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School Curriculum

Introduction to Chinese Martial Arts

Chinese martial arts are strange by American standards. Most of our experience comes from Japanese and Korean systems, brought to this country by American soldiers stationed in the far east in the wake of World War II. Because of this, the common practices of these arts seem more normal to us.

Japanese and Korean Martial arts, by and large, tend towards specialization is one aspect or another. Karate and Tae Kwon Do, the most common arts in America, restrict themselves to kicking and punching. Judo on the other hand is predominantly throwing. Aikido is locking and throwing. Kendo is just sword work. Iaido is just drawing the sword. Each system stakes out an area, and pretty much sticks to it.

Chinese systems took the opposite approach. The goal for the Chinese was to be healthy and safe, and for that they thought the most important thing was a broad foundation, and a balanced skill set/ exercise regimen.

Every Chinese martial art covers the following areas: Kicking, Punching, Throwing, Locking, Weapons, Chi Gung, Meditation, etc.. Each system was designed to be complete and comprehensive in its own right. From a health standpoint, you wanted balanced training. From the standpoint of self-defense, you needed to have a good level of skill in any environment in which you might be attacked.

The different styles of martial arts are different methods of achieving the same thing. Sooner or later every complete system has to cover the same ground. There really is only one style: Human Style. The human body is what it is, and it works the way it works. The mechanics of using the body in harmony with the laws of physics are the same for all people in all places and at all times.

Now certain tasks are easier or harder depending on the method you use to accomplish them. For example, using Tai Chi for strength building will be a very long endeavor. Tai Chi is usually practiced in a manner far too slow and soft for rapid strength building. By the same token, Hung Gar for relaxation, meditation, and tranquility is likewise a difficult task. Hung Gar was made for strength training, and if you are relaxed after a class, its due to utter exhaustion. (Indeed, there is talk at the studio of how in fact 'Hung Gar' is a 'four-letter word')

The key is to find an approach that fits you, and fits your goals. Nothing can replace the simple fact that if you like it, you will put your heart into it. If you put your heart into it you will be a success. With that in mind, we offer the following class and style descriptions.

'External' Styles

These classes focus on strength building, flexibility, and conditioning. External styles are excellent for weight control, cardiovascular health, and generally 'getting in shape'. The emphasis is on improving the body. External styles are simpler in execution, but more physically demanding than the Internal styles.

'Internal' Styles

These classes focus on structure, body mechanics, and sensitivity. Internal styles emphasize strategy and efficiency. Internal styles tend to be less physically demanding, though more complicated than the External styles.

'Internal' and 'External' are misleading martial arts terms, click here for an explanation.

Other Courses

These classes are not styles, but rather components of all the styles listed above. They are offered as separate classes to provide focus on specific common areas, and for people who have specialized interests.

Other Areas of Instruction

Other Information

Adept Level (Black Belt) Requirements

Northern Shaolin Kung Fu:

Northern Shaolin is the original Chinese Kung Fu. It all started in the Shaolin Temple on the forested slopes of the Songshan mountains. An Indian priest called Da Mo (Bodidarma) brought the teachings of Chan (Zen) Buddhisim to China. He was invited to the imperial court, and then was asked to leave. When he arrived at the Shaolin Temple, he found the monks too weak and flabby to listen to his lectures without falling asleep. Da Mo locked himself in a cave where he meditated for 9 years. When he was asked what he was doing, he replied: "Listening to ants scream". He finally emerged from his meditations and taught the monks a series of exercises that changed Chinese martial arts practice forever.

The Chi Gung (breathing and energy work) exercises that Da Mo taught revolutionized the practice of meditation and the martial arts. The monks quickly discovered that the exercises made their fighting skills much more effective. The change was so dramatic that the Shaolin Temple was ever after known for the excellence of its martial arts. Even martial arts styles not originally from the temple have borrowed so heavily from it's teachings that they are in many ways indistinguishable from the temple traditions.

Northern Kung Fu was shaped by China's upland plains north of the Yangtze river. The land was flat and open, the chief form of transportation was the horse. It was developed for an area where mobility was of paramount importance.

All the movements in Shaolin are designed to be used empty handed or with weapons, on foot or on horse back. The techniques are extended and very large, both to take advantage of the larger northern people's superior reach, and to loosen up the body in the cold northern winters.

Northern Shaolin is the most elementary style we offer. It is very suitable for beginning students, as it was (according to legend) used to turn mobs of conscripted farmers into mighty armies. Shaolin feels a lot like jogging, aerobics, or most team sports. It is very mobile, and visually interesting, with a great deal of variety of technique.

Our Shaolin class focuses on a series of solo and two person empty hand forms which teach the basic skills of Kung Fu. All are designed to be performed solo, or with a partner. Each set focuses on a different fighting tactic and situation. The sets start with linear punching, and move through kicking, locking, throwing, ground fighting, and eventually aerial kicking. They can be considered basic training for any style of Northern Kung Fu, and are very similar to the famous Tam Tue sets, though not as repetitive.

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Hung Gar Kung Fu:

Hung Gar is a Shaolin offshoot from Southern China. The Shaolin Temple, while chiefly known for it's marital arts, was also known for harboring political refugees. This practice earned it the eternal emnity of the Chinese Emperors. According to legend, when the Emperor ordered the Shaolin Temple burned in retribution, one monk escaped the flames. His students went on to found many systems of Southern Kung Fu. Hung Gar literally means 'Hung Family' martial arts, named after Mr. Hung.

In the south, Kung Fu was forced to change and evolve. The people and the land were very different. Many things which worked in the north were useless or even dangerous in the near tropical climate of the south.

Southern China was an area of large cities, extensive canals and rice paddies. A Hung Gar practitioner would likely find his/ her self fighting in very close conditions with very little room. Usually the battles would take place in a flooded rice paddy, or in a small boat. Stability was the chief concern.

Hung Gar uses the legs chiefly for a strong stance. The masters were known for being impossible to take off their feet. What little kicking the style does is limited to targets at waist level or below.

Hung Gar is a good choice for anyone wishing to improve their strength and conditioning. Hung Gar feels like weight lifting. There is a lot of muscle 'burn' but not alot of aerobic 'pump'. The techniques don't move around much, but they have the inevitibility and power of a falling redwood.

The class focuses on the famous Tiger & Crane set, which utilizes the classical Shaolin animals: Tiger, Dragon, Snake, Leopard, and Crane.

The Hung Gar class is downright evil. If you are looking for an intense strength building workout, look no further. Think of this class as '200 proof exercise'. If you have limited time, and want to burn maximum calories in a very small space without actually injuring yourself, this class is for you. Just don't plan on walking very well the next day. You will acclimate to it very quickly (though it is never really 'easy'), but those couple of days after your first Hung Gar class are memorable. That being said, Hung Gar is one of our studio's most popular classes.

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Hsing- I:

Hsing- I (pronounced 'Shing EE') is the 'hardest' and most active of the Internal martial arts. It's focus is on sudden, decisive, powerful action. The key word is 'explosion', with every part of the body suddenly moving in unison, and then relaxing to stillness. It's like a bomb going off: a big bang, and then nothing but an echo.

Hsing- I movements are easy to learn, but difficult to do well. It is essentially a system for getting the structure and mass of the entire body to coordinate on every strike. The adept quite literally falls fist first onto the target. Everything must start moving together, and then stop moving together.

Among martial artists, Hsing- I is synonymous with power. Historically the style enjoyed a fearsome reputation, and it's easy to understand why: while the rest of the martial arts world practiced their stylized 'techniques', the Hsing- I adepts practiced the raw physics of hurling their entire body mass, unified into one structure, into the opponent.

The system is very concise. There are 3 stances, and only 5 techniques. All subsequent forms and drills are variations and/ or combinations of these 5 movements. A practitioner must then learn to do them in every conceivable manner: moving forward, moving backward, sideways, double, combinations, etc.

The 5 moves or 'elements' are actually principles or equations for generating force with the body. As such they readily transfer over other areas such as weapons and tools. In Hsing- I you start with your body, and then learn how to do the same moves with a spear, staff, sword, etc. This has the advantage that in extremis, any object becomes a tool, and you already know the moves: they are the 5 techniques that you have been practicing since your first class.

The movements are very small, and very effective, but not much to look at. The style was designed to work, not look cool. Every movement simultaneously blocks and attacks. The movements work via the principle of a splitting wedge: the structure and angles of the technique divide and deflect the incoming force.

Practicing Hsing- I feels a bit like skating; you push off the ground with an explosive burst of speed. You fight like an animal does, waiting intently in a crouch, with all senses alert. When an opening presents itself, you lunge forward ferociously, hurling yourself into your attacker, and then instantly reset to await your next opportunity.

This might sound like a tactic useful only to large individuals, but it is quite the contrary. Think of any human body. What does it weigh? Few adults, no matter how small weigh less than 100 lbs. How fast would you have to swing a 100 lb. weight before it could cause injury? Size is not important, only coordination. Even the smallest person has more than enough mass to be dangerous, if only they learn to use what they have efficiently.

Hsing- I is based on military spear tactics, and was pioneered for soldiers in armor whose weapons have broken. There are no large swinging motions or high jumps, as the armor would have prevented it. Choke outs and other passive restraints are likewise missing, as on the battlefield there was no time for such. There is a full compliment of strikes, kicks, locks and throws as in any Chinese martial art, but they are all quick, direct, and powerful. The style was designed to 'just get it over with'.

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Bagua:

Bagua is the most passive of the Internal systems. It's essence is evasion. It's fundamental law is to keep moving. Everything in Bagua is designed with this in mind. It is difficult for an opponent to hit you, because you simply are not there.

Bagua is usually practiced walking in circles of various diameters. This has given rise to the thinking that circles are at the core of the bagua style. This is somewhat misunderstood. The key is the walking. While the movements are indeed circular and soft, it is not the circle per se that is so important. It is the motion. Bagua is a style of endless movement. However if you are going to be constantly moving, and yet stay inside the room, (or be able to get home for lunch, if you are practicing outside) you end up having to walk in circles.

Footwork, keeping your balance, and your positioning relative to your opponent are of paramount importance in Bagua. It resembles ballroom dancing more than it does Boxing or Karate. You glide gracefully around your opponent, leaving him to wonder where you have gone.

Bagua is a relatively new art, having been developed in the early 19th century. It can be very difficult to learn, as the founder taught only principles, not techniques. All of the original students were nearly masters in other systems. Due their experience, they had a great deal of material from their earlier studies to apply to the principles of Bagua.

Bagua can be learned by people with no experience. You just need to keep in mind it's essence: movement. The style boils down to 2 fundamental movements or "changes" and a number of footwork exercises designed to teach you to keep your balance on one foot at a time while walking or running.

Fighting a Bagua master feels like trying to move a very heavy desk having very smooth wheels; You can push it around to your heart's content, but you cannot lift it or overturn it. It can also be thought of as trying to fight smoke. No matter how hard or fast you are, there is nothing to hit. Wai Lun Choi characterizes it as 'Running away from the guy in a circle'.

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Tai Chi:

Tai Chi, or more properly "Taiji" is the internal martial art that most people have heard of. It's essence is neutrality. It is the softest of the martial arts. A master is like a willow tree in a wind, moving gently with every push, never resisting, but never really being moved either.

Tai Chi is the most widely practiced internal martial art in the world. In every park or public space in China, Taiwan, and Hong Kong, you will find people practicing it's gently swaying movements as each new day starts. While most people in the world practice Tai Chi for it's health benefits, it's potential as a self- defense system is immense.

Tai Chi is practiced in slow, meditative movements which appear almost as if the practitioner is dancing under water. Balance, structure, sensitivity and relaxation are key. While all martial arts teach meditation techniques, Tai Chi is meditation. It's difficult to perform Tai Chi movements in anything but a slow, relaxed, introspective manner.

Most martial arts focus primarily on blocking an attack and then striking the attacker. Tai Chi also trains these techniques, but mainly it focuses on pushing and off- balancing the opponent rather than striking him. An opponent quickly finds his attack falling to pieces because his equilibrium has been subtly destroyed. Furthermore, the defender seemes to have barely moved. Tai Chi's movements are so soft and so mellow that they seem like no defense at all.

Fighting a Tai Chi master is like trying to fight double sided tape. You can't hit it, because it moves with you. You can't escape it, because it is stuck to you. If you try to pull it off, it just sticks to the new hand. Countering Tai Chi techniques can be like trying to push a string, or to run away from your own shadow.

Chin Na:

Chin Na is the Chinese system of joint locking. The name translates roughly as "Catching and Locking". Chin Na is the root which developed into more famous systems such as Hapkido and Aikido

Joint locks can be used to control and pacify an opponent that is much bigger and stronger by taking advantage of structural weaknesses in the human body and applying superior leverage.

It is important to note that Chin Na techniques are found in all Chinese martial arts systems, and in many other styles as well. In many cases the movements are identical across several styles. This is because no matter who you are, or what you practice, the joints of the body work in much the same way.

All of our courses teach Chin Na movements. The Chin Na class focuses on the underlying principles of controlling and directing an opponent by pressuring and locking the joints.

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Chi Gung:

'Chi' or 'Qi' translated literally is 'Breath'. 'Gung' is literally 'Work'. So 'Chi Gung' is 'Breath Work' or 'Breathing Exercises'. Food is fuel. So is oxygen. If our cars run out of gas, they will stop moving. If we cut off the air supply, they will stop much sooner.

Unfortunately we humans tend to cut off our own fuel supply when we are under stress; i.e. we hold our breath. Whether it is the physical stress of motion, or the emotional stress of life, we tend to sabotage ourselves by preventing our bodies from recieving the fuel we need to run.

Chi Gung exercises are simple motions designed to help us learn by example how to move the body in harmony with the action of breathing. Sometimes this means we must simply remember to breathe while moving. Other times the very actions we are taking preclude normal breathing unless we are aware of how the motion interacts with the breathing, and how to prevent one from interfering with the other.

The movements practiced in Chi Gung exercises are a subtle foundation that underpins all styles of martial arts and all types of motion. Practicing Chi Gung profoundly affects your energy level and endurance. You seem to have incredible stamina and strength, when in fact you are simply not working as hard as the competition, yet you accomplish more.

Chi Gung exercises are taught as part of the fundamental exercises of all Internal martial arts classes: Hsing- I, Bagua, and Tai Chi. Each style has it's own approach to training Chi Gung.

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Meditation

Meditation is described in some of the martial arts classics as "Standing still; doing nothing" and that is close to the truth. The Arabic word for meditation tranlates as "being in a state of watching and waiting". This too is an apt description.

When meditating, you are studying your own body from the inside out. You are trying to build a concious connection to every little bit of your body; trying to bring it into your awareness, and under your control. In order to use the whole body, the whole body must be online and communicating with the mind. You start with very simple positions, and try to feel that you are holding them correctly, using only internal cues.

Often what we think our bodies are doing, and what they are actually doing are two very different things. In terms of posture, movement, balance and tension, our mental picture of where we are is often skewed. You can correct this problem to a point with a good coach, or by practicing before a mirror, but in self- defense situations, these crutches are unavailable. You need to be able to monitor your body internally, without the need of outside references. This is the main purpose of meditation: self knowledge and the ability to self monitor.

With this in mind, it makes sense why you "stand still" and "do nothing". It's an amazingly difficult task to do while standing, it would be even worse if you were moving.

The health benefits of meditation stem from this self knowledge. To stand for long periods you must be able to let the structure of the skeleton hold you up, not your muscular tension. Learning to do this gives you more energy, as you don't waste it doing simple things like standing upright. You are less vulnerable to the side effects of stress too, as you can feel when you are getting tense, and can take action to correct it.

Meditation improves circulation, as you are not retarding it with unnecessary tension. Your breathing is efficient and natural. You recieve plenty of oxygen with each breath. You are calmer, more relaxed, and more centered; all because you took the time to stand there and study yourself. Meditation training is included in all 3 Internal classes: Hsing- I, Bagua, and Tai Chi.

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Weapons Training:

Weapons training is actually an integral part of Chinese Martial Arts. Weapon techniques are an extension of empty- handed movement. It is very difficult to study weapons without a firm foundation of weaponless training. Weapons instruction is included in all classes at different times.

Chinese weapons are incredibly varied both in form and use. In all martial arts, the goal is to make the weapon an extension of the body. Chinese weapon skills take this one step further. The techniques themselves are rarely very different from the empty hand techniques. In short, the adept should be able to do anything with a weapon that they can do with their bare hand. Kicking is just as effective if you happen to be holding a sword while you do it, and the hand holding the sword must be able to punch as if the sword were not there.

There are 4 basic weapon archtypes in Chinese Martial Arts:

  • The Staff
  • The Spear
  • The Broadsword or Saber
  • The Straight Sword, also known as a Tai Chi Sword

    • Every other weapon in the Chinese arsenal is a derivation or combination of these 4 basic weapons.

    The Staff, known as the 'Grandfather of All Weapons' is the most basic, and the most flexible in application. The staff is the best weapon to learn first, as it's principles are borrowed by all other weapons.

    The Spear is called 'The King of the Long Weapons' It was the favored weapon of most of the legendary figures of Chinese martial arts. It is one of the most blatantly offensive weapons, requiring only a small opening in an opponent's guard to cause a fatal wound. Hsing- I is essentially spear combat modified for use without weapons.

    The Broadsword or Saber is a wide curved blade sharp on one edge like an Arabian Scimitar. It was the basic edged weapon of a foot soldier. The Broadsword is a heavy practical blade that is used in relative close quarters where the free hand is as important as the blade.

    The Straight or Tai Chi Sword is called the 'King of the Short Weapons' It was considered the peak of achievement for any scholar or master. In fact, if you ask a chinese martial artist about a 'sword' they will assume you mean the straight, double edged 'Tai Chi Sword'

    The Sword is incredibly difficult to learn, and profoundly subtle in its use. It resembles the European Rapier in principle, but has wider applications. Traditionally it was said to take 10,000 days of practice to master it's techniques.

    Weapons are taught in Private Lessons and Seminars. They are not usually taught as part of the normal group classes. Given the limited training time available to the average student, class time is devoted to developing the fundamental motions of any given style. Fortunately, as weapons in Chinese martial arts draw off the same physical motions as the empty handed training, when the empty handed skills are deveoped to a high level, weapons training can be easily added when schedules and interests permit.

    Some examples of weapons and combinations are as follows:

  • Double Saber
  • Saber and Shield
  • Kwan Dao
  • Double Axes
  • Mellon Hammers
  • Three Section Staff
  • Wolf's Tooth Mace
  • Cane
  • Steel Whip
  • Rope
  • Rope Dart
  • Hook Swords
  • 2 Handed Saber
  • Butterfly Swords
  • Short Staff
  • Baton

    • All these weapons and many more require a good foundation in the archtypical 4 weapons explained above, as well as a firm grasp of the fundamentals of Chinese martial arts.

    Eagle Claw Kung Fu:

    Eagle Claw is a famous off shoot of traditional kung fu. It is said to have been founded by the legendary Chinese hero Yue Fei- taught by him to the troops of the imperial armies of the Song dynasty.

    Eagle teaches kicking, punching, throwing and locking, like any traditional style, but it has a strong preference fro Chin Na and Grabbing techninques. An Eagle adept would prefer to grab and lock an opponent rather than strike them.

    Chin Na is fairly uniform across all styles of martial arts- it has to be, as all human joints work more or less the same way. Eagle's real specialty is in its grabbing techniques.

    When an opponent attacks, they are blocked, and rather than being counter struck, they are grabbed on a pressure point, joint, or any suitably tender spot- then comes the pressure- and the pain. Eagle grabs are usually sufficient to bring any opponent to their knees.

    An Eagle Claw adept requires phenominal hand strength and technique. A real eagle can generate 300- 600 p.s.i with it's talons. A human hand has no hope of matching it. Technique however is much more telling than sheer strength. It requires a great deal of practice to master the skills of grabbing so that any contact with the opponent provides an opportunity for attack.

    An interesting point about Eagle Claw is that it is more of a preference of tactic than an art unto itself. The skills of grabbing are not unique. In fact, they are taught in many other systems. Eagle Claw has merely chosen to specialize in these tactics. It's fundamental mechanics and techniques are no different than any other style of martial art.

    Eagle Claw is taught via private lessons, and as part of the Chin Na class curriculum.

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    Drunken Boxing:

    Drunken Boxing is another famous style of kung fu. It is popular in the movies, usually depicted as the sneaky, unconventional style of some inebriated old man. The truth is a little less glamorous, and a lot more sober.

    Drunken style martial arts is a training tactic to loosen up the body. Many styles of kung fu have drunken forms in their repertoire. These forms are a stage in a student's training that serve to get them to relax. Drunken movements are over exaggerated, to stretch the body, and they are done with broken, irregular timing.

    Any movement can be done 'drunken style', and they should be done so in practice. Like Eagle Claw, there is little in Drunken Boxing that is unique. It is standard kung fu, with a twist to develop timing, balance, relaxation, and range of motion. There is no alcohol involved.

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    Adept Level (Black Belt)
    Training Requirements

    Forms and Skills
    Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of all previous course material. This includes forms, applications, drills, and techniques from the classes.

    Written Test
    Complete a written test. The test is multiple choice/ short answer, and relates to martial arts history, and the theories and principles of martial arts movements.

    Research
    Submit a research paper (25 pages) on a topic related to martial arts practice. Topic to be chosen by the student and instructor. Accepted papers will become part of the United Martial Arts Library and will be available for study.

    Self Defense
    Demonstrate skill in the following areas:

  • Leg Technique:
    • Be able to neutralize any single attack, and counter- attack successfully by striking with the legs.

  • Hand Technique:
    • Be able to neutralize any single attack, and counter- attack successfully by striking with the arms.

  • Throwing:
    • Be able to neutralize any single attack, and counter- attack successfully by making the opponent fall.

  • Chin Na:
    • Be able to neutralize any single attack, and counter- attack successfully by locking a joint, and forcing the opponent to submit.

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