The superior man moves his lips;
the mean man moves his fists.
-Chinese Proverb
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This post continues the information gathering of the Southern and Northern Kung Fu Styles. In previous entries, I spoke from those styles which I have more knowledge or experience with. Theses two are purely studies and assumptions based on my understandings of self.
Ba Gua is one of my new high interests in learning and developing. I believe it will strengthen my leopard style and sparring goals. Being more of an infighter it focuses on using palms, fists, and arms--the "palm preferred" emphasis appeals to me as well.
This is one of the new books I am reading:
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Choy-Le-Fut
-the fist at the end of the rope
Granite Fists whip through the air
at the end of loose and supple arms.
Founding
-1836 by Chag Heng
-originally trained at the temple under a deeply respected monk
by the name of Choy Fook
-after 20 years he returned to his village to create this system
named in honor of his teacher (fut-Buddha in Chinese)
-At this time, Manchurians rule the Ching Dynasty
-They were corrupt and soon rebel forces emerged
-Chang Heung found it impossible not to get involved
he began training men in his style to fight
-though referred to as a southern style, in truth it is a combination of both
-the monk he trained under was originally from the north
-northern traits
-relaxed circular long arms and footwork
-southern traits
-power and low stances
Region
-practiced by 1/3 of the population of Hong Kong
-famous for:
-combining hard/soft
-speed
-balance
-power
-extension
Weapons
-many more weapons than most systems
-the two main weapons are staff and butterfly knives
-broken into four main categories:
-long: staff, spear, kwan-do, monk's shovel, farmer's hoe, and trident
-short: broadsword, double edged sword, umbrella, fan, and cane
-flexible: chain whip and three sectional staff
-double: x2 broadswords, butterfly knives, axes, x2 daggers, x2 chain whips, hook swords
(unique weapon: dragon trident: said to be the personal weapon of the founder)
Forms
-average form has from 100-300 moves
-hand & weapon forms are longer
-many tow man forms
-lion dancing
-wooden dummy training forms
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Pa Kwa
-a fighting strategy in 8 directions
walk the circle,
attack from everywhere
Information
-means "8 directions"
-thought by some to represent the 8 trigram/changes of I-Ching Philosophy
(more accurately means: "8 different angles of attack")
-strictly an internal system......(?)
-most kung fu systems are created with end goals of self-defense/street fights
-internal systems like Pa Kwa are to develop for fighting high level opponents
The Pa Kwa Circle
-walk a constant circle while continuously on your intent for your unseen opponent
-two main area of protection:
-the body (big door)
-the shoulder/arms (small door)
-another feature is the idea of always changing
-hand techniques emphasize penetrating strikes
-"tzan zi" twisting motion to deliver power
-requiring a supple waist
Palms Preferred
-90% of hand techniques are palm based
-the belief is that making fists automatically tightens the body
(similar ideals to wing chun where the is loose right up to and right after the attack)
-also palm strikes cover a wider radius and therefore is more likely to strike critical areas
- not a high emphasis in stance training
-practitioner remains more upright for movements/strikes
-again, like wing chun. kicks are low and practical
Weapons
-weapons are similar to most other systems
-x2 weapons are popular because they keep both hands, arms, and body moving circularly
-unique Pa Kwa weapons: horn knives, crescent knives,
and pun gung bi (x2 edged needles easily concealed on the body
Other
-two man forms for circles work
-high focus on sparring and wooden post/dummy work
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