Yin Ching Kuen
Taught as the third form by Sifu Garry Hearfield in Australia, and as an advanced level form by Sifu Loi Lok Fu in the US, Yin Ching Kuen seems to have a lot of Hung Gar/Choy Lee Fut type of movements - longer punches, more circular punches, etc. Also contains some dynamic tension sections. A very good set to use to develop fitness (one of the longest sets), hand combinations and footwork.
From http://www.nationmaster.com/encyclopedia/Yau-Kung-Mun - "Ying Ching Kuen - contains a lot of dynamic tension, muscle building, external ging & rib training. This is a cleansing form (health), hard chi kung."
Saturday, January 17, 2009
Saturday, January 10, 2009
Dai Sup Ji Kuen
The third set taught (by my Sifu, Sifu Loi Lok Fu) in the curriculum is Dai Sup Ji Kuen - Large Ten Pattern Fist.
Like Siu Sup Ji Kuen, it's footwork when viewed from above resembles a cross pattern (+) similar to the Chinese character for the number ten.
The set contains some interesting changes in direction, introduces some more hand combination's and, being named "Large" ten pattern fist, is a little longer and more complicated than Siu Sup Ji Kuen.
In my opinion, these three sets (Tong Gee Kuen, Siu Sup Ji Kuen and Dai Sup Ji Kuen) form the nucleus of a very effective fighting system. Of course, it is up to the student (and for the instructor to distill) to practice diligently, examine the movements carefully, and develop a proper mindset to enable use of these techniques for self-protection.
Train the basics, they are what the advanced techniques are based on (stance, footwork, conditioning, fighting experience to develop the spirit).
Like Siu Sup Ji Kuen, it's footwork when viewed from above resembles a cross pattern (+) similar to the Chinese character for the number ten.
The set contains some interesting changes in direction, introduces some more hand combination's and, being named "Large" ten pattern fist, is a little longer and more complicated than Siu Sup Ji Kuen.
In my opinion, these three sets (Tong Gee Kuen, Siu Sup Ji Kuen and Dai Sup Ji Kuen) form the nucleus of a very effective fighting system. Of course, it is up to the student (and for the instructor to distill) to practice diligently, examine the movements carefully, and develop a proper mindset to enable use of these techniques for self-protection.
Train the basics, they are what the advanced techniques are based on (stance, footwork, conditioning, fighting experience to develop the spirit).
Siu Sup Ji Kuen
Siu Sup Ji Kuen - Small Ten Patter Fist - is the second set taught in Yau Kung Mun. It is named after the pattern formed on the ground, the Chinese character for the number 10, a plus sign.
Like Tong Gee Kuen, it is a fairly simple, aggressive set, very suitable for self protection. The set introduces some interesting footwork and a few 'hidden' throws and locking techniques.
As an aside, many styles use the same naming convention - after the pattern formed. Gung Gee Fook Fu Kuen from Hung Gar comes to mind - Character "I" Tiger Subduing Fist.
Like Tong Gee Kuen, it is a fairly simple, aggressive set, very suitable for self protection. The set introduces some interesting footwork and a few 'hidden' throws and locking techniques.
As an aside, many styles use the same naming convention - after the pattern formed. Gung Gee Fook Fu Kuen from Hung Gar comes to mind - Character "I" Tiger Subduing Fist.
Saturday, January 3, 2009
Tong Gee Kuen
Generally taught as the first set, it is full of extremely useful fighting combination's, teaching the student how to move, strike and kick. Not very flashy, but designed to impart basic competence and aggression (forward movement) from the beginning.
I was told it translated as "through the joint" fist, referring to the method of punching used.
From personal experience, I have seen students who had not trained formally for about 15 years, able to perform the set - it is drilled that intensely and is that effective.
By the way, the name of the style, Yau Kung Mun, translates as "Sect of Flexible Power". A word by word translation is "Soft Hard Door".
I was told it translated as "through the joint" fist, referring to the method of punching used.
From personal experience, I have seen students who had not trained formally for about 15 years, able to perform the set - it is drilled that intensely and is that effective.
By the way, the name of the style, Yau Kung Mun, translates as "Sect of Flexible Power". A word by word translation is "Soft Hard Door".
Thursday, January 1, 2009
Welcome to 2009, and a new post
Happy New Year!
An ongoing series is starting today - Yau Kung Mun sets (at least the ones I know).
Starting off with the "Stance Set" - we would start every class in San Diego with this simple set of movements. It is a great way to practice the basics (stance, hand strikes, kicks). Combined with the first two sets, you have a very good fighting system.
Way long ago, I saw some YKM workouts in Washington State and in San Francisco's Chinatown, and they all started with the Stance Set (after bowing in and observing courtesies, of course).
After the Stance Set, we moved into physical training (leglifts, pushups, saam sing, etc). Then on to the sets practice (forms, kuen, kata, whatever your art calls them).
If you want to learn more about the sets we will be discussing, contact me.
An ongoing series is starting today - Yau Kung Mun sets (at least the ones I know).
Starting off with the "Stance Set" - we would start every class in San Diego with this simple set of movements. It is a great way to practice the basics (stance, hand strikes, kicks). Combined with the first two sets, you have a very good fighting system.
Way long ago, I saw some YKM workouts in Washington State and in San Francisco's Chinatown, and they all started with the Stance Set (after bowing in and observing courtesies, of course).
After the Stance Set, we moved into physical training (leglifts, pushups, saam sing, etc). Then on to the sets practice (forms, kuen, kata, whatever your art calls them).
If you want to learn more about the sets we will be discussing, contact me.
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Phoenix Eye Fist Training - An article submission
Here is a short article on training the Phoenix Eye Fist, from Sean (http://www.myspace.com/pen_and_sword).
Probably next to the standard fist and the open palm, the phoenix eye fist is a prominent technique of nearly every style of Kung Fu, especially southern styles. It is probably the core technique of Yau Kung Mun, Bak Mei and Xingyi. It appears in Lion's Roar, Hop Gar, Hung Gar and Choy Li Fut. It is considered an advanced technique in classical Okinawan Karate.
According to Yip Man's son, Yip Chun, the phoenix eye fist was a core technique in mainland versions of Wing Chun, but was removed by Yip Man because he thought it was too lethal. The Okinawan Karate sensei, Choki Motobu, used a phoenix eye fist to the temple of a Russian bare knuckle boxer on tour in Japan, knocking him out at the start of the second round.
Before I studied Yau Kung Mun, the only times I'd ever trained in the phoenix eye fist was when it was when it appeared in whatever form I was learning at the time. I never imagined I would actually consider it a viable technique in hand-to-hand combat.
But then, Don showed me how to train for it doing phoenix eye pushups. Trust me, it's not as difficult as it sounds. You just have to approach it with the same common sense you use when learning any other new exercise or technique.
1. Get yourself some nice, thick rubber padding. I have an old palm rest from my computer keyboard I use for that purpose.
2. Make a good phoenix eye fist with the thumb reinforcing the index finger.
3. Assume a pushup position with your fists on the rubber pad. At first, you should start out with your weight on the bottom three knuckles of your fists.
4. Slowly roll onto your extended knuckle of your phoenix eye fists.
5. As soon as you are balanced, attempt some pushups. Three should be plenty for a beginner. My personal best is ten.
If you do this exercise faithfully, you'll feel a lot more confident in your phoenix eye fists. As you use it in your forms, you'll actually feel that you could really cause some damage to someone if you use it against a vital area.
Prime targets are the solar plexus and the armpits, though it is also effective against the throat, eyes, gut and other soft targets of the body.
As Don likes to say, train hard, train smart.
To which I add, have fun while doing it.
Probably next to the standard fist and the open palm, the phoenix eye fist is a prominent technique of nearly every style of Kung Fu, especially southern styles. It is probably the core technique of Yau Kung Mun, Bak Mei and Xingyi. It appears in Lion's Roar, Hop Gar, Hung Gar and Choy Li Fut. It is considered an advanced technique in classical Okinawan Karate.
According to Yip Man's son, Yip Chun, the phoenix eye fist was a core technique in mainland versions of Wing Chun, but was removed by Yip Man because he thought it was too lethal. The Okinawan Karate sensei, Choki Motobu, used a phoenix eye fist to the temple of a Russian bare knuckle boxer on tour in Japan, knocking him out at the start of the second round.
Before I studied Yau Kung Mun, the only times I'd ever trained in the phoenix eye fist was when it was when it appeared in whatever form I was learning at the time. I never imagined I would actually consider it a viable technique in hand-to-hand combat.
But then, Don showed me how to train for it doing phoenix eye pushups. Trust me, it's not as difficult as it sounds. You just have to approach it with the same common sense you use when learning any other new exercise or technique.
1. Get yourself some nice, thick rubber padding. I have an old palm rest from my computer keyboard I use for that purpose.
2. Make a good phoenix eye fist with the thumb reinforcing the index finger.
3. Assume a pushup position with your fists on the rubber pad. At first, you should start out with your weight on the bottom three knuckles of your fists.
4. Slowly roll onto your extended knuckle of your phoenix eye fists.
5. As soon as you are balanced, attempt some pushups. Three should be plenty for a beginner. My personal best is ten.
If you do this exercise faithfully, you'll feel a lot more confident in your phoenix eye fists. As you use it in your forms, you'll actually feel that you could really cause some damage to someone if you use it against a vital area.
Prime targets are the solar plexus and the armpits, though it is also effective against the throat, eyes, gut and other soft targets of the body.
As Don likes to say, train hard, train smart.
To which I add, have fun while doing it.
Saturday, December 20, 2008
A long absence....
I have been busy as all get out with my day job. Spent the last three weeks in three different training venues.
Will post a Gung Fu related post later (around Christmas).
Here is a link to a site that explains the "Royal Court" of Matt Furey - a great, no frills fitness routine.
http://www.power-fitness.info/index.html
Keep active, train smart, and above all, keep training!
Will post a Gung Fu related post later (around Christmas).
Here is a link to a site that explains the "Royal Court" of Matt Furey - a great, no frills fitness routine.
http://www.power-fitness.info/index.html
Keep active, train smart, and above all, keep training!
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