General

Kung Fu (really meaning time & energy) is the general term for the "external" side of the Chinese martial arts. This term is more properly called Wushu (meaning martial art or skill) but in the Western part of the world, this name has stuck to denote the martial art itself. In our classes, this name is used to denote the training of the Chinese martial arts with the emphasis on applications. Two distinct styles are taught during this course; Northern Long Fist and Southern White Crane. The Long Fist style emphasizes many middle to long range applications as well as a wide variety of kicking techniques. The Southern White Crane style emphasizes very powerful striking techniques using coordinated waist jerking movements as well as middle to short range fighting applications.

Format

A wide variety of stances, kicking and striking techniques are learned and practiced. The student will first practice these techniques and then learn traditional Long Fist and Southern White Crane bare hand forms or routines. These forms practice the coordination of stepping, blocking, striking, and kicking during fighting situations. These solo forms are essential to the overall mastery of the art of Kung Fu. A variety of bare hand and weapon forms are taught with the weapons being taught after one year of training.

Each class also features the training of one's reaction and fighting skills. This entails the practice with a partner, a variety of fighting form drills which train one's timing, reaction, proper positioning, focus, movement in relation to an opponent, as well as bravery. This "bravery" and "self-confidence" is automatically trained because the student becomes accustomed to "dealing with" the energies and forces from a given opponent. When this happens, the mind can remain calm during any situation and react accordingly, neither under-reacting nor over reacting.

When the student becomes familiar with the structured fighting forms, he will then move on to basic free fighting. In Kung Fu, the concept of merely kicking or punching at an opponent is very basic and leads to bad habits. Kung Fu fighting is done while being relatively relaxed and calm and all movements and techniques are done in relation to the opponent's actions. Movements are smooth and continuous rather than sharp and rigid. Free fighting training begins very slowly, to bring the students calmness of mind along with the physical training. This means it is very important to ensure the speed of the training is slow enough to keep the practictioner calm. As one's reaction improves and comfort level increases, speed can be increased, but only as much as the student can do so, and still remain calm and unexcited. Stepping is eventually introduced and the student must then coordinate his techniques with the stepping very smoothly and effectively. Again, this process is done very gradually for the purpose of simultaneously training calmness of mind at the same time.

Kicking is then introduced into the free fighting training, again doing so gradually until proper habits are established and again, the calmness of mind remains. Kung Fu fighting entails flowing very quickly with the opponent, taking advantage of his every move. A presentness of mind is required so one can quickly, but calmly react to all changes in the situation as they happen.