China is a vast country with a rich cultural and martial arts tradition. These traditions vary between north and south. Culturally, the demarcation line is what is called the Qin Ling-Huai He Line (秦岭-淮河线). Qin Ling refers to the Qin Ling mountain range and Huai He refers to the River Huai. From a martial arts…
Before exploring Yue Fei’s martial arts training and background, it is important to begin with the mythology prevalent in Chinese culture that associates people and events with deities, immortals, and famous Chinese figures both real and legendary. I use the word “mythology” because some figures who are associated with certain martial arts styles are transmitted…
Di Laoshi, when did you began learning Shaolin Kung Fu from Master Zhao Zhong (趙忠, 1916-1982) in 1962? I did not graduate from elementary school in 1962, but in 1963. My grades were excellent, and I was admitted to the high school affiliated with Peking University. While studying there, our class’s extracurricular tutor, Wang Jinshi…
Many Long Fist styles use Tan Tui, commonly translated as Springing Leg, as the gateway, or Men Hu (門戶), in the Northern Long Fist Styles of Gong Fu, to building a foundation for more advanced training. The subject of this post is the Shi Er Lu Tan Tui (十二路潭腿) – 12 Rows Springing Leg, and…
Wang Wu (王五,1844-1900), whose given name was Wang Zhengyi (王正誼), was born in Cangzhou, the famous martial arts town in what was at the time Zhili (直隸), and what is present-day Hebei (河北) province. Note: Zhili means“ directly ruled.” This was the administrative region ruled by the imperial court during the Ming (1368-1644) and Qing…
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 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…
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 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
