Liu He Ba Fa, also known as Six-Harmonies and Eight Methods boxing, is characterized by flowing movements at different speeds and heights; gaining a 360 degree awareness of one’s surroundings through ones intention and spirit. It’s origins are said to lie with Chen Tuan, the Daoist sleeping immortal, whose drawing were found by Li Dong Feng who reconstructed Chen Tuan’s internal theory into a form. Through several generations it was finally passed and popularized by Wu Hui Yi who opened the art up and taught it to several students throughout China.
Liu He Ba Fa emphasizes the six harmonies:
- Body and Mind Combine
- Mind and Intent Combine
- Intent and Qi Combine
- Qi and Spirit Combine
- Spirit and Movement Combine
- Movement and Emptiness Combine
It achieves these harmonies through the eight methods of 1. Qi (energy); 2. Gu (bones); 3. Xing (form); 4. Sui (to follow); 5 Ti (lift); 6 Huan (return); 7 Le (suspend); and 8 Fu (conceal).
The form is relaxed, circular, and flowing– intertwined with fast and slow movements at different heights. The internal work is complex and includes several different energies to obtain the Daoist grand goal of acquiring a wuji (void) state and total awareness of one’s self and surroundings.
Sifu Hart works with students to understand the movements then slowly apply intention and begin to understand the internal aspects of the art. Slowly one can gain “Hun Wei Yi Ti,” mixed as one, and begin to explore the deeper aspects of this amazing system.