Kung Fu Tai Chi 25th Anniversary Festival – San Jose, CA – May 19-21, 2017

May + June 2017

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Wing Chun
37
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Whip
On the Set of Into the Badlands

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2 Styles of
Tai Chi Weapons
Martial Art
an Art?

The Bridge May + June 2017

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here’s been a lot of news

Publisher
T about ‘fake news’ lately. As
a publisher, I’d say it is the
inevitable outcome of self-publishing.
Gigi Oh Modern technology has made self-
publishing easy so anyone can publish
Associate Publisher anything at any time. With no editorial
Gene Ching control, no standards of loyalty to the
Editorial Board outlet name brand, and no journalistic L-R: Kevin Ho, Patrick Lugo, Guo Naihui, Gigi Oh, Yu Jiashan and Gene Ching
Gigi Oh integrity, the news you read could’ve
been published by a serious reporter, your
Gene Ching
drunk next door neighbor, or a Russian on our martial arts. But I pledge to you that Kung Fu Tai Chi
hacker. And with the democracy of will do everything in our power to preserve our journalistic
Senior Designer integrity to maintain your loyal readership.
Patrick Lugo social media, it’s not about what’s right
or what’s alternative or what’s parody or
Graphic Designers what’s straight-out fake. It’s all about This doesn’t mean we’ll shy away from issues. I’m all for
Kevin Ho what grabs the most eyeballs and what exposing fakery too. Longtime subscribers will remember
Chen Xinghua goes viral. News outlets don’t write many articles that I’ve personally written that dispelled
headlines anymore. Web publishers write misunderstandings, myths and even outed a few outright
Copy Editor click-bait. In this era of short-twitter- fakes. I was trained as a scientist in graduate school.
Gary Shockley attention spans, few readers read past Once you’re exposed to that kind of critical thinking, most
Lori Ann White the today’s headlines anyway. fakery becomes obvious. However, I’m not going to publish
defamatory attacks between rival Kung Fu clans. I will work
Proofreader to present all sides of the story (assuming that there is even
As modern day martial artists, we all
Jennifer Oh
deal with fakes. Paper tigers, self- a story and not some longstanding feud as they go aback and
KungFuMagazine.com proclaimed masters and champions, forth just calling each other ‘fake’).
WebMaster phony styles, McDojos, and general
fakery have all been a part of martial On page 97, our Kung Fu Horoscopes column concludes
Jake Hsen with a quote from one of the greatest and most controversial
culture for decades now. I won’t claim
Tiger Claw that we here at Kung Fu Tai Chi haven’t American publishers, Pig William Randolph Hearst, “Don’t
Correspondents been taken by a fake or two over the last be afraid to make a mistake, your readers might like it.”
Jennifer Oh quarter century. (Remember the Bannon Hearst was right. Reality TV populism and the rise of
Jonathan Oh case? I’ll never forget that.) As a niche fake news reinforce this notion. I don’t advocate Hearst’s
magazine, we don’t have the magnitude publishing strategy, but I do understand where he’s coming
Feng Shui Master to vet stories like Breitbart, CNN, from with it. Nevertheless, I hope you’ll be forgiving should
Wilson Sun Fox, NPR or any other major news we make a mistake and publish something fake.
Videographer outlet. The janitorial staff of any major
news outlet is many times the size than Despite the noise, the earnest and authentic persist, because
Jason Chang that’s what you do when you have sincere conviction. You
our entire publishing staff, including
General Manager the freelancers. Heck, in our office, our seek out what is genuine for yourself. You disregard the ‘fake’
Randy Liu whole staff shares janitorial chores. In and don’t let yourself get distracted by it. You can spend all
some Buddhist temples, it is the Abbot your energy placing blame on fakes or you can practice what
Administration that cleans the toilets. I meditate on that you find to be true. That’s the Kung Fu of today.
President every time I clean our office restroom.
Thomas J. Oh I hope you can come celebrate our 25th Anniversary with us in
The thing about fakes is they imply an May in San Jose. See you there!
Advertising
underlying propagandist agenda. Our
1-800-628-6552
only agenda here is to promote Chinese Gene Ching
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Gigi Oh (ext.141) arts gear. After all, we have to pay
the bills around here too. With China
being one of many hot-button issues in
Advertising Manager
the news today, there will be moments Associate Publisher, Kung Fu Tai Chi &
Gene Ching (ext.137)
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4 KUNG FU B TAI CHI JUNE 2017

Master Yang Jun
Cover Story

38 When is a Martial Art an Art? Complex

Aesthetics and Traditional Kung Fu
By Gene Ching and Gigi Oh

Features
38
COVER
STORY
20 On the Set of Into the Badlands
By Gene Ching

26 Malia Bernal: Once a Fighter

By Lori Ann White

48 Chen Style Weapons

A Tangible Link to 17th Century Martial Ways
By Emilio Alpanseque
20

54 Yang Style Weapons

Promoting Authenthic Taijiquan
By Emilio Alpanseque

60 Yang Primary 37 Taijiquan

By Jie Gu, Wanbin Wang, and Guizhong Xi

48 68 Fut Sao: Buddha Hand Wing Chun

By Wayne Carisi

74 The Bridge from Form to Function

Choy Lay Fut Chop Choi Sparring
By Chris Childs

80 26

6 KUNG FU B TAI CHI JUNE 2017

KungFu Qigong Magazine Gala
FREE %HQHÀW&RYHU0DVWHUV·([KLELWLRQV
On August 24th, 2002, The Tiger Claw Foundation
held a Benefit Gala for its special committee,
the Friends of Wushu, in honor of the 10 Year
Anniversary of Kung Fu Qigong Magazine.
This unprecedented event attracted the
world’s top Kung Fu masters and raised
$20,000. Two extraordinary exhibitions of
martial arts were held, the Feature Masters
in the afternoon and the Cover Masters in the
evening.
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80 Traditional Applications and
Their Modern-Day Value
By Chris Friedman

92 Featured Weapon
Iron Whip

Tournaments - Events - News

10 Clawmarks
By Jonny Oh

16 2016 World Hung Kuen International

Tournament
By Donald Hamby and Theodore Henderson

18 Tai Chi, Baseball and Travelling

New Ways to Promote Tai Chi
By Cat Hii

18

DEP
4 Publisher’s Corner
12 Web Fu
84 Chollywood Rising: Chow versus Chan and China Cooperative Productions

92
87 MartialArtsMart Order Form
88 MartialArtsMart Ordering Information
90 Kung Fu Tai Chi Calendar
94 Kung Fu Tai Chi Distributors
96 Kung Fu Horoscope

IRON WHIP 98 Kung Fu Wisdom: Shu dao yongshi fang henshao, Taiji jinglian cai zhinan

8 KUNG FU B TAI CHI JUNE 2017

IWSD Founder
Grandmaster IWSD Ambassador
Shou-Yu Liang Master Changjun Zhao
഻䳋↖䚃㚟ⴏ ഻䳋↖䚃㚟ⴏᖒ䊑
ࢥ࿻Ӫằᆸ⑍ བྷ֯䏉䮧䓽

* The International Wushu Sanshou Dao Association (IWSD) Push Hands King Championship
* The IWSD 30 Year Anniversary & the Kung Fu Tai Chi 25th ANNIVERSARY FESTIVAL Awards Banquet
* World Martial Arts Commemorative Album – A special limited-edition commemorative album will be published
featuring world famous martial artists
* A Red Carpet route for the entry of VIPs and martial celebrities.

In cooperation with
25 Contact Info:
Website: www.iwsd.us
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 1 (408) 823-0688 or 1 (408) 806-0166
JUNE 2017 KUNG FU B TAI CHI 9
CLAW MARKS
By Jonny Oh thrilled about three other upcoming
tournaments celebrating milestone

T
hings really start to pick up anniversaries.
here at Tiger Claw as Spring
has sprung. With the holiday Compete World Martial Arts
hangovers long gone, martial Championships celebrates its 30th
arts schools across America are anniversary on February 24–26 in
now in full swing. In addition to Ontario, California. This is the
steadfastly processing and shipping largest NASKA West Coast
orders, this time of year is an tournament. Unfortunately, by the
essential planning period for our own time this issue hits the newsstands,
yearly event as well as hitting the this tournament will be already over,
road for another exciting tournament but I’d be doing an injustice by not
season. mentioning it. Thirty consecutive Friday May 19, 2017 Saturday May 20, 2017 Sunday May 21, 2017

years running one of the largest “Grandmasters Live! ”

You might assume that going to martial arts tournaments in the K U N G F U M A G A Z I N E . C O M

the same events every year would country (definitely West Coast) TI G E R C L A W E L I T E . C O M K U N G F UTA I C H I D A Y . C O M

get monotonous, but for me, this is is very hard to accomplish and
far from true. It’s a great way to Mohamad and Amanda Jahanvash
see you, our customers, face to face. do a great job year after year.
Getting feedback on our products competing in a strictly Chinese
and customer service is the best way U.C. Berkeley’s Chinese Martial tournament.
to keep tabs on how we are doing as Arts Tournament (aka CMAT)
a company. Oftentimes, some of the doesn’t need any introductions to our I wouldn’t be doing my job if I
best input for new products will come readers. Led by Sifu Bryant Fong did not end with your favorite
from ideas that I get while attending (Kung Fu Tai Chi Cover Master magazine, Kung Fu Tai Chi. This
a tournament. September+October 2014) and run year we will be celebrating our 25th
by the hard-working CalWushu Anniversary over three days (once
This year also has a lot of great, students, CMAT also celebrates more, that’s May 19–21, 2017, in
long-running events with special their 25th anniversary this year San Jose, California). There will
anniversaries. In addition to our own (March 25–26, just prior to this issue be a Live Theatrical performance, a
Kung Fu Tai Chi 25th Anniversary hitting the newsstands). I’ve been Championship, a Banquet, KUNG
Festival (May 19–21, 2017, in San going to this tournament for a long FU TAI CHI DAY… all not-to-be-
Jose, California, if you didn’t catch time and it is always a great place to missed events.
this elsewhere in the magazine), I’m see some of the best contemporary
Wushu from all over the world, while I’m pretty excited to see how these
drawing from the large traditional events go this year. I hope you
Kung Fu base in the S.F. can make it out for some of them
Bay Area. There will be too, even if you are not competing,
coverage of this in the because they are some of the very
next issue. best in our country. Quality events
and tournaments are held all across
Dennis and Andrena our great nation. The best way to
Brown will celebrate the improve yourself is to learn more,
35th anniversary of the and that comes from exposing
US Capitol Classics and yourself to different styles and
China Open in National actively participating in the martial
Harbor, Maryland, later community. Beyond these milestone
this year. Tiger Claw events, you can always count on
has been a sponsor of Tiger Claw to be at over 40 events a
this tournament for year. If you happen to be competing
well over a decade now. at a tournament and see a Tiger
Dennis (Kung Fu Tai Claw booth, make sure you stop by,
Chi Cover Master say “hi!” and (I hope) buy something.
September+October B
2010) has created an
event that is a large
NASKA tournament, Jonny Oh is the President of Tiger Claw.
but still has a specific Kung Fu Tai Chi is published under
Kung Fu tournament in TC Media International, a division of
the China Open. It’s a Tiger Claw. For more information on
great place for Chinese Tiger Claw martial arts products and
martial artists to see how activities, visit TigerClaw.com. And for
a huge sports martial arts more information about the Kung Fu
tournament is run while Tai Chi 25th Anniversary Festival, visit
KungFuMagazine.com.

10 KUNG FU B TAI CHI JUNE 2017

FRIDAY MAY 19, 2017

Live Theatrical Performance

7:00pm The Historic California Theatre
A once -in-a-lifetime congregation of 345 South First Street. San Jose, CA 95113
the world’s leading Kung Fu and Tai Chi $
General Admission: 40
Grandmasters together on one stage. VIP: $
100 Limited number of VIP tickets are
available for the entire event.

K U N G F U M A G A Z I N E . C O M
WEB FU

Shaolin Abbot Venerable Shi

Jade Egg Yongxin Found Innocent
Jade Egg is an
esoteric qigong The results prolonged investigation by
practice in which Chinese Public Security on corruption by
women insert Shaolin Abbot Venerable Shi Yongxin (䟺
egg-shaped jade ≨ؑ) were released in early February. The
into their vaginas investigation found the Abbot innocent
to cultivate qi. of many of the accusations made against
Jade Eggs started him. Most of the complaints were based
trending recently on bribery and embezzlement, but there
for two reasons.
First, the practice was no evidence of personal accumulation
was showcased on of money by unfair means. There was also
the Bravo TV show, an issue about Shi Yongxin having two
Real Housewives of Hukou (PRC-issued ID cardsᡦਓ) one in
Atlanta (Season 9, his birth name and another in his Buddhist
episode 8) aired on name, but the records showed that his
New Year’s Day. The previous card had been properly cancelled. The report did mention
©kimanami.com
housewives took a that Shaolin Temple had some internal administration and financial
‘yoni egg’ class, which is essentially the same issues that needed rectification. Abbot Shi Yongxin was on the cover
practice. It quickly descended into reality show of Kung Fu Tai Chi’s November+December 2003 issue.
hijinks when they try to lift high heels suspended
from the yoni egg strings. Then a few weeks http://www.kungfumagazine.com/forum/showthread.php?42909-
later, Gwyneth Paltrow’s popular women’s Abbot-scandals
alternative health and beauty site, GOOP.com,
began selling Jade Eggs and Rose Quartz Eggs.
A seven-year practitioner of Jade Egg named
Shiva Rose was her spokeperson. Dr. Jen Gunter,
a gynecologist blogger, posted a rebuttal calling the
practice ‘garbage’. The rebuttal went viral as a few other
Shaw Brothers
critics jumped on board, giving GOOP and Jade Eggs
even more exposure. Kung Fu Tai Chi ran an article on
Museum being
Jade Egg back in the November+December 2009 issue:
The Jade Egg by Selena Lu.
built in Tijuana,
http://www.kungfumagazine.com/forum/showthread. Mexico
php?67255-Jade-Egg
James Santi has broken
ground on a museum
dedicated to Shaw Brothers in

Sword Canes and TSA Tijuana Mexico. Santi has been

making bronze busts of famous
Kung Fu movie stars and recently
Sword Canes are illegal in the United completed a wax sculpture of
States because they are fundamentally Bruce Lee, which he plans to
concealed weapons. There have been donate to the Lee family. He
a few incidents where TSA agents have plans to make another for his
discovered cane swords as travelers museum. Veteran Kung Fu
passed through security. These passengers movie star Lo Meng visited Santi
were completely naïve to the fact that their for the ground breaking for the
©Screen grab from Youtube cane concealed a sword. The problem is museum.
so prevalent that TSA released a Public
Service Announcement video on their YouTube channel in 2014 titled http://www.kungfumagazine.
‘Twist and Inspect’, warning potential flyers to be sure that the cane they com/forum/showthread.
are carrying does not contain a sword. For more on Sword Canes, see the php?69938-Shaw-Brother-
cover story for the July+August 2013 issue of Kung Fu Tai Chi: The Cane Museum-in-Mexico-being-build
Sword of Kung Fu by Gene Ching and Gigi Oh.
http://www.kungfumagazine.com/forum/showthread.php?67603-Sword-
Canes

12 KUNG FU B TAI CHI JUNE 2017

Exclusive articles that appeared on KungFuMagazine.com
during JANUARY & FEBRUARY 2017

THE GREAT WALL: Who is Going to 2017 Year of the Flaming Cock
Pay For It? By Gene Ching
By Greg Hebert

xXx: Return of Xander Cage: Donnie,

No Rest for John Wick in
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The Silk Road Kung Fu Friendship Tour Part

16: Interview with Abdurrahman Akyuz
Keeping it Real President of the Turkish Wushu Federation
By Nick Osipczak and Fathomless Histories in Ankara, Bursa
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H ung Kuen Kung Fu is being celebrated
far and wide for its legacy and
renown. If that doesn’t excite you,
imagine this: bone-crushing kicks,
punches, and throws, similar to MMA. This is
what the 2016 World Hung Kuen International
Tournament offered for Kung Fu fans in Xiqiao,
China. November 19, 2016, marked the second
World Hung Kuen Association International
Tournament at the Grand National Arts
Studio Palace. The Checkley and Chinese
government sponsored this extravaganza. Together, they is characterized by a systematic series of movements
graciously provided food and lodging for the competitors at accompanied by strange vibrating sounds, dynamic tension
the National Arts Hotel. and deep breathing to develop the internal systems of the
body. The two-man empty hand and weapon sets were
The tournament was open to all practitioners of Hung exciting to watch, because of its simulation to real combat.
Kuen. Competing were grandmasters, masters, sifus, and
students from countries around the globe – the United The clarion of loud voices could be heard rooting for their
States, United Kingdom, Canada, Germany, Greece, respective teams and classmates, encouraging them to
Italy, and the Czech Republic and of course Hong struggle hard for gold.
Kong, to name a few. As part of the opening ceremony,
Donald Hamby delivered a welcoming speech to the
English-speaking competitors, assuring them that the Sanda, selected from a variety of traditional combat
competition would be fair and unbiased. Although some styles, was merged into the competition because of its
of the competitors didn’t speak the same language, they all realistic full-combat. Sanda is fast becoming popular in
shared a common goal to preserve and promote Hung Kuen the full contact arena in China, for those who wish to
and the Chinese culture. put their physical prowess and martial skills to the test
in mortal combat. First place winners were awarded
gold medallions, second place silver, and third place a
The opening ceremony took place on Saturday, November certificate. A powerful display of hand techniques, low
20, 2016, at the Grand National Arts Movie Studio stances and graceful body movements, along with spirit
Palace. The event was well organized and replete with
and intent, were a prerequisite to win the favor of the
a spectacular procession, as the World Hung Kuen
judges.
Association and Chinese Government looked on. The
competition was predicated on how well each competitor
could represent the three main traditional pillar sets of A cornucopia of Hung Kuen styles vied for supremacy.
Hung Kuen: 1. Gung Gee Fook Fu, 2. Tiger and Crane, Among the three pillar sets of Hung Kuen, the Tiger and
3. Steel Wire set. The steel wire set is very advanced and Crane (considered the signature set) was performed the
considered sacred among many Hung Kuen masters. It most in the competition. Hung Kuen has played a pivotal
was created in the Shaolin Temple and made famous role in traditional martial arts and can be seen in most
by a Cantonese master named Tid Kiu Sam. The set of the Shaw Brothers movies of the twentieth century.
Grandmaster Lam Chun Fai was featured in the martial
arts movie Butcher Wing, about his great uncle. He
can be seen in the beginning of the movie performing a
compilation of Hung’s three pillar sets that brought him
world-wide fame and recognition. He is without a doubt
one of the best Hung Kuen masters of modern times and is
continuing his father’s legacy by spreading Lam Ga Hung
Kuen around the world.

This international event sent a clear message for the next

World Hung Kuen competition in 2019.B

Donald Hamby can be reached through his website, quandoman.net.

16 KUNG FU B TAI CHI JUNE 2017

JUNE 2017 KUNG FU B TAI CHI 17
Tai Chi, Baseball & Travelling – New Ways to Promote Tai Chi
By Cat Hii
aster Ren Guangyi continues to take an
innovative approach to Tai Chi marketing.
Master Ren has graced the cover of Kung Fu
Tai Chi several times: December+January
1999 with Grandmaster Chen Xiaowang, August 2000
with Shaolin Monk Shi Guolin, May+June 2004 with
student Stephen Berwick, September+October with the
Godfather of Punk, Lou Reed. Now he’s promoting Tai
Chi through baseball and travel. Master Ren kept up a
busy touring schedule last fall, travelling between China
and the United States doing Tai Chi demonstrations and
networking. His latest venture is Tai Chi tourism. At the closing ceremony of the conference, Master Ren was formally
accepted as the International Health and Wellness of Hawai’i Tourism
Ambassador. Hawai’I Tourism took the group photo of Master Ren, CEO
of Hawai’i Tourism, George D. Szigeti, and COO Randy Baldemor.
Later that month, Master Ren participated in the
Hawai’i Tourism Conference 2016, where he was
named the International Health and Wellness Tourism
Ambassador to promote Hawai’i tourism through Tai
Chi. He demonstrated the Chen Taiji 21 Form again,
this time for a Hawai’i promotional tourism video. The
video promoted the natural unity between Hawai’i and
Tai Chi for tourists. “The Aloha spirit refers to passion,
love and carefree lifestyle in Hawai’i,” said Randy
Baldemor, COO of the Hawai’i Tourism Authority.
“It shares some common aspects with the Chinese
Master Ren and his students in CITI FIELD. Former CEO of AOL, culture, especially with Tai Chi, advocating the idea of
Jonathan Miller, also participated in the activity. happy and healthy living.” Hawai’i has become a prime
destination spot for Chinese tourists, and as Chinese
On September 3, he demonstrated Tai Chi at CITI citizens have become more affluent, Chinese tourist
field in New York City for a Major League Baseball dollars have significantly improved tourist economies
game between the New York Mets and the Washington worldwide. The conference arranged a special Tai Chi
Nationals. This was in conjunction with an event class for the CEOs in attendance, led by Master Ren
called “Charming Beijing: An Incredible Tourism and his assistant instructor Li Zhaoxin. They taught
Destination with an Evening of Chinese Culture,” the Chen Taiji 21 Form. For many of the executives who
hosted by the Beijing Municipal Commission of Tourism participated, it was their first touch with Tai Chi. It was
Development. Master Ren demonstrated the Chen Taiji as if Hawai’i was saying, “Mahalo Nui Loa,” when a
21 Form with his students to a song from his pupil, the double rainbow appeared at the end of the class. B
late great Lou Reed (who also graced Kung Fu Tai Chi’s
cover in the May+June 2003 issue). Master Ren’s Chen
Tai Chi Broadsword culminated the event. At the end of For more on Master Ren Guangyi, visit his website at
the celebration, Master Ren was appointed as the Beijing Renguangyi.com. Thanks to Li Zhaoxin for assisting
Overseas Tourism Ambassador. The Mets won, 3–1.
with this article.

After the CEO course, Master Ren and his assistant teacher Zhaoxin Li
Master Ren demonstrate Form 21 with his students. were invited to take a group photo with CEOs under the rainbow.

18 KUNG FU B TAI CHI JUNE 2017

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By Gene Ching

prior to Thanksgiving, I
visited the set of Into the
Badlands as they filmed
Season Two. We featured the breakout AMC
martial arts series on the cover of last year’s
January+February issue. The lead actor and
executive producer, Daniel Wu, was someone
I had wanted to interview for years. A San
Francisco Bay Area native, Daniel was an early
pioneer in American Wushu. In 1994, he founded
the University of Oregon Wushu Club, one of
the very first collegiate programs in the United
States. After graduating, he was discovered in
Hong Kong, and early in his career he worked
with Jackie Chan on several films, a dream role
for any martial artist. But to avoid being typecast
as just a martial artist star, he took
on a variety of non-action dramatic
and comedic roles. Now with over
seventy films to his credit, Daniel
is a major A-lister in Asia.
Daniel plays Sunny, the most
badass “Clipper,” the enforcers
and assassins in the world of
Into the Badlands.

Into the Badlands premiered

in November 2015. Just
prior to that, I attended the
Hollywood Sneak Preview and
met some of the cast informally, including
Ally Ioannides (Tilda), Aramis Knight (M.K.),
Emily Beecham (The Widow), Madeleine
Mantock (Veil), Orla Brady (Lydia), Sarah Bolger
(Jade), as well as Stephen Fung (Action Director)
and even Charlie Collier (AMC President &
General Manager). Daniel was in Hong Kong
and didn’t attend, so we didn’t meet face-to-face
until he came by our office last year. We had only
corresponded by email and phone and we follow
each other’s social media. Daniel’s visit thrilled
all of the Asians that work here, especially our
swooning young women employees. But for those
unfamiliar with Chinese cinema, Daniel was just
another visiting master. We went out to lunch
afterwards and were interrupted a few times by
more swooning Asian women. Yet despite the
adoring fans, Daniel is remarkably down to earth
and has a genuine love of the martial arts.
Emily Beecham
Ally Ioannides as Tilda. as The Widow.

Season One of Into the Badlands ran six episodes and was The set was crowded with crew, grips and cameramen. It
filmed in New Orleans. Season Two has ten episodes was claustrophobic, shadowy and hot, with thick cables
and was filmed near Dublin, Ireland. I’ve been a stalwart sprawling everywhere. Sitting in the director’s chairs were
Guinness drinker for decades and this was my first trip to the two masters of mayhem, fight choreographers Andy
Ireland, so as soon as I landed, my first objective was to Cheng and Master Dee Dee Ku. The scene they were
have a Guinness in an authentic Irish Pub. I posted a photo shooting was about a half dozen moves of Ally attacking,
to my Instagram and Daniel commented, “Got plenty of shot over Emily’s left shoulder. To keep it fresh, Hong
that where I’m at now!” He didn’t know I was so close. Kong choreographers don’t prep the actors beforehand.
Promotion seldom informs the talent about press junkets. Daniel explained later, “If you over-rehearse something,
it feels kind of dead. I feel that way with the Keanu
Reeves-Larry Fishburne fight in The Matrix. It was
very obvious to me that they rehearsed it like hundreds
of times, so it’s like he’s blocking before even the punch
comes in. You can say, ‘Oh that’s ‘the One.’ He has that
clairvoyance,’ but to me I feel it’s lacking a little bit of
life in it. There is something to it when you’re not quite
sure – when you’re turning around – if that guy’s going
to be there at that moment. And you’re going to block
it at that right time. There’s an element of danger that
happens there that helps with the acting in the fighting
and also helps with the sense that this is a real fight, as
opposed to something that’s totally choreographed. And
it is choreographed but it’s just learned like minutes ago,
L-R: Gene Ching, Daniel Wu, Stephen Fung, Dee Dee Ku. so you just have to be quick on your feet. Hope that you’re
doing it right. Hope that sword’s not coming at your face.”
The Fight Set Ally struggled to get it right, apologizing profusely
First we visited Ardmore Studios, where Excalibur (1981), every time she missed a move or hesitated. Andy yelled
Braveheart (1995), The Tudors (2007–2010) and Penny encouragement, calling Ally by his nickname for her,
Dreadful (2014–2016) were filmed. Ireland was frosty “Crazy Tiger! Power!!” He noticed us observing and
outside, but the set was stuffy and smoky as they filmed said confidentially that she’s “really a pussy cat.” After
a sword fight between Ally and Emily. I only saw the each take, Andy and Master Dee Dee huddled over the
one fight scene, out of context, so I don’t know if it was screen replays and muttered to each other in Cantonese.
the Widow and Tilda practicing or actually fighting (I’ll Then they’d make some small adjustment with Ally or
have to tune in to find out). “This is the Sanctuary,” Emily or the cameramen and call for action again. Master
explained Ally later on break. “This is called ‘the Vault.’ Dee Dee heaped encouragement on the actresses as they
The whole grounds are called ‘the Sanctuary’ and where took another stab at it. And each take got tighter until
we are right now is like the main hall of the sanctuary it finally met their perfectionist standards.
which is where the Widow’s headquarters are.” “This ‘‘
Hope that sword s not coming at your face. ..
’ ’’
is my house,” Emily grinned slyly. “This is my pad.”

JUNE 2017 KUNG FU B TAI CHI 21

, CA!
in San Jose
21-22, 2016
DAY ~ May
FU TAI CHI
hips & KUNG
Champions
Claw Elite
2016 Tiger

“Stephen [Fung], Andy and Dee Dee, who do

I
TAI CH
For more on Into the Badlands, see our
everything with the fights, are so amazing,” says Ally.

January
yle
Ape-St January+February 2016 cover story, “Into the

/ Febr
Boxing
“Like I’ll be watching someone else and I’ll be like,

uary
2016
Badlands with Daniel Wu,” and “Daniel Wu on

WWW
‘Good fight! Emily got it,’ and Andy will come up to

.KUN
Questl INTO THE BADLANDS” on KungFuMagazine.

GFUMAG
The
Mar tia

AZIN
her and be like, ‘Fix this,’ and next time it’s even better.
ty
Londegrnevi T
of the

E.COM
Wushu KNIGH com. For even more on Daniel Wu, see
in Mo

Triple “Chollywood Rising: Interview with Daniel

AMC’s
It’s amazing. It’s so incredible what they do within
t wit h
lling Ou

Into the
Ca
Hand
Stick Wu” in our November+December 2014 issue.
Calling

Badla
ords
seconds. They just see it and they know. Honestly, it’s

nds with
Flying Sw

Daniel
Wu
ng
Hong Ko e
just listening to them and just trusting them.
ary 2016
/ Febru
January March
1 2016
th
Film at
Until
Display

nian
Smithso

“Fighting is fun…and crazy. We have no idea what we’re going

to do on set. It’s actually usually on a call sheet, you’ll have
all of the scenes – all the shots, all the details. We don’t have
any of that. We have a script and there are fight moves written
in the script but it’s a very rough outline, like rough to the
point where you’ll read a fight and then you’ll watch it and it’s
unrecognizable. You might, if you’re lucky, see Dee Dee a day
before and he’ll be like, ‘I’m so excited for the backflip.’ But we
get on set and they give us a little bit of choreography or they
give us the piece that we’ll be doing that they want – what we’re
trying to get. We might have a few times to go over it. We might
have a rehearsal where the cameras aren’t on us, or we might
not. Our first rehearsal that we’ve ever done might be a camera
rehearsal. And then we just go for it.”

After several takes, Master Dee Dee and Andy are finally
satisfied and the crew moves on rigging a wire stunt with stunt
double Qing Mei. She was doubling for Emily and donned the
Widow’s signature black attire. “Still, the stiletto heels,” says
Emily. “It’s still a challenge.” Later, Daniel told me how proud
he is of his stunt team, especially Qing Mei. “She’s our superstar
stunt double. She’s amazing. It’s very hard to find experienced
female martial arts stunt doubles. Qing Mei is one of the girls
that came from China and the other girl is from the States. And
we had gone through two or three other girls from the States but
they come and they go to other projects. It’s challenging to try to
find consistent people.” The stunt is a flying aerial over furniture
and Master Dee Dee dons white workman’s gloves to pull the
ropes himself. “Ally and I are very graceful,” adds
Emily with a laugh. “This is the first time
with Tilda. I enjoy Ally, yeah. She
went very fast. Some women I’ve fought
with feel really delicate. I hold back
more because I don’t want to hurt them.
The stuntmen, they’re all lovely. I enjoy
fighting with them.”

The Drama Set

The next facility was the Into the Badlands
headquarters, built from a failed resort that
went bankrupt before it was completed. AMC
acquired it for $7 million, converting the buildings to sets and
studios. Not only does it house several major set pieces, it
contains massive prop workshops and costume departments.
Unlike most television and film nowadays, Into the Badlands is
not based on YA fantasy novels or comic book. Everything is
conceived and created exclusively for the show. As Ally said,
“That’s my favorite part of this show. So many hour-long dramas
are based on comic books or it’s a remake or it’s a spin-off. And
this isn’t any of that. It’s completely original. That gives us

22 KUNG FU B TAI CHI JUNE 2017

freedom. We can really create our own character and do Next, we saw Daniel and Madeleine film a few dramatic
what we want and discover things and create things. I scenes. Like with the fight scene, it’s amazing to watch
think you really see it in the show. You really see being the actors work, repeating a scene over and over again,
in this amazing world that Miles [Millar] and everybody improving each time and somehow keeping it fresh as if
create. I think it’s really special.” they are saying the same lines for the very first time. Daniel
came to chat with us on break and laughed when he saw me,
realizing then what was behind my Guinness Instagram
Having a completely novel concept has some benefits. The
post. He quickly caught us up on the story (note that some
show isn’t held accountable to any previous sources by a
spoilers are omitted). “So basically Sunny is outside of
rabidly loyal fan-base. But originality is difficult too, as
the Badlands… In the last episode, he got taken away by
Al Gough, one of the show creator, revealed. “When you the River King and taken out to the outlying territories
build a world, you have to do all of that, because the world so he’s trying to get back in to find Veil. At this point in
has to have its own internal logic, which you realize is very the story, my body is in a car with Bajie and M.K. M.K.
hard [laughs]. What we wanted to do was, we liked the and I are reunited. And at that point, they are trying to
structure of a Japanese feudal society but we didn’t want save me and from that point, the three of us will try and
to be set in the past, so we sort of took that idea and set get back into the Badlands. And everyone has their own
it in the future in America. So the show owes as much to motives for what they are doing. But this season, many
Japanese samurai movies as it does to Hong Kong martial of the stories are being broken apart.”
arts or Chinese epics. Once we did that, we had Barons,
and these are the rules, and we explore that more in Season
Bajie is a new character, played by Nick Frost. Into the
Two… The great thing about television obviously is that
you can keep exploring that as you go. But you have to
Badlands is loosely based on the Chinese epic, Journey to
know what the world is, and the rules have to make sense, the West. Sunny is an homage to Sun Wukong (the Monkey
because when the viewer watches it, they’ll buy it, if the King) and M.K. is short for ‘monk’. Bajie is Zhu Bajie, or
rules make sense. You have to sort of hermetically seal Pigsy, the comic relief in Journey to the West. “He adds
the rules of the world where people go, ‘Okay, I’ll believe a whole other element to the show,” said Daniel about
it. I’ll believe there’s a guy on a motorcycle with a samurai Nick. “So I’m basically stuck with him throughout this
sword on his back.’” new season. He adds a whole kind of levity to the show,
which I think last year, we were very, very serious. I think
there are moments when you need to relax, have a laugh
and chuckle here and there.”

Into the Badlands continues to push its own boundaries.

“This season, we do some interesting stuff because this
show has always been about genre mash-ups – like last
season was definitely Cowboy Western but then samurai
flicks and Kung Fu flicks all mixed up. And especially
this episode, there’s kind of an Asian horror movie feel to
it as well. Sunny is going to be facing his dream sequence
at one point and the people he’s killed in the past start to
come back to him and they start attacking him and all that
stuff. But when that starts to happen, you get that sort of
What’s more, the heavy emphasis on martial arts brings Ringu element to it.”
its own issues. Most martial arts-based shows collapse
because it’s difficult to deliver high quality fight scenes
for every episode. Where most shows consider their fight
direction as a “second unit,” Into the Badlands weighs its
fight unit and drama unit as equal. “In Season One, there
were a lot of lessons because no one had really attempted
this kind of show before,” says Al. “We were familiar with
the Hong Kong fight unit with the movies we did with
Jackie Chan, with Shanghai Noon and Shanghai Knights,
and even with Jet Li with Mummy 3. And one of our very
first jobs, a long time ago, was we were writers on a show
called Martial Law with Sammo Hung, with Carlton
Cuse – Carlton created that show. And we were doing
the Jackie movies around the same time. So we had some We caught up to Nick and Orla later as they were waiting
familiarity but knew that it was hard to maintain, and that for a photo shoot, which took place in a giant swimming
show was doing 22, but the fights weren’t as complex as pool that was never filled because the resort never got
these are. So I think the big thing that we learned, and that far. Nick’s quick wit took immediate advantage of
we’re still learning, is the coordination between the fight the situation. “Orla and I are engaged,” he said. Without
unit and the drama unit. A lot of this show is really air missing a beat, Orla quipped, “Our spouses don’t know
traffic control. It’s like three-dimensional chess.” but they will soon.”

JUNE 2017 KUNG FU B TAI CHI 23

Nick shared how much he’s enjoying the fights. “Every
time I’ve done Fight Unit I’ve gone home and felt like Epilogue
Indiana Jones on the boat where he’s pointing to bits that After the set visit, Daniel invited me to join him and the
don’t hurt, you know? But I used to play rugby. I used to stunt team for Dim Sum. Dim Sum in Ireland – how could
kickbox. And I kind of have that same feeling when we I refuse? Master Dee Dee and his wife, along with Andy,
go home and you feel like you’ve had a good day’s work, Stephen Fung, and several of the stunt team were there,
you know what I mean? Kind of sexy pain. So I love it. I including Qing Mei, Bao Liang, Morgan Benoit, Da Bao,
really put all of my heart into the fight scenes.” Liu Pei, and Shu Jian. It was relaxed and informal. Daniel
confided that he resisted working in TV for so long because
he hated when characters never change. But that’s different
for AMC shows. After all, Journey to the West is about
the journey. “What this is, there’s a journey for Sunny.
There’s a journey for all the characters of the Badlands.
They all have different motivations. We get to explore that
arc throughout the season of the show. And along with
that, in the series, the journey happens.” B

For more on Into the Badlands, visit the official website at

http://www.amc.com/shows/into-the-badlands.
Season 2 began March 19, 2017.
Additional coverage from
Gene Ching’s Into the
Badlands Set Visit
Unlike the others, Orla’s character Lydia doesn’t get as may be found on
many fight scenes. “There’s a promise of that in Season KungFuMagazine.com.
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little religious totems, it’s like he’s handed
her the sword and now she’s a warrior. She’s
going on with her future… So I really hope there’s
a Season Three [laughs]. I’m going straight for
that knife if there isn’t.”

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By Lori Ann White

M
alia Bernal does not need your
approval to fight. Nor does she need
your permission. She never has.
Think of Holly Holm. Ronda Rousey. Cyborg. Amanda Nunes. These are
the new women fighters, the punch-throwing, blood-drawing, kick-delivering
choke-out artists, and there is no question about their toughness, their
determination, their ability to bust through obstacles and take down nay-
sayers. They don’t need your approval to fight, either, but they get it, with
respectable purses and photo ops and sometimes even movie deals.

Think of women marching for a cause or busting through a glass ceiling or

surviving an illness. Women who insist on nothing less than the best from
and for themselves and their loved ones. They don’t need your permission to
engage in this more culturally approved version of fighting for women, not
when there are lives to live and work to do.

Malia Bernal is full of both kinds of fight, and has been since long
before Ronda Rousey showed up in Maxim’s Hot 100 List or 2.6
million women around the world marched to demonstrate their
displeasure with the current state of the patriarchy. What
has kept her going? A mindset shared by warriors of both
genders:

“Never give up,” Bernal says. “Never.”

Bernal has fought her entire life—in the ring,

for her children, actor and martial artist Mark
Dacascos and businessman Craig Ribiero,
for her livelihood, for herself. Her
grit and determination
made her a dominant
force on the

26 KUNG FU B TAI CHI JUNE 2017

tournament circuit in its heyday of the late 1960s and
early 1970s, with five consecutive years at the top in the
US at both fighting and forms. In 1974 she accomplished
one her own personal goals by being the one of the first
women, if not the very first, to appear on the cover of an
American newsstand martial arts magazine.

Bernal was born in San Juan Batista, California, before

silicon and semiconductors transformed the nearby town
of San Jose and environs from verdant orchards into
concrete and computers. Then, even more than now, her
birthplace was centered around farming and ranching.

“I’m a farm girl,” Bernal says with a smile. “I’m an old

cow girl. Up early and early to bed. I stay with that
because I feel marvelous.”

The self-professed farm girl came from a big family, and

grew up having to stand up for herself against several
older brothers. Her lack of training didn’t stop her from
fighting when she needed to, but it did teach her that
she loved it and didn’t want to stop. That led to her
receiving an interesting birthday gift for a young woman
of 22: the promise of martial arts lessons. “I was told Bernal competed in her first tournament after six weeks.
to find something to teach me how to properly kick and "Al threw me in," she says, with instructions to "bow,
punch.” bow, stand, fight.
Bernal went in search of a school, observing a class or "He said I could do it."
two then moving on, but nothing seemed quite
right. “I’d known since I was a little girl After a fashion.
that I was a wild spirit,” she says, “and
the Japanese and Korean schools were "It was a brawl," Bernal remembers. "But when you went
too regimented. The arts were great, to the tournaments back then, it didn't matter if you were
but they just weren’t me.” a white belt or a black belt—they lined you up by height
and weight." Her first fight was against a blue belt in
Finally she found a school Taekwondo, "and she was just flying, but I didn't know
teaching a style with a how to fly. So when she landed I just started punching
strong Chinese like a little rooster. I got disqualified."
influence: Wun
Hop Kuen Do The same thing happened in the next five
(␧ਸᤣ䚃), tournaments, but by that time Dacascos had seen
an offshoot of enough, and Bernal had come to a realization of
Kajukenbo, being her own.
taught by its founder, Al
Dacascos. "I loved the free flow
of it," Bernal says. "And Al was "Al realized I was a fighter, I was a
really excited because he'd wanted natural," she says. "I realized that maybe
a woman who was able to fight." I could learn to play the game after all."

An avid water and snow skier, Dacascos took her out of

Bernal had always been strong tournaments long enough
and athletic, so it wasn't her to teach her some of
first time training hard, the skills she
but, she says, "it was needed.
my first time really
drowning in a
new sport." He wanted his woman
fighter to actually win.

Bernal had her own goals.

"I made a deal with Al. I told him,

'I'll be your fighter, but I have some
conditions. I'll be your fighter if I can
also learn forms and weapons."

JUNE 2017 KUNG FU B TAI CHI 27

Conditions? Who tells her sifu she has conditions for learning an art?

"I wasn't disrespectful," Bernal insists, "but I was a mouthy student. My

mother taught me that—'How are you ever going to learn anything if you
don't open your mouth and ask?'"

Training was grueling. "All the bruises—it looked like I was being
abused, but I loved it," Bernal says. "I went through a lot of wins, a lot of
losses, but I never got discouraged.

"That's how you become a champion."

At some of those tournaments, Bernal saw the students of Grandmaster

Wong Jack Man (哳◔≁). "I thought they were beautiful," she says. On the
tournament mats, they captivated her with the grace of their movements.
Off the mats, the students were polite but very quiet. Meanwhile,
while Bernal was watching them, someone else was watching her.

"Ming Lum (᷇㔥ṩ) came up to me at a tournament one day and

asked if I'd like to learn another style," Bernal says. He was referring
to Shaolin Kung Fu as taught by Grandmaster Wong.

"I said yes, of course, and he said, 'I'll see if I can get you in.'"

That was the beginning of her training with Wong Jack Man.
"When I walked in, it wasn't like Al's school at all. Al's was loud
and cheerful, and this was so quiet, and everyone was so humble."

Someone—possibly a student; Bernal says she can't recall—led

her to a corner, showed her a few moves, and then left. "No one
really talked and it was very quiet," Bernal says. "After training
for a while I figured out what I needed to do. I started to learn, and
practice."

Then one Friday Grandmaster Wong led her over to a weapons

rack. "He wouldn't talk to me. He just pointed to the weapons
and to me." So Bernal picked out a sword. From then on, every
Friday night Wong would teach her weapons.

"My training with Grandmaster Wong was wonderful," Bernal recalls. "I loved
him. He was poetry in motion. He just flowed. And all of his students, too.
They just flowed. I just felt honored to be part of his club. I'm honored to have
been allowed to train there."

28 KUNG FU B TAI CHI JUNE 2017

However, Wong's students did not participate in sparring
at tournaments, and Bernal did. Training for bouts began
to demand more of her time. "One day I realized I wasn't
training any more. I was so involved with my fighting I just
kind of faded away."

In 1975 she accompanied Dacascos, by then her husband,

to Hamburg, Germany, where they taught; but when the
marriage ended about 10 years later, Bernal came back alone.
She essentially had to make a fresh start whether she wanted
to or not. After the divorce, Dacascos stripped her of her
black belt in the style he created, and students—faced with
choosing between their master and their master's ex-wife—
almost unanimously chose Dacascos. "There were only
two students who stuck by me," Bernal says. "Emmanuel
Bettencort and Hubert Wolf, my German students."

Bernal arrived in New York "with a suitcase and about eight

dollars," ready to take up her biggest fight yet—to reclaim
her life. She had one seminar scheduled, and with what she
earned from that she had to bootstrap her way back to the
West Coast, teaching fighting and self-defense.

Once back in California, Bernal made a name for herself

teaching fitness classes, including a combination of fighting
and fitness she called Aerobic Defense. This enabled her to
start working martial arts back into more areas of her life, and
she garnered the nickname, "White Belt Master."

Bernal developed and now teaches her own style, called Xian
Dai Kung Fu (⨮ԓ࣏ཛ), which was recognized in 1997 by
Adriano Emperado, one of the originators of Kajukenbo,

In the wake of World War II, Hawaii was a violent, racially-tense region. Emerging from this brutal environment rose one of America’s very first
mixed martial arts, Kajukenbo. Kajukenbo drew its roots from the ethically diverse people of Hawaii, absorbing the most street effective com-
bat techniques from boxing, judo, jujitsu, karate and kung fu. Upon this hybrid system, Kajukenbo’s founder, Adriano D. Emperado built the
second largest martial arts franchise at the time.

The Kajukenbo Self-Defense Series demonstrated by Professor Joseph S. Halbuna reveals the complete no-nonsense
combat methods of the style. Kajukenbo deploys hard, fast strikes to vital points throughout the body, high-impact
throws and takedowns, and many joint and limb destruction methods, often as follow-ups to takedowns. It also
implements extensive defense techniques such as block reactions to attacks and weapon disarmaments. Each video
includes the history of Kajukenbo, its belt ranking system, reviews of other volumes.

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JUNE 2017 KUNG FU B TAI CHI 29

usually running In addition to teaching physical
and weights. fitness and martial arts, Bernal
The habits of a wants to share that particular life
lifetime—a lifetime lesson with others.
spent training—do
not fade quickly. Her latest endeavor is "Spend an
Afternoon with Malia," during which
In fact, Bernal she guides people toward finding
would like to find their own techniques for developing
another master mental and emotional fitness.
of her own. Her
preference? To "I teach people who don't know how
entice Wong to be the best they can be—they need
Jack Man out of someone to show them," she says. "I
retirement. teach them how to become their own
essentially placing it on a level with champions.
Dacascos' Wun Hop Kuen Do. "Kung Fu is my love," she explains.
She's also a personal trainer and life "All arts are good and I appreciate all "It's a fun afternoon," she says.
coach. arts, but Kung Fu is my love." "Spend an afternoon with Malia and
see what we discover. Who knows
Seems like Bernal could afford She says she loves being a what we'll discover?"
to slow down, but she still starts teacher—"I love to see the smiles
each day at 5:30 with an early- of accomplishment when a student Bernal may have her eyes fixed firmly
morning workout, rain or shine, learns something"—but she would on the future, but she still allows
like to be a student again, too, in herself to look back fondly at the
large part because she feels she past.
would be better at it now. "I was
learning back then but I wasn't "The martial arts not only allowed
focused. I really am looking for a me to get fit and learn to fight,"
teacher. I would love to be a student she says, "I met amazing, amazing,
again." people. I really knew Chuck Norris,
Joe Lewis, Linda Lee. I knew these
All in all, though, Bernal is satisfied fabulous, fabulous female fighters
with her life as a martial artist. from Texas, Oklahoma. I used to
drink coffee with them, fight in the
"I can't complain about my training," same tournaments. They used to
she says. "Al was everything a beat me up." She does not sound as
teacher should be. When he said, though she regrets being beaten up.
'I can always teach you, but I can't
fight your fight for you,' Bernal "A lot of us are still around," she
realized she didn't need him there for says of her cohorts. "We never gave
the fight—any fight—because he had up, we're still fit, happy, kicking,
already taught her what she needed punching. We live what we believe."
to know to win in the ring: how to go
with the flow. It was up to Bernal to Bernal describes encountering a fan
extend the lessons to her personal at an event this year—a fan who
life. brought up the '74 issue her first
cover story for her to sign. She
"If you can go with the flow, laughs.
take whatever's thrown at
you and let it roll off your "I'm still the same crazy woman,"
foot and go on to the she says. "Life is a constant battle,
next move, you can't be a constant fight. It always has been.
stopped," she says. It's not peaceful when I step out the
door."B

Lori Ann White is a copy editor for Kung

Fu Tai Chi. She is also a freelance writer
who has studied Shaolin Kung Fu with
her Sifu Wing Lam for so many years that
she is now studying Sun-style Taiji with
him instead. Master Malia Bernal lives
in the Silicon Valley of California. She
may be reached for private lessons at
[email protected].
30 KUNG FU B TAI CHI JUNE 2017
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JUNE 2017 KUNG FU B TAI CHI 37
Complex Aes thetics
and Traditional Kung Fu
W hen Meryl Streep
accepted the Cecil
B. DeMille award for lifetime
achievement at the Golden
Globes last January, beyond her
By Gene Ching and Gigi Oh Presidential criticisms she irked the
martial arts community with her side
comment, “...you’ll have nothing to watch
but football and mixed martial arts, which
are not the arts.” Of course, by definition
she’s right: Football and MMA are sports.
While they may express great artistry, art and
sport are separate fields.

Nevertheless, some martial artists were outraged

and tried to justify their artistic value. Though Ms.
Streep’s remark was directed specifically at MMA, a
few traditional martial artists also took offense. MMA
is a modern martial sport only a few decades old. Though
MMA and many other sports are based on traditional
martial arts, our time-honored disciplines are by no means
confined to the world of sports. Many martial arts never
participate in sport competition. There’s much more
to Kung Fu than its sporting events. Even Ms.
Streep can’t deny the artistry of Kung Fu when

38 KUNG FU B TAI CHI JUNE 2017

the Academy Awards – from whom she’s received three That mental hard work begins with the study of Kung
coveted Oscars – also awarded Crouching Tiger Hidden Fu itself. To fully appreciate the aesthetics of fine art,
Dragon four Oscars (note that this article went to press we must engage the culture in depth, and that takes a lot
just prior to the 2017 Academy Awards where Streep of study. Kung Fu is overwhelmingly deep and diverse.
was nominated for the 20th time, so she might have tied It is discriminating, cultivated, and refined, difficult to
CTHD by the time this is in print). confine to simple generalizations. There are so many
styles, so many variations, and so many alternative
answers if one pursues them with any perseverance.
Nevertheless, this begs an old philosophical quandary –
Kung Fu is so complex and sophisticated that it is
when is a martial art an art? Art is defined by aesthetic
impossible to encapsulate it with a simple answer. It
principles. It is discriminating, cultivated, and refined.
can’t be simplified without profound forfeiture. There
While most martial artists can appreciate the unique
are so many outliers to any simplified notion. Authentic
aesthetic pleasure in a well-placed kick to the head,
Kung Fu can’t be dumbed down for the great unwashed
that opinion stands outside the societal norm for the
masses. So be warned – this is a complicated story and
perception of beauty. However, it is obvious that Kung
takes some hard work to penetrate.
Fu is bound by its own aesthetics and is discriminating,
cultivated, and refined. While sport might not be art, it is
undeniable that Kung Fu is an art.
A Cultivated Master of
In fact, among the Chinese, the best artists of any
media are praised for their Kung Fu. When a painter, a
Many Arts
calligrapher, a musician, a dancer, a chef and, yes, even an Master Guo Naihui (䜝ѳ䖹) is a proponent of several
actor, demonstrates exemplary artistic skill, critics will traditional Kung Fu styles, but the most interesting
laud their work as having “great Kung Fu.” While many are his esoteric ones, his outliers. He is the last of his
Westerners mistakenly limit Kung Fu to the martial arts, generation to be a master of a very unique weapon,
the Chinese define Kung Fu as an essential ingredient in Biangan. He is also a representative of a Muslim
all art. Kung Fu isn’t about winning belts in the cage or fusion style known confusingly enough as Tongbei,
Oscars from the Academy. The essence of Kung Fu is because it is completely different from the Tongbei
hard work. most Kung Fu people think it is. These are complex
and sophisticated styles – uncommon arts in the
Beginning and intermediate students tend to narrow martial arts – so it requires some hard work to get at
this definition to just physical hard work – hardcore the story behind them. But first, some background on
conditioning, hours spent in horse stance and tens of Master Guo.
thousands of repetitions of basic kicks and punches.
However, for the complete Kung Fu practitioner, this is Guo is a native of Dongbei, or the Northeast of
just the beginning. Kung Fu is a holistic lifestyle, so the China, a region once dubbed Manchuria by the
physical aspect is just one portion of a greater whole. A Japanese. This area encompasses three provinces;
genuine Kung Fu practitioner must also cultivate their Guo was from Liaoning Province. In 1958, at age
mind and spirit through hard work. It’s not just about three, his family moved to Jiayuguan City in Gansu
fighting. It’s about much more. Province. Jiayu Pass is guarded by a large still-intact

JUNE 2017 KUNG FU B TAI CHI 39

fortress, part of the Great Wall. There, at age twelve, Guo began Chinese Muslims have had a profound
his martial journey, studying Shaolin Kung Fu with his brother. influence on the martial arts. Two
He eventually found a Shaolin master named Li Zhenxi (ᵾᥟௌ) prominent Kung Fu styles are credited
and became proficient enough under him to earn acceptance to the to Muslim factions: Tantui (springing
illustrious Beijing Sports University in 1975. That was a year after leg ᕸ㞯), considered the foundation of
the Beijing Wushu Team was founded there by Wu Bin (੤ᖜ) and Li Northern Style Kung Fu (more on this
Junfeng (ᵾ‫׺‬ጠ). It was the birthplace of Modern Wushu, when the later), and Chaquan (literally “seeking
infant sport was still intimately connected to its martial roots. Guo fist” ḕᤣ), a long-fist style that was
was coached by Gan Guizhang (䱊Ṳ俉) and learned the original one of the building blocks of Modern
compulsory competition forms. After he graduated in 1978, Guo was Wushu. The bulk of China’s Muslim
sent back to Gansu to disseminate the Modern Wushu program. He population resides in the Northwest
was sent to teach Wushu at the Gansu Sheng Tiyu Yundong Xuexiao in a region dubbed “the Quran Belt,”
(⭈㚳ⴱփ㛢䘀ࣘᆖṑ). specifically the provinces of Xinjiang,
Ningxia, Qinghai and Gansu. Master
However, Guo's foray into the sport of Modern Wushu did not Guo, Ma Yingda and Ma Lingda were
curtail his passion for the traditional arts. He became a disciple of all in Gansu.
Grandmaster Ma Yingda (傜ま䚄). Ma is in the bloodline of one
of the most powerful martial clans in China. He is the son of Ma
Fengtu (傜ࠔമ), an influential grandmaster who
Biangan – the
fathered three other sons, each a grandmaster
in his own right. The three other brothers
Short Stick
include Ma Xianda (傜䌒䚄), one Biangan (䷝ᵶ) is a short stick, although
of the very first grandmasters the characters that comprise the name
to be certified with China's are a little confusing. Bian literally
highest martial rank of 9th duan means “whip,” although it can also
(level ⇥), Ma Mingda (傜᰾䚄), a refer to a string of firecrackers. It is
leading martial professor at the Jinan the same word used for chain whips
University in Guangdong Province, as well as a less common Chinese
and Ma Lingda (傜Ԕ䚄) who weapon, a “hard” whip. A hard
represents the family in Lanzhou City, whip is a metal truncheon with a
also in Gansu. hilt like a sword. Usually hard
whip shafts are knurled like
The Ma family are Chinese Muslims. bamboo. Gan means a pole,
With the national concern over Muslims in specifically the shaft of
America, it is important to remember that not all a spear. The Biangan
Muslims are from the Middle East. Islam has been that Master Guo
in China for 1400 years, same as Christianity. Both uses is a straight
came to China via the Silk Road during the Tang pole. It’s longer
Dynasty (618– 907 CE). There are discrepancies over that a typical
the Muslim population in China today. The third and baton or
fourth largest ethnic minorities in China are Islamic.
The Uyghur had an estimated population of 15 million two
years ago. The Hui (എ) were estimated at
10.5 million in 2011. Additional Chinese
minorities have Islamic leanings so the
entire population is unclear.

For more on the Ma Family, read our

November+December 2002 cover story:
“Muslim Master of the Old Empire: An
Interview with China’s Highest Level
Grandmaster Ma Xianda” by Gigi Oh
and Gene Ching, and “A Lifetime
Dedicated to the Martial Traditions:
An Interview with Professor Ma
Mingda” by William Acevedo, Mei
Cheung and Brenda Hood Ph.D.
from our November+December
2008 issue.

40 KUNG FU B TAI CHI JUNE 2017

Escrima stick (about two feet) and longer than most
one-handed swords (about three feet). But it’s shorter
than a typical Kung Fu staff, which is usually about the
height of the user’s eyebrow or, for the tapering “rat-
tail” style of staff, the height of the user’s hand with
arm raised overhead. The Biangan is an unusual height
for a Kung Fu staff, but versatile because it can be used
like a staff or a two-handed sword.

According to Master Guo, the Biangan is a Gansu folk

art that descended from applications of the equestrian
riding crop. He also points to a seminal Ming Dynasty
martial writer, Cheng Zhongyou (〻ᇇ⥧ 1561–? CE),
also known as Chen Chongdou (䱸⋆ᯇ). He wrote a
treatise titled, Single Saber Method (Dandao fa xuan
অ࠰⌅䘹), which outlined eighteen movements of two-
handed single-edged saber. Accordingly, this sword
is more like a Japanese katana than a conventional
Chinese dao. This sword is commonly called a miaodao
(literally “sprout blade” 㤇࠰), although some argue it
is an erroneous label. They claim the name miao comes
from China’s fifth largest ethnic minority, the Miao,
as they use a sword with a similar design, and that
this is not connected to Cheng’s Dandao. Arguments
aside, Single Saber Method was a pivotal work, as it
allegedly elucidated techniques derived from Japanese
swordsmanship that were critical in the defeat of
Japanese pirates, a.k.a. Wokuo (ٝᇷ), during the Ming
period. This was a significant battle in Kung Fu history,
as the Shaolin monks are credited as one of the many
groups that helped China secure her borders against
the Wokuo. Perhaps not coincidentally, Cheng also
wrote Shaolin Staff Method (Shaolin gunfa chanzong
ቁ᷇ỽ⌅䰑ᇇ), which is one of the earliest manuals This unique heavyweight weapon is rarely seen outside
to attribute staff fighting to the Shaolin school (more of China. It is made from solid steel construction of
superb craftsmanship. The whip is 25” long and
on this later too). And an additional perhaps-not-
weighs 5 lbs. Its weight makes it perfect
coincidental footnote, Cheng’s nephew Cheng Ziyi
for training sword or any short weapon.
(〻ᆀ乔) wrote Outline of Martial Preparedness (Wu Length and weight may vary. Comes
bei yao lue ↖༷㾱⮕), which included a section on Bian with a custom-fit weapon case,
largely derivative of Cheng’s two-handed Dandao complete with a sturdy
techniques. handle and luggage tag.

Master Guo’s Biangan has three main forms: Yellow

Dragon Biangan (huanglong biangan 哴嗉䷝ᵶ),
Dropping Hand Biangan (diaoshou biangan ᦹ᡻䷝ᵶ) 45-77
and Bind the Sea Eighteen Strikes Biangan (chanhai
shiba da biangan 㕐⎧ॱ‫ޛ‬ᢃ䷝ᵶ). Additionally, there $129.99
are three more sequences for training which aren’t quite
stand-alone forms but are part of the curriculum. These
are Five Yin Biangan (wuyin biangan ӄ䱤䷝ᵶ), Seven
Hand Biangan (qishou biangan г᡻䷝ᵶ) and Thirteen
Techniques Biangan (shisan fa biangan ॱй⌅䷝ᵶ).

JUNE 2017 KUNG FU B TAI CHI 41

The Eight Techniques of Biangan
Master Guo demonstrates the eight
fundamental techniques of Biangan
(䷝ᵶ‫)⌅ޛ‬
Transfer Technique (ban faᩜ⌅) ¨

Knock Technique
(kou faᢓ⌅) ¨

Flying Technique (fei fa伎⌅)

Shaving Technique (gua fa ࡞⌅)

42 KUNG FU B TAI CHI JUNE 2017

Continued on page 44
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Contined from page 42

Tongbei – Not Tying Technique (niu fa 㓭⌅)

“Through the Back”

Being a disciple of Grandmaster Ma
Yingda, Master Guo was indoctrinated
into the family’s distinctive Kung Fu style
of Ma Clan Tongbei (Ma shi tongbei 傜
∿䙊༷). Tongbeiquan (Through the Back
Fist 䙊㛼ᤣ) is a popular Northern style
of long-fist Kung Fu. It is characterized
by long swinging arm movements and
self-slapping. However, this is not what
the Ma Clan espouses. Take careful note
of the “bei ” character. In Tongbeiquan,
it is the character for “back (㛼).” In
Ma Clan Tongbei, it is a homophonic
character (༷) that means “prepare,”
“ready” or “perfect.” It’s the same “bei ”
as in the title of Cheng Ziyi’s Outline of
Martial Preparedness. This has muddled
discussions of the style in English where
the Chinese characters are not used, as
many have mistaken Ma Clan Tongbei
for Tongbeiquan.

Ma Clan Tongbei fuses four Kung Fu

styles: Piguaquan (split hanging fist ࢸ
᧋ᤣ), Bajiquan (eight extremities fist
‫ޛ‬ᾥᤣ), Fanziquan (rotating fist 㘫ᆀ Master Guo says that in addition to elements of these four styles,
ᤣ), and Chuojiao (feet poking ᡣ㞣). Ma Clan Tongbei has a complete arsenal of traditional weapons.
Pigua is another Northern long-fist style The primary staff form is Wind Demon Staff (Feng mo gun 仾冄
characterized by wide circular movements ỽ), which is based on the fifty-five stances and techniques of Cheng
and long-range attacks. It is often Zhongyou’s Shaolin Staff Method. It also has many sword forms. For
coupled with Baji as a complimentary single-edged swords, it has Pigua Dao (ࢸᤲ࠰), Piaoyao Dao (fast
practice. Baji is sometimes categorized elegant blade 僐ည࠰), Pofeng Dao (break spear point blade ⹤䬻࠰),
as an internal style; it relies upon Luhe Dao (join army blade 䱶ਸ࠰) and several others. It also has a
explosive elbow and shoulder strikes large single-edged sword known as Tongbei Dadao (䙊༷བྷࢁ). The
and penetrating hip checks. Fanzi and double-edged straight swords (jian ࢁ) of Tongbei are mostly wielded
Chuojiao are often coupled too. Both with both single- and double-handed methods. These are for larger
styles are apocryphally attributed as jian, what western swordsmen might call “hand-and-a-half swords.”
the creations of Song Dynasty hero Tongbei Big Sword ( Tongbei dajian 䙊༷བྷࢁ) is also called 73 Sword
General Yue Fei (1103–1142 ዣ伎). Fanzi (qishisan jian гॱйࢁ) or Proclaim Change Sword (xuanhua jian ᇓॆ
is famous for its fast hand techniques ࢁ). There is also a small sword called Silk Robe Sword (tipao jian 㔘
and is a contributing foundation style 㺽ࢁ). For spears, it has Six Harmony Spear (liuhe qiang ‫ޝ‬ਸ´) and
for Eagle Claw Kung Fu. As the name Qi Spear (Qi qiang ᡊ´), named after the imminent martial scholar
implies, Choujiao emphasizes kicking Qi Jiguang (1528–1588 ᡊ㔗‫)ݹ‬. Beyond the standard four weapons,
and leg techniques. It has a vast array of Tongbei also has other classical weapons common to Kung Fu like
unconventional kicking methods. three-section staffs (sanjie gun йㇰỽ).

Ma Clan Tongbei Martial Art Four Rules 1– Reason guides understanding of forms, methods
and techniques (li xiang hui tong ⨶䊑ᴳ䙊)
(Ma shi tongbei wuyi si ze 傜∿䙊༷↖㢪ഋࡉ)
2– Health, fitness and self-cultivation fully equips

T
hese Four Rules form the underpinning of Ma Clan for applications for combat and fighting
Tongbei. According to Master Guo, these well- (ti yung ju bei 億⭘‫)ۉء‬
rounded and rigorously-structured principles are 3– Pass through the divine to reach change
what justifies Tongbei as a wuxue (martial study ↖ (tong shen da hua 䙊⾎䚄ॆ)
ᆨ). These rules are highly symbolic and idiomatic so 4– Prepare your ten thousand learnings into one
the translations are interpretive, not literal. (bei wan guan yi ‫ۉ‬㩜䋛а)
44 KUNG FU B TAI CHI JUNE 2017
Piercing Technique (zha fa ᡾⌅)

Raising Technique (liao fa ᫙⌅)

Carrying Technique (tiao fa ᥁⌅)

JUNE 2017 KUNG FU B TAI CHI 45

Chuojiao – Poking Feet The Weird Kicks of Chou Jiao

M
Master Guo estimates that Tongbei has some aster Guo demonstrates seven of the basic kicks of
forty or fifty empty-hand forms based on the four Chou Jiao. These are divided into three low kicks,
aforementioned styles. Additionally, there is a two midsection kicks and one high kick..
108 movement health cultivating form which Guo
says is akin to Taiji called Tongbei Big Clan Low Kicks
(Tongbei dajia 䙊༷བྷᇦ). Most pupils learn Peak technique (ding fa 亦⌅)
all of the hand forms and, accordingly, learn the
quintessence of the quartet of traditional styles
upon which Tongbei is based. While each of these
styles are worthy of further analysis, for the sake of
brevity, the remainder of this article will focus on
Chuojiao. Master Guo has a deeper connection
to Chuojiao because one of the major branches of
the style came through the Duan Clan (⇥). The
Duan Clan were from Hebei Province, which
Guo’s blood grandparents called home.

Guo says that Chuojiao predominantly deploys

kicks using the ball of the foot. These kicks
seldom aim at targets above waist level. For the
uninitiated, Chuojiao kicks are decidedly weird.
They attack from surprising directions to strike
the ankle, knee and groin. Tantui is considered by
many to be the root of Northern kicking power,
but Master Guo disagrees. “Tantui is the basics Slope Technique (po fa එ⌅)
(jibengong สᵜ࣏) for Chuojiao,” states Guo
in Mandarin. “When people say ‘Southern fists,
Northern legs (nan quan bei tui ইᤣे㞯),' the
legs are actually Chuojiao, not Tantui.” Guo
doesn’t say this to denigrate Tantui. It’s a style
he holds in high regard. In the late nineties,
Guo also served as a professional Taekwondo
coach in China. Taekwondo became an Olympic
demonstration event in 1988 and was on the path
to becoming an official medal event in 2000, so
China prepared athletes, and Guo’s kicking
expertise positioned him to be a coach. The
shift of style didn’t bother him at all. “All the
Taekwondo kicks are in Tantui,” he says.

Master Guo is quick to point out that Ma Clan

Tongbei is a fighting style. Practitioners box, Trample Technique (jue fa 䒦⌅)
kickbox and spar with short weapons as a regular
part of training. Guo says that Chuojiao also has
a specialized striking dummy. He describes it as a
springy rod of human height, set at an angle with
a thick base. He says it is used to train kicking
powerfully and fleeing quickly. Nowadays, it isn’t
used very much. In China, they practice on old
tires, although he’s seen them in Russia where he
travels often to teach. There are many Ma Clan
Tongbei branches in Russia and Japan. Despite
its effectiveness, Chuojiao is rare today. “The
teachers were too conservative in the old days,”
sighs Guo. “Many masters of Chuojiao only have
one road.”

46 KUNG FU B TAI CHI JUNE 2017

Midsection Kicks
Raise Peak External Post (ju ding wai zhuang Ѯ亦ཆ‱)
Art for Art’s Sake
To the uninitiated and uneducated,
such longwinded explanations are
overwhelming and tiresome. In the
era of tweet-shortened attention
spans, it’s too much work to try
to understand all this complicated
talk. It’s easier to write it all off to
the waxing of elitist masters. After
Obstruct and Stop External Post (lan jie wai zhuang ᤖᡚཆ‱) all, how does all this background
knowledge really help in a fight?

But if the martial arts want to

claim to be “art,” this knowledge is
indispensable. Cultural context is
what frames art. The Ma family are
stalwart keepers of the traditional
art of Kung Fu, and as Ma Yingda’s
disciple, Master Guo inherited much
of the clan’s extraordinary legacy.
No matter how hard it is to learn,
how hard it is to understand, and
how hard it is to pass down, it is
exactly this hard work that makes it
High Kick real Kung Fu. B
Lie Down Small Point (dao dian zi ‫⛩ق‬ᆀ)
Master Guo Naihui is the former head
coach for Gansu Sports School Wushu
team and taekwondo team. He served as
Vice President of China Tongbei Wushu
Institute and Deputy Secretary-General
of Lanzhou City Wushu Association.
Currently, he is the Chairman of Ma
Yingda Tongbei Wuxue Association and
can be reached at No.345 Jiaojiawan
Road, Chengguan District, Lanzhou City,
Gansu Province⭈㚳ⴱ‫ޠ‬ᐎᐲ෾‫ޣ‬
४❖ᇦ⒮䐟345ਧTel: 18394032879.
The authors gratefully acknowledge
Yu Jiashan for his assistance with this
article.

JUNE 2017 KUNG FU B TAI CHI 47

By Emilio Alpanseque
Photos by Rodrigo Sánchez

espite being generally acknowledged as the most

widespread traditional style of Wushu, Taijiquan
(ཚᶱᤣ) still draws plenty of controversy. What
is Taijiquan? Was it invented by a single person
or did it evolve over time? Do Taijiquan masters
use weapons as part of their training? If so, which ones?
In this article, we will attempt to answer some of these
questions. We’ll also provide an analysis of current
trends in Taijiquan learning from the perspective and
experiences of world renowned Master Chen Ziqiang
(䱸㠚ᕪ, 1977– ), a 12th generation Chen Style Taijiquan
Master and Head Coach of the Chen Village Taijiquan
Academy in Henan, China – obtained during his last
visit to Santiago, Chile, in 2016.

Historical Background
The history of Chen style Taijiquan (䱸∿ཚᶱᤣ) begins
with the Ming dynasty General Chen Wangting (䱸⦻
ᓝ, 1580–1660), a 9th generation descendant of the Chen
family. The Chen family were originally from Shanxi
but had moved to Wen County in Henan Province in
the late 1370s, to an area later known as Chen Village.
Through times of constant warfare, Chen Wangting was
distinguished for his bodyguard services around Henan
and Shandong, and for his participation in the anti-Qing
uprisings in the Dengfeng area, which ultimately ended
in defeat, after which he went into seclusion back in
Chen Village. There, he spent many years integrating
his clan’s martial arts knowledge of Shaolin-based styles,
such as Paochui (⛞䭔), with the Yin and Yang theory
from the Book of Changes (᱃㓿), the meridian network
system (㓿㔌), the deep breathing and energy cultivation
methods of Daoyin (ሾᕅੀ㌽), and additional sources;
to conceive the unique and new style of Chen style
Taijiquan.

During the next century, the style continued to develop

and be transmitted among family members in the Chen
Village, until reaching the 14th generation Chen style
descendant and 6th generation Chen Taijiquan Master
Chen Changxing (䱸䮯‫ޤ‬, 1771–1853), who further refined
and documented the art, creating the foundational basis
for today’s Chen Style Taijiquan, which became the
“mother form” from which other main styles of Taijiquan

48 KUNG FU B TAI CHI JUNE 2017

been introduced in more recent times,
most notably the handheld fan (shan
ᡷ), which has become very popular
worldwide. There are several fan
routines practiced today, one of them
with 36 movements created by Chen
Ziqiang and based on the 54-step
sword routine of the style, passed
down by Chen Yuxia (䱸䊛‫א‬, 1924–
1986), the daughter of 9th generation
Chen Taijiquan Master Chen Fake
(䱸ਁ、, 1887–1957).

Benefits and
Functions
Weapons practice should always
be understood as secondary to
developing the fundamental abilities
of the style, including the body
such as Yang (ᶘ), Sun (ᆉ), Wu (੤) single (অࢁ) and double (ৼࢁ); the
methods (shengfa 䓛⌅), the mind
and Wu (↖) evolved during the early broadsword or dao, both single (অ࠰)
methods (xinfa ᗳ⌅), the standing
years of the Republican Era of China and double (ৼ࠰); the spear (qiang
meditation practices (zhanzhuang ㄉ
(1912–1949). By this time the system ᷚ), the Spring and Autumn halberd
ẙ), and the “silk reeling” exercises
consisted of empty hand routines, (chunqiudadao ᱕⿻བྷ࠰), and the
(chansigong 㕐э࣏). This is
single technique paired training, double iron mace (shuangjian ৼ䬿).
primarily achieved through the
push hand (tuishou ᧘᡻) practices,
practice of empty hand routines,
together with short and long Now, the curriculum of the Chen single-technique paired training,
weapon routines and applications family also includes a few weapons push hand practices. Today, as
practice. Understanding the that were related to civilian usage, fighting with weapons is no longer an
important military heritage of the originating from the adaptation of essential survival skill, we might ask
aforementioned historical periods farming tools, such as a variety of whether it is necessary to practice
is vital to further recognize and staffs including the long staff (dagan Taijiquan with weapons to enhance
distinguish the multiple weapons བྷᵶ), also called shisangan (ॱ our self-defense skills. Actually, the
that were incorporated into the йᵶ); the two-sectional flail staff answer is simple: it is not mandatory,
Chen Family style and that are still (dasaozi བྷᢛᆀ), or the whip-staff but highly recommended. Practicing
practiced today by this important (biangan ䷝ᵶ). It is interesting to the Taijiquan weapon routines will
branch of Taijiquan. note that in Chen style the staff develop certain skills that the bare
techniques were integrated with hand forms will not deliver on their
the spear techniques in a combined own. In that sense, each type of
Wondrous routine called Pear Blossom spear routine will provide a unique set of
and White Ape staff or lihuaqiang features to aid the development of
Weapons jia baiyuangun (Ộ㣡ᷚཀྵⲭ⥯ỽ). the practitioner’s Taijiquan martial
In the days of Chen Wangting, a Lastly, a few more weapons have ability (gongfu ࣏ཛ).
large variety of traditional weapons
were brought to the battlefield to
be used during combat. From the
Chen Family Genealogy (䱸∿ᇦ
䉡) document of Wen County we
can confirm that he was: “…the
originator of the hand/broadsword/
spear techniques of the Chen
style boxing. A natural hero,
corroborated by the halberd he used
in battle...” Therefore, we can infer
that training with weapons by Chen
family members originally had a
military origin and purpose, mainly
associated with having to defend the
Chen Village and adjacent lands
from both bandits and militias in the
period immediately following the fall
of the Ming Dynasty (1368–1644).
Examples of these weapons are
the straight sword or jian, both

JUNE 2017 KUNG FU B TAI CHI 49

shaking (dougan ᣆᵶ) is one of these
methods, which consists of handling
and vibrating a long wax wood
staff, approximately 12 feet long
and 1.5 inches round, to strengthen
the torso, condition the upper body,
and cultivate the ability to issue
power from the lower abdomen
“energy center” (dantian ѩ⭠) and
transmit it to the hands and the
feet. Practicing with the short stick
(bang ἂ), which is approximately
one forearm-length, is also a common
exercise used to develop overall grip,
wrist, elbow and shoulder strength
and flexibility required for the joint-
locking (qinna ᬂ᤯) applications of
the style. Practicing with the short
stick as well as with long pole will
increase the stability and rooting of
the legs, helping the practitioner to
absorb and comprehend more deeply
the nuances of the entire system of
Taijiquan.

Another great training implement

of the Chen Family is the sphere
(taijiqiu ཚᶱ⨳), which is roughly
the size of a basketball and made
from wood or iron. This practice
is mainly associated with the
conditioning and strengthening
of the upper body in order to
enhance the tuishou abilities,
Formerly, the first weapon to be and ultimately combat.
taught was the straight sword. The sphere, as everything
However, at present the weapon in Taijiquan, involves
of choice for beginners is the movements that are round,
broadsword, since the routine is spiraling and fluid, which
simpler and the weapon’s usage
is easier to assimilate. The form
contains spiraling, sweeping,
jumping and turning motions,
which helps the practitioner to
develop the correct generation
of explosive energy (jin ࣢). By
contrast, the straight sword form is
characterized by flexible, lively and
elegant movements, and will help
practitioners harmonize firmness
and gentleness, as well as enhance
their hand dexterity due to the more
intricate wrist movements. The Pear
Blossom spear is perhaps the most important weapon form to master because
it incorporates a type of forward and backward footwork pattern for combat
that is completely absent in the empty hand forms. Lastly, the halberd is
paramount for the development of root and physical strength, emphasizing
the practitioner’s ability to move the weapon very close to the body with
vertical or horizontal spins on the left or right side of their bodies.

Supplementary Training Implements

The previous generations of Chen Village masters placed great emphasis
on special power training methods (xinggong 㹼࣏), which is important
to enhance both external and internal attributes of the practitioner. Pole

Continued on page 52
50 KUNG FU B TAI CHI JUNE 2017
Continued from page 50: Chen Style Weapons

also requires practitioners to focus on using “mind” to lead

the vital force (qi ≄), and using the qi to control the body
movements. Although handling heavy spheres, stones, locks
and other objects is an old practice in the Chen Village,
the compilation of standard routines, such as what Chen
Ziqiang teaches, is a recent creation, which has not yet been
incorporated into the traditional canon of style. In Chen
Ziqiang’s own words, the objective of this type of training is to
develop specialized strength more appropriate for Taijiquan as
opposed to generic bodybuilding methods that will develop a
kind of straight brute or useless strength.

Fourth Dragon off to See the

World
Chen Ziqiang is known as the fourth of the Chen Family’s
“Seven Dragons,” a respected group of 20th generation
descendants of the Chen Family (12th generation Chen
Taijiquan masters) from the Chen Village. Born in 1977, he is
the first son of Grandmaster Chen Xiaoxing (䱸ሿᱏ, 1952– ),
and nephew of Grandmaster Chen Xiaowang (䱸ሿᰪ, 1945– ),
who is the current custodian of the style. Having ancestral
roots all the way back to the style’s founder (Chen Wangting)
certainly places on Chen Ziqiang’s shoulders the great and
heavy responsibility of maintaining the high reputation of his
family, a task that he has carried out with excellent results.
At his young age, he is not only an accomplished Chen
Taijiquan master but a highly decorated former athlete, a fierce
fighter, and an excellent head coach of competition teams and
international groups. He also attended the Xi’an Institute
of Physical Education to learn Sanda (ᮓᢃ) free-fighting Grandmaster Chen Xiaoxing, father of Master Chen
theories and applied human kinesiology to further round out Ziqiang, demonstrating with the double broadswords.
his extensive knowledge.

Since 2006, Chen Ziqiang has

contributed significantly to the
international promotion of Chen

52 KUNG FU B TAI CHI JUNE 2017

Taijiquan, traveling to Taiwan,
Hong Kong, the United States,
Great Britain, Germany,
Italy, Spain, South Korea,
and many other countries to
deliver countless workshops and
seminars. Famous for his open
and friendly bouts with western
practitioners of wrestling,
Sambo, and others, Chen has
also produced and published
an important collection of
instructional videos to further
Master Luis Pedreros receiving instruction with promote the correct teachings of
extreme clarity and precision for his “Cover Hand the style, and as become one of
and Strike with Fist” (᧙᡻㛡ᤣ). the most sought-after instructors
abroad. In 2016, Chen Ziqiang
consolidated the “South American Chen Taichi Federation of Master Chen
Ziqiang” together with the local masters from the region – Silvia Di Paula
(Argentina), Gil Rodrigues (Brazil), Raúl Toutin (Chile), and Luis Pedreros
(Chile) – to secure future activities in the continent and continue with his
family’s mission of raising the level of traditional Chen Taijiquan methods
across the globe.B

Emilio Alpanseque currently teaches in El Cerrito, CA, and can be contacted through his
website EastBayWushu.com. He wishes to thank Master Kimberly Ivy, Ricardo González
Cabezas and Alejandro Karaciolo for their support and contribution to this article. Master
Chen Ziqiang will be providing the following workshops in South America in 2017: Rio de
Janeiro, Brazil (May 12–14); Sao Paulo, Brazil (May 19–21); La Paz, Bolivia (May 26–28);
Master Raúl Toutin drilling his “White Crane Buenos Aires, Argentina (Jun 2–15); Santiago, Chile (Jun 17–26). For more information
Spreads Its Wings” (ⲭ古Ӟ㗵) with attention to search for @ChenZiqiang.Chile on Facebook.
the key details.
YMAA

Visit ymaa.com. Use coupon code YMAA5K and save!

Order online or call 1-800-669-8892. Free shipping on eligible orders.
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PUBLICATION CENTER
YMAA Publication Center | PO Box 480 | Wolfeboro NH 03894 | [email protected]

JUNE 2017 KUNG FU B TAI CHI 53

By Emilio Alpanseque
Photos by José Gago Garrido

very year, millions of people around the

world begin their journeys into the practice
of Taijiquan (ཚᶱᤣ). Their reasons may
be different, but most look for authenticity
in their instructors and systems. Within
Chinese traditional martial arts, “authenticity" is a
powerful concept under high scrutiny for countless
decades, with as many definitions as there are
groups, clans, schools, families, and academic
researchers – each with their own merits and
shortcomings. The intention of this article is to
further shed light on the significance of the notion,
specifically as it applies to Yang Taijiquan, with a
special focus on its traditional weaponry, thanks to
the invaluable contributions of Master Fu Qingquan
(‫⋹␵ڵ‬, 1971– ), an internationally acclaimed 6th
generation Yang Taijiquan master, during his last
visit to Orense, Spain in 2016.

An Outsider Learns the

Chen Family Ways
According to 4th generation Master Fu Zhongwen
(‫ڵ‬䡑᮷, 1904–1994), through his grandson Fu
Qingquan, Yang style Taijiquan (ᶘᔿཚᶱᤣ)
was founded by Grandmaster Yang Luchan (ᶘ䵢
⾵, 1799–1872), a man originally from the Yongnian
district of Hebei province, who spent a total of 18
years in Chen Village of Henan province learning
martial arts under 14th generation Chen family
Master Chen Changxing (䱸䮯‫ޤ‬, 1771–1853). Upon
his return to Yongnian, he became celebrated for
his martial arts skills, earning him the nickname of
“Yang the Invincible (ᶘᰐ᭼)," with people referring
to his fighting style as Cotton Boxing (Mianquan
㔥ᤣ) due to its combination of softness and
hardness. Yang Luchan eventually moved to Beijing
to become an instructor of Qing nobility members
as well as imperial soldiers, and transmitted all
his knowledge to his second and third sons, Yang
Jianhou (ᶘ‫ىڕ‬, 1839–1917) and Yang Banhou (ᶘ
⨝‫ى‬, 1837–1890), who became the 2nd generation
masters who then passed the art on to the 3rd
generation, Yang Shaohou (ᶘቁ‫ى‬, 1862–1930) and
Yang Chengfu (ᶘ▴⭛, 1883–1936).

In his book, Yang Chengfu Style Taijiquan (ᶘ

▴⭛ᔿཚᶱᤣ), 4th generation Master Yang
Zhenji (ᶘᥟส, 1921–2007) provides an insightful
account in which Confucian scholar Weng Tonghe

54 KUNG FU B TAI CHI JUNE 2017

so impressed with Yang’s skills, was appointed as the Taijiquan
Weng dedicated him the couplet: Head Instructor. Most notably,
“The hands that hold the taiji will his teachings were recorded by his
make the whole world shake, a heart disciple Chen Weiming (䱸ᗞ᰾,
that contains the ultimate skill will 1881–1958) in three books – The Art
defeat a multitude heroes.” This of Taijiquan (ཚᶱᤣᵟ), Taiji Sword
anecdotal account, although far from (ཚᶱࢁ), and Answering Taiji
conclusive, could be an indication Questions (ཚᶱㆄ䰞) – published in
that the association of the name 1925, 1928 and 1929 respectively. This
Taiji with the style of Taijiquan was a pivotal moment for Chinese
existed by this time or happened martial arts to become studied
soon thereafter. by scholars, systematized and
documented for mass consumption.
Yang Chengfu had several important
Ancestral, disciples including his nephew-in-law
Fu Zhongwen (‫ڵ‬䡑᮷, 1904–1994).
Orthodox and
In 1931, a new book called Taijiquan
Documented Methods of Application (ཚᶱᤣ
A guiding concept linked with the ֯⭘⌅) was published under Yang
notion of authenticity is tradition, Chengfu’s name, but compiled by his
Grandmaster Fu Zhongwen, the patriarch of the
the transmission of knowledge from disciple Dong Yingjie (㪓㤡ᶠ, 1898–
Fu family poses with his son, Grandmaster Fu
Shengyuan, before practicing with the long staffs. generation to generation. The Yang 1961), comprised of pictures of his
family typically uses the Chinese postures and applications. The same
term dichuan (ᄑՐ) to refer to book was later revised, extended
(㗱਼嗒, 1830–1904), the imperial and published in 1934 as Taijiquan
tutor of Emperor Guangxu (‫ݹ‬㔚, Authentic Yang Style Taijiquan,
which translates in English as Essence and Applications
1871–1908), once witnessed Yang (ཚᶱᤣփ⭘‫ޘ‬Җ). This book
Luchan dispatch his opponent ancestral, inherited from, or denoting
a lineage of transmission. The term became the standard reference of
in a martial challenge and said form and function later reprinted
to the imperial court officials, zhengzong (↓ᇇ) is also used, which
means orthodox, from an undisputed many times in China, Hong
“Advancing, retreating, evading, Kong, Taiwan and abroad. In this
hiding at godly speeds, appearing origin. Yang Chengfu inherited the
style through his father and was regard, Fu Qingquan observes,
empty and unpredictable, his body “The Taijiquan of Yang Chengfu is
moving like an ape, his hands instrumental in the promotion of
Taijiquan far and wide. He traveled essentially the same of Yang Luchan
moving like handling a sphere, as and his sons. He made the system
rounded as the taiji symbol.” Being China extensively to propagate his
art, and when the Nanjing Central more uniform, including the basic
Guoshu Institute theories, principles, the 85-step
(ইӜѝཞഭᵟ侶) routine, weapon routines, and the
opened in 1928, he exercises of push hands (tuishou ᧘
᡻) and explosive energy (fajin ਁ࣢).

JUNE 2017 KUNG FU B TAI CHI 55

of Taijiquan in their execution and their
martial applications. The spear also has
Grandmaster Fu Shengyuan with his son, Master Fu Qingquan. Two
a form of 13 movements. The staff has no
generations of Taijiquan masters practicing single-handed tuishou in the park. form of its own. The spear exercises and
techniques can also be executed with the staff, essentially
In his books there was no classification of Taijiquan as removing the spearhead to avoid causing injury. The
Yang style or Chen style. It was later called Yang style staff has a group of exercises that are performed with
simply because it was popularized by the Yang family or the purpose of increasing fajin in the practitioner.
to differentiate it from other styles that surfaced later. Lastly, there is a staff/spear paired form to introduce the
Fu Zhongwen received the complete system from Yang practitioners to long weapon applications.
Chengfu, and my father Fu Shengyuan (‫ڵ‬༠䘌, 1931– )
and I continue to transmit it as pure as it was received.”
Putting the System Pieces
Only Four Major Weapons Together
The weapons of the traditional Yang Taijiquan The 85-step bare hand form focuses especially on
correspond to the four major weapons of Chinese strengthening the trunk and the lower extremities to
Wushu: saber (dao ࠰), straight sword (jian ࢁ), spear improve stability, endurance and achieve the power to
(qiang ᷚ) and staff (gun ỽ). The saber is a willow-leaf maintain a perfect articular structure in each movement.
saber type, similar to the European cavalry sword, but Most importantly it teaches us to move without losing
with an “S”-shape handguard and a longer handle grip that correct structure. In the upper body, abdomen,
with a ring pommel. This saber features a longer and back, chest, shoulders, and arms, the bare
narrower blade with a sharpened tip on both sides which hand form teaches the practitioner to relax
collects the characteristics of both a saber and a straight and improve flexibility and coordination,
sword, but the actual blade is slightly curved and only and thus eliminate tensions in the
sharpened on one side as a conventional saber.
The straight sword is the standard straight
and narrow double-edged sword. The staff
is usually a natural white wax wood cudgel generally
around 6 to 8 feet long. The spear is slightly thicker and back and neck,
longer than the one normally used in modern Wushu, but which can become rigid and
similar, with a pointed diamond-shaped metal tip and the obstruct the circulation of the
traditional horsetail tassel. blood and vital force (qi ≄).
This emphasis on upper body
The saber has a form of 13 movements. That may not relaxation is misinterpreted by
seem like much, but they are quite long movements and many who think that relaxation
each one contains several techniques which must be in Taijiquan involves a gentle,
performed with a certain rhythm. There is also a saber weak, floating motion – a
paired form in which the attack and defense techniques gymnastics for seniors.
are performed between two people, and in the second The goal behind trunk
half the roles are reversed. For straight sword we have a relaxation is to
rather complex form of 51 movements. In both cases, the allow the spine and
weapons are used following the technical characteristics scapular girdle to be

56 KUNG FU B TAI CHI JUNE 2017 Continued on page 58

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Continued from page 56: Yang Style Weapons

A Daoist
Wisdom
Masterpiece
Many people may think that
Yang Taijiquan is just an
exercise for health because
it is performed slowly and
doesn’t have many fajin blows
and heavy stomps. This also
denotes a lack of understanding
of the philosophy of Yang
Taijiquan. From the Daoist
traditions we learn that in
order to do martial arts we
must start by improving our
health, strengthen our body,
and increase our internal energy.
This is known as “harmonizing
the three treasures of essence,
qi and spirit (㋮≄⾎),”
which involves a process of
transformation of muscles
and tendons, together with
blood and even bone marrow
transformation. For this reason,
the bare hand form doesn’t have
fajin. It is designed to strengthen the lower part
of the body, to create a very strong and correct
physical and technical base, to correct bad posture
habits and to help us understand our body, to
perform perfect biomechanical movements. It is
an impressive form of internal work of the highest
level that at the same time maintains all the
martial techniques.

Furthermore, fajin movements consume energy and

stress the tendons and muscles, so they are not
performed in the bare hand form of Yang Taijiquan.
The bare hand form emphasizes internal work
functions, like building the body through correct
posture, breath and movement – ultimately to help
correctly positioned and to improve flexibility of the upper body
nourish and store qi. Once this is achieved to a
as described in Ten Essentials of Yang Chengfu, and in no case
certain level, the weapon forms will complement
implies weak or loose movements.
and integrate with the bare hand form, further
developing the practitioner’s Taijiquan martial
After this work with the 85-step bare hand form, training with ability (gongfu ࣏ཛ). From this moment onward,
weapons is critical to building energy in the upper body. Now there are specific techniques within the bare hand
that we have strong legs and a flexible body which moves
correctly without losing its structure, it is time to use the
weapons to build a stronger upper structure and start specific
practices towards building martial skills. Many people think
since the bare hand form is relaxing, continuous, slow and
harmonious, the weapons must be done in the same way. This
is another misconception; the forms with weapons have changes
of rhythm and special characteristics. For example, the straight
sword may require more fluid handling, whereas the saber has
some specific vigorous movements – though not akin to Shaolin
weapons, as we still need to respect all Ten Essentials of the
style. The function of this kind of training is to strengthen the
arms, shoulders, wrists, and improve the coordination between
the arms and legs, which must work together for the correct
generation of fajin.

58 KUNG FU B TAI CHI JUNE 2017

form that can be trained separately
with fajin, but not when practicing
the actual form. The bare
hand routine must
always be done as
internal work. In fact,
after a hard workout
with fajin, tuishou, etc.,
we must finish with some
bare hand form exercises to
restore our body. Authentic
Taijiquan, guided by the Yang
family principles of diligence (औ),
perseverance (ᚂ), respect (⽬), and
sincerity (䈊), is one of the most
advanced systems of martial arts and
health preservation there can be.B

Emilio Alpanseque currently teaches in

El Cerrito CA, and can be contacted
through his website EastBayWushu.
Above: Master José
com. He wishes to thank Master Gago Garrido perfecting
José Gago Garrido for his support with extreme attention
and contribution to this article. to detail a movement
from the sequence of
“Seven Stars, Riding
Tiger, and Hand Over
Saber” (гᱏ䐘㱾Ӕ
࠰࣯).

JUNE 2017 KUNG FU B TAI CHI 59

By Jie Gu, Wanbin Wang, and Guizhong Xi

T
he postures of Yang Primary 37 Taijiquan (ᶘᔿ㋮
㾱йॱгᔿཚᶱᤣ) derive from Yang Chengfu’s
85 (ᶘ▴⭛) by extracting the 37 postures that are
unique. With few exceptions, the posture sequence
in 37 follows that of the 85 version. Turning transitions
are added in appropriate spots to compact the performance
area to 1.5 × 2.5 meters. Yang Primary 37 is loyal to Fu
Zhongwen (‫ڵ‬䫏᮷) book, Yang Taijiquan (ᶘᔿཚᶱ
ᤣ), and retains the essence of Yang 85. The postures
gracefully stretch the limbs of the body. The martial art
techniques in Yang Primary 37 are strong but hidden in
gentleness. The routine is easy to learn, and fun to perfect.
When regularly practiced, Yang 37 is meditative, physically
relaxing, self-cultivating, improves balance, increases qi,
cures sickness, amplifies health, and promotes longevity.
Yang Primary 37 complies with the defense-offense
strategies of the 37 postures as established by Master
Yang Chengfu. This article provides a series of photos
along with corresponding footwork indicators for the
form.

Yang Primary 37 takes 6–8 minutes to perform

and can be done indoors or outdoors, in a group
demonstration, or in competition. Practicing Yang Primary 37 provides a baseline for
further study of Yang 85.

Existing Yang 37 Forms

Several Yang 37 forms exist in the Taijiquan community. Their common purpose is to
delete the duplicate postures from the traditional Yang Taijiquan form and to arrange
the unique postures into a more concise form. This makes it easier for teaching and
learning, and lays the foundation for further studying the traditional Yang form.

Master Zheng Manqing (a.k.a. Cheng Man-Ching 䜁ᴬ䶂) taught Taijiquan classes
when he was the dean of Hunan Province Martial Art Bureau in 1938. To shorten
the classes, he deleted the duplicate postures from the classic Yang form and made
a 37 form, named Zheng Taijiquan. Based on the traditional Yang form, Master
Yang Zhenguo (ᶘᥟഭ) compiled a Yang 37 form in 1990 for entry-level and posture
practice that is recognized by leading national experts. Master Yang published Yang
37 Taijiquan (ᶘᔿཚᶱᤣйॱгᔿ) in 2007. In 1997, Master Zhao Youbin (䎥ᒬᮼ)
started to ponder simplifying Yang 85, and in 2000 he prescribed Yang 37 in chapter

60 KUNG FU B TAI CHI JUNE 2017

The table to the left makes clear how “Yang primary
37 Taijiquan” is composed. It provides the posture
sequence and approximate motion direction.

Fig1-37 shows the posture photos. The footprints

below the photos are seen from top view. The solid-
line footprints are the position for the current photo; the
dotted-line footprints are the position for the next photo.
The curved arrows between the two types of footprint
are the motion path of the footwork. For instance, during
the transformation from “Fig1 Prepare Commencing”
to “Fig2.1 Grasp Bird Tail - Left Bouncing,” the left
foot moves forward one step, so the arrow curve in
Fig1 connects the solid-line footprint to the dotted-line
footprint. The solid-line footprints in “Fig2.1 Grasp Bird
Tail – left bouncing” are the dotted-line footprints in
“Fig1 Prepare Commencing.” Sometimes, during the
motion from one photo to next, both feet move; in that
case, the arrow curve 1 moves first, the arrow curve 2
moves next. For example, in “Fig3 Single Whip,” the
left toe twists inward first (arrow curve 1), after the
weight settles on the left foot, then the right foot moves
forward (arrow curve 2). Sometimes the foot is twisted
or otherwise changed during motion from the previous
position to next position. In that case, the orientation
of the dotted-line footprint in the previous position will
be different from the solid-line footprint in the next
position. For example, in “Fig28.1 Lady Shuttling – first
diagonal left,” the dotted-line left footprint points north;
in “Fig28.2 Lady Shuttling – second diagonal right,” the
solid-line left footprint points east. This is because while
performing “second diagonal,” the left foot is grinded 90
degrees around the palm.

2.4 2.5
2.1 2.2 2.3
1

3 4 6.1 6.2 7
5

JUNE 2017 KUNG FU B TAI CHI 61

8 of the book, The Authentic Yang
Taijiquan (ᶘᔿཚᶱᤣⵏՐ). Master
Pang Daming (ᓎབྷ᰾) illustrated a
Yang 37 form extracted from classic
Yang Taijiquan in a 1998 book (Yang
Taijiquan Usage ᶘᔿཚᶱᤣ⭘⌅䀓㾱).
Master Pang published the book, Yang
Mystery 37 Form (ᶘᔿ〈Րйॱгᔿཚ
ᶱᤣ). There are differences in sequence
and delimitation in these various Yang
37 forms.

Yang Primary 37
Form
The Yang Primary 37 form is based
on the following rules. Set posture
delimitations remain the same as in the
Yang 85 form, as presented in the book
Yang Taijiquan by Master Fu in 1994.
It extended the 37 non-duplicate postures
from the 85. With few exceptions, the
posture sequence follows the order
of their appearance in Yang 85. It
Introduced turning transitions so that
the footwork can be performed in an area
1.5 × 2.5 meters.

Table 1 provides the correspondence

between Yang 85 and Yang Primary 37.

All 37 postures in column 2 are from

Yang 85 in column 1. There is no
duplication. For instance, the “prepare
commencing (亴༷䎧࣯)” in 37 includes
the “prepare” and “commencing” in 85.
The “grasp bird tail (ᨭ䳰ቮ)” in 37 is the
same as in 85. The “left right brush knee
bow push (ᐖਣᨲ㟍ᤇ↕)” is for one left
and one right, while in Yang 85 there are
two left and one right.

The number after the posture name in

column 1 is the repetition number for
that specific posture. For example, the
75th posture “step forward grasp bird

8.1 8.2 10 11.1

8.3 9

62 KUNG FU B TAI CHI JUNE 2017

tail (к↕ᨭ䳰ቮ)” is the 6th time that
posture has occurred. In Yang 85, the
7th posture “left brush knee bow push
(ᐖᨲ㟍ᤇ↕)” and 9th posture “left
right brush knee bow push (ᐖਣᨲ㟍
ᤇ↕)” are considered as duplicate, so
the 9th posture is the second time it is
used. In Yang 85, the non-duplicate
postures do not have a mark number.
For instance, 16th posture “fist under
elbow (㛈ᓅⴻᦦ)” is non-duplicate.

In column 2, the digit before the posture

name is the sequence number for Yang
37. Posture 1 through 21 in Yang 37 has
the same sequence as of Yang 85. There
is some position adjustment for posture
22 to 25 in Yang 37. Posture 26 through 37
in Yang 37 has the same sequence as in
Yang 85. In column 2, the digit after the
posture name of Yang 37 is the repeating
time for the same posture in Yang 85.
For instance, the 2nd posture “grasp
bird tail” in Yang 37 is listed as its first
appearance in Yang 85. The 32nd posture
“squat down (л࣯)” in Yang 37 is listed
as its second appearance in Yang 85.
Except for the positional adjustment
of four postures, Yang 37 has the same
posture sequence as in Yang 85.

To compress the footwork of Yang 37

for performance in a small area, a few
turns are introduced. Column 3 shows
when those turns are performed. For
example, assuming “commence” faces
south, posture 1 through 7 in Yang 37 run
to the east most; a turn is inserted at the
initiation of “hands strum lute (᡻ᥕ⩥
⩦)” so the footwork moves west. Yang
85 has quite a few turns and reversals;
Yang 37 only adds three more.

Defense-Offense
Techniques
Master Yang ChengFu listed the

11.3 11.4 12.3

11.2
12.1 12.2

JUNE 2017 KUNG FU B TAI CHI 63

16
15
13.2 14
13.1

17 18.2 19.1
18.1 20.1

19.2

23.1
20.2 21.2 22
21.1

23.2
25
24 26 27.1 27.2

64 KUNG FU B TAI CHI JUNE 2017

28.2
28.1
28
29.1
28.3 28.4

35.1
33 34
29.2
30 31 32

37
35.2 35.3 35.4
36

defense-offense techniques for 37 postures in the book Taijiquan Combating Technique (ཚᶱᤣ֯⭘⌅). The postures in
Yang primary 37 comply with the Yang book very well. With few exceptions, the defense-offense techniques from the Yang
book are realized in the Yang primary 37, as seen by the relationship between column 4 and column 2 in Table 1. There are
very few postures in Yang primary 37 that do not have explanations from the Yang book.B

Jie Gu is a sixth generation Yang Taiji disciple, ranked in China as six duan (level ⇥). He has published dozens of articles on Taiji
as well as several books including Taiji Mechanics (ཚᶱᤣ࣋ᆖ), Gem of Taiji (䭖ཚᶱᤣ) and Mechanical Principle of Taiji (ཚ
ᶱᤣⲴ࣋ᆖ৏⨶). This article was originally published in Chinese in Taiji magazine (ཚᶱ) where it was awarded "Best Paper"
last year. It was translated by author Jie Gu exclusively for Kung Fu Tai Chi.

JUNE 2017 KUNG FU B TAI CHI 65

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JUNE 2017 KUNG FU B TAI CHI 67

By Wayne Carisi

68 KUNG FU B TAI CHI JUNE 2017

p68 Left: Grandmaster Henry Leung practising on Wooden
Dummy with Butterfly knives.
p68 Middle: Sifu Santo practising Fut Sao pole in the park,
NYC.
p68 Right: Sifu Santo poses with disciples Keither Cooper and
Wayne Carisi.
Right: Grandmaster Henry Leung demonstrating a trap
and strike technique on his student Sifu Alard Hall.
ing Chun Kung Fu has developed into
one of the most popular traditional
martial arts in the world today. Ip
Man (ਦ䰞) became world famous thanks to
his superstar student, Bruce Lee, and after that
many of his students perpetuated Wing Chun
around the world. MMA has come to dominate Master Leung Jan was born in the village of Canton
the martial arts world today, making many traditional in 1852 and died in 1949 (this alone would make it
Kung Fu styles seem obsolete. Yet Wing Chun has impossible for Wing Chun to be 300–400 years old).
managed to remain relevant, and has continued to grow He was a well-known doctor in bone setting. He
in the martial arts world. Recently there has been an also possessed an in-depth knowledge of herbs. It’s
influx of Wing Chun and Ip Man movies. estimated that he began learning in his early twenties.
Leung Jan grasped the innermost secrets of Wing Chun
Wing Chun is a compact, simple, and effective and attained the highest level of proficiency. Many
style. Approximately a dozen Wing Chun families Kung Fu fighters heard his name and came to challenge
are in existence today. Most have three empty hand him, but all were defeated. Leung Jan became very
sets, wooden dummy, pole, and knives. Its economy famous for his high-level skills. Leung Jan claimed that
of motion, along with sensitivity training, gives a he had over 300 fights in his lifetime. This is no doubt
practitioner quick, spontaneous hands and feet in a an exaggeration. However, he was nicknamed “King
fairly short amount of time. This makes Wing Chun of the Wing Chun Fist,” so he surely had plenty of
the most sought after traditional Kung Fu style. fights. Master Leung Jan retired sometime in the 1930s.
Disenchanted with the way his students misinterpreted
his teachings, he eventually went into a monastery and
became a monk.
The History of Fut Sao
Wing Chun Leung “Chi Man” Henry (ằӘ࡙) was born in the
town of Canton, China, in 1926. Being born into the
The journey of Fut Sao Wing Chun (Buddha Hand Leung family he began his Kung Fu training at a young
Wing Chun ֋᡻િ᱕) begins in Gong Si village (儈ሪ age. Master Leung Henry was Leung Jan’s nephew
ᶁ), with the founder of Wing Chun, Miu Shan (㤇亪), and was therefore taught the original system in its
teaching the art to two students, Yim Yee Gong (ѕѹ entirety, as it was taught from the founder. It has
᚝) and Gao Ji (儈㔗). Not much else is known about preserved a unique curriculum not found in other Wing
this mysterious man, but around 1886, while staying Chun styles. Only family members got this version.
at an inn for a few days, Yim Yee Gong would practice Besides Fut Sao Wing Chun, he also studied Tai Kik
what he had learned from Miu Shan at various times. Kuen (ཚᾥᤣ). Leung Henry was also a doctor of
Leung Chin Lao (ằ‫ )ؖڵ‬happened to be staying at acupuncture which made his skill even more deadly. He
the same inn. He was able to learn Siu Lim Tau (ሿ became one of the most respected, high-level Kung Fu
㓳ཤ) first form by spying on Yim Yee Gong while he masters of Chinatown, New York. There, he taught
practiced. He was so talented he was able to absorb his unique style of Fut Sao, little by little, behind closed
Sil Lim Tao accurately. One day Leung Chin Lao doors. Though he is no longer with us, one disciple and
approached Yim Ye Gong and showed him the form, closed-door student, Sifu Santo Barbalace, was able
explaining that he had learned it in a dream. Yim Ye to capture his entire system of Fut Sao Buddha Hand
Gong was very impressed and congratulated him by Wing Chun.
giving him a silver coin while shaking his hand. Hence
Leung Chin Lao ended up traveling with Yim Ye Sifu Santo was about 30 years old when he met
Gong until he learned his style. Later Leung Chin Master Leung. Santo studied and trained under him
Lao would return to his home town, Canton, and from 1981–1993. Having studied another Wing Chun
eventually passed down the style to Leung Lan Kwai family and several other styles of Kung Fu, he quickly
(ằ‫ޠ‬Ṳ), who passed it into the hands of the legendary realized – based on how precise and skillful his hands
master, Dr. Leung Jan (ằ䎎). were – that Master Leung was a real master of high

JUNE 2017 KUNG FU B TAI CHI 69

level skill. Sifu Santo chose to devote his life to Buddha
Hand Wing Chun. Master Leung Henry was initially
reluctant to teach Santo, since he’d been told since
childhood that Fut Sao should only be taught within
the Leung family. But he came to realize that the
style could die if it was not passed on. Sifu Santo was
loyal and worked hard to learn the style from Master
Leung. One had to know when and how to ask the
right questions. There were days when Master Leung
would not teach him. There were also times when his
training became very difficult, especially with weapons.
Although challenging, Sifu Santo hung in there and
achieved mastery. He proceeded to teach and pass on
the system behind closed doors, just like his sifu. Very Sifu Santo demonstrating butterfly knives on wooden dummy.
selective of who he teaches, Sifu Santo spent the last
couple of years passing on Buddha Hand Wing Chun Training in Fut Sao begins with siu lim tau (small
practice form), the foundation form of the system.
to two students, Kether Cooper and Wayne Carisi. He
The entire form is done in the Dragon Stance. All
no longer teaches. movements in the later forms are derived from siu
lim tau. Movements found in this form are tun sao
(spreading hand ᩺᡻), fut sao (Buddha hand) and sut
sao (shaving hand 㟍᡻). Different breathing methods
accompany siu lim tau for basic qi development.

Cham kiu (sinking bridge ሻ⁻), the second stage,

is designed to develop sinking energy. Different
footwork such as pin ma (side stance ‫ٿ‬俜) and
Dragon Stance are introduced to teach body unity
and how to move the root. These techniques are
introduced in the form and incorporated with the hand
movements and stepping. The final section of cham
kiu includes movements for opening the points and
releasing energy.

Biu jee (darting fingers 䮆ᤷ), the third form, teaches

how to send out energy and bring it back. Biu jee is
mainly done in the Dragon Stance but also has heun
bo (circle stepping സ↕) and lin fa tso (lotus flower
drop 㬞㣡ᦹ). The form is rich with elbow techniques,
short-power, and finger-power techniques. Common
to all these forms are specific tendon stretching
exercises, joint grappling techniques, and vital point
strikes. Each form also has a short power form for
further developing one’s horse/root and internal
energy. A person must be proficient at each level and
pass a specific energy release test to move on to the
Grandmaster Henry Leung practising sticky stick with Sifu Santo. next stage.

Hidden within the Fut Sao forms are all the system’s
The Fut Sao Style training. An example is found in the biu jee form.
The Fut Sao family has preserved a unique curriculum There are movements that hide the teet sao jeung
(iron palm set 䫱᡻ᦼ). Also, the lop sao (grabbing
with aspects not often found in some of the other Wing
hand ᣹᡻) set and chi gerk (sticking feet 唀㝊) set are
Chun styles. It has the same three foundation forms
hidden in the cham kiu form. Every movement offers
– wooden dummy, pole, and knives – with different multiple techniques; biu sao (darting hand 䮆᡻) could
emphasis. It also has a unique method with Buddhist be used as a block, strike, joint manipulation, throw,
Beads. or vital point hit.

70 KUNG FU B TAI CHI JUNE 2017

The mok yan jong (wooden man dummy ᵘӪὯ) is The staff is the long-range fighting weapon of the
the next stage of Buddha Hand training. It contains system, but can be used at closed range. Unlike
different sequences and principles such as snake in the long pole in other Wing Chun families, this
the bamboo theory, iron palm, and vital point striking. system’s long pole is used for power training; rattan
The major difference is that this system’s dummy is staff is used for the form and fighting. During
moveable. The dummy is not locked or pinned in the the previous stages of training, the practitioner
center of the cross beams. The form and some drills spends considerable time cultivating his qi. Other
have movements that slide the dummy to the left or than the obvious health benefits, qi development is
right. The two top arms are not different heights; their needed for proper striking with the staff (you need
tips are level. This ensures equal training of both sides. to send your energy through the staff and into your
The dummy form is the culmination of the system’s
opponent to effectively disable him).
four empty hand sets. It has eighteen sections and
two-hundred-and-sixteen movements (108 per side).

“…the sequences are not “locked in stone”

and can be adapted to any situation.”
Baat jham do (eight chopping knives ‫ޛ‬ᯙ࠰) and luk Qi development is also necessary for dim mak
dim boon gwun (six-and-one-half-point staff ‫ॺ⛩ޝ‬ỽ) (point striking ⛩イ), and is the reason the dim mak
are the two major weapons of the system. Originally application of a technique is the last one taught. Also
called pig skinning knives, baat jham do provides close- learned at this stage is chi gwun (sticking staff ᬂỽ),
quarter weapons training in the system. Notably, which is used for the same reasons as chi sao (sticking
the knives must be cut to fit each practitioner’s hand ᬂ᡻) and chi gerk. Both the knife and the staff
proportions. Likewise, the wooden dummy must be set form use long flowing movements that, once mastered,
according to the practitioner’s height. All movements will only improve your knowledge and overall Wing
done with empty hand can be performed with the Chun ability.
knives. For example, if you can biu sao as a block,
strike, joint manipulation, throw, or vital point hit, The Buddhist Beads are considered to be the highest
baat jham do can provide the same results. Though level weapon of the system. The beads are initially
anything can be done with the knives, the main purpose used for training of techniques. Then one learns how
is to finish the opponent by beheading him. Just like to train the fingers with them and finally it used as a
the empty hand forms of the system, the knives and weapon. To the untrained eye, one would think the
staff are trained on the wooden dummy; and just as the apparatus would give the same results as the rattan
long pole is used for power training, so are the knives. ring; but because of its flexibility, it provides a different
The extra weight of the knives provides a higher result. When used for fighting, the beads can be used
resistance for the empty hand exercises. Master Leung for whipping, entangling, or choking. The beads can
Henry taught that it was the knives that came first, be used at full length or folded so that it is like two
and later on the hands become the knives. combined strings.
1. Sifu Santo deflects a
strike with from Sifu
Keither Cooper with a
Butterfly Knife, Gong
Sao.
2. Sifu Santo trap and
pins the arms with
the knives.
3. Sifu Santo locks
the leg and the arm
simultaneously.

1. 2. 3.

JUNE 2017 KUNG FU B TAI CHI 71

Drills Make the Skills
Through constant practice of the forms and drills, time to use the skills, there are no choppy movements
Fut Sao practitioners develop four thrusting powers or static positions (on-guard postures). This is why the
and eight peerless actions. The thrusting powers are style is often referred to as the “natural style.” After
tun (swallowing ੎), tow (spitting ੀ), fao (floating ⎞), years of training the forms, two-man set drills, and other
and cham (sinking ⊹). The peerless actions are bin areas of the system, the student develops a smooth,
(whipping ䷝), gan (cutting ࢚), wan (seizing ᥭ), puan flowing manner which carries into everyday life. This
(twist and entangle 㕐) and chung (thrusting ᡣ). level of development is called “intellectual fist” or
“smart hands.”
There are six basic circle hand drills (yun kam sao ശ
ᬂ᡻). These circling hand drills teach how to use Other methods of development include doorway/wall
small circular motions to dissolve hardness. They also training to develop iron fist, candle hitting, iron bar
further train one’s ability to stick to your opponent. exercises, and water jar sets to develop grip, tearing,
Once ready, you can move onto chi sao. During chi sao and clawing skills and tendon, muscle and ligament
everything is applied in a controlled, free-form manner. strength. Fut Sao Wing Chun strives to develop light
This is where all your hits, joint locks, throws, and skills as well as internal power for calmness during
vital point strikes are tested and further developed. In motion while hiding strength within suppleness. This
the younger stages of chi sao, the pupil’s main focus is style also emphasizes poking and short distance strikes,
in controlling and hitting. Different exercises involve prefers finesse over brute strength, and can be practiced
non-moving and moving sequences. Some drills in the space of a few feet. In the old days of training,
have the student attacking while the other receives/
after each stage was complete, the practitioner would be
counterattacks. An example would be sup baat jeen
required to drink a certain herbal medicine to strengthen
kuen (eighteen arrow fist set ॱ‫ޛ‬ਏᤣ). This set is only
the internal for the training that comes next.
taught when the student is very familiar with the non-
moving sequences, and is first learned without a partner.
What’s in a Name?
Another two-man drill is the san sao (miscellaneous
hands ᮓ᡻). San sao consists of preset fighting Fut Sao Wing Chun family has preserved a
sequences that further train one’s fighting skills. unique curriculum with aspects not often found in
Through preset, the sequences are not “locked in other Wing Chun styles. Its original name was
stone” and can be adapted to any situation. All two- “ancient chivalrous fist.” Later it became known as
man sets and san sao sequences also are practiced on “intellectual fist,” eventually to be renamed by Master
the mok yan jong. These drills provide the student Leung Henry as Buddha Hand Wing Chun. This was
with a step-by-step learning process and are the in honor of Dr. Leung Jan, who, after retiring, entered a
steppingstone to actual street combat. Even though temple in Canton and became a Buddhist monk, never
1. to be heard from again. B
students follow a definite progression, when it comes

Wayne Carisi is a martial artist

and freelance writer who lives
in southern California. Anyone
wishing to contact him can
reach him at wayne.carisi@
yahoo.com.

1. Grandmaster Henry Leung

teaching Sifu Santo the
Buddha Hand pole fighting
style.

2. Grandmaster Henry Leung

strikes Sifu Santo in the throat.

1. 2.

72 KUNG FU B TAI CHI JUNE 2017

JUNE 2017 KUNG FU B TAI CHI 73
The Bridge from Form to Function
Choy Lay Fut Chop Choi Sparring
By Chris Childs

The kwan kiu to straight punch is a pendulum drill that

utilizes the triangle step. The kwan kiu is used to defend
the middle gate by deflecting the punch while moving to
the opponent’s flank. To obtain this position requires the
triangle step, a stepping pattern that moves offensively
toward an opponent ’s center and steps defensively to
the outside in either the left or right direction. These 3
directions form a triangular pattern on the ground.

74 KUNG FU B TAI CHI JUNE 2017

T
he Choy Lay Fut (㭑ᵾ֋) system is categorized
as a traditional system of Chinese martial Progressive Resistance
arts. Founded in 1836, Choy Lay Fut has 180 The application of traditional martial arts is the
years worth of history and tradition interwoven subject of much confusion and debate. Many
into the system. Though Choy Lay Fut is steeped practitioners mistakenly believe that, once shown
in the culture and traditions that would come with a specific application, it has become functional for
any traditional Chinese martial art, many of its combat. Counter to this point of view are practitioners
practitioners take on a surprisingly modern approach who think nothing less than full contact sparring can
to training this system. That progressive approach to train one for combative function. While true that
training may also in itself be a tradition. The origin you must learn what the techniques are for and then
tale of Choy Lay Fut has the founder Chan Heung (䲣 practice them against resisting opponents, if you wish
ӛ) learning martial arts from 3 different teachers. Each to effectively apply techniques in a fighting situation,
of these teachers taught a different system of martial those techniques need to be trained in a progressive
art. Two of the systems he practiced were southern in manner.
origin and the third system was northern in origin. In
creating the Choy Lay Fut system, Chan Heung took
the best attributes of each system and altered what he In the context of strength training, the principle
perceived to be flaws in his previous methods. behind this protocol has been dubbed “progressive
overload.” In order to achieve more strength as
opposed to maintaining current strength, muscles
Since 1836 Choy Lay Fut has grown in popularity to need to be stressed to trigger the body’s natural,
become one of the 3 most famous southern Chinese adaptive response to new demands placed on it. To
martial arts -- for 2 main reasons. For one, Choy Lay minimize injury and maximize results, the novice
Fut has produced fighters who consistently do well in begins at a comfortable level of muscular intensity and
full contact fighting. The second reason, and why it advances towards muscle overload over the course of
took hold in its region early on, is how it was taught. the exercise program. Progressive overload requires
When creating the system’s framework, Chan Heung a gradual increase in volume, intensity, frequency
drew from his scholarly background and devised a then or time in order to achieve the targeted goal of the
uncommon method in the martial arts of building a user. While this technique results in greater gains
curriculum based on progressive levels of difficulty. in physical strength and muscular growth, there are
This made the system both easy to teach and easy to limits; and attempting to progress too quickly or too
learn. Today practitioners of the Choy Lay Fut system far can lead to overtraining. This training principle
at the Ng Family Chinese Martial Arts Association can be applied directly to a martial arts practitioner’s
in Chicago continue this tradition, applying the technical prowess. Compliant drilling with a partner
principle of progression in difficulty not only to the will, over time, correct the structure and application
Choy Lay Fut syllabus but also as a way of bridging of a technique. However, in order to achieve
the gap between the practice of form and function. correct structure and application in free sparring, a
practitioner’s technique must be stressed by additional
stimuli such as changes in timing, distance and the
partner’s compliancy levels. If these stimuli are not
introduced in a gradual enough way, the practitioner’s
abilities will degrade when there is an excess of stimuli
during free sparring.

The author receives a few pointers on the application of the

Choy Lay Fut chop choi from his Kung Fu uncle while visiting
his traditional Chinese Medicine clinic in Kowloon. Learning the
application of techniques and taking the time to refine the details
of the technique is an important part of training the fighting
function of Choy Lay Fut.

Forms are an integral part of training in the Choy Lay Fut system.
Training forms helps the practitioner to become familiar with the
proper structure of the techniques and contains a wealth of concepts
and strategies to be used in fighting.

JUNE 2017 KUNG FU B TAI CHI 75

The chop choi (ᨂᩕ) is a penetrating straight punch used
in the Choy Lay Fut system and often compared to the jab
in western boxing, in the sense that in Choy Lay Fut the
chop choi is often used as a lead punch and serves to set
up the system’s other techniques.

the triangle step. These two stepping patterns are the

Chop Choi Sparring primary methods of stepping for the asterisk footwork
At the Ng Family Chinese Martial Arts Association, theory of Choy Lay Fut. The next step is to take the
the progressive resistance method of training Choy same techniques into free movement drilling.
Lay Fut’s core concepts has been instrumental in the
school’s success in full contact competition. The core Free movement drilling is a type of training in which
concepts are identified as the asterisk footwork theory, you trade the technique with a partner in a more
gate theory, and the ten elements (ॱ䁓). One of the ten spontaneous manner. It is important that this drill has
elements, the chop choi (ᨂᩕ), is a penetrating straight plenty of movement simulating a sparring environment,
punch – often compared to the jab in western boxing, with focus on breaking the rhythm of the exercise.
in the sense that in Choy Lay Fut the chop choi is During this phase of training, you get a feel for the
often used as a lead punch to set up the system’s other abstract aspects of fighting. The practitioner learns
techniques. Named to illustrate the importance of the to utilize the technique while training distancing in
chop choi, the progressive resistance method of drilling relation to the opponent, timing, set up, recovery after
practitioners at the Ng Family Chinese Martial Arts execution, etc.
Association is called “chop choi sparring.”

Before chop choi sparring can be undertaken,

preparatory drills must first be learned. The only
way to ensure correct structure in technique is to
first drill it with enough stimuli removed so the
practitioners can focus on proper technique. In this
environment, the practitioner can train a technique
with a partner in a way that offers feedback from
the partner, so the practitioner can feel what it’s
like to correctly execute the technique and have the
opportunity to correct his own structure. To reinforce
the correct structure and core concepts of the Choy
Lay Fut system, several unique drills have been
devised, such as the pendulum drill.

The pendulum drill is named for its repetitive back-

and-forth between offensive and defensive movements.
The pendulum drill not only arms the practitioner with Training techniques in real time against an opponent is an
offensive and defensive hand techniques but trains important part of development. Shifts in distance, timing
invasive and evasive footwork. The types of steps and a variety of other factors train the practitioner to deal
primarily used in these drills are a straight forward with an opponent who is resisting the application of a
and backward shooting step called a biu ma (⁉俜) and technique while applying his own.

76 KUNG FU B TAI CHI JUNE 2017

Vectors of Force
The division of chop choi sparring into
progressive levels is based on what stimuli are
present as each new technique is introduced.
At the Ng Family Chinese Martial Arts
Association, the levels of progression in chop
choi sparring are organized mainly by vectors
of force. Ten lines of attack can be utilized
by the Choy Lay Fut practitioner. These ten
lines, when combined with the gate theory,
offer a wide variety of possibilities for attack.
However, within this variety of angles, only
2 types of striking techniques can be thrown:
straight attacks or curved attacks. When
considering defense, it is best to simplify your
opponent’s attacks into these 2 categories.

Chop choi sparring at the beginning stages

resembles jab sparring in western boxing. The
initial stage allows for only the use of the lead
hand in attacking. This allows the practitioner
to train the lead hand as a method of entry
(setting up for combinations to be used later),
intercepting an opponent’s attack, and as a
way to open an opponent’s gate for attack.
Defensively a variety of techniques previously
drilled can be used, giving the practitioner
more defensive options and making for a more
unpredictable defense.

JUNE 2017 KUNG FU B TAI CHI 77

A basic pendulum drill is kum to chop.
Kum (ᬂ) is one of the 10 elements of
the Choy Lay Fut system and is used as
a slapping deflection, pressing check or
palm strike. In this drill the practitioners
transition from offensive to defensive
maneuvers in a back-and-forth manner
like the swing of a pendulum.

When faced with full resistance,

the techniques that remain will
be the simplest. By seeing
an opponent’s attacks
in terms of vectors of
force (such as the 10
lines of attack) and
as either straight or curved, the
practitioner eliminates the need
for a specific response for each
variation of strike that is likely
to be used against them.

Each stage of chop choi

sparring follows a specific set of
guidelines meant to eliminate
an overabundance of stimuli for
those not yet prepared to deal
with it. The first stage allows
the practitioner to utilize only
the lead hand chop choi for
attack to the middle gate. This
is similar to “jab sparring” in
boxing. As stated earlier, the
chop choi in Choy Lay Fut is The next stage of chop choi sparring allows the use of the rear straight hand.
used to set up combinations and This opens up the possibility of combinations and adds more stimuli to the
other angles of attack. This sparring (the practitioners can place additional pressure on each other). In
being the case, chop choi forms addition, defensively the practitioners can train moving to the outside angles to
the foundation for all other hand neutralize the opponent’s ability to execute the continuous attack.
techniques in the system. The rear hand opens up the possibility of combinations.
straight lead is the most common attack in the striking Practitioners get to use a line of attack they are familiar
systems of martial arts. This is the most important line with, both offensively and defensively, with the
of attack to learn to defend against. additional stimuli of multiple attacks and how to deal
with oncoming pressure, as well as how and when to
For the second stage of chop choi sparring, the use the lin wan (䙓⫠ᤣ) concept of continuing attack.
practitioner utilizes both the lead and rear hand straight
line attacks. While this stage doesn’t differ from the The third stage introduces curved line attacks.
first in terms of lines of attack, the addition of the Building on the previous stage, this allows the use

78 KUNG FU B TAI CHI JUNE 2017

of various angles in the formation of combinations of this day it’s common for martial artists to question the
attack. Besides introducing more possibilities of attack, usefulness of traditional systems. Why practice forms
there is also more possibilities of counterattack and if the techniques don’t carry over to fighting? The
angles that need to be defended against. This stage truth is that traditional martial arts contain a wealth
builds a familiarity with both the offense and defense of sound principles and concepts that can be readily
of curved and straight-line attacks. Beyond this stage
applied to fighting. It is up to the practitioner to find
practitioners begin to add to their foundation of strikes
(ᢃ) with attacks to the upper and lower gates and the bridge from form to function. B
techniques such as kicks (䑒), wrestling (᪄) and joint
locks (᤯) . Chris Childs is a 6th generation instructor of Choy Lay Fut
Kung Fu under Sifu Sam Ng. Chris has practiced the Choy Lay
Fut method for over 15 years and in that time has placed 1st in
Beyond Chop Choi Sparring several national and international martial arts tournaments and
has participated in hundreds of martial arts demonstrations
Ultimately it’s not the actual guidelines of chop throughout the world. Chris was certified as an instructor of
choi sparring but the underlying principle that is the Choy Lay Fut method in 2005 by the Ng Family Chinese
important in this method of training. Using the Martial Arts Association and received another instructor
theory of progressive resistance, practitioners of any certification in 2013 by the Chan Heung Choy Lay Fut Founder
system or school can devise a system of levels based Association of Hong Kong. He has taught seminars throughout
on any criteria they wish, as long as it’s logical in its the United States, published numerous videos displaying and
progression. The progressive resistance method can be teaching Choy Lay Fut and also continues to teach students
applied to all facets of traditional martial arts training. though his own martial arts school, the Hung Sing Martial Arts
In addition to chop choi sparring, practitioners of the Association. The Hung Sing Martial Arts Association offers a
Ng Family Chinese Martial Arts Association apply variety of instructional materials through various forms of media,
this training protocol to joint-locking and controlling intensive study programs, and seminars and personalized training
techniques through bridge hand drills and bridge hand for both local and long distance students. For details visit www.
sparring, wrestling techniques including throws and HSMAA.com.
takedowns through various stages of clinch wrestling, To see a video demonstrating this training method, visit
and this method is also applied to weapons training. In KungFuMagazine.com’s YouTube channel.

JUNE 2017 KUNG FU B TAI CHI 79

By Chris Friedman

MANY modern-day practitioners of martial arts look at traditional

kung fu forms and their applications as outdated and
unrealistic. In reality nothing could be further from the
truth to the properly trained kung fu practitioner. While modern-day fighting
systems were created with sport fighting in mind, the ancient systems of
Kung Fu were created for a very different reason. To this day China is a
country that revolves around a practical lifestyle. There is little free time for
adults or children to pursue their hobbies and interests. Work, education and
raising a family are the primary activities of most Chinese. In ancient times
this was even more so, and a martial art had to work as a security system not
only for oneself and property but the Kung Fu stylist’s family as well. For Modified version of the pubu pull
such a harsh and practical society, one did not have the option of playing technique. Block a punch.
martial arts.

For the novice or casual onlooker, the movements and stances of a Kung
Fu form can seem unrealistic and impractical. However, the movements in
the forms are intentionally exaggerated for the purpose of conditioning the
practitioner’s body. Think of marathon runners; while they will run twenty
six miles for the actual race, for training purposes they run longer distances.
A boxer trains in the same way. If the boxer needs to fight twelve rounds, he
may practice fifteen rounds to be better prepared. In the same way, traditional
applications from the forms are exaggerated to condition the body; this makes
doing the smaller, tighter moves to be used in actual combat that much easier Grab the attacking arm.
to perform.

If you look at the stance of pubu (low crouching stance Ӷ↕), one application
for this movement is to grab and pull the opponent’s arm, then toss him in the
opposite direction. In an actual self-defense situation, the stance would be
shorter and the movement tighter. In the form the pubu stance will stretch
the legs, while going in and out of the stance strengthens them. The rising
motion is similar to a squat or lunge, which works the legs in a similar fashion.
The squatting or crouching motion works similar to a groin stretch done by
runners.
Pull the opponent in a shorter, tighter
version of pubu.
The fighting strategies of traditional Chinese systems vary greatly from
what is used by the modern-day sport fighter. Ancient Kung Fu practitioners

80 KUNG FU B TAI CHI JUNE 2017

Pubu crouching stance.
From the pubu stance, grab the Lift and strike him in the chest with the free
opponent behind the ankle. hand, throwing him backwards in the process.

single opponent could not run behind

you in a combat situation.

The threat of facing more than one

opponent in a real confrontation
should not be overlooked for those
wishing to learn how to protect
themselves on the streets. Many
modern sport fighting arts claim it
is impossible to deal with more than
one opponent (possibly for marketing
A shorter modified version of the ankle pick;
purposes), but the author has, on grab the opponent behind the knee and shove
several occasions, used traditional him backwards with the free hand.
Grab the attacking arm. martial art skills against multiple
opponents and prevailed.

Traditional applications are not always what they seem. The

applications learned in the forms are flexible. While there’s usually an
obvious application, there’s also a hidden application gained through
further interpretation of the movement. Sometimes a movement in the
form has several meanings. A strike may also be a lock, a stance may
have a throwing application hidden within its movement, and a block can
also have the intention of breaking a hold.

Pull the opponent in a shorter,

tighter version of pubu.

had to deal with bandits and other

types of scoundrels traveling in small
groups. This is one reason stances are
so important in the various Kung Fu
systems. Stability in the stance while
staying mobile could mean the difference
between life and death.

Another aspect of traditional forms

and their applications is the constant
changing of directions. This prepares
the practitioner for dealing with multiple
opponents. Why else would someone
change from forward to backward with
their strike during a solo routine? Unless From the lian huan quan (䘎⧟ᤣ) form, Slam the foot to the ground while simultaneously
it was the fictional superhero Flash, a the traditional one-legged stance. slamming the back-fist into your palm.

JUNE 2017 KUNG FU B TAI CHI 81

The application of this move is to defend Raise the foot high off the ground as Slam the heel of the foot into the
against a rear open bear hug. done in the form. attacker’s instep.

The commencement movement in all forms begins with a neutral stance. Step out to a shoulder-width stance while brining your fist to a ready

The application of this move is Step out and bend the knees for a Lift the arms to loosen the Deliver a low back elbow strike.
to defend against a rear closed sturdy stance while crossing the opponent’s hold.
bear hug. arms in front of the body.

Unlike the modern-day sport practitioner, the traditional only to protect self and loved ones from a dangerous
arts aren’t concerned with the concept of having a clean aggressor, these illegal techniques are an important part
fight. From the traditional standpoint, one must be of the Kung Fu fighter’s arsenal.B
prepared to face bigger, multiple armed aggressors. This
means using any means necessary. All the techniques
deemed illegal, and banned in competition, are the same Chris Friedman has done the martial arts since his early teens.
techniques that can allow a smaller opponent to beat He has been living in China for the past decade, and now
a bigger opponent. Because the traditional kung fu lives in Songshan Shaolin as a foreign disciple. For info go to
practitioner will not be fighting for pride or money, but
www.shaolinwithchris.com

82 KUNG FU B TAI CHI JUNE 2017

CHOLLYWOOD RISING

By Gene Ching Wong Jing: Chasing the Dragon

and The Golden Monk. Chasing
the Dragon (previously titled King
nce again, Chinese New of Drug Dealers) is based on a true
Year’s was a clash of crime story and costars Kent Cheng
the two titans of Hong (Once Upon a Time in China (1991)),
Kong film—Jackie Chan Michele Hu (Once Upon a Time
facing off against Stephen Chow. in Shanghai (2014)), and Philip Ng
Jackie came out fighting with a (Birth of the Dragon, see below).
one-two punch: Railroad Tigers The Golden Monk is a fantasy about
and the highly anticipated Sino- a fairy spirit reincarnated as a monk
Indian cooperative project Kung Fu on a quest to find true love. It stars
Yoga. Railroad Tigers brought in Zheng Kai (Running Man China
over $100 million, but reviews were TV series ) and Kitty Zhang Yuqi
generally lackluster for its national (The Mermaid 2016). Donnie was
propagandist leanings. Kung Fu a late addition to this cast, so this
Yoga earned over $230 million at might just be a cameo. Both films
this writing; however, it received have been acquired by Well Go USA
criticism in India for playing to for U.S. distribution, but whether
Indian stereotypes, grave disapproval that will be theatrical or only home
from the Indian market that the film entertainment remains to be seen.
hoped to crack. The knockout this
year goes to Stephen Chow, who as a film market and Hollywood’s
triumphed again with his Tsui-Hark- dominance when it comes to Back here in the U.S., the only
directed Fant-Asia special-effects global hits. xXx: The Return of palpable effect of Chinese New Year
spectacular, Journey to the West: Xander Cage has earned over a was with the highly anticipated Sino-
The Demons Strike Back. The quarter billion dollars worldwide, U.S. cooperative project, The Great
sequel to Stephen’s record-breaking guaranteeing a sequel, and hopefully Wall. Directed by Zhang Yimou,
2013 film, Journey to the West: Donnie will reprise his role as one of China’s most renowned Fifth
Conquering Demons, The Demons Xiang—as he stole ever scene he was Generation directors and starring
Strike Back earned over $239 million. in. But Chinese box-office success an integrated cast featuring Matt
A third place Chinese New Year is not guaranteed by Donnie’s scene- Damon, Andy Lau, Willem Dafoe,
honorable mention nod goes to Wang stealing Kung Fu. By comparison, Eddie Peng (Unbeatable (2013))
Baoqiang’s Buddies in India. Like Rogue One brought in less than $70 and more, the film had a whopping
Stephen’s Journey to the West films, million in China, a disappointing budget of $150 million. This was
Buddies in India is another parody figure despite the Force being with at press before enough results came
loosely based on Wu Chengen’s Donnie’s character Chirrut. in, but it was looking like a flop.
16th century epic of the Monkey However, the film already earned
King, Journey to the West. Buddies $224+ million worldwide prior to
For Donnie, it’s back to China. He
in India had just crossed the $100 has a project titled
million at this writing. All four of American Revenge
these Chinese New Year films were (aka Noodle Man)
released in U.S. theaters but only in directed by Chen
very select markets. Daming, and the
fourth installment
In the wake of the Chinese New of his Ip Man
Year rush, Donnie Yen’s appearance franchise. He also
abetted xXx: The Return of Xander has his own one-
Cage to score a whopping $100+ two punch—two
million in its first week in China, films under Hong
once again proving China’s value Kong director

84 KUNG FU B TAI CHI JUNE 2017

its U.S. premiere so it has already reboots of its classic animated films films also star Yayan Ruhian from
turned a fair profit. It’s just that with Alice in Wonderland (2010), The Raid films and Iko’s fight
Chinese filmmakers crave the face of Maleficent (ala Sleeping Beauty choreography collaborator.
a U.S. blockbuster because America 2014), Cinderella (2015) and Beauty
has been unbreachable by Chinese and the Beast (this March). Mulan In the odd projects category, the
film so far. isn’t even in the Top Ten Box-office mysterious Jackie Chan-Arnold
Grossing Disney Princess Club, but Schwarznegger Sino-Russian
the allure of China’s market bumps collaboration Journey to China: The
Another Sino-U.S. cooperative her forward. Mulan recently found a
production, Birth of the Dragon, Mystery of Iron Mask (aka Viy-2)
director in Niki Caro (Whale Rider is slated to premiere in October
was teetering on a U.S. distribution (2002)) but has yet to find a star for
deal with BH Tilt and WWE in China and Russia, but no word
the titular role.
Studios as this went to press. on U.S. distribution yet. Another
The film was featured on the cooperative production titled Made
November+December 2016 issue of Speaking of remakes, the much in Kowloon is being directed by Fruit
Kung Fu Tai Chi, in anticipation of maligned remake of The Raid (2011) Chan. It stars Kung Fu actors Max
what then seemed to be an imminent now has Joe Carnahan (The A-Team Zhang (Rise of the Legend (2014))
release, but that was premature. (2010), The Grey (2011)) directing. and Juju Chan (Crouching Tiger
Philip Ng plays Bruce Lee in a Carnahan is also directing Five Hidden Dragon: Sword of Destiny
fictional take on his duel with Wong Against a Bullet starring Jackie (2016)), plus MMA champion
Jack Man. Chan. Speaking of The Raid, Iko Anderson Silva.
Uwais, the star of the original film,
premiered his latest film in March, Golden Harvest, the preeminent
Developing films that will appeal titled Headshot. Iko, who also had
to China’s huge population of film studio, announced it will return
a very brief cameo in Star Wars:
moviegoers is critical now. Disney to filmmaking. In the ‘70s, Golden
The Force Awakens (2015), plays Harvest was a splinter studio that
is tossing its mouse-eared hat into an amnesiac with a violent past.
that ring with its latest live-action broke off from the Shaw Brothers and
Iko has two other films due in 2017:
princess film, Mulan. Disney has rose to become their main competitor
Beyond Skyline, an alien invasion in the Kung Fu film genre, with
already succeeded with live-action film, and The Night Comes for Us,
many successes like the early Jackie
about Jakartan gangsters. Both

“One elephant is killed every

15 minutes for its ivory.
You have the power to make
DGL̆HUHQFH´
–LI BINGBING, CHINESE ACTRESS

JUNE 2017 KUNG FU B TAI CHI 85

Chan films and, of course, Bruce
Lee’s films. Now titled Orange Sky
Golden Harvest, the company had
moved away from filmmaking and
into distribution. But it recently sold
its 76 theater 532 screen holdings for
$475 million, and is now looking to
invest that money in filmmaking.
Back in the ‘90s, Golden Harvest let
go of the rights to many of its most
classic films; however, it retained 135
titles in its library and has hopes to
reboot about 20 of them. Power Rangers franchise, this is a episodes of Iron Fist for anyone who
tough call. can sit and watch 13 hours of TV.

For the Youth The LEGO NINJAGO Movie Iron Fist was criticized for
casts Jackie Chan as the voice whitewashing with its Caucasian
The Kung Fu Panda franchise
actor behind Sensei Wu. This is a lead, Finn Jones, but the character
was the best thing for martial arts
culturally insensitive faux pas like Danny Rand was always white, so
kid class enrollments since the
when McDonalds marketed Teriyaki it’s more a question of the source
Karate Kid franchise and there’s
sauce for their Shanghai McNuggets material than the show. More
more on the way. As this issue hit
in the late ‘80s. Martial artists damning was the trailer and promo
newsstands, the latest reboot of
know the difference between China photos where the martial arts look
Power Rangers premiered. Mighty
and Japan, Kung Fu and Karate, sub-par, especially considering
Morphin Power Rangers debuted
and Shifu Wu and Sensei Takeshi. Rand’s Marvel comic comrades,
on America television in 1993. It
Jackie’s character looks like Bai Mei Netflix’s Daredevil and Luke Cage,
cannibalized costumed martial arts
with a Chinese coolie hat. And he’s had exemplary choreography for
action sequences from a Japanese
training ninjas. Given the success TV. Hopefully the teasers aren’t
tokusatsu TV show, Kyoryu Sentai
of The LEGO Movie (2014) and indicative of the fight choreography
Zyuranger (1992). Naturally, the
February’s The LEGO Batman in the series, as this is a long-awaited
original TV show had an all Japanese
Movie, Ninjago might be a land one for martial arts fans. In a nod to
cast, so America’s Mighty Morphin
of national stereotypes, serving its martial theme, it poached a page
Power Rangers reimagined all of
up another dollop of cultural chop from Into the Badlands by titling
the scenes outside of the costumes
suey from Hollywood to the world’s some of the episodes after Kung
with a more diverse cast. However,
youth. Fu moves like “Under Leaf Pluck
there was some criticism back then
Lotus”’ and “Immortal Emerges
because the Yellow Ranger was
From Cave” (Season One of Into the
Vietnamese Trini Kwan, the Black
Badlands had “White Stork Spread
Ranger was African American Zack Battle on the Boob Wings” and “Snake Creeps Down”
Taylor and the Pink Ranger was
Tube and others as titles). RZA of Wu-
female Kimberly Hart. Since the
Tang Clan directed Episode 6 of Iron
villainess Rita Repulsa (unmasked
As this was going to press, another Fist.
throughout the show) was played
by Machiko Soga and named Witch clash of titans was due on the small
Bandora in the original series, there screen. AMC’s original mash-up There is ample coverage of Into
were some odd cries of whitewashing Into the Badlands and Netflix’s the Badlands on page 20 of this
when Elizabeth Banks stepped into Iron Fist were both scheduled to issue. And there will be even
the role. Given the evolution of the debut within two days of each other more Into the Badlands online at
in March. AMC programs are KungFuMagazine.com when this
traditionally issue hits the newsstands. Stay
episodic, tuned!B
meaning that
Season Two’s
ten episodes
will be spread To keep up with the latest in martial arts
out in weekly and action films, read exclusive reviews
installments. and discuss, visit our KungFuMagazine.
Netflix tends com Martial-Media-and-Popular-Culture
to drop the forum.
whole series
at once,
enabling
binging all 13

86 KUNG FU B TAI CHI JUNE 2017

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2017-04-01 2017-06-02 (3 Days)
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2017-04-29 (1 Day) 2017-06-23 (8 Days)
World Tai Chi & Qigong Day Eastover Medical Qigong and
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“All Star” Chinese Martial Arts 2017-06-24
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for all ages and skill levels. Contact: Nick Scrima 727-791-8207 TIGER CLAW SPONSORED EVENT
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2017-06-30 (3 Days)
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KUNG FU TAI CHI DAY Held in San Francisco, CA. UFC Fighter and Tai Chi practitioner, Nick Osipczak
San Jose McEnery Convention Center, South Hall is teaching in America for the first time.
TIGER CLAW SPONSORED EVENT Contact: Nick Osipczak [email protected] - www.raisedspirit.com

Contact: Gigi Oh 510-656-5100 X141 or Gene Ching 510-656-5100 X137 To get listed in our NEWS section, go to our official website at
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)25025(,1)250$7,21
For more on Tiger Claw Sponsored Events,
Tai Chi Gala & The Intuitive Arts Retreat
go to see page 59
5-day Intensive Workshop with Nick Osipczak
see page 17

90 KUNG FU B TAI CHI JUNE 2017

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KUNG FU TAI CHI DISTRIBUTORS

Kung Fu Tai Chi is distributed by the following fine locations

ARIZONA ------------------ COLORADO -------------- MARYLAND --------------- NEW MEXICO ------------ PENNSYLVANIA
Hung Fa Yi Wing Chun U.S. Wudang Tai Chi U.S. Wushu Academy Mountain Path Kung Fu (continued)-----------------
of Arizona Kung Fu Academy 701 Russell Ave. and Tai Chi Academy Academy of Ving Tsun
1805 E. Elliot Rd. STE110 2601 S. Lemay Ave. #7233 Gaithersburg, MD 20877 7717 Roberts St. NE Kung Fu
Tempe, AZ 85284 Fort Collins, CO 80525 Christopher Pei Albuquerque, NM 87109 424 3rd Ave
Mark Jones Yun Xiang Tseng 301-869-7519 Sifu Rob Bibeau New Brighton, PA 15066
480-820-2428 970-221-3130 www.uswushuacademy.com 505-681-5603 Dale Steigerwald
Shaolin Arts www.wudangtao.com Flying Dragon www.shenabq.com 724-847-3300
4330 W. Union Hills Dr. B8 Bob Cook Tai Chi Kung 10730 Connecticut Ave. NEW YORK ---------------- www.academyvingtsun.com
Glendale AZ 85308 Fu Chi Kung Kensington, MD 20895 Goodland Trading, Inc. Philadelphia Wing
Chris Workman 18076 Currant Creek Rd. Tai Yim 823 6th Ave. Chun Kung Fu
623-581-2000 Cedaredge, CO 81413 301-946-0462 New York, NY 10001 117 North 10th St. Suite #4
www.shaolinarts.com Bob Cook Chen Pan Ling Alex Philadephia, PA 19107
CALIFORNIA -------------- 970-234-1085 World Family 212-643-8216 Art E. Eng
CONNECTICUT ---------- Maryland Chapter 215-351-6227
Shaolin Temple International Xin Wu Men www.philadelphiawingchun.com
Cultural Center Malee's School 5831 Buckeystown Pike Martial Arts Association
9143 La Rosa Dr. of Tai Chi & Kung Fu Evergreen Plaza /DID\HWWH6WUHHW$WKÁU RHODE ISLAND ----------
Temple City, CA 91780 249 Broad Street Frederick MD 21701 New York, NY 10003 Way Of The Dragon
Shi Yanxu Manchester, CT 06040 Sifu John Scott Long Fei Yang 877 Waterman Ave.
626-292-1355 Sifu Malee Khow 240-675-1718 917-577-5158 E.Providence, RI 02914
http://shaolinus.com 860-646-6818 www.scottacademykungfu. www.xinwumen.org Wen-Ching Wu
www.malees-tai-chi-kung- com 401-435-6502
Shaolin Temple City Wingtsun
Cultural Center fu.com MASSACHUSETTS ------- 1024 Sixth Ave. 4 FL SOUTH CAROLINA -----
3628 Nogales St., FLORIDA ------------------- Mark Warner's New York, NY, 10018 Shaolin Kung Fu
West Covina, CA 91792 Wah Lum Temple of USA Professional Sifu Alex Richter Studios
Shi Yanxu 851 N. Goldenrod Rd. Martial Arts 212-354-9188 196 Stonebridge Drive
626-292-1355 Orlando, FL 32807 43 Market St Yee's Hung Ga Kung Fu Myrtle Beach, SC 29588
http://shaolinus.com Sifu Pui Chan Ipswich, MA 01938 Academy Shifu Fred Christie
Tai Mantis Kung Fu 407-275-6177 Mark E.Warner 366 7th Ave. 843-597-5634
758 E Highland Ave. www.wahlum.com 978-356-9800 Brooklyn, NY 11215 www.kungfu-sc.com
San Bernardino, CA 92404 www.markwarnerpma.com Sifu Peter Berman
Wah Lum Kung Fu of TEXAS ----------------------
Don Newton Melbourne Wu Dao Kung Fu & 718-768-7762
909-881-2226 Tai Chi USA Chin Woo Federation
662 N. Wickham Rd. Sitan Tai Chi & Martial 899 East Arapaho Road
www.taimantis.com Melbourne, FL 32935 675 Concord Ave. Arts / America Taiji
Cambridge, MA 02138 Richardson TX 75081
John Cho’s Kung Fu Harry Lo Health Qigong Jimmy K.Wong
School 321-255-1048 Tim Hartmann 227 Michael Drive
617-812-2180 972-680-7888
2435 N. Fresno St., Imperial Martial Arts Syosset, NY 11791 www.chinwoo.com
Fresno, CA 93720 5116 US HWY 19 MISSOURI ----------------- Lynn Lin
John Cho 516-677-1798 International Shaolin
New Port Richey, FL 34652 Wu Hsing Chuan 5 Wushu Center
209-225-9796 Roger J. Roger Animal Academy www.sitantaichi.com
6515 Corporate Drive #L2
Lily Lau Eagle Claw 727-488-7985 6740 Olive Blvd. NORTH CAROLINA ----- Houston, TX 77036
1651 El Camino Real ILLINOIS ------------------- University City, MO 63130 Hung Gar Kung Fu Shifu Shi Xingying
Millbrae, CA 94030 Sifu Larry Adams Academy 713-272-0276
Sifu Kalman Wong Lee's Martial Arts 314-721-6003
Supply and Academy of Rt. 21 North, www.internationalshaolin.com
510-201-3098 Shaolin Lohan Pai Mooresville, NC 28115
www.lilylaueagleclaw.com Martial Arts The Kung Fu School
15546 S. Cicero 8348 Olive Blvd. Suite C Rick Panico 8811 Emmott Rd. Ste 1600
Gee Yung Fut Ga Assoc. Oak Forest, IL 60452 St. Louis, MO 63132 704-663-6305 Houston, TX 77040
922 Jackson St., Danny Lee 314-432-4218 David Chin’s Hop Gar Sifu Houston Fuqua
San Francisco, CA 94133 708-687-8707 www.shaolinkungfu.org and Tai Chi Center 713-474-6660
Ricky Der www.leekungfu.com Midwest Chinese 2444 Dunn Rd. www.thekfschool.com
415-725-8700 Martial Arts Center HQ Fayetteville, NC 28301
Academy of Chinese USA Kung Fu Academy
Wow Cool® Alternative Martial Arts 8201 Wornall Road, Sifu David Chin 4327 South First St. Suite 104D
Comics 9109 S. Western Suite #6 Kansas City, MO 64114 910-485-0039 Austin, TX 78745
21607B Stevens Creek Blvd. Chicago, IL 60620 Sifu Scott Winokur OHIO ----------------------- Jeff Hughes
Cupertino, CA 95014 Karl Knoble 816-444-4777 512-707-8977
Marc Arsenault www.kungfukc.com Ving Tsun Museum
773-723-2795 5715 Brandt Pike www.usakfa.com
408-921-5164 www.aocma.com
wowcool.com NEVADA -------------------- Dayton, OH 45424 Shaolin Wushu Kung Fu
KANSAS -------------------- Benny Meng 1721 Saulkleinfeld Dr. Ste H
O-Mei Tai Chi Culture Warrior Spirit 937-236-6485 El Paso, TX 79936
Academy Ryukyu Imports Martial Arts Academy
5005 Merriam Dr. www.vtmuseum.org Jaime Perez
10070 Imperial Ave 8974 Slippery Rock Way 915-820-8192
Cupertino, CA 95014 Merriam, KS 66203 Las Vegas, NV 89123 OKLAHOMA --------------
Bill Wiswell www.shaolinwushukungfu.
Yun Jian Zou Robert L. Jones Academy Of Self com
408 252-3988 913-384-3345 702-260-4552 Defense, Siu Lum Pai
Grace Wu Kung Fu www.wsmaa.com Gungfu VIRGINIA -------------------
The Academy of
Martial and Internal School NEW JERSEY -------------- 2603-D S. Memorial Dr., Jow Ga Shaolin Institute
Arts 122. N. St. Francis Tulsa, OK 74129 600-D Carlisle Dr.
Wichita, KS 67202 Yee’s Hung Ga Kung Fu Ray Hildreth Herndon, VA 20170
1570 Soquel Drive Academy
Santa Cruz CA 95065 Grace Wu-Monnat 918-664-8202 Lee/Momenan
316-264-9640 68 Union Ave., Clifton, NJ 07011 703-742-7800
Ted Mancuso Pedro Cepero Yee PENNSYLVANIA ----------
831-475-1429 gracewu.com www.jowgashaolin.com
973-772-8988 Academy of Ving Tsun
www.reelingsilk.com LOUSIANA ----------------- www.yeeshungga.com First Defense Martial Arts
Kung Fu
USA Shaolin Kung Fu Zen American Kung Fu 424 3rd Ave Center
Tibetan Lama Dragon 291 Sunset Park Dr.
1161 Redmond Ave. Academy Crane New Brighton, PA 15066
San Jose, CA 95120 88 MacArthur Dr. Ste.# A Dale Steigerwald Herndon,VA 20170
13-A Basswood Plaza Nick Masi
Xing Le Ye Alexandria, LA 71303 Monroe Township, NJ 08831 724-847-3300
408-806-0155 Chuck Perry www.academyvingtsun.com 703-835-9054
Sifu Green
www.shaolinkungfuzen.com 318-442-9422 973-714-2748

Become a Kung Fu Tai Chi distributor & get your school listed here. Call Joan Chien at 1-800-628-6552

94 KUNG FU B TAI CHI JUNE 2017

Kung Fu Tai Chi is distributed by the following fine locations
VIRGINIA (continued)---- WISCONSIN --------------- EUROPE --------------------
U.S. Wushu Academy Shao Lin Boxing Methods Lily Lau Eagle Claw
2979 Prosperity Ave. 202 Travis Ln., Lesvou 12, T.K. 11 47
Fairfax,VA 22031 Waukesha, WI 53189 Galatsi, GREECE
Christopher Pei Sifu Steve Kleppe Sifu Christos Papachristos
703-698-8182 262-548-8824 69724-04665
www.uswushuacademy.com www.shaolinboxingmethods.com [email protected]
Laughing Dragon Kung Fu China Sports & Culture
3006 Berkmar Drive Heemskerkstraat 3
Charlottesville,VA 22901 6971 DW, Brummen
Chris Goodbar PUERTO RICO ------------ NETHERLANDS
434-973-0318 Patrick Willemse
Lily Lau Eagle Claw (0031) 6 1345 73 81
Jow Ga Kung Fu Assn. HQ. Latin America Headquarters
3221 Virginia Beach Blvd. www.shaolinstore.nl
Calle Ricci #40
Virginia Beach, VA 23452 Patillas, Puerto Rico 00723 Lily Lau Eagle Claw
Sifu Hoy Lee Shifu Raul J. Abreu Tanon 48 Gainsborough Road
757-463-8888 787-647-5063 Great Barr,
www.jowgakungfu.com [email protected] Birmingham
WASHINGTON ----------- B42-1NA UNITED KINGDOM
SOUTH AMERICA ------- Sifu Hari Singh Dhesy
Seattle Kung Fu Club Lily Lau Eagle Claw 44-07739-536739
658 S. King St. Rua Halfeld, Galeria Pio X [email protected]
Seattle, WA 98104 8-4 Piso, Sala 413
Master John Leong Juiz de Fora, Minas Gerais
206-624-3838 BRASIL 36.010.240
Sifu Clodoaldo de Silva Castro
32-3213-5778

This list is available online! Join today and your school or store will be listed on KungFuMagazine.com.
Listings include live hyperlinks to your website!
Contact Joan Chien 1-800-628-6552 [email protected]

JUNE 2017 KUNG FU B TAI CHI 95

By Wilson Sun
KUNG FU HOROSCOPES: April 4 to June 5, 2017 (with Gigi Oh and Gene Ching)

ithin Traditional Chinese Medicine philosophy,

W
Ox ⢋: 1925 Wood, 1937 Fire, 1949 Earth, 1961 Metal, 1973
the first period (4/4–5/4) of this horoscope is the Water, 1985 Wood, 1997 Fire, 2009 Earth
transition from spring to summer. The second 4/4–5/4: Learn to forge ahead. You’ll find success in exams and
period (5/4–6/5) is summer. The first period is ruled by liver competition. Creativity is the key to attainment. It’s a beneficial
and gall bladder, and spleen and stomach, so beware of period to explore love and marriage.
maladies of the liver, gall, and digestive system. Nourish 5/4–6/5: Your communication outlook is positive. Use this period to
the liver and strengthen the spleen and stomach. Previous communicate, strengthen relationships and promote yourself to the
digestive ailments may flare up again. public. Financial prosperity lies ahead.
“When you go out of your comfort zone and it works,
The summer period is ruled by the fire element and the heart
there’s nothing more satisfying.” -Ox Kristen Wiig
and small intestine channels. The heart governs mind and
spirit, as well as blood circulation. If the heart is overheat- Tiger 㱾: 1926 Fire, 1938 Earth, 1950 Metal, 1962 Water, 1974
ed, it can disturb the mind, cause “heat disease” and strain Wood, 1986 Fire, 1998 Earth, 2010 Metal
the cardiovascular system. Nourish the heart and clear
4/4–5/4: Now is the time to show off. Display your talents. Fame and
away the heat. Heed the wisdom of Traditional Chinese
glory will come to you easily. It is necessary to communicate. Focus
Medicine: “Winter ailments are healed in the summer.”
on what is popular.
5/4–6/5: Your ability to make good decisions is heightened now.
Preventatives: Get up early and exercise for a half hour ev-
Broad communication is very important for the development of your
ery day. Rest between 11 AM and 1 PM, preferably with
career.
eyes closed. Avoid acidic, spicy and cold food. Warm food
is favorable. Avoid cold drinks and winds after you’ve been “Fascism is capitalism plus murder.” -Tiger Upton Sinclair
hot. Be in bed by 11:00 PM. Increase physical exercise for
Hare ‫ބ‬: 1927 Fire, 1939 Earth, 1951 Metal, 1963 Water, 1975
good blood circulation.
Wood, 1987 Fire, 1999 Earth, 2011 Metal
The following recipes are recommended for this time of 4/4–5/4: Be preventative when it comes to disputes. Be cautious of speaking
year: out. Your health outlook is poor. Beware of injuries to your limbs.
5/4–6/5: Your health may remain poor due to your busy schedule. Be
preventative against sickness. Treat any malady early. It is of the
Red Date, White Fungus & Lotus utmost importance to keep your mood optimistic.
Soup (㌵ἇ䢰㙣㬞ᆀ⒟) “Every moment is a golden one for him who has the vision
100 gm red dates 50 gm white fungus
to recognize it as such.” -Hare Henry Miller

100 gm lotus seeds Brown sugar Dragon 喽: 1928 Earth, 1940 Metal, 1952 Water, 1964 Wood,
Wash clean the ingredients. Soak lotus seeds for 2–3 hours. Add all 1976 Fire, 1988 Earth, 2000 Metal, 2012 Water
the ingredients into a pot with adequate water and boil until lotus seeds 4/4–5/4: Financial prosperity lies ahead. This is conducive to trading
are soft. Add brown sugar to taste. Benefits: Blood emollient, nourishes real estate. Focus on acquisition. Process any financial backlog as
the nerves. Reduces dryness of the body, excessive thirst and fatigue. soon as possible.
Consume daily. 5/4–6/5: Avoid travel to tropical places. Don’t be ruled by emotional
impulses. Focus on calming your mind with all matters of concern.
Ginseng & Sour Date Tea (䞨ἇ㥦 ) “You earn reputation by trying to do hard things well.”
50 gm sour dates (Ziziphi Spinosae Semen a.k.a. suanzaoren 䞨ἇӱ)
-Dragon Jeff Bezos

5 gm ginseng (reshen Ӫ৳) Snake 㳷: 1929 Earth, 1941 Metal, 1953 Water, 1965 Wood,
Add ingredients to water, bring to a boil and then let simmer for 30 1977 Fire, 1989 Earth, 2001 Metal, 2013 Water
minutes. Drink as a tea. Benefits: Nourishes heart, supplements vital 4/4–5/4: A guardian angel will help you. Property transactions and
energy, has a sedative and hypnotic effect. Reduces insomnia and acquisitions will be successful. This is a period of innovation.
fatigue, invigorates dreams. Consume daily like tea. 5/4–6/5: Beware of sharp objects like knives and swords. There is also
a possibility to get scalded or burned. Respiratory disorders may arise.
Avoid the cold. Seek shelter.
Rat 啐: 1924 Wood, 1936 Fire, 1948 Earth, 1960 Metal, “Discovery consists of seeing what everybody has seen and thinking
1972 Water, 1984 Wood, 1996 Fire, 2008 Earth what nobody has thought.” -Snake Albert Szent-Gyorgyi
4/4–5/4: Beware. Matters of financial interest disturb
the mind. However, fear not. Excessive worry during this Horse 俜: 1930 Metal, 1942 Water, 1954 Wood, 1966 Fire, 1978
period will seriously damage your health. Earth, 1990 Metal, 2002 Water, 2014 Wood
5/4–6/5: Victory goes to the innovative, the entrepreneurial, 4/4–5/4: This is a very distracted period for you. You are prone to maladies
the quick thinkers and the wise. This is the way to win. Take involving heat and sores. Don’t eat too much barbecued food.
exams now to advance yourself. 5/4–6/5: This period is profitable. Power will come to you easily.
“I tried to kickbox once right after I had my first baby, and This is the rise of a successful period. You will benefit by increasing
I was so miserable; it was so hard. And I went home, and I communication and cooperation.
passed out for three hours because it’s so hard.” “The people who criticize I could care less. If you wake up on this side
Rat Leslie Mann of the ground you’re in good shape.” -Horse Eric ‘Butterbean’ Esch

96 KUNG FU B TAI CHI JUNE 2017

Ram 㖺: 1931 Metal, 1943 Water, 1955 Wood, 1967 Fire, 1979 Earth, Dog ⤇: 1922 Water, 1934 Wood, 1946 Fire,
1991 Metal, 2003 Water, 2015 Wood 1958 Earth, 1970 Metal, 1982 Water, 1994
4/4–5/4: Your spleen and stomach are prone to dysfunction. Pay great Wood, 2006 Fire
attention to eating a regular diet. Eat light food. 4/4–5/4: You are prone to gastrointestinal
5/4–6/5: Be open-minded and you may profit from financial transactions.
dysfunction. Avoid eating too much greasy food;
Investments in real estate will be prosperous. Open a new market and
concentrate on developing it fully. otherwise, you might relapse into an old malady. It’s
also easy to contract a new malady now.
“If it’s a penny for your thoughts and you put in your two cents worth, then
5/4–6/5: You’ll be engulfed in personal discord. It’s
someone, somewhere is making a penny.” -Ram Steven Wright
easy to get in disputes. Treat other people warmly
Monkey ⥤: 1932 Water, 1944 Wood, 1956 Fire, 1968 Earth, 1980 yet seriously. Keep a joyful expression.
Metal, 1992 Water, 2004 Wood, 2016 Fire “There are no rules of architecture for a castle
4/4–5/4: Your health outlook is poor. Pay close attention to the hygiene of in the clouds.” -Dog Gilbert K. Chesterton
your food. Avoid overworking because it will make you sick.
5/4–6/5: You’ll have moments of hyperactivity, but then suffer from physical Pig 䊜: 1923 Water, 1935 Wood, 1947 Fire, 1959
and mental fatigue. Make sure to keep fit. Maintaining a regular life Earth, 1971 Metal, 1983 Water, 1995 Wood,
schedule is particularly important. 2007 Fire
“As long as people will accept crap, it will be financially 4/4–5/4: You receive a lot of help from others. More
profitable to dispense it.” -Monkey Dick Cavett opportunities are on your way. Making sure you
have sufficient energy to face the work ahead will
Rooster 䴎: 1933 Water, 1945 Wood, 1957 Fire, 1969 Earth, 1981
ensure that you achieve success.
Metal, 1993 Water, 2005 Wood, 2017 Fire
5/4–6/5: Don’t waste time with unnecessary debates.
4/4–5/4: You’ll be plagued by personal disputes and emotional The fundamental key to your success lies in self
entanglements. You must deal with these emotional issues rationally or no
improvement.
good will come of it.
5/4–6/5: Be very careful with any cooperative transactions. Try to have a “Don’t be afraid to make a mistake, your readers
larger heart. You’ll lose cherished friendships by being too calculating in might like it.” -Pig William Randolph Hearst
your interactions.
“Yes, I am physical but never go looking for fights. I have been in my share of Astrologist Wilson Sun is a Feng Shui Master from
them but never looked for them.” -Rooster Dave Bautista Shanghai – [email protected]. Read more Kung
Fu Horoscopes online at www.KungFuMagazine.com

JUNE 2017 KUNG FU B TAI CHI 97

KUNG FU WISDOM

Shu dao yongshi fang henshao

Taiji jinglian cai zhinan
ᴨࡠ⭘ᱲᯩᚘቁ
ཚᾥ㋮㐤᡽⸕䴓
By Zhu Tiancai

In the first line of this couplet, Shu (1st tone ᴨ) literally means ‘book’ but here it implies book-learned knowledge. Dao (4th tone ࡠ)
means ‘go to’. Yong (4th tone ⭘) means ‘use’ or ‘apply’ and Shi (2nd tone ᱲ) means ‘time’; combined they mean ‘when using or
applying’. Fang (1st tone ᯩ) means ‘square’ or ‘region’. Hen (4th tone ᚘ) means ‘regret’. Shao (3rd tone ቁ) means ‘inadequate’.
The first line translates as “When you go to apply, you regret when your knowledge is inadequate.”

In the second line, Taiji (4th tone ཚ, 2nd tone ᾥ) is the same as the Tai Chi in Kung Fu Tai Chi. Jing (1st tone ㋮) means essence
and Lian (4th tone 㐤) means ‘practice’. Cai (2nd tone ᡽) means ‘then’. Zhi (1st tone ⸕) means ‘know’ or ‘perceive’. Nan (2nd
tone 䴓) means ‘difficult’. The second line can be translated as “Practice Taiji to proficiency and then know it is difficult.”

Grandmaster Zhu Tiancai (ᵡཙ᡽) is a 19th generation inheritor of Chen Taiji and one of its leading proponents.

98 KUNG FU B TAI CHI JUNE 2017

25

K UNG FU TAI CHI

25 th ANNIVER SARY FESTIVAL
Friday May 19, 2017 Saturday May 20, 2017 Sunday May 21, 2017

“Grandmasters Live!” Theatrical Performance • Tiger Claw Elite Championships • Tiger Claw Elite KungFuMagazine.com
A once-in-a-lifetime congregation of the world’s
Championship (internal divisions)
• Tiger Claw Elite Taekwondo Championships
leading Kung Fu and Tai Chi Grandmasters • WildAid Tiger Claw Championship
together on one stage. • Tiger Claw Elite KungFuMagazine.com
San Jose’s Historic California Theater Championship (external divisions) • KUNG FU TAI CHI DAY Demonstrations
345 South First Street. San Jose, CA 95113
• $40 General Admission • IWSD 30th Anniversary and
• $100 VIP Pass* Kung Fu Tai Chi 25th Anniversary
*VIP tickets are Limited order your VIP pass early. Celebration Banquet

K U N G F U M A G A Z I N E . C O M
TI G E R C L A W E L I T E . C O M K U N G F UTA I C H I D A Y . C O M
M C E N E RY C O N V E N T I O N C E N T E R , S O U T H H A L L 4 3 5 S o u t h M a rke t S t r e e t . S a n J o s e , C a l i f o rn i a

I W K
J
N

U
S A