Manchester Bagua

Manchester Bagua is a martial arts school located in Manchester, New Zealand, specialising in Gao Style Baguazhang. The school offers classes every Monday, Tuesday, and Friday, with beginner classes starting soon. The classes cover the full Yizong Bagua syllabus and focus on both “pre-heaven” circling forms for body development and “post-heaven” linear forms for combat ability.

The Monday class primarily focuses on Xiantian (pre-heaven) material with some additional Houtian (post-heaven) practise, while the Friday class is mainly Houtian (post-heaven) based with some additional Xiantian (pre-heaven) work. Additionally, there is an optional sparring class on Tuesday evenings, which allows students to apply the strategies, tactics, and classical techniques of the system in a “San Da” format. The sparring class includes physical conditioning, padwork, two-person drilling, linework, throwing practise, situational/limited sparring drills, and full-contact open sparring.

All classes at Manchester Bagua include basic jiben gong exercises and “tian gan” (body unification exercises). The classes are friendly and informal, allowing students to learn at their own pace and focus on the aspects of the syllabus that interest them the most. However, individuals interested in the internal martial arts for health should be aware that there will be a strong emphasis on hands-on training and conditioning exercises that some may consider “external.

Manchester Bagua is privileged to have strong connexions with the Yizong school in Taiwan, with regular visits from Luo De Xiu Loashi and his senior students to teach seminars, as well as opportunities for class members to travel to Taiwan for training.

The classes are held at Wilbraham St Ninian's United Reformed Church, situated in Chorlton cum Hardy, Manchester. There are different class times throughout the week, with Monday evenings focusing on Houtian (pre-heaven) and jiben shoufa, Tuesday evenings dedicated to the sparring class (invite only), and Friday evenings focusing on Xiantian (post-heaven) and tiangan. Additionally, there is a monthly review session on the first Saturday of every month from 12 PM to 5 PM.

Manchester Bagua offers various pricing options for classes. Regular attendees are encouraged to make monthly standing order payments at a discounted rate, but a single session, drop-in rate is also available.

As Manchester's only Gao Style Bagua Zhang school, Manchester Bagua takes pride in preserving and teaching the complete martial system, offering students a comprehensive approach to both health and defence. For more information or to get in touch, individuals can contact the school via email at contact@manchester-bagua. Org or by phone at 0758 2929 825. Additional information can also be found on their website at www.

manchester-bagua. Org.