Xanga, Facebook and Hung Ga Gung Fu

I've been spending a lot of time and energy on Facebook.   Which may explain why I don't post as often as I used to. 

Facebook has a lot going for me.  I can upload photo galleries, I can "tweet" on it with what's on my mind in a sentence or two, I can surf the net and when I see something interesting, I can easily share that interesting website, youtube movie, news article, photo or what have you.  I get a lot of feedback with my posts.  I can easily see what's the latest news with people I know.  It keeps me informed with events to like the International Lao New Year Festivaltomorrow which I will be photographing.

Last week I posted these videos on FB of these Hung Ga sets I found on YouTube.   Had I not had FB, I would have posted it here.  I guess I felt guilty for neglecting this blog for FB.  So here it is.

First up is the Lau Ga Keun (Liu Jia Chuan) performed by Sifu Li of Shantou, Guangdong whom you can incidently learn by correspondence. 

This was the first form I learned in Hung Ga.  I'm surprised to read that it's not a true Hung Ga form and that it's from the Mok Ga (Mai Jia) style.

Here is a little descrīption about this form fromwww.hungkuen.net:Lau Family Fist

Lau Gar Kuen literally means "Lau Family Fist". Originally a fist set from the "Mok Gar" style, Lau Gar Kuen was incorporated into the Hung system by grandmaster Lam Cho.Compared to the 4 pillar forms, It is a rather short form performed in a square pattern which introduces the basics of the style such as the fundamental stances, footwork and techniques. Simple yet practical, this form teaches variety of open hand, fist and leg techniques. Lau Gar Kuen is often referred as the most polite form in Hung Gar due to the salutations in the beginning section of the form.**** Next up is the Gung Jih Fuhk Fu (Supressing the Tiger -- I Shape).  This is the second hand form I learned.

Here is the descrīption from hungkeun.net:

Taming the Tiger in an I patternThis is the oldest Hung Gar fist set which comes from the Siu Lum (shaolin) temple of Fukien province. It is believed that this outstanding form was developed by Hung Hei Goon after his years of hard and intensive training under the legendary abbot Gee Sin of the Siu-Lum temple. Gung gee fuk fu kuen literally means 'Taming the tiger in an I pattern'. Other commonly used translations are "Cross Tiger Fist Form" and "Conquering the Tiger Form". Legend tells that this set was originally known as "Siu Lum Fook Fu Kuen", however it was later changed due to the reason the name Siu Lum (Shaolin) was associated with rebel activities.Traditionally this is the first set taught in Hung Ga Kuen. It is one of the most important and longest form of the system which demonstrates the essence of the style. Gung Gee sets the foundation of Hung Gar and teaches all the basics of the Hung system as well as the five elements (ng hong), five animals(ng ying) and correct way to regulate and control the breathing.Some people especially in the west mistakenly classify this excellent set as a basic or elementary form just because traditionally it's the first form tought and teaches the basics. This is wrong. Gung gee involves alot more and teaches much more than just physical exercise and self defense techniques. Like all the other forms of Hung Ga, it trains one physically as well as mentally, internally as well as spiritually.Gung gee continuously develops and tests ones character, determination, patience and will power.Physically this forms trains and develops both side of the body. Techniques are performed using both left and right sides. It puts much emphasis on stances and footwork as well as the powerful tiger techniques.**** This is the third hand form, Fu Hohk Seung Ying, Tiger Crane Form.

from www.hungkuen.netFu Hok Seung Ying Kuen - Tiger and Crane double shape fist is the most famous set of Hung kuen. In fact so famous that some people refer to Hung Gar as the Tiger and Crane Style. There are many different stories about how this form was created. Its said that the form was created by Hung Hei Guan who combined the soft and fluid techniques of the crane which he learned from his wife with the straightforward and powerful tiger movements of siu lum temple.This form was later modified by the great master Wong Fei Hung one of the most famous and well known masters of hung gar to date whos life has been immortalized by hundreds of movies, publications, tv shows etc. Wong Fei Hung using his excellent knowledge and experience re-choreographed and broadened the Fu Hok Seung Ying Kuen as we know it today. Many important aspects and principles were further developed and added in, such as the unique internal training handed down by the Tid Kiu Sam, 10 special hands(sup duk sao- sup jeut sao) also known as 10 killing hands, theory of yin-yang, 5 elements, 7 stars etc. The ten special hands were the ten most favoured techniques/principles of Wong Fei Hung which he used in many challanges to defeat his opponents.The Fu Hok Seung Ying Kuen like all the other forms of the system incorparates and follows the philosophy and principles of Yin Yang. The form combines the fierce, powerfull movements of the tiger which emphasis gong ging (hard power) with the fluid, evasive movements of the crane which requires yau ging (soft power). The crane movements also develop bing ging (whipping power).**** Then the fourth Hung Ga form I learned is the Sup Ying Kuen

information from www.hungkuen.netTen Pattern Fist

Sup Ying Kuen literally means ten pattern or ten shape fist. Sup Ying kuen was created by Wong Fei Hung as a bridge form between Fu Hok Seung Ying Kuen and Tid Sin Kuen. This advanced form of Hung Gar teaches the five animals-Ng Ying and five elements-Ng Hong (hence the name) as well as other important concepts of the style. Each one of these animals and elements with their own unique characteristics, philosophy and movements trains and teaches many important key concepts of the style.Dragon

Unlike the western dragon, Chinese dragon is a good-natured mythical creature, which is believed to bring good luck and prosperity. Chinese dragon has a long snake like body with short arms and legs with sharp claws. This mythical creature can appear and disappear, change at will. These characteristics of the powerful Dragon can be seen within the style. Although dragon movements are soft, dragons striking power is produced by combination of both internal (soft) and external (hard) strengths. The Dragon represents internal training (chi) and the cultivation of spirit (shen).Tiger

The tiger known for its strong and powerful movements is there to produce strong bones and develop power. Many of the exercises are designed to strengthen the back, kidneys and spine as well as hands,arms and forearms. Tiger form uses hard-external power. Its movements are very aggressive and brutal with lots of breaking, striking, locking, ripping and tearing. Primary weapon of tiger is the tiger Claw.Crane

The crane is known for its calmness, patience and stability as well as its swift graceful movements with deceptive strength. Crane uses both long and short hand techniques; its movements are circular and always soft and relaxed. Cranes peak, crane wings, crane head are well known hand weapons used within the crane forms.Snake

The snake, unlike the other animals does not have legs or arms and moves in zig-zagging pattern. It can coil its body and rise straight up. These characteristics of the snake are used within the style. Snake movements are very fast and sleek, but also soft and gentle. Snake form develops the internal power through its soft and gentle moves and uses this power with every strike. Snake strikes are mostly fingertip attacks which are used to strike the sensitive/softer areas of the body.Leopard

Leopard combines its speed and power with agile footwork to overcome its opponent. It posses surprising strength for its size, and this combined together with its lightning fast movements and relentless attacks makes the leopard a formidable . The main weapon of leopard form is the leopard fist.The five elements are:

Gold

The gold element in hung gar involves strong and heavy hand and forearm movements where the whole arm is used as a one powerful unit to destroy any on coming attack and/or punish the attacker with strong and heavy blows. All the gold movements are done with the arm slightly bent at the elbow. The movements such as fun gum kiu(splitting gold bridge) are typical gold technique.Wood

The wood element generally involves short-medium range movements to simultaneously block and strike. Ghat mok choy ( squeezing wood punch) is a typical example of the wood element where both arms are used simultaneously to block and attack and strike at the same time.Water

The water element involves long, swinging movements of the arms which are powerful and destructive. A typical example of the water element is the seiuh long pau cheiuh ( water wave punch) which was also one of the favorite techniques of the famous Wong Fei Hung.Fire

The fire element is characterized by lightning-fast and rapid straight punches. It is used to rush an opponent with extremely fast and powerful punches until the attacker is knocked down. A good example for this would be the fire arrow punch (faw gin choy).Earth The fifth and the last element earth is characterized by externally strong attacks coming from ground up.**** ...and finally the ultimate Hung Ga form, Tiht Sihn Kuen (Steel Wire Form)

and here's the descrīption from www.hungkuen.netTid Sin Kuen, Iron wire Fist is the most advanced form taught in Hung Gar. Sometimes known as Iron Thread set, it is so named because it represents the nature of the form and one of the main principles of the style which is to "Hard as Iron" but at the same time "Soft as Thread".This form was created by Tiht Kiu Sam (iron bridge three) whose real name was Leung Kwan. Leung Kwan was one of the "Ten Tigers of Kwangdung" ( Kwandung Sup Fu) who earned the nick name Tid Kiu Sam because of his amazing skills in kung fu his iron wire training and 1000 pound horse stance. It is said that when he sat in his horse stance no body could move him. He is regarded as one of the best Chinese martial artist to date.Tiht Sin Kuen is Hung Gar's own unique way of internal power training. Benefits of this form are endless however one should bare in mind that without a strong foundation and mastery and complete understanding of all Hung Gar basics, forms etc...one will not be able to perform this form correctly nor understand its inner meaning. It is crucial to remember that because of the special kind of internal training involved, if one practices tid sin kuen without a strong foundation, poor understanding or knowledge of certain elements (breathing, sounds, emotions etc.) one may do more harm than good. In other words improper training of this form may result in serious internal damage.The Tiht Sin Kuen utilizes the mythical dragons limited footwork, movements and spirit with the combination and unique use of 12 bridges, breathe control, sounds, emotions, 5 elements as well as the philosophy of yin yang. With each of these 12 bridges there are different sounds used, which evokes different emotions that effects specific organs and belongs/corresponds to a certain element. The different sounds used in Hung Gar facilitate breath control and allow chi to be moved through 12 main channels (which are also connected with specific organs) to the intended part of the body in order to achieve maximum effect from each of the Sup Yi Kiu Sao(12 Bridges).****

As many of you already know,  I have been practicing Hung Ga (Hongjiachuan) since my junior high school days with Sifu YC Wong.

Though I don't get to practice as often as I used to, but it is very much a part of me. 

I also practice the Chen style taiji from Sifu George Xu, Sifu Zhou Hailong and Sifu Chen Xiaowang.  In the beginning, I learned Hung Sing Choy Li Fut (Cailifo), White Crane (Baike).

My Sifu, YC Wong still teaches Hung Ga.  You can get information at his website www.tigercrane.com 

Here's Sifu Lee doing the Chen Style Taiji;

Long Form Section 1

Long Form Section 2