Northern Shaolin Kung Fu Moves is actually a Shaolin Temple boxing technique which has its origins inside the Shaolin Temple of Henan Province in China. Northern Shaolin is really a long-range boxing system. It emphasizes distance attacks with legs, and hands. It is actually well-known for its spectacular kicks, and devastating lengthy arm techniques. The movements are fluid, continuous, and effective. The Northern Shaolin boxer utilizes distance, and footwork to keep away from attacks, and deliver his powerful approaches.
Northern Shaolin Kung Fu Moves.
Northern Shaolin Kung Fu History
The first Shaolin temple was built in 495 AD, within the northern province of Henan. In 527 AD, an Indian Buddhist (TaMo) traveled east into China, preaching the approaches of Buddhism. Upon reaching temple in Henan, he identified the monks weak and in poor physical condition. Ta Mo then spent the subsequent 9 years developing a series of workouts created to strengthen the monks physically and mentally.
During the Tang dynasty (618-906 AD), civil war broke out. Fearing an attack by any of the warring factions, the monks blended Ta Mo’s workouts with neighborhood self defense strategies, creating what became called the Lo Han Shaolin boxing.
The monks at Shaolin continued to create their fighting arts. The monks added joint locking strategies (Chin Na), wrestling/throwing (Shuai Chiao)and internal power (Chi Kung). In 960 AD, Emperor Tai Tsu created several kung fu styles such as Chang Chuan (Long Fist). Emperor Tai Tsu was also a skilled disciple of the Shaolin Temple. The Emperors Long Fist style had very long movements, circular arm motions and quite a few leg attacks. This style was also incorporated into the Shaolin boxing. There was also one more style that had affected the Northern Shaolin system inside the 1300’s referred to as Tan Tui, or Springing Legs, developed by Muslims who immigrated into China.
In 1674, a group of monks went to the aid of the Ching Emperor against foreign invaders. Although they were victorious, when the Emperor asked if they join the Ching army, the monks declined. The angry Emperor had the temple destroyed. Most of the surviving monks fled to countryside and practiced in hiding or led rebel groups to assist overthrow the Ching government.
By the early 1700’s Northern Shaolin had develop into a set style. Northern Shaolin, and was only one of the a number of fighting styles taught at the original Henan Temple.
Hand Forms, shaolin weapons Forms, Combat Forms and Special Training
Northern Shaolin has a core of ten hand forms, and an extensive array of weapons forms, combat forms, iron palm training tactics and iron body training tactics. Every single Shaolin form has its own theme and together they teach a total repertoire of approaches. The ten well-known Northern Shaolin hand forms are listed below. (The set names shown are in Cantonese.) Quite a few further forms are included inside the training curriculum as well, including the Tan Tui forms, and others. The ones below form the core of empty hand sets of Northern Shaolin.
The Core 10 Northern Shaolin Kung Fu Hand Forms
Shaolin #1 – Koy Moon (Open Door)
Shaolin #2 – Leng Low (Lead the Way)
Shaolin #3 – Jou Mah (Ride Horse)
Shaolin #4 – Chum Sam (Strike the Heart)
Shaolin #5 – Mo I (Martial Skill)
Shaolin #6 – Tun Da (Short Strike)
Shaolin #7 – Moi Fa (Plum Blossom)
Shaolin #8 – Bot Bo (Shuffling Steps)
Shaolin #9 – Lien Wan (Continuous Moves)
Shaolin #10 – Sik Fot (Skilled Technique)
Northern Shaolin Kung Fu Characteristics
The Northern Shaolin Kung Fu style of kung fu is among the most prominent classic northern styles of Chinese martial arts. The northern styles of kung-
fu normally emphasize lengthy range approaches, fast advances and retreats, wide stances, kicking and leaping tactics, whirling circular blocks, quickness,
agility, and aggressive attacks.
The technique teaches empty-hand methods and weaponry through predetermined combinations, referred to as forms, routines, or movement of sets. The students discover the basics by practicing the routines until the movements inside the routines is usually executed naturally based on instinct. Then, two or numerous man sets are practiced to train responses and applications of methods learned from the sets. The practice sets/routines aren’t only practical in applications but are also graceful and artistic in nature. The fluidness of the movements combined with acrobatic strategies are trademarks of the Northern Shaolin sets.
The Northern Shaolin style was created well-known by the late Ku Yu Cheung. There are plenty of legends of Ku; based on tales related by his close students, Ku’s father was an achieved exponent of the Tan Tui (“springing leg”) form. When he was young, Ku traveled all through Northern China to understand all of the Northern Shaolin Kung Fu systems. He was renowned for his Iron Palm strategies and also the application of the long spear. He organized all his learnings into what exactly is today’s Northern Shaolin style.
“A very good defense is actually a strong offense. Be aggressive in attacking, whether it really is a feint or a direct attack. Maintain in mind that a fantastic fighter defeats his opponent in 3 to five moves. If this condition isn’t met, then your opponents abilities are either equal to or far better than yours. Whenever doable, counterattack at angles by sidestepping toward the opponents weak side. The three components of combat are 1.) Speed two.) Guts 3.) Tactics. All three components go hand and hand. One component can’t survive without the other people… Attack like the waves of the ocean crashing against the beach.”-Wong Jack Man (Northern Shaolin Kung Fu Master)
The history of Northern Shaolin Kung Fu stretches back towards the year 495AD, when the Shaolin Buddhist monastery was built in Honan province in Northern China. The temple was built, under the order of Su Wen, in adoration of the Buddhist master Badra. So that you can defend the temple from attackers and thieves, the monks developed martial arts which combined combat tactics with the theories and practices of Buddhist meditation.
Today a general distinction of the kung fu styles in China is in between “northern” and “southern” styles. This is not only a distinction of geography but also of the methods and strategies themselves. The southern styles of kung fu are characterized as having short quickly hand strikes and low kicks. The southern styles are usually referred to as “short fist” styles. Two examples of southern kung fu are “Wing Chun” and “Hung Gar”. The northern styles of kung fu emphasize extension in striking, with deep stances and dynamic kicking approaches. The northern styles create flexibility, strength, coordination, balance and agility. The theory of northern style is that power is developed by means of the rigorous training of the extended postures which 1 can condense into shorter strikes when in fact fighting. The training also instills a terrific amount of versatility in movement and technique.
“Shaolin martial arts are as steady as a nail; cocked like a bow while turning like a leaf. Heavy as iron however moving like a wave. As quiet as a mountain.”-Chen Hsien Mon (Northern Shaolin Kung Fu Master)