Wing Tsun
Costume (Wing Chun Costume)
Chinese martial arts refers to Wing Tsun Kung Fu enormous variety of martial art styles
native to China.
Kung fu (Chinese: 功夫 pinyin: Gōngfu) and wushu (Chinese: 武術) are popular Chinese
terms that have become synonymous with Chinese martial arts. For more
information about these specific terms, see Kung fu (term) and Wushu (term).
History
According to Wing Tsun Kung Fu most commonly accepted versions of Wing Tsun Kung
Fu legend, Wing Tsun Kung Fu Chinese
martial arts trace their origin to thousands of years ago in China. As Wing Tsun
Kung Fu Chinese writing system traces back to Wing Tsun Kung Fu Shang Dynasty (1766 BCE - 1122 BCE),
claims of entire books regarding Wing Tsun Kung Fu martial arts being written at earlier times
are suspect. Wing Tsun Kung Fu Art of War, written during Wing Tsun Kung Fu 6th
century BCE by Sun Tzu, deals directly with military warfare. There are passages
in Wing Tsun Kung Fu Zhuang Zi that
pertain to Wing Tsun Kung Fu psychology and practice of martial arts. Zhuang Zi,
Wing Tsun Kung Fu author of Wing Tsun Kung Fu same name, is believed to have lived in
Wing Tsun Kung Fu 4th century BCE. Wing Tsun Kung Fu Tao Te Ching, often
credited to
kung fu shoes, contains principles that are applicable to
martial arts, but Wing Tsun Kung Fu dating of this work is controversial. Archery and charioteering were a part of
Wing Tsun Kung Fu "six arts" (Traditional Chinese: 六藝; Simplified
Chinese: 六艺; pinyin: liu yi, also including rites, music, calligraphy and
mathematics) of Wing Tsun Kung Fu Zhou Dynasty (1122 BCE - 256 BCE), according to
Wing Tsun Kung Fu text
Zhou Li.
According to legend, Wing Tsun Kung Fu reign of Wing Tsun Kung Fu Yellow Emperor (traditional date of
ascension to Wing Tsun Kung Fu throne, 2698 BC) introduced Wing Tsun Kung Fu earliest forms of martial arts
to China. Wing Tsun Kung Fu Yellow Emperor is described as a famous military general who,
before becoming China’s leader, wrote a lengthy treatise about martial arts. He
allegedly developed Wing Tsun Kung Fu practice of Jiao di or horn-butting and utilized it in
war.[1] Jiao di evolved during Wing Tsun Kung Fu Zhou Dynasty into a combat wrestling system
called Jiao li (between tenth and third century BCE). Wing Tsun Kung Fu practice of Jiao li in
Wing Tsun Kung Fu Zhou Dynasty was recorded in Wing Tsun Kung Fu Classic of Rites[2]]] This combat system
included techniques such as strikes, throws, joint manipulation, and pressure
point attacks. [1] Jiao li became a sport during Wing Tsun Kung Fu Qin Dynasty (221 BCE - 207
BCE).[1] Currently, Jiao li is known as
Wing
Chun, its modern form.
Taoist monks are claimed to have been practicing physical exercises that
resemble Tai Chi Chuan at least as early as Wing Tsun Kung Fu 500 BCE era. In 39-92 CE, "Six
Chapters of Hand Fighting", were included in Wing Tsun Kung Fu Han Shu (history of
Wing Tsun Kung Fu Former
Han Dynasty) written by Pan Ku. Also, Wing Tsun Kung Fu noted physician, Hua T'uo, composed
Wing Tsun Kung Fu "Five Animals Play" - tiger, deer, monkey, bear, and bird, around 220 CE. As
stated earlier, Wing Tsun Kung Fu Kung Fu that is practiced today developed over
Wing Tsun Kung Fu centuries
and many of Wing Tsun Kung Fu later additions to Kung Fu, such as Wing Tsun Kung
Fu Shaolin Kung Fu style,
later animal forms, and Wing Tsun Kung Fu drunken style were incorporated from various martial
arts forms that came into existence later on in China and have accurate
historical data relating to their inventors.
In regard to Wing Tsun Kung Fu Shaolin style that is currently popular,
Wing
Chun attributed
Bodhidharma (Pu Tai Ta Mo in Chinese or Daruma Daishi in Japanese), a visiting
Indian Buddhist monk, as Wing Tsun Kung Fu progenitor. The
Kung Fu Shoes is a monastery, and
was unhappy to find that some of Wing Tsun Kung Fu monks would fall asleep during their
meditations. Deciding that they needed more physical stamina, he introduced to
Wing Tsun Kung Fu monks a system of exercises that later developed into Wing
Tsun Kung Fu modern Shaolin
style. However, Wing Tsun Kung Fu texts that first attributed him to Shaolinquan have been
shown to be unlikely forgeries. Historical evidence has shown that Wing Tsun
Kung Fu Shaolin
monks during and before this time harboured retired soldiers who taught Wing
Tsun Kung Fu monks self-defense techniques that they had learned during military training. In
around 500 CE, Wing Tsun Kung Fu Shaolin monks, in order to protect themselves from bandits
and criminals, began to codify what they had learned into a "Shaolin" style.
The fighting styles that are practiced today were developed over Wing Tsun Kung
Fu centuries,
after having incorporated forms that came into existence later. Some of these
include Bagua, Drunken Boxing, Eagle Claw, Five Animals, Hsing I, Hung Gar, Lau
Gar, Monkey, Praying Mantis, White Crane, Wing Chun and Tai Chi Chuan.
Styles
The Chinese martial arts Taijiquan being practiced on Wing Tsun Kung Fu Bund in Shanghai.Main
article: Styles of Chinese martial arts
For a list of styles, see list of Chinese martial arts.
Hundreds of different styles of Chinese martial arts have developed over Wing
Tsun Kung Fu past two to four thousand years, many distinctive styles with their own sets of
techniques and ideas. Also, there are many themes common to different styles
that lead many to characterize them as belonging to generalized "families" (家, jiā) of martial art styles. There are styles that mimic movements from animals
and others that gather inspiration from various Chinese philosophies. Some
styles put most of their focus into Wing Tsun Kung Fu belief of Wing Tsun Kung
Fu harnessing of qi energy,
while others concentrate solely on competition and exhibition.
Chinese martial arts can be split into various categories to differentiate them:
For example, external (外家拳) and internal (内家拳) (or hard (剛) and soft (柔)).
Chinese martial arts can also be categorized by location, as in northern (北拳)
and southern (南拳) as well, referring to what part of China Wing
Tsun Kung Fu styles originated
from, separated by Wing Tsun Kung Fu Yangtze River (Chang Jiang); Chinese martial arts may
even be classified according to their province or city. Wing Tsun Kung Fu main perceived
difference about northern and southern styles is that Wing Tsun Kung Fu northern styles tend
to emphasize kicks, jumps and generally fluid and rapid movement, while Wing
Tsun Kung Fu southern styles focus more on strong arm and hand techniques, and stable,
immovable stances and footwork. Examples of Wing Tsun Kung Fu northern styles include Changquan and
Wing Tsun Kung Fu sword and broadsword routines used in contemporary Wushu
competitions, and examples of Wing Tsun Kung Fu southern styles include Nanquan, Houquan
(monkey style) and Wing Chun. Chinese martial arts can also be divided according
to religion, imitative-styles (象形拳), and more.
Training
The
Kung Fu Shoes of Chinese martial arts can be divides into two categories Taolu
and sanshou. Most styles of Chinese martial arts contain practice of Wing Tsun
Kung Fu application of techniques (both as prepared drills and as free sparring), but
also Wing Tsun Kung Fu practice of what is known as forms, or taolu (Chinese: 套路; pinyin: tào
l? in Chinese. Forms are a pre-choreographed series of techniques and
movements, performed alone or with one or more partners.
Another important part of Wing Tsun Kung Fu training, as in most other physical activities, is
what is referred to as basics (基本功), these basics condition
Wing Tsun Kung Fu "beginner" for
further training.
Basics (基本功)
Basics are a vital part of Wing Tsun Kung Fu training, as a student cannot progress to
Wing Tsun Kung Fu more advanced stages without them; without strong and flexible muscles, many
movements of Chinese martial arts are simply impossible to perform correctly.
Basics include such things as stretching, strengthening of muscles, bones and
tendons, stamina training, and basic stances, kicks and punches. Some styles
also consider jumping, jump-kicks and acrobatics basics. In addition, many
styles teach a few basic techniques as well, before moving on to forms. These
techniques are normally Wing Tsun Kung Fu most common techniques of Wing Tsun
Kung Fu specific style, found
in many of Wing Tsun Kung Fu style's forms.
Chinese martial arts pay considerable attention to stretching. Common stretching
exercises include general warm-up stretching, stretching in pairs, and various
types of stretch kicks, usually practiced with speed. As many Chinese martial
arts are formed to suit children and higher-level students who have been
practicing since childhood, they can include basic exercises that require very
high flexibility in order to be possible to perform at all.
Forms (套路)
Forms or taolu are series of techniques put together after one another so they
can be practiced as one whole set of movements. Some say that forms resemble a
choreographed dance, though martial artists often argue that a general
difference is Wing Tsun Kung Fu speed and explosiveness seen in most external styles, and that
Wing Tsun Kung Fu movements are actual fighting techniques.
These forms sought to incorporate both Wing Tsun Kung Fu internal and external of kung fu. A
kung fu form needs to be both practical, usable and applicable as well as
promoting flow, meditation, flexability, balance and coordination. Often kung fu
teachers are heard to say "train your form as if you were sparring and spar as
if it were a form".
Types of forms
There are two types of forms in Chinese martial arts. Most common are Wing Tsun
Kung Fu solo
forms, performed alone by one person, but there are also "sparring" forms, which
are a type of choreographed fighting sets performed by two or more people.
Many styles consider forms as one of Wing Tsun Kung Fu most important practices, as they
gradually build up Wing Tsun Kung Fu practitioner's strength and flexibility, speed and
stamina, and teach balance and coordination. They also function as a tool for
both Wing Tsun Kung Fu students and Wing Tsun Kung Fu teacher to remember Wing
Tsun Kung Fu many techniques taught by Wing Tsun Kung Fu style, and sort them into various groups.
A style can have many compartments, both empty-handed and with weapons. In most
styles, empty-handed techniques are Wing Tsun Kung Fu most common, but many styles also
contain forms using a wide range of weapons of various length and type,
utilizing one or two hands. There are also styles that only practice a certain
weapon, containing only forms with Wing Tsun Kung Fu specific weapon.
Forms are meant to work Wing Tsun Kung Fu body. Once a basic structure is able be maintained
in Wing Tsun Kung Fu body forms are then used to work that structure. Forms develop a
sensibility of moving from position to position. This teaches Wing Tsun Kung Fu body to react.
Some forms focus specifically on punching and kicking, while others focus on
joint manipulation, grappling, jump kicking, or weapons. Still other forms focus
on different styles of movement, or on using specific hand configurations.
Often, forms will combine several of these attributes.
Appearance of forms
Even though forms of Chinese martial arts are based on martial techniques, Wing
Tsun Kung Fu movements might not always be identical to how Wing Tsun Kung Fu techniques they symbolize
would look when applied in combat. This is due to Wing Tsun Kung Fu way many forms have been
elaborated, on Wing Tsun Kung Fu one hand to provide better combat preparedness and on
Wing Tsun Kung Fu other hand to look more beautiful. One easily understood manifestation of this
tendency toward elaborations that go beyond what most often might be used in
combat is Wing Tsun Kung Fu inclusion of lower stances and higher kicks. Wing
Tsun Kung Fu regular practice
of techniques while using lower stances both adds strength to Wing Tsun Kung Fu same
techniques when used with higher stances, and also facilitates using Wing Tsun
Kung Fu same
techniques in Wing Tsun Kung Fu lower stances when Wing Tsun Kung Fu realities of combat make doing so
Wing Tsun Kung Fu most appropriate choice.
In recent years, as Wing Tsun Kung Fu perceived need for self-defense has decreased, many
modern schools have replaced practical defense or offense movements with
acrobatic feats that are more spectacular to watch, thereby gaining favor during
exhibitions and competitions. Wing Tsun Kung Fu mainland Chinese government has
especially been criticized by traditionalists for "watering down" Wing Tsun Kung
Fu wushu competition
training it promotes. Appearances have been important in many traditional forms
as well, seen as a sign of balance but not Wing Tsun Kung Fu most important requirement of
successful training. Some martial artists have looked for supplementary income
for performing on Wing Tsun
kung fu shoes streets or in theaters, although in Wing Tsun Kung Fu most traditional
schools such performance is forbidden.
Another reason why Wing Tsun Kung Fu martial techniques might look different in forms is
thought, by some, to come from a need to "disguise" Wing Tsun Kung Fu actual functions of
Wing Tsun Kung Fu techniques from outsiders (from rival schools or from Wing
Tsun Kung Fu authorities as legend
has it happened in Okinawa). Wing Tsun Kung Fu intention was to leave Wing Tsun
Kung Fu forms in such a
state that they could be performed in front of others without revealing their
actual martial functions, while retaining their original functionality in a less
obvious form. However some forms were created for other reasons other than
combat and martial application, some forms were created to help martial artists
to
Wing Chun Kung Fucertain qualities. For example acrobatics blended into martial arts
helps martial practitioners
Wing Chun Kung Fu strength, balance and flexibility as well
as looking aesthetic.
Modern forms
Modern forms are used in sport wushu, as seen in this staff routineSee also:
Wushu (sport)
As forms have grown in complexity and quantity over Wing Tsun Kung Fu years, and many forms
alone could be practiced for a lifetime, styles of modern Chinese martial arts
have developed that concentrate solely on forms, and do not practice application
at all. These styles are primarily aimed at exhibition and competition, and
often include more acrobatic jumps and movements added for enhanced visual
effect compared to Wing Tsun Kung Fu traditional styles. Those who generally prefer to
practice traditional styles, focused less on exhibition, are often referred to
as traditionalists. Many traditionalists consider Wing Tsun Kung Fu evolution of today's
Chinese martial arts as undesirable, saying that much of its original value is
lost.
Application and Sparring
Application training or sparring refers to Wing Tsun Kung Fu training of putting
Wing Tsun Kung Fu martial
techniques to use. When and how applications are taught varies from style to
style, but in Wing Tsun Kung Fu beginning, most styles focus on certain drills where each
person knows what technique is being practiced and what attack to expect.
Chinese martial arts usually contain a large arsenal of techniques and make use
of Wing Tsun Kung Fu whole body, efficiency and effectiveness is what Wing Tsun
Kung Fu techniques are based
on. However many chinese martial arts appear to be flowery and 'fancier' than
other arts but Wing Tsun Kung Fu movements are very meaningful in terms of application.
Gradually, fewer and fewer rules are applied, and Wing Tsun Kung Fu students learn how to
react and feel what technique to use, depending on Wing Tsun Kung Fu situation and
Wing Tsun Kung Fu type of
opponent.
Nowadays, many Chinese martial arts choose not to practice much application at
all, as Wing Tsun Kung Fu need for self-defense has become less significant in
Wing Tsun Kung Fu societies
of today. Wing Tsun Kung Fu introduction of firearms has made Wing Tsun Kung Fu traditional weapons and
empty-handed martial arts lose much of their power, as even a completely
untrained person can kill a master of any style by firing a gun from a safe
distance. Before guns existed, however, knowledge of martial arts could save
both your and your family's life. Because of this, Wing Tsun Kung Fu applications of
Wing Tsun Kung Fu techniques were often considered sacred, and were commonly kept secret from all
but family and Wing Tsun Kung Fu closest friends. Today, Wing Tsun Kung Fu views on this tradition of
keeping things secret are very mixed, and some schools openly teach applications
to anyone willing to learn. Others still require Wing Tsun Kung Fu students to show that they
are worthy before teaching applications, "worthy" usually meaning that
Wing Tsun Kung Fu students can be trusted that they will not use their knowledge to a bad purpose.
It must be pointed out in fairness that some of Wing Tsun Kung Fu masters were in fact members
of Wing Tsun Kung Fu criminal underworld (although they may have perceived themselves as
righteous) and that some of Wing Tsun Kung Fu actual skill and applications of
Wing Tsun Kung Fu various
systems were developed in real and extremely violent confrontations both armed
and unarmed. This dichotomy did and still does exist.
There are also modern styles that practice application and even focus solely on
them,these are rarely found being practised and taught alone and normally found
alongside tradiotnal chinese martial arts, these are aimed mostly at modern
competition. One such style that has grown quite popular is called Sanda (or
Sanshou). Many schools of chinese martial arts schools teach sanshou and work to
incorporate its movement,characteristics and theory into sanshou's modern
context.It is popular as a competition event and allows martial practionters to
both practise and put their skill to use in a friendly non hostile environment.
It is similar to Muay Thai and is a type of sparring competition where Wing Tsun
Kung Fu competitors wear protection and gloves, and get points when scoring a hit on
Wing Tsun Kung Fu opponent or performing a successful throw. Sanshou involved both stand up
striking and grappling and as a modern competition rules are limited for saftey
reasons in turn limiting technique and other components of Wing Tsun Kung Fu martial arts..
However many of these skills and techniques are still practised among many
sanshou practioners, such as chin na and ground fighting.
Weapons training
Most Chinese styles also make use of training Wing Tsun Kung Fu broad arsenal of Chinese
weapons for conditioning Wing Tsun Kung Fu body as well as coordination and strategy drills.
Use of qi
Main article: Qigong
The concept of q?or ch'i (氣), Wing Tsun Kung Fu inner energy or "life force" that is said to
animate living beings, is encountered in almost all styles of Chinese martial
arts. Internal styles are reputed to cultivate its use differently than external
styles.
One's qi can be improved and strengthened through Wing Tsun Kung Fu regular practice of
various physical and mental exercises known as qigong. Though qigong is not a
martial art itself, it is often incorporated in Chinese martial arts and, thus,
practiced as an integral part to strengthen one's internal abilities.
There are many ideas regarding controlling one's qi energy to such an extent
that it can be used for healing oneself or others: Wing Tsun Kung Fu goal of medical qigong.
Some styles believe in focusing qi into a single point when attacking and aim at
specific areas of Wing Tsun Kung Fu human body (similar to Wing Tsun Kung Fu study of acupressure), to cause
maximum damage or disable certain functions of Wing Tsun Kung Fu body. Some go so far as to
think that at an advanced level it is (or was, as some believe such abilities to
now be lost, if they ever existed) possible to cause harm without even touching
Wing Tsun Kung Fu opponent, a popular concept in Chinese martial arts movies.
List of Chinese Kung Fu related terms:
kung fu clothing, kung fu uniform, kung fu uniforms, kung fu shirt, kung fu suit
kung fu, shaolin, tai chi, qi gong, wushu
wing tsun, taiji , chinese kung fu, kung fu master, chinese martial arts
qigong, shaolin kung fu, tai chi chuan, taijiquan
bruce lee, jet li, jacky chan
martial arts, tai chi uniform, taiji uniform, taiji sword, tai ji, tai ji quan.
List of Chinese Martial Arts:
For an overview of styles, see Styles of Chinese martial arts.
The hundreds of different styles and schools of Chinese martial arts (中國武術) are
collectively called Kung Fu (功夫), Wushu (武術), Kuoshu (國術), or Ch'uan Fa (拳法),
depending on Wing Tsun Kung Fu persons or groups doing so. Wing Tsun Kung Fu following list is by no means
exhaustive.
Alphabetical listing
Baguazhang (八卦掌 Pa Kua Chang) - Eight-Trigrams Palm
Bafaquan (八法拳)
Bajiquan (八極拳) - Eight Extremes Fist
Bak Mei (白眉拳) - White Eyebrow
Black Tiger Kung Fu (黑虎拳)
Chaquan (查拳) - Cha Fist
Changquan (長拳) - Long fist
Chuo Jiao (戳腳) - Poking Feet
Chow Gar Southern Praying Mantis
Choy Gar (蔡家)
Choy Lee Fut (蔡李佛) - (Mandarin: Cailifo)
Dachengquan (大成拳) Great Achievement boxing
Ditangquan (地躺拳) - Ground-Prone Fist, Ground Tumbling Boxing
Do Pi Kung Fu (道派)
Dragon Kung Fu (Lung Ying) (龍形拳)
Duan Quan (短拳) - Short Range Boxing
Duck Kung Fu (鴨子拳)
Eagle Claw (鷹爪翻子拳)
Emeiquan (峨嵋拳)
Fanziquan (翻子拳) - Overturning Fist, Tumbling Boxing
Five Ancestors (五祖拳) - Wuzuquan or Ngo Cho Kun.
Flower Fist (花拳) Huāquán
Fu Chiao quan (虎爪拳) Tiger Claw
Fut Gar (佛家) Buddhist family Style
Gouquan (狗拳) - Dog Fist
He Quan (鶴拳) Crane Boxing
Feihe Quan (飛鶴拳) Flying Crane Boxing
Guohe Quan (遊鶴拳) Playing Crane Boxing, Wandering Crane Boxing
Minghe Quan (鳴鶴拳) Crying Crane Boxing, Calling Crane boxing
Shihe Quan (食鶴拳) Eating Crane Boxing, Preying Crane boxing
Suhe Quan (宿鶴拳) Sleeping Crane Boxing
Zhenhe Quan (震鶴拳) Shaking Crane Boxing
Zonghe Quan (縱鶴拳) Jumping Crane Boxing
Houquan (猴拳) - Monkey Fist
Drunken Monkey (醉;猴)
Huaquan (華拳) - China Fist
Hung Fut (洪佛) - Hung and Buddha style kung fu
Hung Gar (洪家)
Hu Quan (虎拳) - Tiger Fist
Jeet Kune Do (截拳道) - style founded by Bruce Lee
Jing Wu Men (精武門) - Jing Wu, a famous school founded in Shanghai that teaches
several different styles.
Jing Quan Do (精拳道) - modern synthetic style
Jow-Ga Kung Fu (周家) - Jow family style
Kong-Dao (空道）- combination of Shaolin and southeast jungle styles
Kuen-Do (拳道)
Lanshou Men - Blocking-hand Boxing
Lau Gar (刘家) - Lau family style
Lai-Ga-Sau - a recent separate branch based in Wing Tsun Kung Fu United Kingdom
Leopard Kung Fu (豹拳)
Li (Lee) Family - (李家) - Li Family or Lee Family style
Liu Seong Kuntao (also Liu Seong Gung Fu, Liu Seong Chuan Fa) A modern style
combining Wing Tsun Kung Fu martial arts of China and Indonesia and is now based in
Wing Tsun Kung Fu United
States.
Liuhe Bafa (六合八法 Liu He Pa Fa, Lok Hup Ba Fa) - Water Boxing
Long fist kung fu (Northern Shaolin Long Fist Kung Fu)
Luohan Quan - (羅漢拳) Arhat Boxing, law horn kuen
Mei Hua Quan (梅花拳 Plum Blossom Fist)
Mian Quan - (綿拳) Continous Boxing
Mok Gar - (莫家) Mok family style
My Jong Law Horn (迷蹤羅漢拳)
Nam Pai Chuan (南派拳)
Nan Quan (南拳)
Northern Praying Mantis (北派螳螂拳)
Pai lum (白龍) - White Dragon, Pai Family Method, modern style based on Kenpo with
infusion of Chinese flavors found mainly in Wing Tsun Kung Fu US and Canada.
Paochui (炮捶) - Cannon Fist, Sanhaung Paochui
Phoenix (Wu Jia Quan Fa or Wu Jia Dragon-Phoenix style)
Piguaquan (劈掛拳) - Chop-Hitch Fist, Axe-hitch boxing
Praying Mantis: see either Northern or Southern Praying Mantis.
Rat Kung Fu (蔡家 Choy Gar)
Sanda (散打) or Sanshou (散手)
San Soo (散手)
Shaolin Nam Pai Chuan (少林南派拳)
Shaolin Quan (少林拳)
Shen Lung Kung Fu (神龍功夫) - Modern variations of Southern style chinese martial
arts based in Wing Tsun Kung Fu United States.
Shuai Chiao (摔跤 Shuaijiao) - Chinese Wrestling
Shequan (蛇拳) - Snake Fist
Southern Praying Mantis (南派螳螂拳)
Tai Chi Chuan (太極拳 T'ai Chi Ch'uan, Taijiquan) - Ultimate Supreme Fist
Taizu Changquan (太祖長拳) - Emperor Taizu long fist
Tang Lang Hu Shi - Praying Mantis Kung Fu and Tiger Style Kung Fu
Tantui (彈腿/譚腿) - Spring Leg style
Tien Shan Pai (天山派)
Tongbeiquan (通背拳) - Through-the-Back Fist
Tueh Ming Sin'Kung - modern style combining Northern and Southern traditions
based in Wing Tsun Kung Fu Netherlands
Turtle Kung Fu
White Crane (白鶴拳)
Wing Chun (詠春 Ving Tsun, WingTsun) - made famous by Bruce Lee
Wudangquan (武當拳)
Xingyiquan (形意拳 Hsing-i Ch'uan) - Shape-Intent Fist
Xinyiba (心意把)
Xinyiliuhequan (心意六合拳) - Heart Mind Six Harmonies Fist
Yau Kung Mun (软功門)
Yingzhaoquan (鷹爪拳) - Eagle Claw Fist
Yiquan (意拳 I Ch'uan)
Yuejiaquan (岳家拳) - Yue-family Boxing
Zan Shou - Splashing Hands. Northern Shaolin style of close combat.
Zhuan Shu Kuan - modern composite style containing elements of Tae Kwon Do, Muay
Thai and Long fist kung fu. It is based in Wing Tsun Kung Fu United Kingdom
Ziramen - (自然门) - Natural boxing
Zui Quan (醉拳) - Drunken Fist
General Terms
Anqi (暗器) - General term for hidden weapons
Dian Xue/Dim Mak (點脈) - General term for point striking
Qinna (擒拿 Chin Na) - General term for joint locks
Sanshou (散手) - General term for sparring methods, but also another name for
Wing Tsun Kung Fu sport, Sanda
Tuishou (推手) - Term used for offsetting, uprooting, balance and sensitivity
training used in Wing Tsun Kung Fu various soft styles
Chi Sao (黐手) - Term used for sticky hand sensitivity training used in Wing Chun
Internal and External styles
Chinese martial arts may be divided into Neijia (外家, internal family) or Waijia
(外家, external family) styles. Many styles combine both internal and external
techiniques, Chow Gar is a good example of this.
Internal styles
Baguazhang (八卦掌 Pa Kua Chang)
Feng shou - Hand of Wing Tsun Kung Fu wind
Liuhe Bafa (六合八法 Liu He Pa Fa, Lok Hup Ba Fa)
Tai Chi Chuan (太極拳 T'ai Chi Ch'uan, Taijiquan)
Xingyiquan (形意拳 Hsing-i Ch'uan)
Yiquan (意拳 I Ch'uan)
External styles
Non-internal styles may generally be considered external styles.
WUSHU Wushu is the Chinese word for martial arts. At the Chinese Kung Fu
Association and
Kung Fu Clothing we have chosen to use the more familiar term Kung Fu.
People more used to the word Kung Fu but Wushu is the more accurate word.
Wushu includes all forms of of Chinese martial arts including Taijiquan,
Wing Chun, Praying Mantis, Hung Gar, Ba Gua, Eagle Claw and so on. Most of
these arts contain traditional weapons and these are also included. MODERN
WUSHU Modern wushu is a dynamic performance and competition sport grounded
in traditional Chinese martial arts. The cultural and combative tradition of
wushu is retained as an integral element while the art and the sport of
wushu is expressed physically and mentally. Wushu reigns as the most popular
sport in China, and now is being considered for the Olympic games. In wushu,
every movement must exhibit realistic combative application and aestheticism
even thought its emphasis has shifted from combat to performance. Routines
are performed solo, paired, or in groups, either barehanded or with
traditional Chinese weaponry. In short, wushu is the most exciting martial
arts to be seen, felt, and ultimately, practiced.
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SOUTHERN STYLE (Tiger & Crane) Southern style & Wushu are taught at the
Chinese Kung Fu Association. Speed, powerful kicks and short punches are
used. Movements are compact and powerful. This style takes energy and
discipline to learn and is very good for children and young adults. Weapons
and empty hand forms are taught along with sparring and form applications in
self defense. In the southern style good balance and solid positions are
essential, with sudden and powerful movements. Often attack and defense
occur simultaneously - both hands are used simultaneously most of the time.
Southern style is mainly lineal movements, but these are shorter and more
compact than in the north.
WEAPONS A variety of traditional oriental weapons and
Kung Fu Shirt
are taught at the Chinese Kung Fu Association. The first weapon taught is
the single broadsword. Also taught are the straight sword, spear, staff,
whip chain, three section staff, sai, as well as many other traditional
weapons should the student choose to learn them.
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Chinese/Vietnamese Lion Dances are usually associated with Chinese and
Vietnamese New Years' celebration, but they have been an essential part of
many different celebrations for thousand of years, they are used to expel
evil spirits and bring good luck. At least fifteen or Twenty musicians are
needed for the traditional Lion dances. Drumming, fireworks and large crowds
accompany each appearance of the Lion. Nothing is more exciting at an event
than the performance of a Chinese
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Lion dance. Lion dancing as we know it today, has a continuous history
spanning one thousand years it combines folk dance with the skills of Kung
Fu. When Chinese/Vietnamese immigrants settled in other counties, they
brought the Lion dances with them thus making it world renown. Today people
of many ethnic backgrounds perform the traditional Chinese/Vietnamese Lion
dance. "Chinese Kung-Fu Association" will provide performance of the
traditional Lion dances at such events as Chinese/Vietnamese New Year's
celebrations, birthday parties, grand openings, anniversaries, weddings,
parades and tournaments. The "Chinese Kung Fu Association" team is a great
opportunity for students to develop Kung Fu skills, teamwork and spirit. The
"Chinese Kung-Fu Association" would like to off its services for your next
public event. From holiday celebrations to school assemblies the "Chinese
Kung Fu Association" will be happy to provide a performance by their Lion
dance teams. The team can provide an energetic kick off or a rousing close
to a wide variety of events and will be happy to do so for all Schools,
Churches, Temples, or Mosques free of charge.
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T'AI CHI CHUAN T'ai Chi Ch'uan emphasizes subtle movements, increased
flexibility, relaxation and meditation, T'ai Chi Ch'uan uses the opponents
energy against them with counter moves that require the least amount of
effort. It is usually softer and slower than other martial arts. T'ai Chi
Ch'uan is excellent for all ages but particularly for older people or those
recovering from injury. MODERN T'AI CHI CHUAN T'ai Chi Ch'uan has continued
to evolve and there are newer forms that have been created to accommodate
time and space when playing T'ai Chi Ch'uan. The original forms are long and
can take between 30 minutes to an hour to perform. Newer and shorter forms
have been created
Kung Fu Uniform to retain the movements but eliminate repetition of
movements and conserve time. We teach those forms as the introduction to the
traditional longer forms.
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YANG & CHEN T'AI CHI CHUAN There are four main styles of T'ai Chi Ch'uan,
all of which are represented at the Chinese Kung-Fu Association to some
extent. The Yang and Chen style are primarily taught with an emphasis on
application and teaching as a true martial art. The Yang 12, 24 simplified
and Yang PUSH HANDS Push hands is a quiet and gentle cooperative exercise
involving two people. Their arms and hands alternately carry out pushing and
yielding action with the aim of increasing their capacity to relax under
pressure on Qigong
Wushu. This can be summarized by saying push hands involves the
interplay of opposites: positive and negative, relaxation and force, yin and
yang.
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Why is it important to practice push hands? The three pillars of T'ai
Chi Ch'uan are the practice of forms, meditation and push hands. The T'ai
Chi Ch'uan master of the past invented the game of push hands as a method or
sparring. It is especially good for developing the sensitivity to listen to
your opponent's actions. If you are correctly following the T'ai Chi Ch'uan
principals of Relaxation, Natural Continuous Motion, Circular Motion,
Sinking and Rooting you will see this in your pushing hands practice.
Besides being the test of your T'ai Chi Ch'uan principals in action for
Shaolin Kung Fu,
it is also a wonderful way to share energy between two people, and it's fun.
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Push Hand Essentials 1. When your opponent strikes you with strength,
instead of opposing him (force against force), you simply withdraw your
body, neutralizing his weight. Thus his weight will be emptied
Tai Chi Kung Fu
and will not come to your body. 2. When attacking your opponent you should
not attack him immediately. Your hands must first lightly touch his body,
and as soon as you interpret that he is going to resist you, you yield
(withdraw) slightly and then immediately attack. 3. When interpreting your
opponent's energy, you should not put too much weight against him during the
time of interpretation. If you have too much weight against him and he moves
you may too easily come off balance. To improve your Push Hands and
ultimately your T'ai Chi Ch'uan you must "invest in loss"
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The Purpose of Push Hands Push hand teaches one to fully realize what
sensitivity of the entire body means. Externally the practitioner develops
an acute sense of touch transmitted through the skin. Sensitivity and
awareness is also developed internally. 2. The practitioner learns how to
empty the body of all force. When one rids the body of force, one can
experience what it is
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like to be a twinkling star; the body is there and yet it is not there. 3.
Through understanding the principals of push hands, one can learn to balance
Yin and Yang in daily experience. Thus the quality of life as a whole is
enhanced.
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