Wong Kiew Kit’s Home Page
SHAOLIN WAHNAM VIDEO CLIPS
KUNGFU SETS
Grandmaster Wong demonstrating the Shaolin Five-Animal Set
Shaolin Wahnam Video Clips to be downloaded
You will need “Windows Media Player” or "DivX" to view the video clips, which are of the "wmv" or "avi" file-types. If you do not have the softwares, you can download them for free by following the links here for "Window Media Player" or here for "DivX".
Please note that you can download the video clips onto your own computer and view them at your leisure. Enter the webpage (not this one) where the selected video clip can be downloaded. Place your computer pointer at the picture or one of the links, and right click. Choose “Save Target As”. Select the directory or sub-directory where you wish to keep the video clip. Click “Save”.
While a kungfu set is mainly used for demonstration in many other schools, in Shaolin Wahnam it serves many useful purposes, such as
- Learning kungfu techniques
- Ensuring the correctness of forms
- Practicing footwork and body-movement
- Practicing “six harmonies”
- Regulating breathing
- Developing force
- Practicing combat application
- Generating energy flow
- Attaining a focused mind
Please note that Weapon Sets are found here
Two Big Secrets in Single Tiger Emerges from Cave
The first secret is that kungfu practitioners in the past did not practice their kungfu sets for demonstrations to please spectators. They practiced kungfu sets to train themselves for combat. The second secret is that free sparring was never meant to train combat, as many modern martial artists mistakenly think it is. Free sparring was meant to test or confirm whether practitioners were competent in combat. Hence, it came at the end, not at the beginning, of a systematic combat training programme.
Click here to enter.
Single Tiger Emerges from Cave -- the set enabling free sparring in three days
A common misconception amongst many martial artists is to think that first there were kungfu sets, then masters tried to use the patterns in the sets for combat. It was the other way round. In reality, first there was random fighting. Those who fought frequently discovered that certain ways of fighting were more effective than others. These effective ways of fighting were formalized into patterns. Later, masters linked suitable patterns into sequences for even more effective fighting. These sequences were then linked to form kungfu sets. These processes evolved over many centuries.
Click here to enter.
"Lohan Asks the Way" is the fundamental set in Shaolin Wahnam where students learn basic hand techniques, body adjustment and footwork. They also learn basic skills like fluidity of movements, breath control and mental focus. In other words, students are introduced to the "six harmonies" right at the start of their kungfu training. Students should be able to perform this set with correctness of form, flowing force and good speed, and not panting for breath at its completion. In our school enjoying "Flowing Breeze Swaying Willows" at the end of a performance is a signature feature. This set, demonstrated here by Anthony Korahais, also reveals that a skillful practitioner can practice Shaolin Kungfu (and also Wahnam Taijiquan) within a limited space.
The size of the video clip is 1256 kb.
Click here to enter.
“Black Tiger Steals Heart” is the first of the basic combat sequence sets. It is composed of the first four basic combat sequences. The first sequence is also called “Black Tiger Steals Heart”, named after the most popular attack pattern called “Black Tiger Steals Heart” too. Hence, “Black Tiger Steals Heart” may refer to a pattern, a sequence or a set. The other three sequences are “Poisonous Snake Shoots Venom”, “Precious Duck Swims through Lotus” and “Hang a Golden Star at Corner”. This set, “Black Tiger Steals Heart” enables students to learn and practice all the four directions of attack and defence techniques involving hand strikes.
The size of the video clip is 2624 kb.
Click here to enter.
Fierce Tiger Speeds Through Valley
After learning the fundamental hand attacks and defences in “Black Tiger Steals Heart”, students expand the repertoire of their hand techniques in “Fierce Tiger Speeds Through Valley”. While the first combat set focuses on the left leg mode, the second focuses on the right leg mode. Students should pay attention to the “six harmonies” while performing the set, and should not be panting at its completion. The performance of this set by Anthony Korahais is slowed down here to enable students to see the patterns more easily. The set should be performed in eight breaths, then in four breaths, and for advanced practitioners in two breaths.
The size of the video clip is 5028 kb.
Click here to enter.
Kicking techniques are very effective in Shaolin Kungfu, but these kicks are purposely inconspicuous. There are some innate weaknesses when applying kicks which a skillful exponent must be aware of and he must also know how to neutralize them if his opponent exploits these weaknesses. The “Happy Bird Hops Up Branch” kungfu set is practiced in Shaolin Wahnam to train kicking attacks as well as counters against kicks, and incorporates Combat Sequences 9-12 of our basic combat training programme This set is demonstrated by Ronan Sexton of England. You may also view photographs of this set at /review/happy-bird.html.
The size of the video clip is 4570 kb.
Click here to enter.
Many people are not aware that there are more felling techniques in Shaolin Kungfu than in any other martial arts. Throwing an opponent, as in Judo, is only one of numerous categories of felling an opponent to the ground. There are many felling techniques in Shaolin Kungfu whereby the exponent can fell an opponent without having to hold him. This kungfu set, “Felling Tree With Roots”, which incorporates Combat Sequences 13-16 of our basic combat training programme, focuses on felling techniques and their counters. You may also view photographs of this set at /review/fell-tree.html.
The size of the video clip is 4588 kb.
Click here to enter
Fierce Tiger Descends Mountain Set
”Fierce Tiger Descend Mountain” is a kungfu set that incorporates Combat Sequences 17-20 in our combat training. While all the four categories of attacks are used, this set focuses on "qin-na", or gripping vital points, using tiger-claws.
The performance shown here was by Sifu Anthony Korahais during the Special Shaolin Kungfu Course in Malaysia in 2002 where participants learned the whole set in a few days. They could do so competently because they were already well trained in basic stances, footwork and kungfu patterns. You may also view photographs of this set at /review/mountain.html.
The size of the video clip is 3122 kb.
Click here to enter.
Shaolin Cross-Roads at Four Gates – Old Video
“Cross-Roads at Four Gates” was the fundamental kungfu set practiced at the southern Shaolin Temple in China about 150 years ago at the time it was razed to ground by the Qing Army. This set is not spectacular to watch but extremely beautiful and subtle in its combat application, and can be appreciated at different levels by exponents of different developmental stages. This video taken more than 20 years ago shows students of Sifu Wong performing the “Four Gates” as part of a promotion test. The three practitioners shown in the video, from left to right, are Mogan, Chee Kong and Kok San.
The size of the video clip is 2137 kb.
Click here to enter
Set practice is an important way to learn and apply typical kungfu patterns or techniques. The "Shaolin Five Animals" is a classical kungfu. It incorporates the five traditional animal form and essence of Shaolin Kungfu, namely "dragon" which trains "mind", "snake" which trains “
"energy", "tiger" which trains "internal force", "leopard" which trains "speed", and "crane" which trains "essence". This set is performed here by Anthony Korahias of the United States
The size of the video clip is 2599 kb.
Click here to enter.
Shaolin Dragon Strength Chi Circulation Set
This is an advanced kungfu set where the exponent uses mind to move chi, and chi to move form. Hence, the exponent can be very fast and powerful yet not tired or panting for breath. This set was demonstrated by Sifu Wong about 20 years ago at the University of Science in Malaysia. Please note that Sifu Wong's movements shown in the video were in real time. He could move so fast because he directed chi to move his patterns
The size of the video clip is 2889 kb.
Click here to enter.
The Tiger-Crane Double-Form Set is a very famous kungfu set in southern Shaolin Kungfu. There are a few versions of the Tiger-Crane Set, and the one demonstrated by Sifu Wong here is from the lineage of the Venerable Harng Yein, which is different from the well-known set of Sifu Lam Sai Weng, whose lineage is from Loh Ah Choy. The Venerable Harng Yein and Loh Ah Choy were schoolmates under the Venerable Chee Seen, the First Patriarch of Southern Shaolin Kungfu. The specialties of the Tiger-Crane Set are the famous Shaolin arts of Tiger-Claws and No-Shadow Kicks.
The size of the video clip is 2120 kb.
Click here to enter.
How long does it take to learn a kungfu set? Usually it takes a few months. But in Shaolin Wahnam, students typically learn a kungfu set within a few days! Yet, not only their forms are correct, but also their movements are fluid, their force reasonable and their breathing regulated. This is possible because they have spent much time in basic training. Basically to them learning a set is putting together various patterns or sequences in a meaningful order, and remembering the order. But much work begins after a set is learnt, like applying the patterns in effective combat. This video clip shows Sifu Wong teaching Eugene and David the famous Tiger-Crane Set in Toronto in 2003.
The size of the video clip is 4768 kb.
Click here to enter.
Shaolin Five-Animal Set by Sifu Wong
The movements and spirit of Shaolin Kungfu are characterized by five “animals”, namely the Dragon, the Snake, the Tiger, the Leopard and the Crane. The Dragon trains “shen” which means the mind, the Snake trains “qi” which means energy, the Tiger trains “gu” which means internal force, the Leopard trains “li” which means strength and speed, and the Crane trains “jing” which means elegance and essence. This video clip captures an impromptu demonstration of the Shaolin Five-Animal Set by Sifu Wong in response to popular requests by participants of a VIP Taijiquan class in September 2005.
The size of the video clip is 3.63 mb.
Click here to enter.
Shaolin Dragon Form Set by Sifu Wong
The Dragon is the most majestic of the Shaolin “five animals”, and is noted for the training of “shen” or mind. This set is not spectacular to watch, but is very effective for combat as well as developing qualities like mental freshness and agility that enhance our daily life. The set commences with a pattern for developing internal force, particularly for the application of the “dragon-hand form” or “Two-Finger Zen”. The “phoenix-eye fist” is also incorporated into the set. The pattern called “Dragon Manifests Miraculous Power” is employed to manifest the powerful internal force of the Dragon. This set also trains swerving body-movement and agile footwork.
The size of the video clip is 2.30 mb.
Click here to enter.
Shaolin Dragon-Tiger Set by Sifu Wong
The Dragon and the Tiger are two important forms of Shaolin Kungfu with emphasis on the training of mind and energy respectively. Dragon and Tiger patterns are as effective for combat as they are beautiful to watch. This set is a “pattern-set” (in contrast with a “sequence-set”) as it is made up of individual patterns rather than combat sequences. Exponents need to compose combat sequences from the patterns for effective fighting. In kungfu terminology, pattern-sets are called “mother-sets”, or seed-sets, from which “children-sets” which are sequence-sets are issued.
The size of the video clip is 2.52 mb.
Click here to enter.
Shaolin Monkey Set by Sifu Wong
The Shaolin Monkey Set has special significance in Shaolin Wahnam because Sigung Ho Fatt Nam specialized in the Monkey. Sigung Ho, however, did not teach Sifu Wong the whole set; he explained to Sifu Wong the important principles underlying the Monkey and showed him some important combat applications. Years earlier another Monkey specialist, whom Sifu Wong addressed as Brother Zheong, specially taught Sifu Wong not his Monkey Set (which was different from Sigung’s set) but another of his specialty, the Double Knives. As Sifu Wong was much interested in the Monkey Set, he later sought out Brother Zheong’s disciple to learn from him. Interestingly, this teacher was much junior to Sifu Wong in the kungfu circles then.
The size of the video clip is 3.43 mb.
Click here to enter.
The file is large and downloading may take some time, so please be patient.
Selection from the “Shaolin Monkey Set” -- Spiritual Monkey Emerges from Cave
The Monkey Style is a specialty of Sigung Ho Fatt Nam. Therefore the “Shaolin Monkey Set” of which this video shows the beginning, has special significance in our Shaolin Wahnam School. The practitioner must be agile, flowing and have internal force. This video shows Sifu Wong teaching Sifu Darryl the beginning of the Monkey Set, known as “Spiritual Monkey Emerges from Cave”. Sifu Wong asks Darryl to watch his face. If you wish to know why, you have to ask Darryl. Although there are only a few patterns here and they look similar, these patterns are subtle and capable of many different applications.
The size of the video clip is 2946 kb.
Click here to enter.
Selection from the “Shaolin Monkey Set” – Striking Vital Points.
As practitioners of the Monkey style are usually small in size, striking vital points is a characteristic feature. All the few patterns from the “Shaolin Monkey Set” shown in this video are aimed at an opponent’s vital points. Moreover, a Monkey style practitioner is very tricky. He often misleads and confuses the opponent before striking him. This video clip shows an example.
The size of the video clip is 1267 kb.
Click here to enter.
Selection from the “Shaolin Monkey Set” – Black Ape Shows Rage.
Although the techniques of the “Monkey Set” are usually “soft’ and suitable for the small-sized, there are also “hard” techniques where being big-sized can be an advantage. This makes the set a complete art. Some examples of both “hard” and “soft” techniques are found in the concluding part of the set shown in this video
The size of the video clip is 2766 kb.
Click here to enter.
Simplified Wahnam Taijiquan Set -- Cloud Hands in Slow Motion
This Wahanm Taijiquan set named “Cloud Hands” is a simplified form of the basic set “White Crane Flaps Wings” Yet it is comprehensive, and incorporates all important Taijiquan movements, force training and combat application! You may practice the whole set, or select patterns or sequences from it. It is performed here slowly so that you can see mechanics of Taijiquan footwork, bodywork and waist movement. Pay attention to the three external harmonies of legs, body and hands, and the three internal harmonies of essence, energy and mind.
The size of the video clip is 4.40 mb.
Click here to enter
Simplified Wahnam Taijiquan Set -- Cloud Hands with Force and Speed
Some people have the mis-conception that Taijiquan must be performed slowly and without force. Taijiquan is an effective martial art. Without speed and force it cannot be effective for combat. During training Taijiquan may be performed slowly for some good purposes. Even when it is performed slowly, it is not without force, but the force is not mechanical or brutal, it is internal. In this video clip, the Wahnam Taijiquan Simplified Set, “Cloud Hands”, is performed fast and with internal force. Evidence from classical writings suggest that this was probably how Taijiquan was practiced by past masters like Wang Zhong Yue, Chen Wang Ting and Yang Lu Chan.
The size of the video clip is 2.19 mb.
Click here to enter
Flowing Water Floating Clouds by Sifu Wong
“Flowing Water Floating Clouds” is a fundamental set in Wahnam Taijiquan. Those who are used to Taijiquan as a slow, gentle exercise, may think that this set resembles Shaolin Kungfu rather than Taijiquan. But we believe it is closer to the kind of Taijiquan masters in the past practiced. It is an internal martial art as what Taijiquan should be, and not a graceful dance as what many people today regard it to be. It follows established Taijiquan principles like using intent instead of strength, using the opponent’s strength against himself, and training of mind and energy and not just the physical body.
The size of the video clip is 4.45 mb.
Click here to enter.
The file is large and downloading may take some time, so please be patient.
Flowing Waster Floating Clouds (Part 1)
This is the fundamental set in Wahnam Taijiquan. It is called "Flowing Water Floating Clouds" after the pattern that expresses the most representative characteristic of Wahnam Taijiquan. This pattern is found at the beginning and towards the end of the set. We believe that in his extreme stillness while in a state of Tao, chi started to move inside the body of the First Patriarch of Taijiquan, the great Zhang San Feng, which manifested outwardly in movements poetically described as "flowing water floating clouds". These flowing movements were stylized into patterns forming Wudang Kungfu, which later developed into Taijiquan.
The size of the video clip is 1500 kb.
Click here to enter.
Flowing Water Floating Clouds (Part 2)
Like Chen Style Taijiquan, from which it derives much inspiration, Wahnam Taijiquan looks more like Shaolin Kungfu than many modern styles of Taijiquan, like Yang Style and Wu Style. This is understandable as Taijiquan was evolved from Shaolin Kungfu when its First Patriarch, the great Zhang San Feng, initiated it. One may wonder why in this video clip Sifu Javier jumps about at the completion of the set. This is because he has generated so much energy in the practice of this set as an internal martial art that the energy manifests externally in his "involuntarily" jumping about!
.
The size of the video clip is 2010 kb.
Click here to enter.
Basic Wahnam Taijiquan Set -- White Crane Flaps Wings
This is the basic Taijiquan set in Shaolin Wahnam. Although it is a short, simple set, it has all the movements needed for training fundamental Taijiquan skills and techniques in our school, including practicing stances and footwork, generating energy flow, building energy at the dan tian, developing internal force, exploding force, as well as applying combat techniques for all the four categories of attack and defence. This set manifests our principles of being simple, direct and effective. Those used to Yang Style Taijiquan being performed slowly may think that our basic Taijiquan set looks more like Shaolin Kungfu than Taijiquan, but if we compare to what has been recorded in classics, we believe it may actually be closer to what Yang Lu Chan practiced.
The size of the video clip is 2.38 mb.
Click here to enter
You can view the still pictures of this set
here
White Crane Flaps Wings in Slow Motion
“White Crane Flaps Wings”, which is a basic set in Wahnam Taijiquan, is shown here in slow motion so that students may more easily see its movements. The names of the patterns are also given. Performing a set slowly also enables students to check the accuracy of their forms, to improve balance and elegance, as well as to generate energy flow. When they have achieved these requirements, they should perform the set with force and speed. Without force and speed, one cannot be combat efficient no matter how accurate and elegant his forms may be.
Click here to enter
White Snake Shoots Venom (Preview)
This is a temporary clip for preview of the set "White Snake Shoots Venom". Another video clip with some modifications will be posted later on. Can you find out the underlying principle in the composition of this set? A clue is that this set is formed from combat sequences. If you still can’t get the underlying principle, have a look at the first three combat sequences performed by Jeffrey and Javier at
Combat Sequences of Wahnam Taijiquan. Once you realize this underlying principle, you should have no difficulty formulating your own sets for various purposes.
The size of the video clip is 1870 kb.
Click here to enter.
Wahnam Taijiquan Combat Application Set 1 -- White Snake Shoots Venom
"White Snake Shoots Venom" is the first of the Wahnam Taijiquan combat application set. It is formed from the first three combat sequences, namely "Immortal Waves Sleeves", "Low Stance Vertical Punch", and "White Snake Shoots Venom".. The initial attack footwork is from left mode advancing to right mode, and the initial defence footwork is from left mode retreating to right mode. Notice that the set should be practiced as chi kung, which means that you should be relaxed and focused, use internal force in both attack and defence, and not be tired or panting after performing the whole set.
The size of the video clip is 1608 kb.
Click here to enter.
Wahnam Taijiquan Combat Application Set 2 – Green Dragon Shoots Pearl
"Green Dragon Shoots Pearl", the second of the Wahnam Taijiquan combat application set, is formed from Combat Sequences 4 to 6, namely "Green Dragon Shoots Pearl", "White Crane Flaps Wings", and "Striking Tiger Poise", where kicking attacks and defences against them are introduced.. The initial attack footwork is from left mode advancing to left mode, and the initial defence footwork is from right mode retreating to right mode. The performance shown in the video clip is in real time, but as some of the patterns are so fast that it may not be easy to see them, the set is repeated with the movements performed more slowly
The size of the video clip is 2261 kb.
Click here to enter.
"Black Bear Sinks Hips" is the third of the Wahnam Taijiquan combat application set. It is formed from Sequences 7 to 9, namely "Thrust Kick", "Low Stance Single Whip", and "Black Bear Sinks Hips".. The initial attack footwork is from right mode advancing to right mode, and the initial defence footwork is from right mode retreating to left mode. Various kicking attacks and defences as well as some intricate footwork are introduced in this set.
The size of the video clip is 5064 kb.
Click here to enter.
It is a mis-conception that Taijiquan is always performed slowly. In Wahnam Taijiquan some movements are performed slowly but other movements can be fast. This set, "Carry Mountain Back to Mountain", for example, which is the fourth of the Wahnam Taijiquan set meant to train combat application, is performed fast. This video clip shows the set demonstrated by Sifu Wong in real time. The set is formed from Sequences 10 to 12, namely "Shoulder Strike", "Cloud Hands", and "Carry Tiger Back to Mountain".. The initial attack footwork is from right mode advancing to left mode, and the initial defence footwork is from left mode retreating to left mode. Felling and qin-na techniques are introduced in this set.
The size of the video clip is 5064 kb.
Click here to enter.
Dragon-Tiger Set performed by Sifu Wong
Of the Shaolin “five animals”, the dragon and the tiger are the most forceful. But the force is not brutal or mechanical. The hallmark of dragon training is “shen” or mind, whereas that of tiger training is “gu” or internal force. Externally, dragon techniques are well known for its palm strikes, and those of the tiger the tiger-claws. This set captures the essentials of what Sifu Wong has learnt from Uncle Righteousness, whose lineage is traced back to the Venerable Chee Seen, the First Patriarch of Southern Shaolin Kungfu.
The size of the video clip is 2700 kb.
Click here to enter.
Selection from the Yang Style 108-Pattern Set (Part 1)
The "108-Pattern Set" is often referred to as the Yang Style Taijiquan Set, because it is the fundamental or “mother” set in this style. Unlike in Shaolin Kungfu where there were different sets for each category, in some kungfu styles like Taijiquan and Baguazhang, there was only one set, like Taijiquan Set, Taijiquan Sword, and Bagua Knife. This video clip shows Sifu Jeffrey Segal of Shaolin Wahnam Australia performs this “108-Pattern Set” in chi flow. Only the first part of the set is shown in the video clip.
The size of the video clip is 3830 kb.
Click here to enter.
Selection from the Yang Style 108-Pattern Set (Part 2)
Many people hold the common mis-conception that there are few or no kicks in Taijiquan, or even in all kungfu. As a complete martial art, all the four categories of attack – strikes, kicks, felling techniques, qin-na (gripping vital points) – are found in Taijiquan. This part of the “Yang Style Taijiquan 108-Pattern Set”, performed in the video clip by Sifu Jeffrey Segal of Shaolin Wahnam Australia, employs many kicking techniques.
The size of the video clip is 2080 kb.
Click here to enter.
Intensive Courses offered by Sifu Wong
|
|
|
|
|
|
times 22nd March 2006