Liu He Bafa
From Karate, Kungfu, Wrestling, Mixed Fighting Information Source
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Liu He Ba Fa or Liu He Ba Fa Quan is an internal martial art from China that focuses on self-defence and attainment of inner peace. This Kung Fu style is also called Water Boxing because it is based on the movements of water flowing down a mountain slope. The original name “Water Boxing” was soon replaced by the name “Liu He Ba Fa Quan” or “Six Harmonies and Eight Methods Boxing.” Like most internal Chinese martial arts, it is associated with the religion of Daoism.
History
LiuHe BaFa Chuan (六合八法拳) was created by martial teacher Wu Yi-hui (吴翼翚); the often cited claim that the exercise or its' philosophy derives from Song Dynasty philosopher Chen Po 陳摶(Xi-yi, 希夷 )is false and unaccepted by Chinese martial historians.['Chinese Practical Martial Arts Complete'(中国武術實用大全) zhong1 guo2 wu3shu4 shi2 yong4 da4 quan2 by: Kang Ge Wu（康戈武)]. Chen Po is said to have created it while living at Xi-Hua-Yue 西華嶽 Mountain (Hua Shan,華山)in Shaanxi Province in northern China. It was first taught in Shanghai in 1930 as 'water-style' boxing by Manchurian Wu Yi Hui and later taught as LiuHe BaFa at the Nanking Martial Academy. The modern version of the exercise, by Wu Yi-Hui, was built upon a 'water' boxing as taught to Wu by three teachers; Wu who added techniques from other internal and external styles. It is often presumed that LiuHe BaFa is based upon the forms and principles of Tai Chi Chuan, Ba Gua Chang and Xingyiquan; this is only partly true as these principles are an inherent part already.
Techniques
This art is characterized by contracting movements that gather energy which are then followed by expansive movements releasing the stored energy. Much like the dissolving properties of water, Liu He Ba Fa Quan's wave-like movements are said to clear internal blockage, both physical and emotional.
