Liuhebafa

Liuhebafa quan is an internal Chinese martial art. It has been called "xinyi liuhebafa" (心意六合八法拳) and is also referred to as "water boxing" due to its principles.

History
The Song Dynasty Taoist sage Chen Tuan is often credited with its origin and development. He was associated with the Taoist Monastery on Mount Hua in Shaanxi Province.

The liuhebafa form zhu ji was taught in the late 1930s in Shanghai and Nanjing by Wu Yihui (1887–1958). It is said he had learned the art from three teachers: Yan Guoxing, Chen Guangdi (who learned the art from a monk, Da Yuan and a Taoist, Li Chan), and Chen Helu.

Many of Wu Yihui's students had martial arts backgrounds and modified the form to merge it with their own knowledge. This is one of several explanations for its similarities with other martial arts such as xingyiquan, baguazhang, tai chi and yiquan.

Six Harmonies and Eight Methods
The Six Harmonies (六合) and the Eight Methods (八法) are the guiding principles of liuhebafa that give it its name.

Six Harmonies

 * 1) Body and Mind Combine
 * 2) Mind and Intent Combine
 * 3) Intent and Qi Combine
 * 4) Qi and Spirit Combine
 * 5) Spirit and Movement Combine
 * 6) Movement and Emptiness Combine

Eight Methods
There are other translations and links possible
 * 1) Qi
 * 2) Bone
 * 3) Shape
 * 4) Follow
 * 5) Rise
 * 6) Return
 * 7) Retain
 * 8) Conceal

Forms
The system of liuhebafa, called huayue xiyimen, as taught by Wu Yihui contains several forms, including bare hand and weapons forms as well as qigong methods.

Hand forms

 * 三盤十二勢 Sān Pán Shí Èr Shì – 3 Divisions, 12 Spirits (1. Dragon, 2. Phoenix, 3. Tiger, 4. Crane, 5. Leopard, 6. Ape, 7. Bear, 8. Goose, 9. Snake, 10. Hawk, 11. Roc, 12. Kylin)
 * 築基       Zhú Jī – Discovering the Foundations
 * 呂紅八勢   Lǚ Hóng Bā Shì – 8 Essences of Lu Hong's Fist
 * 龍虎戰     Lóng Hǔ Zhàn – Dragon and Tiger Fighting
 * 螫龍遊     Zhē Lóng Yóu – Coiled Dragon Swimming
 * 螫龍拳     Zhē Lóng Quán – Coiled Dragon Fist

Weapon forms

 * 心意棍    Xīn Yì Gùn – Heart of Intent Staff
 * 露花刀    Lù Huā Dāo – Dew Mist Broadsword
 * 玉川劍    Yù Chuān Jiàn – Jade River Straight Sword

Internal exercises

 * 韋佗功    Wéi Tuó Gōng – Standing meditation
 * 太陽功    Tài Yáng Gōng – Solar Meditation
 * 一杰混元功 Yī Jié Hún Yuán Gōng – Primary Definitive Force
 * 先天座 Xiān Tiān Zuò – Pre-Heaven Meditation
 * 三盤推手  Sān Pán Tuī Shǒu – 3 Divisions Push Hands