Foundations Class, Week 1: Introduction to Lion System Sweeping

Our first Foundations class in the eight-week series we're doing on Thursday nights in Maryville went very well last night. Although a summary appears on the YSB Knoxville group's Facebook page, I'll elaborate here a little more.

The meeting opened up with a short discussion on what Yin Style Bagua is all about. This involved a short introduction into the idea of being an art of continuously striking while moving, of using interconnected techniques to effectively defeat the opponent, and of the fundamental notion that the art, and all of its practices, are for fighting. That discussion focused its efforts after a brief overview on the Lion System and its particular goals and strategy, indicating how it is ferocious and aggressive in nature. Some short demonstrations were provided of how the Lion System might approach a fighting situation, both being the aggressor and acting on defense.

Introductions aside, we moved into discussing the particular methods of practice of Yin Style Baguazhang, particularly the "four pillars" of training. The standing strengthening practice was introduced first, and the Lion Representational posture was trained for a few sets with corrections during and between to get the feel for this practice. The emphasis is on building strength, but that strength is to be built intelligently. As some folks in attendance came from a karate background and wanted to draw from their experiences with Sanchin kata, a clear distinction had to be made between that form of training and that which we do in standing strengthening practice, which is more specific-goal oriented.

After standing strengthening practice, we took a short break and allowed for some discussion, which brought up circle turning practice (to be featured in Week 2's training). We took advantage of the situation and talked about the martial use of the footwork from circle turning practice along with the other practical benefits of that pillar of training: improved coordination, better expression of power, physical development, the medicinal/internal side of development, etc., but the stress was kept on keeping training grounded in real fighting ability. This particular discussion also involved a demonstration of how Yin Style endeavors to defeat the opponent with strikes but will transition smoothly to throwing and grasping (grappling) the instant the opportunity arises, including setting and locking a joint-manipulation (armbar, e.g.) as the person is being thrown.


The discussion was capped with the following statement: If you train correctly, then you get fighting skills and internal development, if that's what you're interested in. How do you know if you're training correctly? If you are developing good fighting skills as a result.

Then we spent the rest of the evening developing in strike drilling. Two sweeping/slicing/peeling strikes from the Lion System foundational material were presented: rising sweeping and inside sweeping. Those were drilled in standing-in-place, single-action method and then in combinations with footwork. Attention was put on the learning speed and transitioning to practicing with power, and the importance of having coordination of hands, eyes, body, waist, and footwork was driven home. Even in the standing-in-place method, footwork is important: the feet must be stable and the legs must contribute to the full-body power of the strikes.

Those two strikes, drilled in combination, were applied with a partner tactically in four settings, depending on use of footwork with the strikes. One new practitioner commented immediately, "Oh wow, this art is really brutal!" as he witnessed and then tried the techniques for himself.

He Jinbao demonstrates a Lion System opening strike on Jim Lindsay of YSB Knoxville

In all it was a great class, and we're really energized to be doing it!

Next week we'll focus on rounding out the foundations of the sweeping palm striking, introducing more attention to footwork, and will introduce the circle turning training practice of Yin Style Baguazhang. Additionally, we will draw a sweeping method combination from at least one of the sweeping forms for drilling and applications. Even those folks who missed this week will find next week's material accessible, so feel welcome! See you there!