Flowing Like Water, Unifying Mind & Movement
Liu He Ba Fa (六合八法), often called the Water Style or “Water Boxing,” is one of the most rare and profound treasures of the internal martial arts. Unlike more widely practiced systems such as Tai Chi, Xing Yi, or Bagua, Liu He Ba Fa has remained relatively hidden, passed down through select lineages and preserved as a jewel of Chinese martial tradition. Its uniqueness lies in how it harmonizes and integrates the principles of all three major internal arts while expressing them through its own philosophy of flow, adaptability, and unification.
The name Liu He Ba Fa means “Six Harmonies and Eight Methods.” These are not abstract ideas—they form the living heart of the art. The Six Harmonies (Liu He) describe the unity of body and mind, movement and intention, internal energy and external expression. The Eight Methods (Ba Fa) are the strategic approaches and qualities of movement, from softness and yielding to resilience and rooted power. Together, they create a complete martial system that teaches practitioners to embody the fluid strength of water: soft when it must yield, yet unstoppable when it flows forward.
Where Tai Chi emphasizes slow, meditative spirals, Xing Yi develops direct explosive intent, and Bagua focuses on dynamic circular walking, Liu He Ba Fa (Water Style) blends these approaches into a seamless whole. Movements appear soft and graceful, but within them lies a powerful martial root. Its forms are intricate, weaving together spirals, steps, and strikes that challenge both body and mind. To train Liu He Ba Fa is to cultivate not only fighting skill, but also adaptability, longevity, and profound inner balance.
The art is sometimes described as “moving meditation,” but it is equally a method of martial alchemy. Each sequence demands deep concentration and mindfulness, encouraging practitioners to let go of rigidity and discover flow. Like water, the body must find the path of least resistance, adapting to obstacles, yet retaining unstoppable forward energy. This is why the Water Style is considered both a martial system and a philosophy for living.
Training in Liu He Ba Fa develops warrior mobility in its purest sense. Its movements lubricate the joints, condition the fascia, and train the nervous system to remain calm under pressure. Rather than isolating muscles, it engages the body as one connected whole, teaching practitioners to issue force from the ground up, through the waist, and out through the hands. This makes it invaluable not only for martial application, but for health, recovery, and personal cultivation.
Historically, Liu He Ba Fa has been treasured as a rare art because it preserves principles that pre-date the codification of the “big three” internal styles. Some lineages trace its teachings back over 700 years, emphasizing that its fluid, wave-like qualities reflect the natural rhythms of the cosmos itself. To practice Liu He Ba Fa is to step into a current of tradition where every movement is a meditation, every step a philosophy, and every breath a lesson in adaptability.
At Agniyana, Liu He Ba Fa (Water Style) is taught not only as a martial discipline, but as a practice of harmony and transformation. It invites you to move like water—graceful, yielding, adaptable, yet powerful. Whether your goal is martial skill, health, or internal development, this rare art offers a path into the very heart of the internal martial traditions.
Lineage & Training
My path in Liu He Ba Fa (Water Style) has been shaped by studying under the guidance of teachers who have worked tirelessly to preserve this rare art. Unlike Tai Chi or Qigong, which are more widely known and taught, Liu He Ba Fa remains relatively hidden, passed down carefully through a handful of lineages. My training comes through the SYL Wushu Taiji Qigong Institute, founded by Grandmaster Shou-Yu Liang, whose lifetime of martial experience helped introduce Liu He Ba Fa to the West in an accessible and authentic way.
Grandmaster Shou-Yu Liang and the Transmission of Liu He Ba Fa
Grandmaster Shou-Yu Liang (1943–2021) was one of the most respected martial artists of his generation. With over 45 years of experience in Chinese martial arts, he trained extensively in Tai Chi, Xing Yi, Bagua, Qigong, and Liu He Ba Fa, among other systems. His reputation was built not only on his deep technical skill but also on his ability to communicate the internal essence of these arts to students outside of China. He dedicated his career to bridging the gap between tradition and the modern world, ensuring that these arts were not lost or watered down.
Through his teaching, Grandmaster Liang passed on the intricate knowledge of Liu He Ba Fa, emphasizing its value as both a martial art and a method of personal cultivation. His approach balanced the traditional forms with clear explanations of their underlying principles, allowing students to connect the practice to both combat application and daily health. Under his guidance, Liu He Ba Fa has survived as a living art, carried forward into new generations of practitioners.
Master Helen Liang and the Modern Expression of Water Style
Continuing her father’s legacy, Master Helen Liang has become one of the most recognized teachers of Liu He Ba Fa today. As the Vice President of the SYL Wushu Taiji Qigong Institute, she has brought a modern and approachable perspective to this rare system. Master Helen is known worldwide for her teaching in Tai Chi, Qigong, and Liu He Ba Fa, appearing in instructional videos, public demonstrations, and seminars.
Her instruction emphasizes both the health benefits and martial depth of the art, showing how Liu He Ba Fa can enhance longevity, balance, and mobility while still retaining its combat practicality. For many Western students, her voice and presence have opened the door to a tradition that might otherwise seem inaccessible.
It is through this lineage—via the SYL Institute and the teachings of Master Helen Liang—that I came into contact with Liu He Ba Fa Water Style.
My Training in Liu He Ba Fa
I do not claim to be a master of this art. My experience with Liu He Ba Fa centers on one of its primary forms and a selection of applications that reveal its underlying principles. But even within this limited scope, the practice has had a profound influence on my martial and personal journey.
Learning even a single Liu He Ba Fa form is like being given a map of the Water Style philosophy. The movements are long, flowing, and intricate—demanding balance, flexibility, and awareness at every moment. Unlike other forms where the intent may be more obvious, Liu He Ba Fa conceals its martial energy within what appears to be softness. As you train, you begin to feel the hidden currents of power running beneath the surface, just as a river hides its force beneath a calm appearance.
Through this form, I’ve come to understand how Liu He Ba Fa is not about memorizing endless techniques but about embodying principles: the Six Harmonies and the Eight Methods. Each practice session becomes an exploration of how to unify the body and mind, how to adapt to circumstances, and how to express strength without rigidity.
Why Lineage Matters in Internal Arts
In arts like Liu He Ba Fa, lineage is more than a name—it is a lifeline. Because this system has always been rare, it has often been preserved in small circles of dedicated practitioners. Without the careful transmission through teachers like Grandmaster Shou-Yu Liang and Master Helen Liang, it might not exist today outside of China.
By studying through the SYL Institute, I know that what I have learned connects me directly to this authentic stream of teaching. Even if my exposure has been limited to one form and some applications, I practice with the awareness that I am part of a much larger tradition—one that spans centuries and embodies the living philosophy of the internal martial arts.
Training Liu He Ba Fa in Modern Practice
What I find most striking about Liu He Ba Fa is how it adapts to the needs of modern practitioners. For martial artists, it sharpens warrior mobility—teaching how to transition smoothly, redirect energy, and maintain calm presence even under pressure. For those seeking health, it refines posture, restores fluidity to the joints, and deepens the breath. For those on an inner path, it provides a moving meditation where every gesture reflects a universal principle of harmony and adaptability.
Training a single Liu He Ba Fa form alongside my other martial and Qigong practices has given me insight into how all the internal systems interconnect. I can see how Tai Chi’s softness, Xing Yi’s directness, and Bagua’s circularity are all woven together within the Water Style. Each time I return to the form, I uncover new details—a subtle shift in weight, a deeper connection of breath, a clearer expression of intent.
Preserving the Water Style for the Future
Because Liu He Ba Fa is so rare, every practitioner has a responsibility to help preserve and share it. My goal is not to present myself as a lineage holder, but to act as a bridge—passing along what I have learned so that others may glimpse the depth and beauty of this art. In teaching and practicing, I hope to honor the legacy of my teachers while inspiring others to continue exploring this incredible system.
Foundation
Success in Liu He Ba Fa (Water Style) requires more than simply memorizing a sequence of movements. The Water Style is demanding, both physically and mentally, because it asks the practitioner to cultivate attributes that harmonize strength, grace, and inner focus. At its root, Liu He Ba Fa is about embodying water: yielding without breaking, flowing without losing direction, and maintaining depth even when appearing calm on the surface.
One of the first challenges new students encounter is the low, rooted stances. These postures build powerful legs, strong hips, and a grounded center. Unlike static strength training, these stances must remain alive, constantly shifting weight with precision and awareness. They test endurance and patience, teaching practitioners to generate stability without rigidity. Over time, these foundations condition the body to move with resilience while keeping balance under pressure.
Equally essential are the flowing, graceful movements that define the Water Style. Each transition must feel seamless, like the current of a river moving around stones. This requires not only physical coordination but also mental clarity, as the practitioner must learn to release tension, maintain rhythm, and adapt with subtlety. In Liu He Ba Fa, there is no room for stiffness; every technique is trained until it becomes second nature—soft on the outside, but carrying hidden power within.
To be successful in this art, a practitioner must also cultivate internal awareness. Breathing must be coordinated with movement. Intention must guide every gesture. The body, mind, and energy must align in harmony. Without this unity, the form remains empty choreography. With it, the Water Style transforms into a moving meditation, a practice that develops not only martial skill but also adaptability, mindfulness, and longevity.
In short, mastering Liu He Ba Fa requires endurance, patience, and the humility to surrender to flow. Strength without stiffness, grace without weakness—this is the paradoxical foundation upon which the Water Style is built.
A Path of Internal Mastery
Liu He Ba Fa is more than just another martial art—it is a path of transformation. Through low stances, flowing movements, and mindful practice, it teaches you to embody water: adaptable, resilient, and unstoppable. Whether your goal is martial effectiveness, internal cultivation, or simply moving with more grace and balance, this rare system offers a gateway into the deeper dimensions of the internal arts.
Begin your journey in Liu He Ba Fa (Water Style) today. Learn to move with grace, cultivate strength through softness, and awaken the inner power that has been preserved through centuries of tradition. The path of internal mastery is waiting—flow with it.