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The Grove Kung Fu
129 members • Free
6 contributions to The Grove Kung Fu
12d •
Thursday January 8th Live session link 5-6pm PST
Here is the link for today's Bagua Zhang session. https://us06web.zoom.us/j/88296730667?pwd=Y5Jy0qYyKgdZIwkbAFs2aQPbVAy0wQ.1
2 likes • 12d
I'm not sure that I'll be able to make it tonight, but I'll try! If not, I'll catch up when the video is posted and I'll make the next live session. I've missed these classes throughout our break and I'm really looking forward to getting back into the swing of things!
Dec '25 •
A Philosophical Query
So... I think I mentioned that I did my PhD in philosophy, and it happens that Bagua Zhang is (sometimes?) related to the I Ching, or the Book of Changes, which I studied a bit some time ago. Does anyone in this group know much about this connection? I've read a small amount about it, in an aforementioned primary text on Bagua, but I would be fascinated to go further into the relationship if possible.
1 like • 20d
@Kirby Mannon, the Phenomenology of Spirit is the first of Hegel’s works to be published as representative of his mature philosophy. It serves an extremely important role in his overarching philosophical approach. I, however, think it is The Science of Logic that relates more to the essence of the Book of Changes, and other Eastern thought. That’s not to say that they’re doing the same thing, but that they have a similar intent, with a much different approach. I’m very interested in the connection, although it isn’t something I’ve had the opportunity to consider deeply. I’m always looking for fellow students of the classics, so if you or anyone else is ever interested in reading with me, please let me know! Otherwise, I’m always available for any inquiries and open to receiving wisdom, so don’t hesitate to contact me if these are the sort of things that interest you—I will appreciate it!
1 like • 19d
I should say, though, that there is a very close correlation between the Phenomenology of Spirit and the earlier Mahayana Buddhist Nagarjuna’s thought. Again, a similar intent from a different perspective. Anyhow, I’ll let it be unless anyone feels impelled to go further.
Dec '25 •
Change of Schedule ?
Hey there, I’m just checking, but I thought there was supposed to be a live session tonight. Did it get canceled?
Nov '25 •
Bagua 64 Palms Line One
During Thursday's live class we went over the Liang style 64 Palms line one. Here is a YouTube clip going over the first few moves.
0 likes • Nov '25
Forgive my ignorance, but are the leading hand movements functionally for entering or striking, or are these more general motions (you may have answered this right at the very end of your video, but I thought I would ask for sake of clarity)? For example, when I step in with the lifting palm, my forward hand feels like I'm striking, but I am wondering if that is me putting too much into the upper body torque (however slight it is). Sorry if this question is poorly formulated, I'm not yet accustomed to the specific terminology of Bagua. Thanks!
0 likes • Nov '25
@Kirby Mannon sorry for the delay in response, it’s been a busy week, but I really appreciate your thoughtful reply! After looking over your comments, I actually think my intuitions regarding the movements are not as far off as I originally thought—even if trying to coordinate the movements bodily is not always easy for me. In any case, thanks so much!
Oct '25 •
[START HERE] Welcome to The Grove!
Welcome to The Grove! "The martial forest is one family”. My hope is that together we can shape the culture and curriculum of this community so that The Grove will come to represent a level of quality and skill of which we can all be proud. I am still building out the space, but there will be free content for Shuai Jiao, Ba Gua, basic gong fu and more. There will also be focused training cohorts starting soon with options including -Liang & Cheng style Bagua Zhang -Beijing Shuai Jiao -Chen Style Tai Ji Quan & Da Bei Quan -Gong Fu basics and Praying Mantis Kung fu -Qi Gong As someone who has either trained with me in the past or expressed interest in learning one of the arts I teach you are here as one of the founding members of the community. You have probably heard me say before that I don’t take myself that seriously, but it take the arts I teach very seriously indeed. In this space I am a teacher, a coach and a fellow martial artist studying as diligently as I can. Reach out with any questions and I look forward to sharing this space with you all. If you don’t mind, please take a moment to leave a comment and let us know a few things about yourself. -name and location -age and previous/current martial arts experience -what you are interested in learning Feel free to add anything else you would like to share. This is your space!
5 likes • Nov '25
Devon here, from Northwest Arkansas. I started practicing martial arts when I was around 17 years old--I'm 38 now--and I've been training ever since. I began in an integrative combatives system, which included Wing Chun and JKD, but was heavy in some of the Filipino styles, Muay Thai, and BJJ, as well. Kung Fu was always a favorite, but I pursued Muay Thai and BJJ for the sake of starting a school. In total, I trained for around five years before my back started giving me trouble. I shifted gears, went to get a PhD in Philosophy, but never lost my passion for the martial arts; throughout my years of study, I trained informally, mostly by myself, but occasionally with small groups of friends, until I found a great Aikido community, which I trained with for about two years. Now that I've moved away from that community, I try to train whenever possible, but due to my back issues, I don't get to commit as much time to it as I would like. I've found myself thinking time and again how I would love to train something like Bagua, because of the body mechanics, but I had no luck finding anyone to teach me (I have a few books, but they're hard to follow without any instruction). After discovering a few teachers online, I started looking for something like this, and finally found you all. I'm thrilled that this community exists!
0 likes • Nov '25
@Tom Campbell, I picked up Wang Shujin’s books on linked and swimming body palms, translated by Kent Howard, and I found them fascinating, but I thought it was too difficult to replicate the movements on the basis of a few pictures. After a few attempts to follow along with some videos I found on YouTube I realized I would probably need more guidance. I even thought about how great it would be if Sonny had an online course, since his videos offer some of the clearest instructions I’ve been able to find. I was stoked when I realized that he’s holding these live sessions, and I really think it’s going to benefit my physiology as it has yours, given the nature of these movements. Anyhow, it’s nice to meet you Tom!
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@devon-rowell-8640
Long time martial arts enthusiast with an accumulative seven years of formal training over the course of the last two decades.
Active 24h ago
Joined Nov 12, 2025
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