Is Authentic Ba Gua Zhang Intermediate Level – Core Patterns and Movements worth it if you’re shopping in Fitness & Health?

Ba Gua Zhang Intermediate Level: the core-patterns course for practitioners who outgrew the basics

You already know the Single Palm Change. You’ve walked the circle, felt the silk-reeling pull in your shoulders, and maybe even taught a friend the first two palm changes. But then you hit the wall that every serious internal-arts student hits: the gap between “I can do the form” and “I understand the method.” Tom Bisio’s Authentic Ba Gua Zhang Intermediate Level is built for exactly that transition. It’s not a beginner’s intro to walking the circle; it’s the deep-dive into the core patterns, techniques, and strategies that make Ba Gua Zhang a complete martial art and a self-cultivation practice. At $620, it’s a serious investment, but it ships with over 500 pages of written instruction, 120+ videos, and a 170-page curriculum guide that gives you the structure to study without a teacher in the room.

If you’re practicing Ba Gua and feel like you’re circling the same three moves without progressing, this is the level where the real education begins. (Authentic Ba Gua Zhang Intermediate Level)

Quick answer

What you’re actually buying

Most martial arts courses sell you a form. This one sells you the system behind the form. The Intermediate Ba Gua Zhang program is organized around what Bisio calls the “heart” of the art: the core patterns and movements from which every other technique branches. That means you’re not just learning to execute a sequence. You’re learning the Eight Palm Changes and the unique strategy, footwork, and body mechanics embedded in each one. You’re learning the Eight Hands as practical linear expressions of those changes, which then become the foundation for the 64 Linear Forms. You’re learning the Eight Trigram Single Palm Changes, where each method corresponds to a specific Yi Jing Trigram energy configuration.

The volume is substantial, and it’s structured to be usable. You get a 30-page welcome letter that walks you through how to approach the material, a newly revised 170-page curriculum guide that organizes the study path, and over 500 pages of written instruction that pairs theory with practice. The 120+ videos detail every aspect of training, so you’re not left guessing at a movement’s intent. Three MP3s guide you through essential Nei Gong practices, which is a thoughtful inclusion for anyone who wants to build the internal foundation that makes the external forms work. (Authentic Ba Gua Zhang Intermediate Level)

There’s also a bonus video from Master Gao Ji Wu discussing and demonstrating Ba Gua training and Criss-Cross Hands. That’s not a filler extra; it’s a direct window into a lineage-level perspective on the art, which adds a layer of context that most self-study programs simply don’t offer. (Authentic Ba Gua Zhang Intermediate Level)

The full curriculum and video library is the real value here. You’re not buying a PDF and a few clips. You’re buying a complete intermediate curriculum with the depth to sustain years of practice.

Why it’s on our radar

The internal-arts market is full of beginner courses and generic “martial arts for fitness” packages. Very few offer a structured, in-depth intermediate level for a specific art with this level of completeness. The Authentic Ba Gua Zhang Intermediate Level stands out because it doesn’t just teach you the forms—it teaches you the why behind each change, the strategic logic of the Eight Palms, and the internal mechanics (Tian Gan Heavenly Stem Exercises for torsional winding power, silk reeling energy) that make the art work.

The combination of written theory, video demonstration, audio-guided Nei Gong, and a dedicated curriculum guide is a rare package for self-study. Most online martial arts courses lean heavily on video and skip the written framework. Bisio’s approach balances both, which is exactly what you need when you’re trying to internalize a method rather than just mimic a movement. The inclusion of partner exercises (Eight Lao Ba Zhang) also signals that this isn’t just a solo-form course—it’s preparing you for the interactive, applied side of the art. (Authentic Ba Gua Zhang Intermediate Level)

What actually matters

Before you commit $620, here’s what to verify on the product page:

• You’ve completed the Foundational Level. This is explicitly a continuation. If you haven’t built the basic Single Palm Change and circle-walking foundation, you’ll be fighting the material rather than building on it. (Authentic Ba Gua Zhang Intermediate Level)
• You’re ready for the volume. 500+ pages of written instruction and 120+ videos is a multi-year study path, not a weekend project. Make sure you have the time and intention to work through the curriculum guide systematically. (Authentic Ba Gua Zhang Intermediate Level)
• You value theory alongside practice. The course leans into Yi Jing Trigram correspondences, strategic analysis of each palm change, and Nei Gong principles. If you only want to learn physical forms without the conceptual framework, this may feel like more than you need. (Authentic Ba Gua Zhang Intermediate Level)
• You want a teacher’s structure without a teacher in the room. The curriculum guide and welcome letter are designed to give you the scaffolding of a private-study relationship. If you’re the type who needs live feedback to progress, consider whether this self-study format will satisfy that need. (Authentic Ba Gua Zhang Intermediate Level)

Mid-check

If the core-patterns depth and the written-plus-video structure match what you’re looking for, the Intermediate Ba Gua Zhang program is a serious, well-organized resource for the next phase of your practice.

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FAQ

Is this course suitable for complete beginners to Ba Gua Zhang?

No. The Intermediate Level is designed as a natural continuation of the Foundational Level. If you haven’t already practiced the basic Single Palm Change and circle-walking, start with the foundational program first.

What’s the difference between the Eight Palm Changes and the Eight Hands?

The Eight Palm Changes are the core circular strategies, each with unique footwork, body actions, and applications. The Eight Hands are single linear movements that express those same changes in a practical, direct way. Together, they form the foundation for the 64 Linear Forms. The written instruction breaks down the relationship between the two in detail.

Do I need a training partner for this course?

Not for the core curriculum, but the course includes Eight Lao Ba Zhang partner exercises. If you have a training partner or a small group, those sections add a valuable applied dimension. If you’re training solo, the rest of the material is fully self-contained. (Authentic Ba Gua Zhang Intermediate Level)

How is the Nei Gong component integrated?

Three MP3s guide you through essential Nei Gong practices that build the internal foundation for the external forms. They’re designed to be used alongside the written instruction and video demonstrations, not as a separate track. The Nei Gong audio guides are a key part of the “method” aspect of the course.

Bottom line

If you’re a Ba Gua practitioner who’s outgrown the basics and wants a structured, in-depth path into the core patterns, strategies, and internal mechanics of the art, the Authentic Ba Gua Zhang Intermediate Level is one of the most complete self-study resources available. The $620 price reflects the volume and depth: 500+ pages, 120+ videos, a 170-page curriculum guide, Nei Gong audio, and a bonus Master Gao Ji Wu video. It’s not a quick fix. It’s a multi-year study path with the scaffolding to keep you moving forward without a teacher in the room. If that’s the kind of commitment you’re ready to make, this is the level where the real education begins.

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