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You are here: Home / Archives for Shaolin Kung Fu

What are the main purposes of martial arts forms?

June 8, 2020 by lvshaolin Leave a Comment

A martial arts form or kata (as it is called in Japanese) is just a series of self defense techniques strung together in a sequence that flows together. Practicing forms is akin to doing rounds of shadowboxing in boxing, just with less of an emphasis on freestyle.

The Truth About Kung Fu Forms – Practical Training Tool Or A Huge Waste Of Time?

I recently read an article written by a Jeet Kune Do instructor. In this article, he advocated the idea that learning forms or choreographed patterns are a useless endeavor.

My humble opinion is that whenever someone tells you that there is no value in training in a certain way or using a certain method it says a lot about their understanding of the martial arts.

Broad sweeping statements such as those are the equivalent of saying that that it never snows in Las Vegas.

Training In Forms Is Not Useless

Forms can teach you numerous things. It can develop many attributes that will help you become both a better fighter and a martial artist. One quality that training informs can develop in you is the attribute of fluidity. Kung fu forms are famous for their flowing and powerful motions.

Executing a set of kata without pausing or stopping between moves will directly translate to being able to fight without stopping. In a real-life self-defense scenario, the ability to flow is so much more important to your success than practically anything else.

Practicing forms or sets will likewise teach you the correct way to block and strike while in motion. Many times students can perform blocks and strike perfectly while standing still but, include footwork and they now must focus on moving multiple body parts at the same time.


Practicing Forms Are The Best Way To Workout

At the highest level of training, forms practice can become the ultimate conditioning solution.

Just how much of a workout you get out of doing forms will greatly depend on how much intensity and speed you execute the form with. What you put inot it is what you will get out of it.  Imagine a boxer that does shadowboxing. Does he get a good workout? Well of course, his results will aslo greatly depend on the speed an intensity that he puts into hos shadowboxing. Does he practicae at a lackadaisical pace or at a very elevated pace?

Why Not Just Do Sparring Instead?

I have trained in several systems of martial arts. Some systems and styles will teach forms, then teach and self defense as a separate class. These systems think of forms and fighting as two completely detached entities. In fact, it is almost as if they were teaching an entirely different styles.

For example, if you went to a tae kwon do gym, the first thing they would teach you is the jab, the cross and the roundhouse kick. yet these techniques are nowhere to be found in the form.

They never teach the how to use the movements found in the form in realistic sparring.

Sparring

No Practical Use Of The Movements Found In The Form

In these types of programs, it seems as though the traditional forms have no realistic use. However, the movements contained within the forms of Shaolin Kung Fu each have an explicit application in combat.

If the movements you are learning have no martial function, then you are learning a dance.

Practicing Forms Has No Value?

It has taken me literally half of my life to feel like I have a firm grasp of every one of the forms in Kung Fu. Even these days, I believe that I have a lot of more room for refinement. Shaolin Kung Fu can take a whole entire lifetime to learn and master.

Saying forms has no value is akin to saying hitting the heavy bag has no value.

You could easily make an argument that the heavy bag does not counter or hit back at you, therefore, hitting the heavy bag is useless. The heavy bag is nothing like a real opponent. 

Hitting or kicking the heavy bag will enable to develop the trait of striking with power. Just as Jumping rope will help you develop fast footwork and jogging will develop your endurance. A boxer, will work sparring, heavy bag, double end bag, running, jump rope, and focus mitts all on the very same day.

Forms are just one of many methods you can use to practice Kung Fu.

However, there are a couple of things that training in forms will not help you with.

What Form Practice Is Not Good For

Training In Forms Will Not Teach You A Feel For What Is Correct Range Or Distancing.

To be proficient in the martial arts you will need to develop a good instinct for what is the correct distance needed between you and your opponent in order to successfully apply blocks.

Kung Fu forms practice also will not teach you how to flow or follow up effectively. Having the ability to recognize the next target then strike it with power is also an essential skill-set.

It took me almost a full year to learn my first Shaolin Kung Fu form. Occasionally, I tell my students how long it took me to learn the first form. Often time they look at me incredulously and I think they do not believe me.

This intrinsic challengesfound in the art of Kung fu are one of the things that initially drew me to it.

However, I also think one of the reasons Kung fu is not as popular in the United States as Tae Kwon Do is, because training in kung fu appeals only to a certain type of person. Shaolin Kung fu appeals to people interested in continuous and constant work and improvement.

 Learning Kung fu is the exact opposite of instant gratification. It takes back breaking work and perseverance to be successful.

Are you looking for true transformation? Then you can be our next student!

Filed Under: Shaolin Kung Fu

Sil Lum Fut Gar Kuen

December 20, 2019 by lvshaolin Leave a Comment

 Shaolin Fo Jia Chuan or  Sil Lum Fut Gar Kuen 

Sil Lum Fut Gar Kuen - The Traditional Southern Style That is the predecessor to modern Wing Chun

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Shaolin Fo Jia Chuan Or Sil Lum Fut Gar Kuen

During the time China's Ching Dynasty, which ruled during the 18th century, a style of kung fu called Sil Lum Fut Ga Kuen was created.

Any citizen who would dare oppose the Ching government was tortured and killed. The Han Chinese, who made up the majority of the population, was subjected to the worst kind of physical and mental degradation under the Manchu rule.

Secret societies of revolutionaries dedicated to the overthrow of the Manchus formed. These secret organizations consisted of many of China's most skilled fighters

Hence, the Ching Dynasty realized the threat posed by well-trained fighters against the Ching Regime. Manchurian rulers required commitments of loyalty from all martial arts masters. Those masters who refused were put to death.

Revolution

Therefore, many revolutionary fighters were executed. Others were forced into exile. The Shaolin temples, located in the center of the country, served as refuges for many soldiers, dissidents, and persons fleeing persecution.

However, several of these refugees were martial arts experts. Their combined presence at the temple allowed for the exchange of different fighting styles and techniques.

Thus, these fighters helped to refine and improve the techniques already known by the monks, during their stay. The monks, in turn, fused these techniques with their system of meditation and qigong.

The 5 Famous Families Of Southern Style Kung Fu

One monk living at the Sil Lum Monastery was fortunate enough to receive the attention and guidance of 5 different masters of Kung Fu. He learned from masters of Lau Ga, Li Ga, Mok Ga, Hung Ga, and Choy Ga styles. Each Kung Fu style had unique characteristics and emphasized different techniques.

For example, Hung Ga Kuen emphasized brute strength and a low wide stance. The stances in Hung Ga Kuen are deep and low to develop strength in the legs but become very upright when fighting. You should be able to stay rooted and balanced standing upright because of the feeling gained at the deep posture.

Next, Mok Ga was famed for its kicks. You attack an opponent's knees and feet in this style.

Finally, Lau Ga Kuen contained all of the locking hand techniques.

This one monk integrated this accumulated knowledge into a single style. This monk kept only the martial arts techniques he felt were most efficient. He then discarded all techniques he considered less essential. He condensed them down to only those techniques he thought were really going to work in a true fight.

This is SiI Lum Fut Ga Kuen.

Sil Lum Fut Gar Kuen contains elements that are typical of both Northern and Southern Gong Fu styles.

Sil Lum Fut Gar Kuen - The Style Of Ng Mui

To begin with, The Sil Lum Temple takes in mostly men for members. To live at the Sil Lum Temple during this time in history, you almost certainly had to be a man.

However, one outstanding lady monk or nun studied this system, her name was Ng Mui.

Ng Mui was a very powerful martial artist and gained the respect of all of the men at the temple. She would sometimes leave Sil Lum and visit the neighboring villages. It is during one of her outings that she met a young woman named Yim Wing Chun.

Sil Lum Fut Gar Kuen Seminar

The Wing Chun Connection

In this case, Ng Mui taught another famous teacher named Yim Wing Chun.

However, Wing Chun felt the training was too strenuous and took a long time to master. So, Wing Chun created and perfected a system of her own which now bears her name. In fact, there is still a very strong resemblance to some of the Sil Lum Fut Ga movements in Wing Cun Kung Fu, especially in the hands. 

The Buddhist Connection

Unlike many other martial arts forms, Sil Lum Kung fu origins are based in religion. The Sil Lum Temple was founded as a part of the Chan Sect. Imported into China, the Chan sect was a school of Buddhism that was founded in the Sixth century.

The Chan Sect was a school of Buddhism imported to the Chinese culture during the early Sixth century. The Chan Sect soon became the dominant Buddhist school in China, with more than 79 percent of the country's temples practicing its teachings.

Actually, two completely separate Sil Lum temples were built, one for the Northern sect and one for the Southern sect. These Sil Lum Temples distinguished themselves from the others in that their monks were martial arts experts. Throughout history, dedication to studying and living the scriptures of Buddhism, and intense martial arts training were the hallmarks of the life of a Shaolin monk.

What Is Traditional Kung Fu?

Did you know that some people call my school and ask if I teach ‘traditional” kung fu? Usually, I say yes. Then I think to myself what a loaded question that is. I really have no idea how to answer them because “traditional” can mean so many different things to different people. The art of kung fu itself is ancient. For example, it is hundreds of years old. So, kung fu is “traditional” in that these many techniques survived the test of time because of their efficiency.

However, some schools think “traditional” as being one true way.

They do not intertwine other styles and even they go so far as to say “We teach the art as it was taught by the founder”.

Traditional thought could not be farther from this. The art that I teach called Sil Lum Fut Ga Kuen is an intertwining of five different styles itself.

We would not be practicing Sil Lum Fut Ga Kuen today if the original creator of this martial arts style had taken this so-called “traditional” approach. Bruce Lee was not the first person to incorporate different styles into his training. Martial arts are always evolving because people are all different.

Specifically, what works for you might not work for someone else. For example, a tall person with a long reach will want to stay to the outside rather than get in real close. However, someone with long legs will want to develop their kicks to a high level while if you have a short muscular build you will want to get in tight against the person you are fighting.

Each individual student should receive customized instruction in martial arts. Any martial arts instructor worth their salt will realize this obvious fact.

Use Everything You Know

In conclusion, most people when entering a new school may know some martial arts already.

Very few of these new students like to demonstrate their previous knowledge. Sometimes, they may think it disrespectful or as showing off somehow. However, I always emphasize in my classes for you to use what you know if it is going to help you become a better fighter.

For example, you can use Free fighting or shadow boxing as drills that combine all of your skills together. You should try to become fluid at using them all the styles in conjunction seamlessly.

To summarize, you can take from each art the strength of the art. Kung Fu is really good at targeting. Kung fu hits the eye, throat, and groin as its primary targets. You can steal from boxing the defensive tactics and evasion techniques. A good boxer utilizing slips can become virtually unhittable. From jujitsu, you can incorporate the grappling techniques and ground fighting. Escrima has the best knife defense drills and tactics. You can incorporate Wing Chun Kung fu’s chi sau drills which develop a very high level of sensitivity and flow.

Lastly, my own personal goal and the goals of many of my students, are to become complete fighters. In my very “traditional” school I recommend using everything at your disposal to become one

Need an instructor in Los Angeles? Click here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=UUrXsWfBx6wIwn1tB78IJyhA

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Filed Under: Shaolin Kung Fu

Slapping Water – The Legend Of Tai Kwei [Shaolin Kung Fu Training Technique]

March 22, 2018 by lvshaolin

How Slapping Water Became A Shaolin Training Method 

A man named Tai Kwei lived in a small village in China. The landlord of the village was very selfish and greedy. The landlord charged all of the village people a great amount of money just to live and do business in his village.

The people of the village were very downcast and desperate. As a result, they were very poor by the high prices of the selfish landlord.

However, they wanted things to change. The people of the village decided to gather up all the rice they could find and gave it as an offering to the Shaolin Temple. In exchange, the people wanted the Shaolin monks to train Tai Kwei in kung fu. The people of the village thought, if they had a Shaolin master among them, the landlord would no longer be able to force them to pay very high rents.

Slapping Water

Luckily, the master of the temple agreed to let Tai Kwei live and train there. The monk brought out a large barrel of water. The priest then gave Tai Kwei instructions. Tai Kwei was to slap the surface of the water with all his strength. 

Furthermore, the master told him to continue slapping water for the rest of the day. With no hesitation, Tai Kwei slapped the surface and splashed water in all directions. Throughout the day, the barrel was refilled with water each time the water level dropped too low.

The next day Tai Kwei was told to continue his exercise. Surprisingly, this stretched into weeks and then into months. Although he had his doubts, Tai Kwei slapped the water furiously every day.

Finally, after two long years of slapping water in the barrel, he could take it no longer. In due time, Tai Kwei became angry that he had come all this long way and had not learned any kung fu. One night, while sitting at the table for dinner Tai Kwei stood up and spoke to the master. He said, "I have been slapping that barrel of water for nearly two years. I came here to learn kung fu and in all that time I have learned nothing!" In anger, he pounded his fist on the dinner table. To his complete surprise, the sturdy wooden table broke in two with the force of his blow.

There's Always A Lesson

Meanwhile, all of the other priests all gazed in wonder at the remains of the table. Their food was now scattered all over the floor. Tai Kwei was in shock. He turned to the master and immediately bowed to his teacher and apologized. Still in his chair, the master smiled and folded his hands while speaking. "Now my pupil you have learned your first lesson of slapping water".

After a few years, Tai Kwei left Shaolin temple and went back to his village where he helped all of the people who lived there. The landlord was afraid of Tai Kwei's new skills. As a result, the landlord no longer charged the people of his village unreasonable rents and everyone was able to live happily ever after.

Slapping Water
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Filed Under: Shaolin Kung Fu

Kung Fu Blocking Techniques – Learn Traditional Shaolin Blocks [Tutorial]

May 15, 2014 by lvshaolin

The 3 levels to blocking any type of incoming punch

To start with, In my opinion, there are 3 types of blocks in general. Or it might be more accurate to say that the same block can be executed with varying degrees of control. All Kung Fu Blocking Techniques fall under level 3.

Level 1

In the first type of blocking the defender does not control the opponent's balance or striking arm at all. This is equivalent to a boxing slip. You let the incoming attack continue on its trajectory. Instead, you move out of the way

Level 2

In the second type of level of blocking the defender parries or stops the opponents strike with a minimal amount of deflection. You let the incoming attack mostly continue on its trajectory. You only move it slightly out of the way

Level 3

In the third level or type of block falls the Shaolin system. With Shaolin blocking the defender redirects the opponents strike while at the same time utilizing the momentum generated to off-balance the opponent. This opens up multiple types of targets to counter-attack.

Keep in mind that I do practice Western Boxing, Filipino Escrima, and Japanese Judo in addition to Chinese Kung Fu, so I do not advocate that any 1 type of block is better than another.

Furthermore, If there are teachers out there who say blocking is better than evading or evading is always better than blocking, than they are ignorant of all the possibilities. With this in mind, you should aspire to be a total martial artist. In addition, there are many different kinds of confrontations you may have to be ready for. Confrontations that might include stand up, ground, and weapon-based attacks. 

Kum Sau (Covering Hand)

The Shaolin style of kung fu has many different blocking techniques. The Kum Sau or covering hand is the block being shown. It looks very similar to parries found in Boxing, Silat, and Kali.

In all honesty, I think that the major difference between the Shaolin method of parrying a punch and other styles is that the Shaolin style of blocking seeks to off-balance the opponent through the amount of follow-through or distance that the hand travels.

Pan Sau (Double Slap Block)

Indeed, The Shaolin style of kung fu has many different blocking techniques. Here we are covering a double slap block called Pan Sau (Cantonese).

Shaolin Blocks will injure the opponent's incoming punch while protecting you at the same time


There are basically two concepts to striking while blocking. The first is to strike using follow-through.

For this reason, do not just touch the surface but rather penetrate through. This concept can lead to producing some ugly looking welts on the opponent's arm.

Next, the second concept is to use speed when using Shaolin Kung Fu Blocking Techniques.

I know this sounds like common sense, but I have found that most beginners confuse pushing with striking. instead of having their hands moving at a fast speed at the beginning of the blocking motion, they execute the block slowly at first then speed it up at the end of the movement.

Actually, this produces a pushing effect and will not have any power.

The monks who lived at the Shaolin temple were pacifists and did not want to kill anyone. So many of the techniques of their Shaolin Kung Fu were defensive in nature.

However, in a real self-defense situation one of the best ways to get out alive is to strike first, rather than a counter. Striking first will give you the element of surprise and is much easier to execute than trying to block an incoming punch.

We try to teach beginners both concepts of Shaolin Kung Fu Blocking Techniques, so they feel that they understand the realities of actual self-defense.

Kung Fu Blocking Techniques
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Filed Under: Shaolin Kung Fu Tagged With: Kung Fu

How Long Does It Take To Get A Black Belt In Kung Fu?

May 5, 2014 by lvshaolin Leave a Comment

In general it take about 8 to 10 years to get a black belt or black sash in Kung Fu. Of course everyone's journey to black belt is going to be different, it depends on how many classes you are attending per week, and how physically coordinated you were staring out.

Have you ever looked back on something that you accomplished and saw how much time it took? Did you wonder why it took so long before you reached it?

We have never had a student be promoted to a Kung Fu Black Belt in our ten years of being open as a martial arts studio.

Our expectations are not for the students to be masters at the styles, instead, we want them to know just some knowledge of the other arts and be well rounded.

Belt Testing

At our school, the Las Vegas Kung Fu Academy, the actual belt "testing" is not really a test but rather it is a ceremony to promote the student.

The actual test is taken before the ceremony and most of the work is done in classes. We think of the belt test as more of a demonstration.

This way the student knows what to expect and they have gone through it in a "dry run" much times previously. It then becomes fun for the student taking the test. The belt test is a time to actually show family and friends all of the cool techniques they have been learning.

Every time a child takes a belt test they feel a little bit more confidence in their abilities. They are able to reaffirm their previous skills and also show how much they have improved from the last test. This kind of confidence-building is incremental but yet at the same time extremely powerful in building up self-esteem.

We have a saying in our school "If you train hard you get to be a little bit stronger and more skilled every day" Sometimes it is hard to see growth when the kids are improving just a tiny bit daily, but when they take their test they can really see how far they have actually come.

It takes tremendous amounts of work, learning, and dedication but I am now proud to say that I have three well-deserving black belt students. My daughter and wife are 2 out of the 3.

There is only one secret to achieving a Kung Fu Black Belt...dedication and commitment. Trying to learn even one style of martial arts takes a lot of time.

People sometimes get stuck. They stop progressing. They hit a wall and eventually lose the motivation to continue on in their journey

My daughter has been training since she was 4 years old. As soon as she could walk I had her doing basic coordination exercises and stretching. She grew up with martial arts in her life and so did my wife. I got them both into training with me and we eventually opened up our own studio in Las Vegas.

Kung Fu Black Belt

Why So Long?

So why did it take so long for them to become kung fu black belts? Kaitlyn and Renee were one belt down from black, brown, for 6 years. The answer is commitment.

Yes, they trained every day. They learned new things and their skills got better. But they didn't set a goal for themselves. It takes a mental decision, to test. Their internal dialog wasn't "I want this" They hit a wall and plateau in their training.

It was only when Kaitlyn came up to me and said Dad, "I made it my goal to get my black belt by the end of the year" where I started to see the changes. She broke through the wall and committed herself to improve and receive her kung fu black belt.

Kung Fu Black Belt

The Kung Fu Black Belt is a symbol of belonging to a very exclusive group of people

She trained every day and became dedicated to achieving her goal. Then it motivated my other two black belts to join her and push hard to get their belts together.

Dedication is simply never giving up. Dedication is the students who show up to class every day on time and are the last ones out of the studio. It means that you put your entire self into your training with passion, heart, and soul.

This is the true lesson that they learned. I watched all three of them set their goal then work hard and take the steps they needed to achieve it.

They learned what it means to be fully dedicated and committed to something. Then experienced what it feels like to finally reach what they have been working towards.

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Filed Under: Shaolin Kung Fu

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