Dong Hai Chuan
Pa Kua Founder
1779 – 1882
Dong Hai Chuan is the founder of the internal system of Pa Kua Chuan. It was developed during the mid 1800’s. Dong was born in Ju Jia Wu Township of Wen An in Hebei Province in northeastern China.
During his youth he studied Lo Han Northern Shaolin, Ba Fa Quan, Hung Guan Xing, and Men Quan which was widely practiced in Wen An.
Because of his proficiency, he became well known. It is said he travelled China. Pa Kua became known to the outside world when Dong became a servant for Prince Su’s household. It was during a large banquet that he was noticed for his ability to move in and out of the tables and people effortlessly.
After a demonstration of his skills, the prince made Dong in charge of training the palace guards. Two of Dong’s most famous students were Yin Fu (1842-1911) and Cheng Ting Hua (1848 -1900). Our style comes from Cheng Ting Hua.
Cheng Ting Hua
1848 -1900
Cheng Ting Hua, also known as Cheng Yingfang, 程廷華 was a renowned master of Chinese Neijia (internal) martial art of Pa Kua Chuan.
He as born in the Cheng family village, Shen County, Hebei (now in Shandong) and was the third of four brothers. Cheng Ting Hua was fond of martial arts and in his youth he gained skill at wielding a heavy broadsword and a large heavy staff.
When the Cheng Ting Hua first met Dong Hai Chuan he asked Cheng to use his Shuai Chiao, Chinese Wrestling, against him. Cheng made several attempts at attacking Dong but was never able to even lay a hand on him. Cheng knelt down and asked Dong if he could become his student. Cheng Ting Hua was the person responsible for teaching Pa Kua to Chang Chao-Tung.
Chang Chao Tung
1859 – 1940
Chang Chan Kuei, also known as Chang Chao Tung, was born in He Chien county in the village of Ho Hung Yan in Hebei Province. His first martial art training began with Mi Tsung Chuang also known as Yen Chen Fist. He soon became a student of Liu Chi Lan.
Chang met his master while still a teenager, after being very natural in his training he became one of Liu’s inner door students, therefore readily receiving the essence of his teacher art. Chang later became a bounty hunter. It was during this time he met the famous Pa Kua teacher, Chen Ting Hua.
Since the two were from the same area, they became friends. It was shortly after that Chang suggested he would like to learn Pa Kua. Since Cheng felt the two were brothers he would introduce him to his teacher Dong Hai Chuan.
While traveling Chang became quite famous for demonstrating and fighting in matches against foreign opponents on a raised platform. He is said to have once killed a horse by strangling it with one hand and is also credited with defeating several Japanese fighters and a German strongman.
One of his more famous students was Chiang Jung Chiao.
Chiang Jung Chiao
1890 – 1971
Chiang Jung Chiao also known as Jiang Rongqiao and Chiang Kuan Wu, he was born in Hebei Province in Chang Chou County. It was he who spread Cheng Ting Hua’s style widely.
During his youth he learned from his grandfather and uncle. He started his internal training from a friend, who taught Tai Chi. He then met and trained with one of Chang Chao Tung’s students, Yao Fu Chun.
He later travelled to Tianjin to study with the top masters of the era.
He also trained under the famous Wu Tang swordsman Li Ching Lin.
During the 1920’s Chiang began a series of martial arts books, compiling twenty-five books to his credit, making him one of the most prolific writers of his time. Some of the titles were Tiger Tail Whip, Chi Men Spear, Tai Chi Long Form, Seven Star Sword, Shaolin Staff, Hsing I Chuan, Pa Kua Chang and Pa Kua Spear. He was later invited to The Chung Yang Kuo Shu Kuan- Central Martial Arts Academy in Nanking, in charge of organizing and standardizing information, as Director of Programs.
Grandmaster Peter Kwok
Kwok Wong Ngai/Guo He Yi
Year Born Not Known
Northern Shaolin Chuan
Founder of Peter Kwoks Kung Fu Academy
The Tai Chi Chuan lineage of the Peter Kwok system is excellent. Pat & Mark were told by Peter, Kuo Lien Ying was his “favorite” Tai Chi teacher, impling he may have had more than one. Peter Kwok started his training at the age of 7 years old. His father was a Shaolin Master and his first teacher. Peter had many teachers throughout his life. Peter did study with other great Masters such as Wang Zi Ping, a famous Shaolin, Cha Chuan, Tan Toi, and Ba Gua expert and Han Ching Tung.
Patric Hanvey ~ studied with Peter Kwok
Co-founder of China Hand Kung Fu Academy in 1983.
Pat & Mark took private classes together with Grandmaster Peter Kwok. Dominick Ruggieri studied Pa Kua Chuan with Patric and Mark.
Mark Gates ~ studied with Peter Kwok
Co-founder of China Hand Kung Fu Academy in 1983.
Mark & Pat took private classes together with Grandmaster Peter Kwok. Dominick Ruggieri studied Pa Kua Chuan with Mark and Pat.
Master Dominick Ruggieri
1960 – 2313
Successor of China Hand Kung Fu Academy.
You can train with him now…
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