Within the Jiulong Baguazhang system we have the following traditional levels of student and teachers.

SHIGONG: The teachers’ teacher title used by students of a Shizi or Shifu forthe head instructor of the system. This individual is the grandfather or “old campaigner” who has final say on all matters dealing with the art including those involving the Shifu below him.

SHIFU: One fully qualified to have his own Gong Fu family or school in Li family traditions. This is one who has completed all training in all levels of Jiulong Baguazhang from martial skills, weapons skills to qigong and philosophical knowledge. They are considered senior members of the Daoqiquan family system, Jiulong Baguazhang branch and as such are members in good standing of the Jiulong Baguazhang Association. Shifu to retain their rank must remain subject to all governing regulations of the Jiulong Baguazhang Association. They must also renew their certification every five years.

SHIZI: This title is for one who is certified to instruct certain of our programs at a branch or satellite school. Shizi classifications can be given for students who have one skill set such as Dragon Rolling The Pearl only or multiple palm certifications in palms, weapons or Qigong. Shizi are not Shifu of the art and must follow all rules and regulations of the Jiulong Baguazhang Association as well as follow their Shifu’s rules of conduct and teaching.Fushou: These are assistants for schools qualified to help instruct beginners, lead the Daoyin exercise and take over some duties for teachers who may be absent for a time.Xue-sheng or Ertong: The first term means student the second children. In thetraditional schools all students who have not certified in some level ofknowledge are thought of as student children of the Gong Fu family.

JIAOGUAN: This is a classification of instructor who in our system is a private teacher who instructs private students under the certification of the Shigong of the system. A Jiaoguan does not have a branch school. He or she is like an “instructor at large” or roaming teacher. Like the Shizi they can be certified to instruct certain of our programs and may have one skill set such as Dragon Rolling The Pearl or multiple palm certifications in palms, weapons or Qigong. Jiaoguan are not Shifu of the art and must follow all rules and regulations of the Jiulong Baguazhang Association as well as follow their Shifu’s rules of conduct and teaching.

XIANGDAO: :in Chinese xiangdao means a guide or group leader. We use this designation for individuals and or advanced students who are training to become instructors of our system and who have been given permission to start a study group under the direction of a certified Shizi or Shifu. Study groups run by Xiangdao are not official schools; they are most often comprised of a group of students who may or may not live close to an official school location.

All of our instructors are certified through a rigorous training program and are in possession of signed certificates of their levels of skill. If you have a questions about an individual claiming rank in the Li family arts of Daoqiquan or Jiulong Baguazhang, please contact us at thegompa@aol.com with the name of the individual you wish to know about. We will be glad to research our record for you.