Advanced Yiquan Online Course:
Staff & Sword Weapons Training
In Yiquan, staff and sword work is not about weapons themselves, but about extending the body’s capabilities beyond its physical boundaries.
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 training without the weapons.
There are no set forms—only single, focused movements. Please watch the video below to understand what the course includes and how to choose the right staff and sword for your Yiquan training.
US $99
The course introduction video:
The Yiquan martial arts system consists of seven training steps. Alternatively, it can be understood as three major components: Zhanzhuang, Shili, and Fali.
Zhanzhuang (Chinese term for stand like a tree: 站桩)
Zhanzhuang develops the unified force (whole-body integration) through stillness or minimal movement. Yiquan Park offers 4 Zhanzhuang online courses:
A. Parallel-step stances (Introduced in Basic Zhanzhuang Course)
B. Combat-step stances (Introduced in Advanced Zhanzhuang Course and Special Zhanzhuang Stances)
As the foundation of Yiquan, Zhanzhuang can be solely applied to improving a great range of health issues, especially chronic conditions. (why does Zhanzhuang heal?)
Shili (Chinese term for force-testing: 试力)
Shili refines the unified force through slow, controlled movement. It can be divided into Shili of the Hands and Shili of the Feet. Because footwork is essential in martial arts, Yiquan separates Shili of the Feet into a distinct practice known as Mocabu (Friction Stepping). As a result, the term Shili generally refers to Shili of the Hands for simplicity.
Yiquan Park offers three courses in this section:
Fali (Chinese term for force-releasing: 发力)
Fali trains the unified force through fast or instantaneous movement.
Fali represents the integrated expression of Zhanzhuang, Shili and Friction Stepping. Since its inception, Yiquan has emphasized practical combat. Power—and the ability to apply it effectively—is essential in real fighting. Fali is the method by which explosive power, rooted in natural human instinct, is awakened and refined. Without this level of power, martial study remains incomplete.
Yiquan Park offers Basic Yiquan Fali Course and Yiquan Striking Course (Advanced Fali).
I filmed this course with my disciple, Lyle and my friend John. They did their best to demonstrate each lesson, while I offered corrections and feedback along the way. This should give you more to reference. Enjoy the course!
Course Curriculum
What you will learn in this Advanced Yiquan online course
Yiquan sword training requires a single-edged sword, commonly known as a Dao (刀) or saber.
It’s worth noting that sound testing was briefly introduced in this course.
Lesson 0- Preparations
0.1 How to choose the right staff and sword
0.2 Weapon and Quan (Martial Arts)
Lesson 1
1.1 Rub with the staff
1.2 Rubbing with footwork
Lesson 2
Slide with the staff
Lesson 3
Swing the staff
Lesson 4
Break with the staff
Lesson 5
Look for a snake in the grass- Staff with free footwalk
Lesson 6
6.1 Swing the sword
6.2 Swinging with footwork 1
6.3 Swinging with footwork 2
6.4 Swinging with modifications
Lesson 7
7.1 Stab with the sword
7.2 Stabbing with footwork 1
7.3 Stabbing with footwork 2
Lesson 8
Sword work with Sound-testing
Lesson 9
Sword with free footwalk
Lesson 10
Final- How to spend time on this training
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.
