April 24, 2017

Meet Michael D’Angelo of Yin Style Baguazhang in Chinatown

Local Stories

Today we’d like to introduce you to Michael D’Angelo.

Michael, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I began my training in 1967, I had a passion for the martial arts since I was very young and it has only grown ever since. I studied various systems since I began and they are all good, my theory is whatever you practice, get good at it. Now as it comes to Yin Style Baguazhang, if you know martial arts you would be amazed by the high level of theory, training and application of this unique system. Back in 1999 I had the good fortune of finding this system and developed a friendship with Sean Lyden, Matt Bild and He Jin Bao all Yin Style Baguazhang practitioners with many years of experience. These practitioners shared their knowledge with me and for that I am very grateful. Sean Lyden and I teach classes at the Nam Pai Academy in Boston’s Chinatown, Matt Bild and He Jin Bao both reside in Beijing, China and continue to train and teach international workshops.

Has it been a smooth road?
The biggest challenge in the martial arts business is to find dedicated students that are going to train and learn the arts. The development is without end.

So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Yin Style Baguazhang story. Tell us more about the business.
I teach a martial art called Yin Stye Baguazhang, it is one of China’s three main internal martial arts. Yin Style Bagua as we refer to it is a very unique system of martial arts. it is not widely known because few have devoted the necessary time and energy required to get to a high level, so teachers are very rare. I am most proud that the teachings of Yin Style Bagua because they have not been watered down and also because there is an emphasis on fighting still contained in this system. In a time where most traditional martial arts schools have softened there training methods we have not and this sets us apart from the others.

How do you think the industry will change over the next decade?
I believe martial arts will and holistic type physical training will be something sought after for the reason that it helps you physically and mentally. Tom Brady and Giselle have been in the news for their nutrition manual which was partly conceived by their trainer Adam Guerra, who holds a degree in TCM Traditional Chinese Medicine. People are starting to see the validity of the Eastern approach to wellness.

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