Ep 26: Rikard Elofsson and Miika Wikberg: A deep dive into Nordic Bajiquan The Tai Chi Notebook

Bājíquán (八極拳) or shorter just Baji, is commonly known as “the martial art of bodyguards”. It emphasises the use of attacks that close down the distance as well as explosive close combat techniques such as combinations of elbow, knee and takedown techniques.

Both Rikard Elofsson and Miika Wikberg are senior Baji students of Lü Baochun, based in Finland who has over 40 years’ experience in the training and practice of baji. He has trained under many of the famous martial artists who used the style, such as Han Longquan and Zhang Xuchun.



Timestamps:



0.40: - Rikard - Introduce yourself/how did you meet your teacher Master Lü Baochun?



3.15: - Miika - Introduce yourself/how did you meet your teacher Master Lü Baochun?



7.15: What makes Baji different to other martial arts?



8.30: Old Baji and new Baji



9.20: Trademark techniques of Baji



10.15: How is Baji power different? Training methods and the 3 stepping methods.



12.40: The forms and sets in the Baji system



19.20: The history of Baji



25.15: The mixing of Baji and Pigua



26.09: Baji and body guarding



29.41: Is Baji hard to practice?



31.29: Baji and stamping/stomping



34.34: Baji and Tai Chi being taught together



36.25: How to train with Master Lü Baochun



38.00: Do you spar?



40.15: Can you add Baji to an existing skill set?



41.05 Is there a Baji Qigong?



42.18 Are there Baji conditioning exercises?



43.54 Iron Body and Baji



44.35 How do you integrate Baji with other arts?



47.24: Baji standing exercises



51.00: Wrap up and the Muhammad Ali influence



Links:



The Baji Association (English):

https://www.baji.info/en/



Bajiquan Wasa

https://www.facebook.com/bajiquanwasa/

https://www.instagram.com/bajiwasa/



Baji Kung Fu Stockholm:

https://www.facebook.com/kungfusthlm/



Video:

https://www.youtube.com/@Jumfer

https://www.youtube.com/@bajiwasa8400