Shaolin Kung Fu is a large technical martial arts system.
When using the term “martial arts system” to describe it, one must not compare it to many systems that were passed down door-to-door or by word of mouth.
Shaolin Quanxi (Fighting) routines have hundreds of units starting with open hand forms and working in an orderly manner through dozens of weapons.
There are striking and joint locking techniques, sweeping and grappling, acupressure applications and unique qigong exercises.
All of these categories contain exercises in which the contents consist of different types and various degrees of difficulty.
Read also: Symbolism of Shaolin Haircut
The Shaolin martial arts system is a concrete manifestation of how the human body performs in both offensive and defensive actions.
At the core of its many routines are the basic sets of combinations in which the human body can move and perform.
Many of these studies take into consideration static and dynamic movement, the principles of yin and yang, relaxation, hard and soft movements.
The study of human movement also led to the understanding of man’s ability to develop and harness qi through practical exercises and the use of the mind to develop strength and vitality.
Qi development also finds its roots in ancient Chinese wisdom, in the belief of the harmony between man and nature.
Read also: Martial arts meets comedy in Shaolin Soccer
Shaolin fighting techniques involve different ranges.
The Different Ranges in Shaolin Self-Defense
These include kicking, punching, immobilization, and grappling.
Kicking Techniques
Let’s start with kicking, since it’s the furthest range.
There are all the basic kicks, including:
- Side kick
- Hook kick
- Roundhouse
These can be combined.
Read also: A Historical Look at Northern Shaolin
Not only do we have those long-range kicks, we also have spinning techniques and sweeping techniques.
If he steps forward, we can sweep him this way.
Hand Techniques
When we look at the hand techniques, we have:
- Eye jab
- Back fist
- Spinning back fist
Trapping or Immobilization
The next range is what we call trapping or immobilization.
This is using sensitivity training where we work on working on reflexes based on touch.
Here's an example: slapping hand entry, punch. He blocks. I finger jab, grab, followed by another punch.
If I can hit him once, I can hit him ten times.
We can even add this right into grappling range.
In Kung Fu, if I want to go to grappling range from kicking, I can have my partner kick.
Training and Progression
In this time, you will realize Kung Fu is not an easy journey.
At the same time you will feel that you can move faster and you become more flexible.
The improvements will be self-evident.
In this time, you can get a general idea of what Shaolin Kung Fu is like and learn the methods to practice Shaolin Kung Fu.
This phase is sometimes the dark time before the sun.
You might feel discouraged because you are aware of what you need to do to make one single move better, but your body just can’t do it, YET!
This is the time to continue practicing with patience and allow yourself to blossom out of your cocoon.
This phase is the time to develop agility, strength and speed of kicks and punches, accuracy of single moves, coordination of your body, strength, speed and the spirit of Shaolin Kungfu.
After you have blossomed, you will find you are progressing very fast.
You can learn a difficult form quickly!
And you are now at the top of your class and at the school.
This level requires the shape of the hand to be correct, the moving of the body to be quick, the body acting as a whole, the eyes following the moving of the hand, steps moving accurately, spirit to be up and strength to be released at certain moment with speed.
Having learned the basics of Shaolin Five-Animal Kung Fu, as a black sash, you embark upon your personal kung fu journey of mastery.
You learn kung fu at a deeper level.
You learn how to harness your energy (Chi).
You learn to improvise attacks and defenses based on previous material fluidly.
Open Hand Forms
The attacking partner throws a punch or executes a grab or hold.
The defending partner practices the set as a means to learn how to counter the attack.
First, using accuracy when blocking and targeting striking areas.
Secondly, the student starts to become comfortable with having someone in their personal comfort zone.