I have been studying and practicing Ying Zhao Fan Zi (鷹爪翻子) for more than 40 years. My journey in the style began first with Sifu Benson Lee and later continued with Grandmaster Shum Yee Leung (岑譽亮, 1933-2025) – Cen Yuliang in Pinyin. Grandmaster Shum called his school Ying Jow Pai (鷹爪派), Eagle Claw System, and…
Liuhe Bafa (六合八法), or Six Harmonies Eight Methods, is an abbreviated name for the style passed down by Wu Yihui, who referred to the art as Hua Yue Xin Yi Liu He Ba Fa Quan (華岳心意六合八法拳). In English, this translates as the Heart/Mind Six Harmonies Eight Methods from Hua Mountain Style. Today, especially in the…
Chou Si (抽絲) – Drawing Silk, was first mentioned in the classic by Wang Zongyue (王宗岳) “Taiji Quan Xing Gong Xin Jie – Explanation of the Practice of Taijiquan.” Drawing Silk has been widely used by Yang Style Taiji Quan masters while guiding their students’ practice. Thus, it is imperative to understand its true meaning…
All traditional Chinese martial arts systems contain foundational skills that form the core of the art. In Baji Quan, these basic skills are honed through the practice of Jin Gang Ba Shi. Jin Gang is often translated as Buddha Warrior Attendant (see the post on Jin Gang in Chinese Martial Arts). Origins of Jin Gang…
All adherents of Yang Style Taiji Quan should be familiar with Yang Chengfu’s Shi Yao, or Ten Essentials. The Ten Essentials serve as guideposts for building posture awareness and implementing Taiji Quan principles into your practice, which will aid in elevating your skill in the art. One of these ten essentials is Chen Jian Zhui…
The adage “Mu Jing Xin Ji (目睛心及),” which means “See it with your eyes and feel it with your heart,” is an expression often used in Chinese art and calligraphy. In my view, this idea can certainly be applied to martial arts. The literal English translation of “Xin” (心) is “Heart,” which in Western medical…
Chinese martial arts evolved over millennia from rudimentary forms to highly developed fighting methods that are governed by specific methodology. This methodology has two components: Lian Fa (練法) – Training Methods and Da Fa (打法) – Fighting Methods. Lian Fa can be divided into two categories. The first includes training methods that incorporate auxiliary exercises…
Any discussion of the Fu Chen (拂塵), or Whisk, should begin with the following adage “Shou Na Fu Chen Bu Shi Fan Ren.” This means “The One Holding the Whisk is not an Ordinary Person.” This saying is significant because it implies that the person holding the Whisk is someone of high status. The Fu…
Principle #5 This series of essays deals briefly with Chinese Martial Arts Principles and Sayings. These sayings have been developed over time and are meant to direct your daily practice. Adhering to them will help you develop a proper mindset reflective of a true martial artist. They also reveal distinctive fighting concepts, strategies, and training…
The term Jin Gang (金刚) is often encountered in various styles of Chinese martial arts and occurs most often in Shaolin Gong Fu, as is evident in routines such as Jin Gang Quan. Styles such as Baji Quan and Xing Yi Quan have the Jin Gang Ba Shi. In Baji, Jin Gang Ba Shi refers…
The posts on this Blog reflect the knowledge I have received from my teachers, and the volumes of information I have accumulated while doing research and conducting interviews with many masters, during the years of publishing the Wu Gong Journal and the Journal of Chinese Martial Arts. All the material published on this Blog is copyrighted. — Nick Scrima
