A dissertation of Cheng Yu Lung’s Yin Energy Dragon Shape Baguazahng set as was taught to Kevin Wikse in the mid-1990s.
Cheng Yu Lung’s Yin Energy Dragon Shape Baguazhang is an intermediate-level school of martial Baguazhang that emphasizes the dark, heavy, and sinking qualities of water while teaching a unique variant of the Dragon Shape as expressed through the Thunder Gua or Trigram. Rather than the explosive and athletic nature of the Dragon, who revels in open space, directing force upward, the dragon energy in this school of Baguazhang is that of a giant Sea Serpent.
No less violent or abrupt, but tending toward crushing and pulling downward. The Sea Serpent is thick and sinuous, rising only to come crashing down. The Yin energy is not of the typical soft and yielding force but that of sinking, submerging, and purposely holding under.
In my teachings of Daoist metaphysics, this set constitutes Water over Thunder in the I-Ching, or Hexagram #3. It denotes difficulties and even mortal danger. The Hexagram (six lines, the top a split yin line, and the second an intact yang line) illustrates a shallow body of water. However, this is a facade, as the body water is much deeper, and anyone foolish enough not to exercise caution will find themselves in over their heads. This Hexagram is called “Difficult Beginnings,” and the martial prowess developed by the dedicated practice of this Baguazhang set will give nearly any opponent a terrifying experience right from the start.
A certain level of cruelty and malicious intent is built into this school of Baguazhang. The Sea Serpent is not friendly and prefers its isolation at the bottom of its dark watery cavern. Intruders often never leave. The mindset is one of self-reflection with a hint of brooding. It produces a psychic practice of internal alchemy, slowly and methodically changing the practitioner’s personality just ever so slightly, just enough to enable them to understand a xenophobic and sociopathic outlook. Why is this useful? Primarily so they can know and recognize to avoid it or, if need be, employ it for self-preservation and the defense of others.
At one point in my life, I was employed to do physical violence against certain people. I frequently used the training techniques and fighting strategies contained school of Cheng Yulung’s Yin Dragon Shape Baguazhang, to be honest, almost exclusively.
From a training perspective, circle walking in the Sea Serpent’s body shape is strenuous. A great deal of leg strength is forged quickly with a rare “springy” durability quality, like that of a fully inflated tire, from its low basin mud-stepping. The Sea Serpent’s body shape promotes increased hand strength for gripping and ripping. The waist and torso undergo a soft and internal form of Iron Body or Iron Vest condition. Overall body strength, relaxed power, and endurance are significantly improved from this practice.
I plan to teach this school of Baguazhang publicly soon and share with others the same benefits and boons dedicated practice of this set brought and continues to bring to me.
