What you will learn?
Thank you for being a part of this course! The course is divided into three sections. The lessons alternative between detailed instruction of each of the movements, with an overview video of the complete routine which allows to your see what you learnt in context. Each section includes an optional assignment to submit video to personalized feedback.
This first lession covers movements one to six:
1. San Ti Shi
2. Sparrowhawk Folds Its Wings
3. Sparrowhawk Enters the Woods
4. Cross Aligned Horse Strike
5. Retreating Crosscut (Heng quan)
6. Chopping Strike (Pi quan)
Overview of the full routine.
Use this video to review the movements and to preview the full routine. This video goes through the routine three times: first movement by movement; second counting the sequence; and third a demonstration of the routine.
This lesson covers movements seven to nine:
7. Golden Rooster Drinks Water
8. Golden Rooster Pecks The Grain Of Rice
9. Retreat & Restrain
Overview of the full routine.
Use this video to review the movements and to preview the full routine. This video goes through the routine three times: first movement by movement; second counting the sequence; and third a demonstration of the routine.
Receive feedback on your training by submitting video for comments and corrections:
Make a recording of yourself performing the movements we have covered so far. Upload the video as an unlisted/private video on youtube.com, vimeo.com, Google Drive, or another free service. Please ensure the video can be streamed! File transfers requiring download will not be accepted.
Send me the streamable link via email: james@eastmountain.ca. I will respond with detailed feedback as soon as I’m able.
Tips for recording video:
• Cell phones or laptops are a convenient way to record video. If using a cell phone, consider having someone film for you or use a stand. Here’s a video on how to make a phone tripod with just a paper towel roll: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NCF-uPQ4zzo
• If you have an option for setting the video quality, avoid high quality (makes the file size too large). Medium or low quality settings are typically fine.
• Don’t have bright windows or other bright lights behind you. This will turn you into a silhouette. Try to position yourself so that the camera is between you and main light sources.
• Try to ensure you stay in the frame of the recording. Watch that the left and right edges of the frame don’t cut off hands or feet.
• Ideal is to position the camera so all of you, from head to feet, is recorded. But if you don’t have enough room, then please ensure that your feet, legs, torso and arms are in the picture.
• Review the video before you send it. It doesn’t need to be perfect in terms of recording or performance. Just an accurate reflection of your practice to date.
Recording your practice is an excellent way to see your progress objectively. Often students immediately see details they want to correct. It also serves as a reference point that you can return to, letting you see your improvements over time.
This lesson covers movments ten to thirteen:
10. Right Aligned Cannon Strike (Pao quan)
11. Crosscut Strike (Heng quan)
12. Dragon and Tiger Play Together
13. Left Aligned Drive Strike (Beng quan)
Overview of the full routine
Use this video to review the movements and to preview the full routine. This video goes through the routine three times: first movement by movement; second counting the sequence; and third a demonstration of the routine.
This lesson covers the following movements:
14. Aligned Right Cannon (Pao Quan)
15. White Crane Flashes Its Wings
16. Turn Body Left Cannon (Pao Quan)
17. Sparrowhawk Pierces The Sky
18. Sparrowhawk Wheels Over
Overview of the full routine.
Use this video to review the movements and to preview the full routine. This video goes through the routine three times: first movement by movement; second counting the sequence; and third a demonstration of the routine.
Receive feedback on your training by submitting video for comments and corrections:
Make a recording of yourself performing the movements we have covered so far. Upload the video as an unlisted/private video on youtube.com, vimeo.com, Google Drive, or another free service. Please ensure the video can be streamed! File transfers requiring download will not be accepted.
Send me the streamable link via email: james@eastmountain.ca. I will respond with detailed feedback as soon as I’m able.
Tips for recording video:
• Cell phones or laptops are a convenient way to record video. If using a cell phone, consider having someone film for you or use a stand. Here’s a video on how to make a phone tripod with just a paper towel roll: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NCF-uPQ4zzo
• If you have an option for setting the video quality, avoid high quality (makes the file size too large). Medium or low quality settings are typically fine.
• Don’t have bright windows or other bright lights behind you. This will turn you into a silhouette. Try to position yourself so that the camera is between you and main light sources.
• Try to ensure you stay in the frame of the recording. Watch that the left and right edges of the frame don’t cut off hands or feet.
• Ideal is to position the camera so all of you, from head to feet, is recorded. But if you don’t have enough room, then please ensure that your feet, legs, torso and arms are in the picture.
• Review the video before you send it. It doesn’t need to be perfect in terms of recording or performance. Just an accurate reflection of your practice to date.
Recording your practice is an excellent way to see your progress objectively. Often students immediately see details they want to correct. It also serves as a reference point that you can return to, letting you see your improvements over time.
The lesson focusses on rhythm and sequence and covers the following movements:
19. Sparrowhawk Folds Its Wings
20. Sparrowhawk Enters The Woods
21. Cross Aligned Horse
22. Retreating Crosscut (Heng Quan)
23. Aligned Chop (Pi Quan)
24. Golden Rooster Drinks Water
25. Golden Rooster Pecks The Grain Of RIce
26. Retreat & Restrain
Overview of the full routine.
Use this video to review the movements and to preview the full routine. This video goes through the routine three times: first movement by movement; second counting the sequence; and third a demonstration of the routine.
This lesson looks at rhythm and sequence in the routine and covers the folowing movements:
27. Right Aligned Cannon (Pao Quan)
28. Left Crosscut (Heng Quan)
29. Dragon & Tiger Play Together
30. Left Aligned Drive (Beng Quan)
31. Right Cannon (Pao Quan)
32. White Crane Flashes Its Wings
33. Turn Around Left Cannon (Pao Quan)
34. Sparrowhawk Pierces The Sky
35. Sparrowhawk Wheels Over
36. Sparrowhawk Folds Its Wings
37. Sparrowhawk Enters the Woods
Overview of the full routine.
Use this video to review the movements and to preview the full routine. This video goes through the routine three times: first movement by movement; second counting the sequence; and third a demonstration of the routine.
This lesson covers movements thirty-six to forty-two, looking at rhythmn and sequence:
38. Left Elbow Strike
39. Right Crosscut (Heng Quan)
40. Three Basins Touch the Ground
41. Retreating Chop (Pi Quan)
42. Closing Posture
Receive feedback on your training by submitting video for comments and corrections:
Make a recording of yourself performing the movements we have covered so far. Upload the video as an unlisted/private video on youtube.com, vimeo.com, Google Drive, or another free service. Please ensure the video can be streamed! File transfers requiring download will not be accepted.
Send me the streamable link via email: james@eastmountain.ca. I will respond with detailed feedback as soon as I’m able.
Tips for recording video:
• Cell phones or laptops are a convenient way to record video. If using a cell phone, consider having someone film for you or use a stand. Here’s a video on how to make a phone tripod with just a paper towel roll: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NCF-uPQ4zzo
• If you have an option for setting the video quality, avoid high quality (makes the file size too large). Medium or low quality settings are typically fine.
• Don’t have bright windows or other bright lights behind you. This will turn you into a silhouette. Try to position yourself so that the camera is between you and main light sources.
• Try to ensure you stay in the frame of the recording. Watch that the left and right edges of the frame don’t cut off hands or feet.
• Ideal is to position the camera so all of you, from head to feet, is recorded. But if you don’t have enough room, then please ensure that your feet, legs, torso and arms are in the picture.
• Review the video before you send it. It doesn’t need to be perfect in terms of recording or performance. Just an accurate reflection of your practice to date.
Recording your practice is an excellent way to see your progress objectively. Often students immediately see details they want to correct. It also serves as a reference point that you can return to, letting you see your improvements over time.
Overview of the full routine.
Use this video to review the movements and to preview the full routine. This video goes through the routine three times: first movement by movement; second counting the sequence; and third a demonstration of the routine.
Theory & Practice
Thank you for taking this course! This lesson provides advice for continuing your training and practice.
Overview of the full routine.
Use this video to review the full routine. This video goes through the routine three times: first movement by movement; second counting the sequence; and third a demonstration of the routine.
Congratulations on completing the routine! Keep learning, keep practicing and take care.
About the course
Learn Xingyi's Eight Posture or Bashi routine.
Traditionally taught after learning the Five Fundamental Strikes and the Twelve Animals, this routine teaches advanced footwork and power transfer methods.
This is a great routine to learn and displays true Xingyi style and flavour. Prior training in Xingyi Five Fundamental Strikes and Twelve Animal is required for this course.
This is a self-paced course, allowing you to learn on your own schedule and includes optional video assignements to receive personal feedback on your training.
About the teacher
James Saper R.TCM.P
Instructor
While living and studying Traditional Chinese Medicine in Victoria, I had the good fortune to meet & train Chinese Martial Arts with Shane Watson & Andrea Falk. I began a serious study of Yang & Chen styles of Taijiquan (Tai Chi Chuan) in Victoria under Andrea's vigilant eye. I also was able to learn the Qi Gong form, Lian Gong Shi Ba Fa (18 Postures for Daily Practice), in Victoria from Sue Jiang. I graduated from Oshio College with distinction in 2002 & was among the first group of registered practitioners recognized by British Columbia's College of TCM Practitioners & Acupuncturists.
Since moving to Guelph, Ontario, I have been able to deepen my Chen Taijiquan studies with Master Jack Yan, one of the eighteen inheritor disciples of Grand Master Chen Zhenglei. And since 2004 expanded my training with Andrea Falk to include Bagua & Xingyi.
Since 2004 I have been teaching internal styles & since 2002 operating a solo Traditional Chinese Medicine practice in Guelph, Ontario.
