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Wudang Daoist Traditional
Kungfu Academy
The Two Foundation Forms
Ji Ben Quan, literally "Basic Fist," is the first form traditionally taught in the Wudang San Feng lineage. Despite its name, this form is far from basic in its depth — every movement contains layers of martial application and internal development that the practitioner uncovers over years of practice.
Ji Ben Quan teaches:
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Fundamental stances: Ma Bu (Horse Stance), Gong Bu (Bow Stance), Xu Bu (Empty Stance)
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Basic kicks: front kick, side kick, back kick with correct weight distribution
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Basic strikes: punches, palm strikes, and elbow techniques with proper alignment
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Transitions: how to move smoothly and rootedly between positions
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Body mechanics: how to generate power from the legs through the waist to the hands
Ji Ben Quan (基本拳) — Basic Fist
Xuan Gong Quan Parts 1, 2 & 3 (玄武功)
Xuan Gong Quan — "Mysterious Skill Forms" — is the natural progression after Ji Ben Quan. The three parts of Xuan Gong Quan introduce more complex techniques while simultaneously stretching and strengthening the body.
Xuan Gong Quan teaches:
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Advanced striking: elbow strikes, palm heels, finger strikes, and simultaneous attack-defense
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Grappling fundamentals: joint locks, sweeps, and controlling techniques
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Advanced transitions: smooth, continuous movement linking techniques together
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Flexibility development: movements that simultaneously stretch and strengthen
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Power generation: beginning to develop Fa Jin (explosive power) through correct coordination
Why Foundation Forms Matter
Master Yuan often says: "The form is the teacher." Unlike modern fitness training that separates strength, flexibility, and coordination into different activities, Wudang forms integrate all of these elements into one unified practice. Each repetition of Ji Ben Quan or Xuan Gong Quan simultaneously develops:
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Physical strength and flexibility
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Balance and coordination
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Breath control and Qi circulation
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Mental focus and presence
Students who spend time mastering foundation forms find that learning advanced styles — Taiji, Xing Yi, Bagua, weapons — becomes significantly faster and deeper. The body has learned to move correctly; the mind has developed the focus to observe and refine.
The first forms traditionally learned in the Wudang style are the basic fist forms which are designed to introduce the student to the beginning stages of martial arts. It is with these forms, the practice begins to improve the strength, flexibility, coordination, stamina, power, and the endurance of the student.
The forms jiben quan and xuan gong quan 1-3, are beginning styles that place great emphasis on building a beginning student into a adept martial artist. Traditionally, these forms make up basic movements and patterns that were once combined together in order to make a single practice. This form allows a martial artist to maintain a variety of movement and power by practicing this routine alone. Although, the basic stances, kicks, strikes, grabs, throws, jumps, and transitions all have meaning and application on their own as well and should also be practiced.
Jiben Quan, or Basic Fist, is the first form learned traditionally. Although many students will opt for a specific style that they enjoy or feel an affinity towards, the Basic Fist set is integral to the advanced martial artist.
Xuan Gong Quan (3 forms: Part 1-3) is the next in the line of basic introductory styles. While the Basic Fist form is more to teach the basic stances, basic kicks and direct transitions, the Xuan Gong Quan sets are directed towards various striking, kicking, and more advanced transitions and grappling techniques. Xuan Gong Quan starts to walk the martial artist through the different applications that each stance and strike can perform while simultaneously stretching and strengthening the body.
How Long Does It Take to Learn?
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Ji Ben Quan: Approximately 7–10 days of focused daily practice to learn the sequence; years to refine the form
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Xuan Gong Quan (each part): Approximately 7–10 days per form to learn the sequence
Note: Learning the sequence of a form is just the beginning. True mastery comes from years of daily practice, correction, and internal development.
All forms are included in full training programs at WDTKA.
Watch: Xuan Gong Quan Part 1 — Full Form by Master Yuan
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This video shows the complete Part 1 sequence of Xuan Gong Quan (玄武功, "Mysterious Skill Forms") — the form students at WDTKA learn after completing Ji Ben Quan. Xuan Gong Quan introduces more advanced striking, grappling, and Fa Jin power generation techniques.
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Xuan Gong Quan is taught in 3 parts at WDTKA, with each part taking approximately 7–10 days of focused daily practice to learn the sequence.