What makes Pa Kua different from a single-style martial art is its breadth. Rather than one narrow skill, Pa Kua is practised as eight connected arts — each developing something different, and together forming a complete path for body, mind, and spirit. Here’s what each one is.
The heart of Pa Kua. Students learn a wide range of self-defense techniques — strikes, throws, locks, and more — starting with simple linear moves and progressing to Pa Kua’s signature circular techniques that let a smaller person handle a stronger one. It’s trained non-competitively, so you build real skill without getting hurt.
Among the most disciplined arts in Pa Kua. Training begins with the curved saber and knife and advances to the Jian sword, spear, and other weapons — building focus, control, and respect.
Traditional Eastern archery, trained on two levels: meditative and combat. It sharpens focus and teaches you to shoot with the mind as much as the body.
Slow, mindful movement for balance, stress relief, and long-term joint health — the calm, internal side of the practice.
Movement, flexibility, and breathwork that restore the body and steady the mind — with a martial artist’s depth behind it.
Therapeutic, preventive massage and breathing techniques that support the immune system, circulation, and joint health — the healing side of Pa Kua.
Powerful positions that combine balance and strength, practised with a partner — building trust, coordination, and body awareness.
Breathing and internal focus that tie everything together, developing calm, willpower, and control under pressure.
You don’t have to master all eight at once. Most students are drawn to one or two arts first — self-defense, or yoga, or weapons — and grow from there. Together, the eight make Pa Kua one of the most complete practices you can train