Special Events

From Master Bok-Nam Park, head of the Ch’iang Shan Pa Kua Chang (Ba Gua Zhang) Association annual seminars and workshops to Retreats in the Poconos, training at the Blue Dragon School of Martial Arts is guaranteed to be a real experience – the kind that is known to change lives. Strengthen and discipline your mind and body together. Discover ancient teachings and practice with traditional weapons that were once used on the battlefield.

Check the school calendar at the school and upcoming events section of our website to find out what special seminars and events are coming up. Below is a summary of some of our events and seminars: 

Special 5-Week Beginner Chi Kung (Qigong) Class:
This class, designed especially for the beginner, is typically offered only 2 or 3 times throughout the year. It is similar to Tai Chi in its slow meditative movements, yet far more powerful in its ability to promote deep relaxation and energy circulation. Chi Kung is one of the most efficient health systems that exists today and is well known for its ability to reduce stress, improve balance, flexibility, memory and focus as well as help lowering blood pressure.

Chi Kung is the slow side of our Ba Gua Zhang training system and together with the “fast” kung fu side, it makes for a complete and balanced system of health and self defense. Worth noting, for those exclusively taking kung fu classes, incorporating Chi Kung practice greatly enhances one’s martial skills as well as the ability to make the body-mind connection, promoting greater body awareness and grace.

 Tai Chi Broadsword (Tai Ji Dao) 8-Week Course:
This class provides the chance to experience what it is like to hold a real sword and learn how to control this powerful weapon. The Tai Chi Broadsword belongs to Tai Chi short weapons and it is the first cutting weapon taught. Traditionally, students learn the Single Broadsword as a foundation before learning the Double-Edge Straight Sword or Jian.

 Students learn how the Broadsword utilizes the natural fluidity and poised body positions of Tai Chi combined with flexible and steady footwork. By learning to use the sword as an extension of one’s own body, a greater sensitivity is developed. Proper control of a weapon takes even greater focus than empty hand forms. This swordplay is simple, elegant and smooth as well as devastatingly effective.

Double Edged Straight Sword (Jian) 10-Week Course:
The Straight Sword or “Jian” is a double edged sword and requires a bit more skill to wield effectively than the Broadsword or “Dao”.  It became the weapon of the aristocracy. High ranking officers, proficient martial artists and the wealthy used it in ceremony, self defense, training and prominent decoration.

Sword Fighting and Applications 10-Week Course:
The “Jian” is an ancient weapon that was used by the elite long ago. Although it may seem impractical in today’s world, the same techniques can be easily translated to any short stick for practical use.

Students learn how to use this graceful yet powerful weapon in various self defense and sword fighting applications. Using excerpts from the third section in the Tai Chi Jian form, the class more focused on partner practice and less on actual sequence of the form so that students can enjoy experiencing some realistic sword fighting techniques.

 If you have an interest in taking one of our sword courses, be sure to inquire at the school.

 Kung Fu, Chi Kung & Meditation Fall Retreat:
Nestled in the peaceful beauty of the northeast Poconos, Camp Speers is set around the shore of the magnificent 42-acre Nichecronk Lake. This location which has been the home to our retreats over the past few years and affords us the opportunity to practice in various areas near and around the lake to experience a natural setting, breathing in cleaner more oxygen-rich air, and meditate with the rhythm of nature.

Those who attend our next Fall Retreat can expect a new experience whether a first-timer or a retreat veteran! Look forward to lots of meditation in nature, Ba Gua Kung Fu and Chi Kung (Qi Gong) practice along with some surprises. It is truly an unforgettable experience!

Chin Na Seminar (Seize & Control):
Grappling in Chinese martial arts is called Chin Na (Qin Na), “Seize and Control”. Chin Na is known for its effectiveness in controlling opponents through techniques of locking joints or muscles/tendons. It is the root of the Japanese martial arts of Aikido and Jujitsu.

The use of seizing and controlling techniques carries with it its own set of principles. These are the body principles on how to hold and how to lock the joints or control an individual. By learning and practicing a variety of techniques (both applying them and having them applied to you) students will begin to develop an understanding of Chin Na and how it works.

Once the joint locking is understood, unlimited techniques can evolve from it. The key is to learn the proper angles and where to apply the pressure or strength. When it is properly applied, very little strength is actually needed to make it work.

 Master Bok-Nam Park 2-Day Seminar:
Once a year in November, we are extremely fortunate to be able to offer students and non-students the opportunity to come and train with a Ba Gua Zhang master with over 50 years of experience exclusively in our system right here at our school.

 Master Bok-Nam Park is the Senior Lineage Disciple of his teacher Lu Shui-Tian. He has written numerous articles for various publications and is the author of a two volume set of manuals and videos on Ba Gua Zhang entitled “The Fundamentals of Pa Kua Chang”.

 Those who attend this special seminar learn the Ba Gua Zhang principles for health & self defense including Chi Kung, breathing, training methods, applications and fighting principles from one of the most highly skilled instructors alive today.

 Annual Pa Kua Chang Summer Training Camp:
Every June, around a hundred people gather from all over the world from Boston to San Diego, Italy, Switzerland, England, Brazil and all the way from Japan. These are the students of Ch’iang Shan Pa Kua Chang. This annual summer training camp is an opportunity to train with your fellow Ba Gua Zhang practitioners under guidance of Master Bok-Nam Park.

 The camp is a throwback to ancient times when a martial artist could be fully engaged all day in the practice, without the distractions of modern society. It’s a smorgasbord of this system as you get to “taste” a wide variety of what it contains including: Chi Kung, meditation, breathing, staff, sword, forms, applications, empty hand practice and signature training of walking in the circle.  Each day also brings enlightening and informative lectures given by Master Park. Don’t miss this opportunity when it comes along to experience the vastness of Ch’iang Shan Pa Kua Chang!

 Basic Ba Gua Staff Training:
This is a class normally offered each summer at no additional charge to students. Geared to build off of the staff fundamentals that students are exposed to at Ch’iang Shan Pa Kua Chang Summer Training Camp, the class is also adapted for students new to working with the staff as well as more advanced students. Basic warm ups, drills, defending and striking are emphasized during class time.

 Silent Seminar:
At this unique seminar, students are exposed to a method of learning akin to ancient traditional systems. Once the groundwork is laid out, no verbal instruction is given throughout the 3-hour experience. Students must rely on awareness and observation skills throughout the cycles of physical practice, breathing exercises, Chi Kung and meditation. So much more than “technique” is learned. Students experience what it means to be fully engaged in the moment, in the practice, cultivating complete mindfulness.