Centered in Orange County and Los Angeles, the Hsing Chen Association was founded in 1976 by Master John Bracy. Although there are now branches in diverse locations such as Itally, South Korea and the South Pacific, Southern California remains home to Hsing Chen internal martial arts. Our training includes three main areas of focus: Practical application in close combat, yogic healing arts and internal energy training based on the Tao Yin/ Chinese Taoist tradition.

1. Real application in Close Combat Centered on the internal martial arts of Ba Gua Zhang (baguazhang/ Pa Kua Chang), Hsing I (xingyiquan),Tai Chi Chuan (taijiquan), and the practical close combat art developed by Master John Bracy called Hsing Chen, the principle goal of the Chi Arts Association is to research, preserve and help the serious student and teacher of the art understand and attain a high level of ability. This is a critical issue since the essence of the internal martial arts is in danger for numerous reasons - chief among these being Teacher Qualification.

It takes many years of full time work and investigation to understand the subtlety that makes the internal martial art work in real combat. However, due to incomplete training, there are physical principles and mental blocks that prevent most internal martial artists from effectively using their skill. This problem is most perplexing for the sincere student of the arts. How can a potential student know if a Chinese teacher claiming twenty years of study in reality has lessthan one of Form memorization? Or, if an instructor claims to be expert in a subject that he has barely taken one or two classes in?

To preserve these arts in the modern day of YOUTUBE and the in-your-face reality of mixed martial arts (MMA), it is critical that the serious student have a way to think for themselves and be able to differentiate between the real and the dilettante.

On this site you will find links to a number of discussions, videos, photographs and drawings describing essential internal martial art principles that provide both the aspiring student and experienced martial art with our approach to understanding internal martial arts. Many of these videos, including those on Ba Gua (baguazhang) and internal art principles are available at low cost subscription rates. Additional trainings and videos ready in the near future will be offered inexpensively or free of charge. [INTERNAL ART CLOSE COMBAT ESSENTIALS]

2. Chinese yoga and chi (chi kung/qigong) internal energy healing arts. The energetic arts we teach in the Chi Arts Association are based on the understanding of chi/ qi energy as a critical, however not yet completely understood phenomenon. Part electromagnetic, part biological force, we specialize in teaching two aspects of internal energy for martial art and healing applications. The first has to do with structure. Following the principle that energy follows form, the core essential of our internal energy training for both healing and self-defense training is based on structure, mechanics, breathing arts and attunement to natural bio-rhythms.  [read more]