Kung Fu
History of Kung Fu
Chinese martial arts popularly referred to as kung fu, consist of a number of fighting styles that were developed over the centuries. Those fighting styles can be classified according to common themes that are identified as "families" or "schools" of martial arts. Example of themes are physical exercises that mimic movements from animals or a history and training method that gather inspiration from various Chinese philosophies, myths and legends. Some styles focus on the harnessing of eneryand are labeled internal, while others concentrate on improving muscle and cardiovascular fitness and are labeled external. Geographical association, as in northern and southern, is another popular method of categorisation. Each fighting style offers a different approach to the common problems of self-defense, health, and self-cultivation from a Chinese perspective.
Chinese martial arts may possibly be traced to the Xia Dynasty which existed more than 4000 years ago.Their origin is attributed to self defence needs, hunting activities and military training in ancient China. Hand to hand combat and weapons practice were important components in the training of Chinese soldiers. From this beginning, Chinese martial arts proceeded to incorporate different philosophies and ideas into its practice expanding its purpose from self-defense to health maintenance and finally as method of self-cultivation. The influence of martial ideals in civilian society spread into poetry, fiction, and eventually film.
With regards to the Shaolin style, it is regarded as the first institutionalised Chinese martial art. However, the oldest evidence of Shaolin participation in combat is a stele from 728 CE that attests to two occasions: a defense of the Shaolin Monastery from bandits around 610 CE, and their subsequent role in the defeat of Wang Shichong at the Battle of Hulao in 621 CE From the 8th to the 15th centuries, there are no extant documents that provide evidence of Shaolin participation in combat. However, between the 16th and 17th centuries there are at least forty extant sources which provided evidence that, not only did monks of Shaolin practice martial arts, but martial practice had become such an integral element of Shaolin monastic life that the monks felt the need to justify it by creating new Buddhist lore. References of martial arts practice in Shaolin appear in various literary genres of the late Ming: the epitaphs of Shaolin warrior monks, martial-arts manuals, military encyclopedias, historical writings, travelogues, fiction and poetry. However these sources do not point out to any specific style originated in Shaolin. These sources, in contrast to those from the Tang period, refer to Shaolin methods of armed combat. This include many different mthods including — the staff (gùn, Cantonese gwan).The Ming General Qi Jiguang included description of Shaolin Quan fa (Pinyin quánfǎ or Wade-Giles ch'üan fa, "fist principles") and staff techniques.
The fighting styles that are practiced today were developed over the 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, Bak Mei Pai, Praying Mantis, Fujian White Crane, Wing Chun and Tai Chi Chuan
What Does Hull Kung Fu Teach
Chin Na "Seize and Control"
Consisting of
Dim Mak (Meridian Point/Press)
Dim Mak is a traditional martial art technique That originated in China, where specific pressure points on the body are used for self-defence purposes and also for healing. Approximately 350 points are learnt.
CAO GU (Misplace Bone)
Cao Gu generally means to bend bones the way they are not supposed to go. You will see the techniques used a lot in wrist locks and arms locks. Pressure is applied to the joints and pain is experienced by trapping the nerves on these joints.
FEN JIN (Divide Muscle/Sinew)
Fen Jin is a technique where muscles are split open to expose the nerves and arteries. This gives you a good chance to disarm opponents by attacking nerve structures.
Under the essential principles of our Tai Chi Chuan Syllabus you will see the following which explains about Fen Jin.
FENG CHIU SHU (FEN JIN) – This is well known as muscle splitting skills. It is used in conjunction with the above to restrain an opponent once they are trapped.
The cavities that are opened with Fen Jin techniques are called Tien Hsuen, and explanation is as follows:
TIEN HSUEN – This is the art of striking vital points on the body using the body’s cavity. Tien Hsuen opens the Blood Gate System.
DIM CHING - This is the art of striking vital points on the body using the body’s cavity. Dim Ching opens the Nerve Gate System.
BI CHI (Seal Breath/Air)
BI in Chinese means to seal. QI means airway, breath.
This technique is related to the circulatory system.
Sealing the breath does not have to be as accurate as Dim Mak or dividing the muscle techniques.
SEALING THE BREATH OR VEIN is for knowledge purposes only. These are dangerous techniques and should not be practiced. There are several techniques of sealing the breath or vein. Techniques will only be shown to advanced senior students within the class.
CAO MAK (Misplace Meridian)
Disrupting meridian flows is a method mainly using the Tai Chi Chuan Six Chi Gung work to knock an opponent off their centre line.
What Animal Forms Do We Teach
Tiger
Dragon
Horse
Crane
Snake
Eagle
Leopard
Mantis
Chi Sao
"Every moment is another chance"
The well known fancy translation of CHI SAO is “sticking hands” or "sticking bridges"
The direct translation of CHI (MANDARIN MEANING ‘AIR/SOUL’) – SAO (CANTONESE MEANING ‘HAND’)
For full Cantonese pronunciation the CHI would be replaced with HEI i.e., HEI SAO
Chi Sao is an advanced martial arts technique to develop close range fighting skills, enhance eye focus and contact reflexes. Contact reflexes can be 3 to 5 times quicker in response than eye reaction time. Eye reflexes react in about 0.3 to 0.5 seconds and above. Contact reflexes take between 0.15 and 0.3 seconds to react. Hence, we can see the advantages from learning this unique skill.
Chi Sao teaches us to find openings by flowing with forward intention (chi or energy) through the point of contact, (when the arms from both participants touch), to find the path with the least resistance and not fight force against force through an opponent's guard along the centre line. At the point of contact an opponent's intended move is transmitted as a vibration and our response is a contact reflex action. Also, when someone blocks, the opponent's intention can be sensed through directional forces. Force can only travel in one direction, at any given time. At the point of contact, the force will remain stationary, (we deal with it), the force will push forward (we yield to it), or, off the centre line, (we go around it) or, the force retracts, (we follow or stick to it).
DAN CHI SAO – Single sticking hands
Dan Chi Sao is the first exercise you learn. The partners face each other in the C Back position. You connect arms: one partner placing their left Tan sao forward, and the other partner placing a right Fok sao on top of the Fok sao arm.
The partner holding the Tan Sao position begins the exercise by rotating the wrist to a palm forward position and then attacking with a palm strike. The second partner responds with a Jum Sao, impeding the forward movement of the strike. The second partner then attacks, punching over the arm of the first partner. This will turn the first partner into Bong Sao. Both partners then reset to the starting position.
Doors and Bridges
Doors
To strike an opponent pass through the door
If the door is closed then wait
You can knock on the door and hope it opens
If the keys are lost then remove the hinges
If a spring loaded door then hold it
If a revolving door then wait for the correct time to enter
If the door flies off its hinges then
As he comes receive him
As he leaves escort him
Bridges
If there is a bridge in place then cross it
If there is no bridge then build one
Mistakes encountered
Fighting force with force
Seek the hands, not the opponent’s body
Missing opportunity
Not setting up a strike with another strike
Being sloppy with your strike
Forcing your strikes
Not relaxing
Not sinking
Not maintaining good structure
Allowing the mind to freeze
What we aim to develop
Sensitivity/Reaction Skills
Balance
Structure and technique (stance and movements)
Timing and speed
Control of power and distance
Clean attacking, blocking, and trapping technique
Good "bridging" skills, i.e. adhering to the opponent's forearms while delivering attacks and counter attacks to precise body targets at close range
The Chi Sao techniques that we study
BEAU JEE SAO - SPEAR HAND/THRUSTING FINGERS
BONG SAO - WING HAND
CHUN SAO - SPADE HAND
CUP SAO - SCOOPING HAND
FAK SAO - WHISKING HAND
FOK SAO - BENT WRIST HAND
GUAN SAO - SPLITTING BLOCK
GUM GAO GIN SAO - GOLDEN SCISSOR HAND
GUM SAO - TRAPPING HAND
GWAI SAO - ELBOW HACKING HAND (VERTICAL)
HEUNG SAO - SHOULDER TRAP HAND
HUEN SAO - CIRCLING HANDS
JOM SAO - INWARD CHOPPING HAND
JUM SAO - SINKING ELBOWS
JUT SAO - JERKING HANDS
KAU SAO - HOOKING HAND
LAN SAO - BAR ARM
LAO SAP - SLIPPING HAND
LAP/LOP SAO - PULLING HAND
MAN GENG SAO - NECK PULLING HAND
MUN SAO - INQUISITIVE HAND
PAK SAO - SLAPPING HAND
PAI SAO - ELBOW HACKING HANDS (HORIZONTAL)
PO PAI SAO - DOUBLE PALM HANDS
SAT SAO - SLICING HANDS
TAN SAO - PALM UP HAND, FLIPPING, SLIDING, REVERSE, ROLLING
TOK SAO - ELBOW LIFTING HANDS
YIM SAO - SICKLE HAND
The Chi Saomethods and essences that we study
MUN SAO (ASKING HAND) & TING JING (LISTENING POWER)
JOU FAAT (RUNNING METHOD) & BOH JING (DEFLECTING POWER)
TAO FAAT (STEALING METHOD) & YING JING (DRAWING DIRECTION POWER)
JEET FAAT (INTERCEPTING METHOD) & NA JING (CONTROLLING POWER)
SIM FAAT (EVASION METHOD) & TZO JING (FOLLOWING POWER)
TOU FAAT (EXPELLING FORCE METHOD) & FA JING (EXPLOSIVE POWER)
JIE FAAT (BORROWING METHOD) & TEH JING (BORROWING POWER)
DAI FAAT (GUIDING METHOD) & CHUEN JING (SHORT POWER)
FOU FAAT (FLOATING METHOD) & TI JING (UPROOTING POWER)
CHUM FAAT (COLLAPSING METHOD) & CHEN JING (SINKING POWER)
TUN FAAT (DISSOLVING METHOD) & HO JING (CLOSE UP POWER)
TOR FAAT (DRAGGING METHOD) & JEH JING (TWISTING POWER)
TUI FAAT (PUSHING METHOD) & DOW TIAO JING (VIBRATING BOUNCING POWER)
TUEN FAAT (BREAKING METHOD) & TUAN JING (INTERRUPTING POWER)
JIP FAAT (LINKING METHOD) & JEN JING (ROLLING POWER)
SAAT FAAT (FINISHING METHOD)
Ba Gua
"Fundamental Philosophical Concept"
Ba Gua can be viewed as the most philosophically complex of the internal styles with its focus on movements made as the practitioner moves in a circle around a central point, following the circular motion of yin and yang. Some see it as a magnificent kung fu dance, with then snake like twisting motion of the body swaying to an inaudible beat, but its power, like Xing Yi, is subtle and the application of Ba Gua moves are also highly effective in attack/defence situations. Practice of this style will increase the student’s speed of movement, all over body flexibility, and the high demands of the difficult footwork will improve balance and leg strength.
Xing Yi
"Form and Intention"
Xing Yi is one of the three major internal martial arts (Tai Ji, Xing Yi and Ba Gua). It is a very direct style designed to invade the opponent’s space with explosive footwork and combined techniques of attack. One Xing Yi principle states that "on meeting the opponent, movement is like an exploding volcano". Its movements are based on the 5 element fists and 12 animal forms, and while these techniques are taught outside China, Many Kung Fu Schools boast a range of techniques unknown to many Xing Yi practitioners. The style combines external “form” which is technical movement, and internal “Intention” whereby the practitioner focuses the mind, and energy, to direct additional power. On the surface Xing Yi movements do not appear complex, but the source of its power is an ongoing search for the student, and persistent study creates a deeper and deeper understanding of the sublime subtlety of the style. Xing Yi is suitable for students of all levels.
ANLABY KUNG FU
Wednesdays 7pm to 9:30pm
Hull Collegiate School, Anlaby
Contact Mike or Odette Mitchell on
07816458977
email: club@hullkungfu.co.uk
HULL KUNG FU
Sundays 7pm to 9pm
Community Centre, Garden Village, Hull
Contact Andy on
07837418109
email: club@hullkungfu.co.uk
For More Information visit