to be passed down by a man known as Song Yiren ; these palms are unique to the Gao system.
Many Gao style practitioners can be found in Tianjin, Taiwan, and Hong Kong.