Gao Style BaguaZhang

Association

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SIFU YU KAI CHANG

 

 

Master/SiFu Chang, Yu-Kai, born in 1977 in Taiwan, Kaohsiung, is the 6th generation disciple of Gao Style of Cheng School of Ba-Gua Zhang (Bagua), and 5th generation disciple of Yang Family Tai -Chi Quan (Taiji). As a youth, SiFu Chang developed an interest in Chinese Martial Arts (Kung Fu) through his father, who instructed him in grappling techniques at a very young age.

 

With an early immersion in the culture of martial arts and a passion for learning, SiFu Chang decided in 1995 to take the entrance exam for admission to the Department of Chinese Martial Arts, at the Chinese Cultural University of Taiwan. After much hard work, SiFu Chang successfully completed the exam, ranking first in his class.

 

During the second semester of his freshman year, SiFu Chang represented his school in a national inter-university competition, where he had the opportunity to meet grandmaster Chang, Shi-Po, the team coach at the time. This meeting inspired SiFu Chang to begin a new path on his journey, delving into the secrets of the Chinese internal and external martial arts. Because the realm of Chinese martial arts is so vast and diverse, SiFu Chang decided under the advisement of grandmaster Chang and his university, to focus his studies on Bagua, Xingi, Taiji, Tongbei, and the Northern Shaolin Fist and Weaponary forms. Meanwhile, SiFu Chang also participated in national competitions and won several titles in the Collegiate Division, placing first and second in the events of internal martial arts and Tai Chi push hands. Moreover, in the 1999 International “Traditional Wushu & Modern Styles” Tournament, he had also represented the country and won two “Awards of Great Brilliance” in Xingi, and Bagua Broadsword Forms, respectively.

 

In 2001, SiFu Chang completed his graduate studies and obtained a masters degree in Sport and Exercise Science with a concentration in Sport and Exercise Psychology. Concurrently, apart from collegiate academic publications, SiFu Chang had also begun publishing articles on the subject of Chinese martial arts for Taiwan Wu-Lin magazine, Taiwan’s most authoritative martial arts journal. Two years later, in order to integrate and establish the famous grandmaster Sun Shao-Tang’s system of Northern Shaolin, Zha Quan, and Sun Bin Quan, SiFu Chang collaborated with grandmaster Shi-Po, Chang and authored “Grand Master Sun Shao-Tang Style Martial Arts Compendium”, which has unveiled grandmaster Sun’s martial system to the world.

 

Under the direction of grandmaster Chang, Shi-Po, SiFu Chang continued to excel in his martial arts education, meanwhile learning the philosophy of passing down these traditions generation by generation. Once his teacher’s were satisfied that SiFu Chang had understood these martial arts in all aspects, after several years of practice, he had become the first disciple of grandmaster Chang, Shi-Po (other disciples include Nien, Yu-hsiang, Liu, Jun-Wei, and Tang, Wei-Fu). In order to pursuit the orthodox Yang Family Tai-Chi, SiFu Chang was studied Taiji under grandmaster Yang Pei, Xiu-Rong, 4th generation family member of Yang Family Taiji, and had become the first disciple of grandmaster Pei. In addition, in his studies, SiFu Chang was taught grandmaster Pan, Yueh’s Pre-Brith Power; grandmaster Ho, Shan-Fa’s Three Step Long Staff Form; and master Ting, Ching-Sun’s Yang Style (Family) Tai-Chi. 

 

In 2004, in order to further his studies, SiFu Chang left Taiwan for the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, USA, to earn his PhD. in Sport and Exercise Psychology focusing on the relationship between exercise, physical health, and mental health. In the following year, for the purpose of integrating, passing down, and promoting traditional Chinese martial arts and enhancing wellness and health by Chinese martial arts approach, SiFu Chang established Classical Chinese Kung Fu Association and was appointed as the chief instructor for Gao Style of Cheng School Bagua, Yang Family Taiji, Hebei Xingi, Qi Family Tongbei, Northern Shaolin, and Three Step Long Staff Form.

 

Sifu Chang currently resides in Taiwan with his wife and three children.   He is an a Associate Professor, Graduate Institute of  Athletics and Coaching Science, National Taiwan Sport University.  Sifu Chang frequently travels to the US to lecture on sports psychology topics, and teach martial arts seminars.  

 

 

 

Shifu Barker- Raleigh, NC

 

Master/Shifu Colin Barker was born in 1982 in Rochester, NY, he started his martial arts training at 9 beginning with Go Gyu Ru Karate.  Training at the Go Gyu Ru school consisted of traditional Kata (forms), conditioning, and self-defense aspects from Japanese martial arts.  High School years were spent playing Lacrosse, running, and BMX. 

 

In 2000 Shifu Barker was introduced to Chinese martial arts, in Winston Salem NC, studying under Sifu Derek Prout.  Sifu Prout had just created a Chinese martial arts college, an intensive study program for those interested in the martial arts, with a focus on teaching and perpetuating the arts.  This school taught everything from traditional animal forms like tiger, dragon, crane, leopard, and snake, to various weapons, and more obscure material like Diamond fists sets (natural fist), iron palm training, and 5 element theory.   Shifu Barker focused on Ba Bu Tong Long (8 step praying mantis), chi gung/iron palm, and was first introduced to bagua zhang.  The school combined various aspects of Chinese martial arts, with martial arts history, traditional Chinese medicine, and Chinese culture.  Assisting in various seminars both on and offsite, Sifu Barker was able to continue learning through teaching classes at the YMCA and privately.

 

Shifu Barker met Dr. Sifu Yu Kai Chang in early 2006, while Sifu Chang was teaching Yang style Tai Chi Chuan, in Greensboro, NC.   Sifu Chang was asked to start teaching Gao style bagua zhang to the public, this began some of the most informative and intense training Sifu Barker had received.  Yang style tai chi, and Gao style of Cheng school bagua zhang were the main focus.  Qi family Tong Bei Chuan, Chi na, Sun Bin Chuan, and Lu Hu Ba Fa spear(6 harmonies 8 combinations) were a part of Sifu Chang’s many teachings, seemingly endless martial arts knowledge, and uncanny power. 

 

With permission from Sifu Chang, Shifu Barker and Shifu Mathew Cohn opened the Village Kung Fu Martial arts association (an off shoot of the Bagua Taiji wellness and martial arts association, started by Sifu Chang) and began teaching and sharing these amazing art forms.  Shifu Barker has been married to his wife Linh for 6 years, and has recently moved to Raleigh/Cary area, currently a paramedic in Wake county in the town of Apex NC.   Sifu Barker is very much looking forward for his 4 year old son to begin his martial arts training.  

 

 

Shifu David Cheng- Brisbane, Australia

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shifu Matthew Staley-Greensboro, NC