Emei Bagua Zhang (峨嵋八卦掌), or “Eight Trigram Palm,” is one of the most intricate and transformative internal martial arts of China. Rooted in Taoist philosophy and the wisdom of the I Ching, Bagua embodies the principle of constant change and adaptability. Its essence lies in circular walking, spiraling movements, and fluid transitions that train the practitioner to respond effortlessly to shifting circumstances—whether in combat, health, or daily life.

Unlike external styles that rely heavily on brute strength, Emei Bagua Zhang integrates intention, internal energy, and structural alignment to generate power. Movements such as circle walking (Zou Zhuan) develop balance and rootedness, while the body spirals and coils like a dragon, storing and releasing power from every joint and tendon. In practice, the martial artist becomes like water: flowing around obstacles, yielding without breaking, and redirecting incoming force with precision and grace.

The Emei branch of Bagua Zhang, as preserved through the teachings of Grandmaster Shou-Yu Liang, emphasizes not only martial application but also health, meditation, and internal cultivation. It blends the combat effectiveness of traditional Bagua—joint locks, throws, palm strikes, and evasive stepping—with the healing practices of Emei Qigong and Taoist energy training. Through this synthesis, Bagua becomes more than a fighting system: it is a living philosophy of adaptability, resilience, and transformation.

Historically, Bagua was developed in the 19th century by Dong Haichuan, who integrated Taoist circle-walking meditation with martial techniques. Over generations, it expanded into many schools, each with unique emphasis on palm changes, animal forms, and weapon systems. The Emei Bagua Zhang system draws from this tradition while maintaining a special focus on spiritual refinement and health restoration. Movements like the Swimming Body Palm cultivate fluidity and elasticity, while weapons such as the Deer Horn Knives and Shu Shan Emei Xiao Yao Sword channel internal energy into spiraling combat applications.

Training in Bagua Zhang builds not only physical agility but also mental clarity and internal harmony. The spiraling postures stretch the fascia, strengthen the tendons, and energize the meridians, creating both a powerful martial art and a complete system of internal health cultivation.