Mizong Quan, also known as Mizong Yi and Yanqing Quan, originated at the famed Shaolin Temple in the later part of the Tang Dynasty (618-907). Mizong Quan translates as the Lost Track Style. The name is due to the fast changing and baffling footwork which makes it difficult for the opponent to keep track of…
Singleness of purpose is an ultimate quest – Lao Zi The quote above, by Lao Zi, refers to the importance of mental concentration in all activities, but paramount in martial arts. To project and focus the mind on one subject to the exclusion of everything else is called concentration. In today’s lifestyle, where a diversity…
Chinese martial arts are an integral part of China’s history, philosophy and culture. Their origins span more than 4000 years, back to primeval society. Recorded accounts place the early development of the martial arts to the Xia Dynasty (夏朝2070–1600 BC) when Jiao Di (角力), an early form of Chinese wrestling, was used by Huangdi‘s (皇帝)…
Jing Wu Tiyuhui, (Elite Martial Athletic Association), in Shanghai, is more commonly known as the Jing Wu Athletic Association and as Ching Mo in Cantonese. It was founded in 1909 to develop fitness and lift the morale of the Chinese people, and to promote and advance traditional Chinese martial arts. Huo Yuanjia is traditionally regarded as the founder…
The Northern Shaolin Systems practiced at our school fall into the category of Chang Quan (Long Fist). These methods employ combinations of long explosive movements and require that several techniques be performed with one breath. This builds both speed and explosiveness. Combinations are often executed in quick bursts, like a string of firecrackers. This style…
Grandmaster William Chen has always emphasized the practical aspects of Tai Chi Quan, thus Push Hands, Practical Applications, and Free Style Boxing have been an integral part of his teaching. Taiji Quan, to be effective, requires that one must immerse oneself deeply into this work. Forms practice alone will avail to nothing if you have never crossed hands with a…
Yang style Taiji Quan, also written Tai Chi Chuan, traditionally did not have many weapons in its curriculum. Nonetheless, particular attention was placed on the Jian (Sword), Dao (Saber), Qiang (Spear), and Gun (Staff). These four weapons are divided into two groups: short weapons and long weapons. The short Tai Chi weapons are the sword and the saber; the long Tai Chi weapons…
Perhaps the most famous of all Asian martial arts is the style popularly known as Shaolin Gong Fu (Siu Lum Kung Fu in Cantonese), which was propagated at the legendary Shaolin Temple located in Henan Province in Northern China. Much of what is true about the history of Shaolin Gong Fu has been obscured by myths and fables. Legend tells…
At our Wushu Gwoon (martial arts school), students will see the words Patience, Discipline, and Perseverance written above the mirrored wall. What do these words really mean, and what is their significance? To understand the meaning of a word, it is always best to seek out the word’s origin. Patience derives from the Latin word…
Tui Shou is made up of two Chinese Characters. The first, 推, Tui means to push. The second character, 手, Shou, means hand. Hence, Tui Shou is translated as Push Hands or Pushing Hands. This definition, however, does not do justice to the intricacies and highly evolved concepts that guide its practice. Tui Shou is…
