Chris Himmel | Curiosity, Tai Chi, Bagua, and the Art of Nonviolence

In this episode of Keep Kicking, Paul Coffey sits down with Chris Himmel to explore a lifelong martial arts journey that began with the ninja craze of the 1980s and evolved into a deep practice of Tai Chi and Bagua. Chris shares how transitioning from external systems like Kempo to internal martial arts opened new doors in body mechanics, spirituality, and self-understanding. The conversation weaves together teaching philosophy, music education, and martial arts training—highlighting how both disciplines rely on physical interpretation, timing, and awareness. Chris also speaks to the importance of nonviolence, curiosity, and adaptability, emphasizing that effective self-defense is not about aggression, but understanding distance, yielding, and human behavior. Together, they dive into Bagua’s circle walking, body type considerations, and why finding the right teacher and community is essential for long-term growth. Chris also introduces his Taoism study group, offering insight into how philosophical study can deepen martial arts practice beyond technique. [email protected]⁠ ⁠https://greatbaytaichima.com/⁠ #KeepKickingPodcast #MartialArtsPodcast #ChrisHimmel #TaiChi #Bagua #Baguazhang #InternalMartialArts #MartialArtsJourney #MartialArtsPhilosophy #Nonviolence #TeachingMartialArts #SelfDefense #BodyMechanics #TraditionalMartialArts #LifelongLearning