Combat
Eight Gates (Ba Fa)八法
The eight core techniques: Peng/Lu/Ji/An/Cai/Lie/Zhou/Kao.
Videos: 4Glossary: 2Articles: 19
Videos (4)
Glossary
Ba Fa
Ba Fa (八法) are the eight foundational methods of tai chi chuan—Peng, Lu, Ji, An, Cai, Lie, Zhou, Kao—representing the complete set of energetic expressions from which all tai chi techniques derive.
Zhou
Zhou (肘) is the seventh of the Eight Gates (Ba Fa) of Tai Chi — the Elbow energy. A close-range technique using the elbow joint for striking and deflecting.
Articles (19)
Ba Duan Jin 2026 Group Standard Just Released: What I Learned After 3 Months of Practice
The Last Gatekeeper: Chen Boxiang and the Hidden Lineage of Small Frame Taijiquan
Sink Shoulders, Drop Elbows: The REAL Meaning in Tai Chi (And How to Do It)
Chen Style Tai Chi 56 Form: Complete Guide to Movements, History & Practice
How to Relax in Tai Chi: Unlock the Power of "Song" (Without Going Limp)
Lao Jia vs. Xin Jia (Old Frame vs. New Frame) – What Your Body Actually Feels
Large Frame vs Small Frame Tai Chi: 25 Yrs Expert’s Guide
Leading & Striking Hands in Tai Chi: Combat Theory Meets Biomechanics
Mian Quan (Cotton Fist): China's Soft Martial Art - Heritage & Techniques
Southern Fist, Northern Leg (Nan Quan Bei Tui): The Ultimate Guide to China's Kung Fu Divide
The Two Shaolins: The Untold Story of North vs. South Kung Fu
Tai Chi's 8 Gates: Decoding Peng, Lu, Ji, An for Balance & Internal Power
The 8 Techniques of Tai Chi: Discover Peng, Lu, Ji, An and Unlock Internal Power
Tai Chi for Beginners: Where to Start, What to Practice First, and Your First Week
Unlocking Internal Power (Jin)： The Science of Tai Chi for Strength & Stress Relief (21-Day Challenge)
The Duality of Tai Chi: Mastering “Song” and “Jin” to Avoid Double-Heaviness
What Gets Lost When Tai Chi Goes Global — And Where It Still Lives
Why Tai Chi Uses Circular Motion: The Deep Martial, Philosophical & Health Reasons
Wuji Hand: The Secret Pre-Kung Fu Key to Real Tai Chi (Taijiquan)
Knowledge Connections
Learn more about Eight Gates (Ba Fa) in the Tai Chi glossary.
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