From heaven to earth, the vertical force descending is named “Pi” (chopping).
From earth to heaven, resisting gravity and surging upwards, the ancient term “Gua” (deflecting) was established.
The term Pigua encompasses both heaven and earth.
In our everyday speech, we often combine two related aspects of the body into one concept, making it a norm. Over time, this habit can cause us to forget the original meanings, such as in breathing (呼吸 inhale and exhale), acupuncture (針灸 needle practice and heated herb) and Chinese massage (推拿 to push and to pull), or even in martial arts terms like “Xingyi 形意" (Form and Intention), where both form and intention are equally essential.
Pigua Zhang, with Pi 劈 (chopping) and Gua 掛 (deflecting), merges these two actions into one seamless practice.
In truth, every martial art seeks to balance form and intention. Every movement utilizes the concepts of Pi and Gua. Good martial arts unify （六合）the body, and every punch embodies the principles of Taiji 太極.
Pigua Zhang emphasizes the body's opening and closing movements. Starting with large chopping and embracing actions, it forces us to awaken our long-dormant bodies. The spine rolls, the shoulders and back stretch, the lungs compress, expelling stale air, taking deep breaths, allowing for self-reflection, and rejuvenation.
Growing children naturally possess a much healthier and more vibrant body than adults. Watching them play and run, they often break into bursts of energy, only stopping when they are breathless. Their lungs are fully engaged, unrestricted. Yet, as we grow older, we tend to forget that one source of our body's energy is continuous breathing. We become lazy, limiting our lung capacity, and over time, we even hesitate to take deep breaths.
“Training martial arts starts with training the lungs” – a fundamental principle in martial arts. The logic is simple and straightforward: without basic lung capacity, you wouldn’t even have the stamina to run after losing a fight, making all your training in vain. The heart and lungs are connected, and with modern technology, you can monitor your heart rate through a wristwatch, but the other half relies on your self-awareness of breathing. Success in HIIT for fat loss depends on willpower, driven by proper breathing.
Pi Quan trains the lungs.
The beauty of Pigua Zhang lies in its direct approach: using “Pi” to open the lungs, “Bao” (embracing) to open the back, “Cheng” (Exerting) to store energy, and “Kao” (leaning) to compress and strike.
Looking around, we see that many of us have betrayed our own bodies, enslaved by phones and computers. Practicing Pigua is always beneficial—big chops and big hangs, breaking down the old and establishing the new; what has been lost through our hands can be regained between heaven and earth.
“In a world that often feels tattered and frayed, there are always those who quietly stitch it back together.”
Martial arts possess a unique allure that draws people from distant lands. Sometimes, they come in pursuit of childhood dreams, sometimes seeking perfection, and at other times, they arrive quietly, practicing in silence.
Corey Rogers, who hails from the United States, is a hidden gem among my martial arts brothers in Taipei. He has spent eight years in Taiwan, and eight years practicing under the same teacher. Before coming to Taiwan, he began his martial arts journey back home in Texas, where his teacher, an inheritor of the tradition, had once studied under the same master.
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Curious, I asked, “Why Pigua Zhang?”
Corey answered simply, “Because Pigua can make people better.”
