Ba Gua Zhang Module 4
Lao Ba Zhang: The Eight Old Palms
advanced training
20-hour Training
January 16 - February 13, 2027
Live ONLINE - Saturdays 1:30 – 5:30pm EST
Are you ready to continue your immersion in a circle walking form that utilizes the changing of direction and footwork to create wrapping and unwrapping, spirals within spirals, and profound opening and closing of all the acupuncture channels of the body?
Qigong, meaning “energy work,” is an ancient movement system from China rooted in traditional medicine, martial arts, Taoist and Buddhist practices, and Chinese philosophy. Developed over generations, it supports both physical and mental well-being by integrating posture, breath, and focused intention into simple, flowing exercises. These foundational principles are easy to learn and can be applied to daily life, gradually building strength, balance, and flexibility.
Ba Gua Zhang is one of the three major internal martial arts of China. Nei Jia, or internal arts, are martial arts that are based on the principles of qigong. Ba Gua Zhang takes its philosophy from the I Ching, or book of changes, and combines fixed and moving postures while walking a circle, mimicking the movement of celestial bodies, and change in the universe. It is a profound, internal practice that combines Taoist circle walking meditation and qigong to calm the nervous system, strengthen and limber the body, and radically enhance movement in all walks of life. Similar to its sister art, Tai Ji Quan, it provides a comprehensive moving meditation system, while conveying myriad health benefits.
In this Lao Ba Zhang training, you will learn the last five palm changes of the form. Played on their own, the palm changes are a profound form for health and movement, cultivating terrific balance, structure, and agility while boosting qi and health.
This course has been created for those who have already trained the first three palm changes of Lao Ba Zhang, as the first three palm changes create the fundamentals for every other palm change and form in Ba Gua Zhang.
Recommended Text: Classical Ba Gua Zhang: The Old Eight Palms of Master Wang Shi Tong by Tom Bisio
A TOP 3 ONLINE Yoga SCHOOL
TRAINING AT A GLANCE
Five 4-hour core training classes
(live and video replays)
Saturdays, 1:30 – 5:30pm EST
Ten weeks of 1 Qigong classes (live)
Thursdays, 8 - 8:45am EST
Ten weeks of access to Bryan’s Office Hours
Tuesdays, 10:00 EST
WHAT YOU’LL Receive
o A continuation of your study of Lao Ba Zhang: The Eight Old Palms presented in an accessible and safe way
o Trauma Informed approach and guru-free learning environment where you are supported by teachers actively engaged in these practices
o Indefinite access to online course materials
o Access to a global community of others interested in bringing qigong and other healing modalities into our communities and the world
WHAT YOU’LL LEARN
The Fixed Postures of Circle Walking Neigong:
☀ Body Splitting Palm
☀Opportunity Seizing Palm
☀Step Following Palm
☀Yielding Body Palm
☀Flat Piercing Palm
Yoga Farm Ithaca is a nonprofit charitable, 501c3 organization. Being a nonprofit enables us to stay committed to a vision of a healthier world as we believe that yoga & wellness should be a right rather than a privilege.
We have guided thousands of students all around the world through our 200, 300 & 500 hour immersions, & have over 700 5-star reviews from graduates on the Yoga Alliance
Now, the next step in the evolution of the teaching and practice of Kundalini Yoga is here.
Are you ready?
About Our School
Training at a Glance Live ONLINE
Saturdays January 16, 23, 30 and February 6, 13) from 1:30 – 5:30pm EST
Ten weeks of access to Bryan’s Office Hours
Written and other resources shared via our Mighty Networks platform
Recommended text: Ba Gua Circle Walking Nei Gong: The Meridian Opening Palms of Ba Gua Zhang by Tom Bisio
Register now
Training at a Glance
Live ONLINE
Saturdays (January 16, 23, 30 and February 6, 13) from 1:30 – 5:30pm EST
Ten weeks of access to Bryan’s Office Hours
Written and other resources shared via our Mighty Networks platform
Recommended text: Ba Gua Circle Walking Nei Gong: The Meridian Opening Palms of Ba Gua Zhang by Tom Bisio
After enrolling in this course, you’ll receive an email from ‘support@yogafarm.us’ with the course access details.
About Your Instructor: Bryan Isacks
As instructors, we have a combined depth of experience that is rare, and our love for our mission, for each other and for our students creates change on both an inner and outer level that is unique.
Bryan isacks
Bryan has been the Lead Educator of the Yoga Farm Qigong program since summer 2023. He has guided hundreds of Yoga Farm students through Level 1 Qigong Teacher Training, expanded the program to include Level 2: Advanced Qigong Patterns Teacher Training in January 2025, and most recently added courses in Ba Gua Zhang to our Qigong training program.
Bryan is a certified Foundational instructor in Liang Zhen Pu Ba Gua Zhang, training under the expertise and guidance of his teacher Tom Bisio. When students begin training Ba Gua Zhang under Bryan, they are formally entering a lineage that traces directly back to the founder of the art.
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Isacks has taught medical qigong in the area since 2004, where he developed a qigong curriculum for people in recovery at Cayuga Addiction recovery services. He is certified to teach Bagua Zhang through Internal Arts International.
He has contiually run a high volume acupuncture practice in Trumansburg, NY, specializing in sports medicine and pain management, since 2007. Bryan served on the faculty of the Finger Lakes School of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine from 2007-2020, where he taught Tui Na (Chinese medical massage) and Qigong.
He has hosted dozens of students and interns who came to learn acupuncture and body work in his clinic and has assisted some of the finest practitioners of East Asian healing arts in the world in teaching Chinese medical massage, qigong, and tui na in Europe, Canada, and the United States.