Healing Tao USA Summer Session
at Heavenly Mountain Retreat Center

#2: Classical Cheng Bagua Cascading Palms

CLASSICAL CHENG STYLE BA GUA ZHANG’S CASCADING PALMS SET:

a.k.a. SWIMMING DRAGON PALMS

The Cascading or Swimming Dragon Palms set of Cheng Style Ba Gua Zhang introduces students to the improvisational aspects of the art through a continuous weaving and flowing pattern of movement which emphasizes its coils over its circles. Within the intricate patterns of motion and flow of the swimming dragon lie points of option which teach the practitioner how to improvise within a set flow pattern.

This form gives the student all the health benefits of a practice of classical Ba Gua Zhang, teaches them how to string their techniques into a continuous martial flow while showing them how to perform one of Ba Gua’s most beautiful and award winning sets.

Healing Tao University Instructor Certification Course

This Ba Gua Meditation Instructor Certification Program has pre-requsite of Ba Gua Asst. Instructor and Instructor certification. OPEN TO ALL non-certification students without any prerequisites.

This course is part of a Ba Gua Instructor Certification, which requires an Asst. Instructor Certification, but practitioners of all levels and complete beginners are welcome to attend this retreat and learn this rare and beautiful art form.

This bagua zhang retreat is one of three offered at www.HealingTaoRetreats.com. (click on logo at top center of page, then click on "retreat descriptions" to locate the other two retreats). Retreat center is in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina, with easy access from Charlotte, Greensboro, or Asheville. The other two weeks are:

For Frank Allen full bios and photo, scroll to very bottom of page. Frank has 35 years experience, and is a top Master amongst Bagua martial arts instructors in the USA. In most systems he would already be called a Grandmaster, but he is too humble to care about titles. He travels regularly to China with his Chinese partner, Tina Zhang, to sharpen his bagua and other internal arts skills.

Tracks: beginner to advanced, so all levels are welcome. Anyone can sign up for any retreat. But the courses have simultaneous tracks used as Healing Tao University Ba Gua Zhang Instructor Certification, a joint program with Frank Allen’s Wutang Physical Culture Association. The requirements for all levels of certification are listed after the course description. Certificates will be issued to all who properly complete the training.

For those martial artists seeking training only (but are not certifying), it is very inspiring to train along side others with more experience and skill. You will receive equal care and personal attention.

What is Ba Gua Zhang? The spiraling art of Ba Gua Zhang is a famous health and strength developing chi kung (qigong) as well as a graceful and dynamic internal martial art. It is based on the “pa kua” or “eight shapes/trigrams” at the core of the I Ching, the Chinese Classic of Unchanging Changes.

The goal of the Pakua Chuan practitioner is to have your body become a living human embodiment of the I Ching. So it develops greater flexibility and fast spiralling mobility than either tai chi or hsing-i, the other two major internal martial arts.

The inner art of Ba Gua is to recognize and manipulate basic change patterns that arise in life – and enable us to move through life’s changes, whether we are fighting or loving or meditating. This makes it a kind of shamanic dance in which the adept moves through the eight major archetypes of change. It develops great centeredness as well as spontaneity.

Course is OPEN TO ANYONE interested in this style of bagua, with no pre-requisite. Requirements are only for those seeking certification.

HEALING TAO USA UNIVERSITY AND WU TANG PHYSICAL CULTURE ASSOCIATION present:

BA GUA ZHANG INSTRUCTOR CERTIFICATION PROGRAM in Five Stages.also posted on: www.wutangpca.com

OVERVIEW of PROGRAM

This Ba Gua Zhang Instructor Certification contains five sections of which the first two are basic and mandatory. These two basic levels are followed by three advanced degrees which can be studied in any order or amount to be determined by the instructor trainee’s personal interest in the advanced aspects of the art of Ba Gua Zhang.

At each level of certification instructor candidates must:

1. Meet all prerequisites

2. Submit a letter to Sifu Frank Allen explaining why they are interested in this certification and how they have met the prerequisites for the level of certification that they wish to train for.

Letters may be mailed to:

Wu-Tang Physical Culture Association, Attn: Sifu Frank Allen, 9 Second Ave., 3rd floor, New York NY 10003

Or email to: baguarat@aol.com

3. Be familiar with the suggested reading list for the certification level that they are applying for.

4.Thoroughly learn the material for that level of certification and demonstrate abilities to both perform and teach the material.

5.Test for their certification. (There will be a $50. testing fee)

Instructor Certification Training will be presented in five day (40 hour) retreats at Healing Tao USA University and weekend workshops and classes at the Wu-Tang Physical Culture Associations of New York City and Frankfurt Germany.

SECTION 1 – BA GUA ZHANG ASSISTANT INSTRUCTOR CERTIFICATION

Prerequisite – One year of Ba Gua Zhang training

Material – Eight Ba Gua Qi Gong Exercises, Eight Energies Circle Walking, Old Eight Palms Set

Suggested Reading – “Yan Dehua’s Ba Gua Applications-A Translation from the Chinese” By: Andrea Falk TGL Books www.thewushucentre.com

“Opening the Energy Gates of Your Body” By: BK Frantzis” North Atlantic Books

“Asian Fighting Arts” By: Robert Smith and Don Draeger {Chinese Martial Arts Section}

Training Time – 40 Hour Minimum

SECTION 2 – BA GUA ZHANG INSTRUCTOR CERTIFICATION

Prerequisites – Two years of Ba Gua Zhang training + Ba Gua Zhang Assistant Instructor Certification

Material – Eight Brocade Qi Gong Set, Palm Changes of Cheng Ba Gua Zhang, Ba Gua Soft Hands (Rou Shou) Exercise

Suggested Reading - “Zhang Style Dragon Shape Ba Gua Zhang” By: Tina C. Zhang, Wu-Tang PCA Publishing

“The Power of the Internal Martial Arts” By: BK Frantzis North Atlantic Books

“The Complete I Ching” By: Alfred Huang Inner Traditions Books

Training Time – 40 Hour Minimum

SECTION 3 – BA GUA ZHANG SENIOR INSTRUCTOR

Prerequisites – Three Years of Ba Gua Zhang Trainin, Ba Gua Zhang Assistant Instructor Certification, Ba Gua Zhang Instructor Certification

Material – Ten Ba Gua Exercises (Tao Ten) Qi Gong Set, Eight Palm Changes of the Combined Ba Gua Zhang Set, Combined Ba Gua Zhang two Person Set

Suggested Reading - “ The Essence of the Internal Martial Arts” (Volumes 1&2) By: Jerry Alan Johnson

“Taoist Mysteries and Magic” By: John Blofeld Shambhala Publications

“The Shambhala Guide to Taoism” By: Eva Wong Shambahala Publications

“The Elements of Taoism” By: Martin Palmer Element Books LTD

“Chinese Boxing: Masters and Methods” By: Robert W. Smith

Training time – 40 Hour Minimum

SECTION 4 BA GUA ZHANG MEDITATION INSTRUCTOR

Prerequisites – Three years of Ba Gua Zhang training, Ba Gua Zhang Assistant Instructor Certification, Ba Gua Zhang Instructor Certification

Material – Eight Palm Changes of Beijing/Yi Jing Ba Gua Zhang, Combined Ba Gua Zhang Meditation Set, Water Method Meditation within Ba Gua Zhang, Ba Gua Zhang as a Moving Yi Jing (I Ching), The Kan and Li of Ba Gua Zhang Internal Alchemy

Suggested Reading – “Any I Ching translation other than The Complete I Ching”. A great new one is “Total I Ching” by Stephen Karcher.

“Tao The Ching” By: Lao Tzu – Translation By John C.H. Wu Shambhala Publications

“Zhuangzi Speaks – The Music of Nature”, Illustrated and Adapted By: Tsai Chih Chung Princeton Paperbacks

“Celtic Taoism” By: Frank Allen Wu-Tang PCA Publishing

“Awaken Healing Energy Through the Tao” By: Mantak Chia

“Relaxing Into Your Being” By: BK Frantzis North Atlantic Books

“The Great Stillness” By: BK Frantzis North Atlantic Books

“Walking Meditation: Pa Kua the Martial Art of the I Ching” By Paul Crompton Element Books LTD

Training time – 80 hour minimum

– 40 Hours: Eight Palm Changes of Beijing\Yi Jing Ba Gua Combined Ba Gua Meditation Set (Water Method Meditation in Ba Gua)

-40 Hours: Ba Gua Zhang as a Moving I Ching: Kan & Li of Ba Gua Alchemy

SECTION 5 BA GUA ZHANG WEAPONS INSTRUCTOR

Prerequisites – Three years of Ba Gua Zhang training, Ba Gua Zhang Assistant Instructor Certification, Ba Gua Zhang Instructor Certification,

Material – Ba Gua Zhang Broadsword Set, Ba Gua Zhang Straight Sword Set, Ba Gua Zhang Deer Horn Knife Set, Ba Gua Zhang Elbow Knife Set,

Suggested Reading – “Classical Pa Kua Chang: Fighting Systems and Weapons” By: Jerry Alan Johnson & Joseph Crandell

“The Art of War” By: Sun Tzu Translated By: Thomas Cleary Shambhala Publications

“The Spring and Autumn of Chinese Martial Arts – 5000 Years” By: Prof. Kang Gewu Plum Publishing

Training time – 120 Hour minimum: 40 Hours: Broadsword Set, 40 Hours: Straight Sword Set, 40 Hours: Deer Horn Knife Set & Elbow Knife Set

LAO SHI FRANK ALLEN’S BIOGRAPHY

Frank Allen has studied and practiced the Internal Energy Arts since 1973. He was an early student of Master B. P. Chan from whom he learned the Internal Martial Arts of Ba Gua Zhang, Hsing I Chuan and Tai Chi Chuan as well as the healing art of Chi Kung. Frank began to study with Master B. K. Frantzis in 1976 and over the next two and a half decades studied Frantzis’ Internal Martial Arts, Nei Gong and Taoist Meditation. He has also studied the Internal Martial Arts with Master Jiang Jian Yee and with Master Zhang Sheng Li. On his current journeys to Beijing Frank studies Cheng style bagua zhang with Grandmaster Liu Jing Ru as well as Classical Northern Wu style taijiquan with Grandmaster Li Bing Ci.

Since 1984 Allen has been the disciple of Western Boxing Master, Verne “The Bulldog” Williams. Frank was the first person ever certified to teach the Beijing Lineage Ba Gua of B.K. Frantzis and has been certified to teach Ba Gua and Tai Chi by Jiang Jian Yee. He is also certified by Master Zhang Sheng Li to teach the Dragon Shape Ba Gua Zhang.

In 1979 Allen founded The Wu Tang Physical Culture Association of New York City which has branches in Southern California, Middletown New York and Frankfurt Germany. Over the years the Wu Tang P.C.A. has produced many tournament champions and a core of competent instructors.

Frank Allen has authored over thirty articles for the major energy arts related periodicals in the U.S.A. as well as a self published philosophical manuscript entitled “Celtic Taoism”. Frank and his partner Tina Zhang have co-authored the North Atlantic Publiciations book, "Classical Northern Wu Style Tai Ji Quan: The Fighting Art of the Mdanurian Guard". He and the Wu Tang P.C.A. video production crew have produced eleven instructional videos covering the subjects of Ba Gua, Tai Chi, Taoist Philosophy & Meditation and The Fighting for Health System.

Allen teaches workshops around the U.S.A. and in Europe as well as his regular classes in New York City. He has been the Internal Martial Arts Instructor of Healing Tao U.S.A. University Summer Retreats since 1999 and in 2005 started a joint Healing Tao U.S.A. – Wu Tang P.C.A. Ba Gua Zhang Instructor Certification Program. Many students from around the globe have attended Lao Shi Allen’s Healing Tao Summer Retreats and from professional martial artists to health care practitioners and students they have all expressed pleasure and benefit as a result of their attendance of these training retreats. Below are the comments of a few of these satisfied students of Frank’s Healing Tao Summer Retreats.

Finding a teacher of Internal Martial Arts is slowly getting easier to do. But finding one who is still passionate and involved in developing their chosen arts is becoming harder. If you get to see Lao Shi Frank Allen at the Healing Tao courses that is what you get, a very motivated and able teacher whose enthusiasm and generosity inspires you to try to get better. I traveled from Germany to see Frank for the first time in 2000 and it was at those two week courses that I noticed Frank’s enthusiasm for the Arts he teaches and his skills as a teacher. He teaches everyone beginner to more advanced in a relaxed, informal, but very informative atmosphere. I was so happy to find him that less than four month later I returned to New York to train with him at his school in Manhattan. Since 2001 Frank Allen has also come to my school as a guest instructor for Ba Gua zhang, Hsing I Chuan and Nei Gung at least once but normally twice a year. If you are looking for a teacher who can teach the health, meditative and martial aspects of the Chinese Internal Martial Arts I can highly recommend participation in one of Lao Shi Allen’s courses.”

Jamie Dibdin

Founder\Director Natural Movement

Natural Motion Internal Arts Studio

Certified Wu Tang PCA Ba Gua Zhang And Hsing I Chuan Instructor

Certified Energy Arts Inc. Tai Chi Chuan And Nei Gung Instructor

2nd degree Black Belt Seti Tanjo

FRANKFURT, GERMANY

“I learned that Frank Allen was teaching week long Internal Arts Retreats through Healing Tao and wanted to attend the 2001 retreat, but could not. For the previous 6 months I had been in a condition that doctors could not diagnose. I was experiencing weight loss and weakness due to unending diarrhea and antibiotics, dietary changes and other medical treatments had no effect. Feeling too weak to participate in a retreat, I decided not to register. My condition continued for another year and I gave up on doctors, gastro-intestinal specialist and treatments. In 2002, I decided to attend Frank’s Wu Tai Chi Retreat, regardless of my situation.

The Wu form that he teaches is from the B.K. Frantzis system and is known for it’s healing benefits as well as martial attributes. During the week of intense instruction, my weakness and diarrhea continued. I was exhausted at the end of each day, but I practiced before and after class. I enjoyed doing the Wu form and I think it may have helped me from deteriorating even more. I tried to practice every day and within 2 days after I returned home, my condition started to improve. Within 2 weeks I felt healthy again. I was practicing only 10 – 15 minutes a day, yet I felt certain that

Frank’s instruction brought me back to wellness. For the next year I was able to work regular hours and duties again. My normal weight returned and I had no more diarrhea or weakness. Not even temporary set backs plagued me. I continued my study with Frank through private lessons at his NYC studio. I received Tai Chi corrections, learned some Chi Gung exercises and started some basic Ba Gua movements. I decided that I was healthy enough to attend Frank’s Ba Gua Retreat in 2003. Ba Gua is decidedly more rigorous than Tai Chi. The Ba Gua Retreat was truly exhilarating for me. After the second day, I started to feel very energized during the daily sessions. This exhilaration stayed with me after practices.

It was a feeling of being ‘strong’. While Wu Tai Chi gave me health, Ba Gua gave me strength. I continued to practice Tai Chi and Ba Gua on a regular basis. In 2004 I attended Frank’s Hsing I Retreat, for me an even more demanding Internal art. I practice all three along with the Chi Gung I learned from Frank. I continue private lessons with him several times a year at his studio in NYC. By the way, I live in Lancaster PA. A one hour session with Frank requires a 4 hour bus ride (there and back), subway rides and transfers and lots of time. A very long day indeed, but well worth it! Thanks Frank!”

Jim Keller

LANCASTER, PA.

“Frank Allen’s Healing Tao Retreats are the highlight of my summer! Sifu Allen possesses the rare ability to break down the complex internal arts into easy to understand lessons. The training is fun and highlighted with narration of the history of the internal arts and the players involved. His courses are beneficial to students of all levels and backgrounds, from beginners to advanced students of martial arts and meditation. The bottom line is we are fortunate to have access to someone with his level of knowledge and teaching skills.”

Kate Majarov

Certified Tai Chi Instructor of 10 years

NYCMAC Internal Female Grand Champion 1998

B.A. East Asian Studies

FREDRICK, MD.

“It was a very enjoyable time to study with Frank. I was very impressed by his ability to teach both beginners and experienced people and everyone got what they needed. All the material was covered from health and meditation to martial applications. Everyone was closely supervised and gently corrected when needed. The morning Qigong training was a wonderful way to wake up and get ready for breakfast. In that intimate atmosphere you could ask any question on the Taoist Arts and know that you would get a sincere answer about the subject. My understanding of Tai Chi, Ba Gua and Hsing Yi increased dramatically during the retreats. This is the ideal way to learn and if you live in a place where good teachers are absent you will surely find them at Healing Tao Retreats! So my 3 weeks last summer were an unforgettable experience.”

Tom Soerevik

1st Dan Kyokushin Karate, former member of the Norwegian National Team

Healer, Cranio-Sacral, Bowen, Energy Psychology, Tibetan Bon Energy

Healing, Qigong Therapist

NORWAY

“Frank introduced me to tai chi and ba gua in 2001. I felt immediately that it was an important discovery, but I didn’t know where it would lead me to and I am still wondering…. Learning and practicing are progressing slowly since I have no instructor nor colleagues here in Belgium. Therefore it is always fun to meet and work together with Frank and Tina at Healing Tao in New York, or in Frankfurt, or Beijing. As Frank says at the end of a retreat I look different.

I also feel inner changes at different levels: a better physical condition, emotionally relaxed, socially strengthened and spiritually aware. This is why I make the effort to continue to study ba gua with Frank and Tina. As I hope to find the facilities to share the arts with people over here, I am happy to hear that Frank is preparing an instructor training next summer. I hope that this summer retreat will attract a lot of people and I look forward to meeting you there. I also hope that my English is as exotic and understandable as my French.”

Lieve Dams

KESSEL – LO, BELGIUM

“As a martial artist I was interested in the health and physical benefits of the internal Chinese martial arts but was skeptical of how much could be gained in a five day course. Also, I knew nothing about Frank Allen. Over the 35 years that I’ve trained in the martial arts I’ve run across many teachers with big egos and attitudes, but not much else to offer. Fortunately I did not let my skepticism prevent me from signing up. From the first session I knew that Frank was the “real deal”. Despite his laid back, easy going manner, he was extremely well organized and structured his teaching so even those without previous martial arts training picked up complex moves in a short time. By the end of the week my 50+ year old body was doing moves I hadn’t been able to do in 10 years. Frank has an extensive knowledge of the theory and history of the arts which were a great balance to the physical training. Despite his dislike for the term, he is truly a master teacher. I have since taken one of Frank’s courses each summer and am looking forward to this year’s offering. I highly recommend any courses taught by Frank Allen. He doesn’t disappoint.”

Douglas Nybell

MA, LPCC, NCC

7th degree black belt, Goshin Jitsu

OHIO

“Studying with Frank Allen is a rare opportunity to learn from a real internal martial artist with many years experience practicing as well as teaching. True internal martial arts can only be taught by someone who understands the many subtle principles and has developed them on their own through years of practice. Sifu Allen is a very methodical teacher who has the ability to explain the details of the internal martial arts in a way that can be clearly understood. His approach has very defined stages that will lead one to a higher level of ability. The full time emersion of studying at the Healing Tao retreats helped me reach new depths in my Hsing I practice. When you study all day for many days it really stays with you.”

Mark Tolstrup

4th Degree Black Belt, Shaolin Kempo Karate

Certified Wu Tang PCA Hsing I Chuan Instructor

Certified Healing Tao Instructor

Certified William C.C. Chen School Tai Chi Instructor

GLEN FALLS, NY.

“Sifu Frank Allen’s Healing Tao Retreats are the perfect summer vacation for the Chinese Internal Arts enthusiast. Sifu Allen possesses an unparalleled knowledge of the theory, history and practice of the arts he teaches. He also has the rare ability to communicate all of these aspects to his students in a clear and often humorous manner. His teaching is geared to the level of the individual student – so whether you are a beginner, intermediate or advanced practitioner you will receive challenging training that will help you hone and advance your art. The Healing Tao Staff, fellow students and amenities of the Jeronimo Center round everything out to make it all a great experience. I have spent four summers with Sifu Allen at Healing Tao and plan on many more to come”

Tom Majarov

Assistant Tai Chi Instructor

Company member Maryland Ensemble Theatre

FREDRICK, MARYLAND