My Yiquan Journey
by Gregor Olaj
My name is Gregor Olaj, born on 22.08.1980 in Kranj, Slovenia.
I started to learn martial arts when I was 6 years old. I practiced Shotokan Karate (I achieved 5th Dan), Judo and Jiu-Jitsu for almost 35 years. I practiced Taekwondo for 19 years and achieved 2nd Dan.
I competed and won many competitions in Boxing, Kickboxing. I also became State and European champion in Taekwondo. After high school I started to learn arts like Qi Gong and Tai Chi. I studied five family styles: Yang (3rd Duan), Sun (3rd Duan), Wu (4th Duan), Hao (3rd Duan), Chen (1st Duan). I also studied several different types of Karate: Goju Ryu (5th Dan), Uechi Ryu (1st Dan), Kyokushin (1st Dan) and Isshin Ryu (8th Dan). I also studied Wing Chun, Jeet Kune Do, Xingyiquan, and Taikiken.
In the year of 2000, I was introduced to Yiquan. I had been studying all possible books on Yiquan and practicing by myself by the year of 2022 when I found Sifu Song`s Yiquan Park school. What I was watching from Yiquan Park was possibly the best performance and demonstration of the Yiquan art available anywhere. I instantly thought to myself, it would be a great honor to become your formal disciple.
I have 39 years of martial-art experiences, and I have tested very possibility in the boxing ring, in my work as security guard and during my service in the army, I can clearly state that out of all martial arts, Yiquan is the most effective style to use in a real fight situation.
After studying with you for three years, I am politely asking if I can join your lineage?
All I wanted is to learn the highest form that China has ever produced in order to elevate my consciousness and knowledge. I will try to teach Yiquan and let more people benefit from our art.
Greg's master-disciple ceremony
Yiquan Park Popular Courses
Zhanzhuang is the foundation of Yiquan, and the two should not be viewed as separate practices. They are listed under different sections on this course page simply to make them easier to find for people who are not yet familiar with Yiquan.
Course Level: Beginner
This systematic, self-guided Zhanzhuang course helps beginners learn step by step through a structured 150-day program. It includes 15 instructional lessons, more than 130 guided practice videos, and English and Spanish subtitles.
Course Level: Intermediate
The highly advanced stances introduced in this course are designed for experienced Zhanzhuang practitioners.
The Tiger Stance, Dragon Stance, and One-Legged Stance are collectively known as the Special Stances. These demanding postures develop leg strength, balance, whole-body coordination, rootedness, and a deeper integration of mind and body.
Course Level: Advanced
The Tiger Stance, Dragon Stance, and One-Legged Stance are known as special stances—demanding postures that cultivate internal power, balance, and rootedness.
They require a profound grasp of body mechanics, relaxation, and the harmonious integration of mind and body.
Practicing these stances can elevate leg strength, whole-body balance, and coordination to extraordinary levels.
Course Level: Beginner
This course is designed for older adults, people who are physically weak, and those living with disabilities or limited mobility.
This course may also be suitable for people recovering from an injury or major surgery, as well as those experiencing reduced strength or mobility after illness or an extended period of inactivity.
Course Level: Beginner
As an interesting exercise that can be applied to health development, Shili (force testing) prepares basic movements for self-defense skills from Yiquan martial art system. This online course introduces 10 kinds of Shili training on the Parallel Step.
It’s a crucial step in Yiquan, bridging the static posture practice of Zhanzhuang to more dynamic applications.
Course Level: Beginner
This training introduces the fundamental & essential footwork of traditional Chinese martial arts—skills that can be seamlessly applied in real combat situations.
Friction Stepping can be practiced as an effective leg-strengthening exercise, building powerful legs while improving balance and footstep alignment.
Course Level: Intermediate
This course completes the first three steps of Yiquan. You will learn how to blend Combat Shili with Friction Stepping. This powerful integration will unlock whole-body coordination and bring your practice to a new level.
Course Level: Intermediate
Fali is the fourth step of the Yiquan system and focuses on generating power for real combat. After achieving a high level of whole-body integration through Zhanzhuang, Shili, and Friction Stepping, training shifts toward releasing that unified force in a split second.
Course Level: Advanced
In Yiquan, Fali is trained as the expression of explosive power for practical combat. In this course, the basic Fali movements are developed into functional striking methods. You will systematically study punches, kicks, palm strikes, as well as knee, elbow, and head strikes. These striking methods are practical combat techniques built upon the foundation of whole-body power.
Course Level: Advanced
Whole-body integration lies at the core of Yiquan training. Staff and sword practice brings together Zhanzhuang, Shili, footwork (Friction Stepping), Fali, and sound testing. Through this process, the body and the weapon become unified, allowing practitioners to refine and enhance whole-body power—even when without the weapons.
About the Instructor
I am Song GAO, Yiquan inheritor & instructor, Zhanzhuang expert in health & wellness.
I was born in 1987 and grew up in a village in China. I began professional Yiquan and Zhanzhuang training with Master Zhang Yongmou, a fourth-generation Yiquan inheritor, in 2016.
After four years of training at Master Zhang’s Yiquan school, including three years as an assistant instructor, I became qualified to teach. I began teaching online in early 2020.
I traveled to the United States to teach Zhanzhuang and Yiquan in both 2024 and 2025.
I accepted my first two disciples in 2024: Hosh from Bisbee, Arizona, and Lyle from New York City. In 2026, Gregor from Slovenia became my third disciple.
In 2026, I largely achieved my goal of becoming a full-time Yiquan teacher.
