Review of the Special Shaolin Kungfu Course from 16th to 22nd April 2007

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Shaolin Wahnam Video Series

REVIEW OF SPECIAL SHAOLIN KUNGFU COURSE APRIL 2007

Sifu Roland Mastel of Switzerland and Adam Kryder enjoying a sparring session during the course

The main aim of the course is to train participants to think and act as a Shaolin master. The course includes a quick review of our basic Shaolin Kungfu training programme, to apply techniques from their specialized sets for sparring or real fighting, and to have a deeper understanding of combat application so that they may be able to apply any martial art patterns in combat.

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".

How to Think and Act as a Master

1. Returning to the Basics
Many kungfu practitioners say that the basics are very important. By “basics” many of them mean “kungfu forms. To us in Shaolin Wahnam, the basics go beyond kungfu forms. The basics are what kungfu forms as well as combat application and force training are built upon. They include stances, footwork, body movement, being relaxed, flexibility, balance, breathing methods as well as generating energy flow, exploding force and entering Zen. This video series record some of the important lessons on the basics.
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2. Form, Force, Flow and Element of Threat
An important aim of this Special Shaolin Kungfu Course is to enable participants use techniques from their specialized sets in free sparring and real fighting. An excellent way to accomplish this is to progress from the sixteen Basic Combat Sequences. This video series reviews the lessons on applying the first four sequences to consolidate picture-perfect form, internal force, fluidity of movements and an element of threat in combat.
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3. Reviewing the Basic Combat Sequences
Two important ingredients for combat efficiency are techniques and skills. You need the best forms for the combat situations, and the best ways to put them into action. Our Combat Sequences 1 to 4 focus on basic combat skills, whereas Combat Sequences 5 to 16 provide the basic techniques to meet all categories of attacks. The four basic combat sequences also illustrate some effective tactics, and by combining the sequences in various ways they lay the foundation for devising various strategies for combat
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4. Devising Strategies Using Combat Sequences
If you plan your attack beforehand and use it spontaneously in combat, you have a far better chance of defeating your opponent than just fighting him on the spot in an impromptu manner. This is the use of strategies. Some simple strategies can be devised by combining combat sequences in various modes in both attacks and responses. This type of training is found in our basic training programme as taught in the Intensive Shaolin Kungfu Course and regular classes at various regional centres. This video series records a quick review of these strategies by participants at the Special Shaolin Kungfu Course of April 2007.
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5. Applying Strategies for Effective Combat
Most people today fight haphazardly, i.e. their attacks or defences are impromptu and isolated. A systematically trained Shaolin practitioner does not fight in this haphazard way. He employs techniques appropriate for the combat situations. Then he seeks or works out advantageous ways in his attack and defence using tactics and strategies. Some simple strategies in attack and defence are shown in these video clips. They involve various modes of applying combat sequences. But what should you do if your opponents react outside the manner you have planned? This will be dealth with in later progression.
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6. Free Sparring with Prescribed Conditions
Most kungfu practitioners today are unable to use kungfu patterns in free sparring, not because kungfu is not combat effective, but because they have not been systematically trained to do so. If we undergo systematic training in kungfu combat, we will find it more effective than using other martial techniques. The sparring shown here is not totally free because the combatants have to abide by certain conditions. On the other hand, the sparring is free because it is not pre-arranged.
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7. Combat Sequences to Train Spontanous Attacks and Responses
Combat sequences play a crucial role in our sparring methodology. Combat sequences are pre-arranged; attacks and responses follow in a fixed order. Some people may therefore wonder how training in combat sequences can lead to proficiency in free sparring and real fighting when these occur without any fixed sequence. They are not aware of the gradual and systematic release of control from pre-arranged to free sparring in our combat sequence training. They also fail to understand that a primary aim in combat sequences is to train correct and spontaneous attacks and responses in a cost-effective manner.
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8. Using Strategies and Tactics in Attack and Defence
Many people fight randomly, often without techniques. If you use appropriate techniques in your sparring and fighting, you have a big advantage over your opponents who don’t. We move higher to strategies and tactics. The two terms often overlap, but generally strategies refer to holistic planning whereas tactics refer to exploiting local advantages. If you use pre-planned combat sequences in appropriate combinations in your attack and defence, you use strategies. If in individual combat situations you maneuver your opponents into unfavorable conditions, you use tactics.
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9. It is Heartening to See so Many People Using Kungfu in Free Sparring
A few people have expressed how heartening to see so many of our Shaolin Wahnam Family members use typical Shaolin and Taijiquan patterns in free sparring. The sparring shown in the videos below, however, is not totally free. The combatants are asked to use Sequences 1 to 12 as their base, which means they cannot use felling and gripping techniques which are found in later combat sequences. What is even more heartening is that while injuries and aggression are typical occurrences in most other free sparring sessions, we develop wholesome qualities in our free sparring practice.
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10. Felling and Gripping Techniques in Shaolin Kungfu
There are more throws in Shaolin Kungfu than in arts well known for throws like Judo and Wrestling. Throws are only one of many techniques to fell an opponent. On the other hand, felling techniques often incorporate gripping attacks too. In arts like Judo and Wrestling, when the exponents throw their opponents, they do not pay much attention to the possibilities that their opponents may strike their vital spots during the throw. In Shaolin Kungfu, which is practiced for real fighting, it is very important to ensure you are safe before you attempt to throw your opponents. This video series show four combat sequences where felling and gripping attacks are used.
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11. How Sequence Training and Chi Flow Enhance Combat Efficiency
There are two major problems many kungfu practitioners face when they wish to use kungfu in free sparring. After making an attack with a kungfu pattern, they hesitate in their next move because they do not know what kungfu pattern to use next When an opponent attacks, they do not know which kungfu pattern to use as a spontaneous response. Combat sequence training effectively overcomes these two problems. Besides giving us good health and vitality, chi flow enhances our combat efficiency in many ways. It enables us to perform our movements fast and forcefully but without feeling tired. It overcomes injuries sustained accidentally.
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12. The Tiger-Crane Set - Manifesting the Hard and the Soft in Shaolin Kungfu
The Tiger-Crane Set is the legacy of Uncle Righteousness. This set, which has only 36 patterns, is different from the Tiger-Crane Set of Grandmaster Lam Sai Weng which has 108 patterns. Yet, there are more tiger patterns in our set than in Grandmaster Lam’s set. This is because in our set all the patterns (except the salutation at the beginning and the end) are different, whereas in Grandmaster Lam’s set many patterns are repeated. The Tiger-Crane Set manifests the “hard” and “soft” of Shaolin Kungfu. “Hard” and “soft”, however, are relative and complementary. Hard tiger patterns, for example, can be soft, and soft crane patterns can be very hard.
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13. The Dragon-Tiger Set - Crystallization of Two Wahnam Traditions
Our Shaolin Kungfu comes from two main lineages, that of Grandmaster Lai Chin Wah who was more widely known as Uncle Righteousness, and that of Grandmaster Ho Fatt Nam. Hence, our name “Wahnam”. Uncle Righteousness was well known for the beauty and variety of kungfu forms; Grandmaster Ho Fatt Nam for combat application. Both of them were great fighters. Grandmaster Wong combined the essence of Uncle Righteousness’ forms with the combat application of Grandmaster Ho Fatt Nam. The result was the Dragon-Tiger Set which crystalizes the best of these two traditions.
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14. The Dragon-Form Set - Demonstrating that Softness Can be Very Powerful
Many people think that it is necessary to be hard to be powerful. This is not necessarily so. The Dragon Form Set manifests much internal force yet it is soft and flowing. This set was taught to Grandmaster Wong in his young days by his siheng, Por Lok, in Grandmaster Ho Fatt Nam’s lineage in exchange for the Tiger-Crane Set. His siheng learned this Dragon Form Set from another teacher, but Grandmaster Wong derived the internal force and understood the combat application of the set as a result of his training with Grandmaster Ho. The Dragon Form Set is from Northern Shaolin. The patterns are simple, but the application profound.
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15. Shaolin Monkey Set -- Symbolizing Spiritual Path from Cheekiness to Enlightenment
Not many people may know that the specialty of Grandmaster Ho Fatt Nam, one of the two Patriarchs of our school, is the Shaolin Monkey Set. This set symbolizes the spiritual path of the Monkey God, the Great Sage Equal to Heaven, who has special significance in Grandmaster Ho Fatt Nam’s lineage. This set is extremely effective for combat as well as for developing qualities like agility, fluid movement and mental freshness that are very useful for daily purposes.
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16. Shaolin Five-Animal Set -- Gist of Shaolin Forms and Essence
Of all the martial arts in the world, Shaolin Kungfu has the most extensive range of techniques. While there are also techniques that fall outside the “Five Animals”, the “Five Animals” represent the gist of Shaolin techniques. The “Five Animals” are Dragon, Snake, Tiger, Leopard and Crane. Each animal has its characteristic form and movement. More important than their outward forms is their inner essence. The Dragon trains Spirit, the Snake trains Energy, the Tiger trains Bones, the Leopard trains Strength, and the Crane trains Essence. This kungfu tenet, though often mentioned, is little understood, and lesser still experienced.
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17. Shaolin Pakua Set -- An Exclusive Set Fit for Kings and Generals
The Shaolin Pakua Set, which he learned from Grandmaster Ho Fatt Nam, has special significance for Grandmaster Wong. It opened for him the wonders of Shaolin combat application. This Shaolin Pakua Set is relatively unknown. This is logical, as it is an exclusive set. It was the set Grandmaster Ho Fatt Nam chose when he taught a Sultan or King. Just practicing the outward form alone does not contribute to combat efficiency or good health, vitality and longevity. The outward form is just a vehicle, a mean, with which the practitioner uses to generate energy flow and internal force, and to apply for combat.
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18. Combat Application of Pakua Set -- Sharing Secrets for Combat Efficieny
Grandmaster Wong is able to explain the combat application of any kungfu patterns even when he sees them the first time. This is mainly due to his “kungfu enlightenment” after learning the Shaolin Pakua Set from Grandmaster Ho Fatt Nam. In the Special Shaolin Kungfu Course of April 2007, Grandmaster Wong taught this ability to course participants. He also shared many kungfu secrets with them. These were the secrets masters guarded jealously in the past. Why are the secrets revealed publicly here, accessible even to non-Shaolin Wahnam members?
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19. Beginning to Learn some Monkey Tricks
An excellent way to start formulating your own combat sequences from your specialized set is to use our 16 Fundamental Combat Sequences as a base from where you substitute your more sophisticated patterns from your specialized set. You need not formulate all the 16 sequences. You can compress the 16 fundamental sequences into 4 or 5 sequences. You should then attempt to compose combat sequences for other purposes. The video series here shows the Monkey specialists working out their combat sequences starting from the most basic level. They start to learn some interesting Monkey tricks.
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20. Refining Techniques in Combat
Combat sequences form an essential aspect of our sparring methodology. Our 16 basic combat sequences will enable us to handle any combat situation. We can improve the efficiency and sophistication of our combat by applying patterns from our specialized sets. First we build some combat sequences using patterns from our specialized sets. Then we refine some of the techniques. This short series show Dr Damian Kissey and Nick Kryder in the process of constructing and refining their first combat sequence derived from the Shaolin Five-Animal Set.
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21. Some Examples of High Level Combat
How would you raise the level of your combat efficiency? Four effective ways are shown in this video series: By raising the level of techniques, By raising the level of tactics; By raising the level of skills; By raising the sophistication of footwork. For example, instead of first deflecting an opponent’s attack with a Single Tiger, and then countering with a Black Tiger, you can complete these two movements in one using “Green Dragon Shoots Pearl”. Here, it is raising the level of both techniques and tactics. The skills in executing these techniques and tactics can also be raised. A fourth way is to get behind your opponent to attack him. This requires agile and sophisticated footwork.
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22. Collective Effort for Greater Benefits
The working out of the specialized combat sequences is a collective effort where everyone contributes to and benefits from, with Grandmaster Wong giving advice and guidance. It is an enriching experience where participants can maximize one another’s expertise as well as learn from others’ mistakes. Not only they gain deep philosophical understanding, more sophisticated techniques and high level skills, they also have much fun and develop strong comradeship.
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23. Can Sophisticated Kungfu Techniques be used in Combat?
The attacks and counters of the Tiger-Crane combat sequence shown in this video series are sophisticated. Many martial artists, including some masters, may say that these sophisticated techniques are unrealistic, and cannot be used in real fights. This is no surprise. These same people do not even believe that simple kungfu techniques can be used in combat. They believe that in real fights only straight-forward punches, kicks and blocks are practical. There is no doubt that these sophisticated techniques are combat effective. The question is whether one has the skills to use them. Of course, when he cannot even apply simple kungfu techniques, using these sophisticated techniques is out of the question.
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24. Skills are usually More Important than Techniques
A challenger defeats a master. The best student of the defeated master travels all over the country to find the counter-technique. At last he finds it. He returns to defeat the challenger. This scenario is for the movies. In reality, every master knows the counter of any attack. If he is defeated, it is not due to his ignorance of the counter but due to his insufficient skill to apply it successfully. In combat, skills are usually more important than techniques. The video series below, which shows a combat application of the Dragon-Tiger Set, captures some of these lessons on skills and techniques.
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25. One-Finger Shooting Zen - the Treasure of Shaolin Wahnam
Grandmaster Ho Fatt Nam, the third generation-successor from the southern Shaolin Temple, said to Grandmaster Wong: “Many people say that they learn kungfu (meaning “force training”), but what they actually learn is just quan-fa (meaning “combat techniques”). Now you learn two of the best kungfu in Shaolin, namely One-Finger Zen and Tiger Claw.” One-Finger Shooting Zen is an amazing exercise to develop internal force and mental clarity, which not only enhance our combat efficiency but more significantly give us good health, vitality, longevity and spiritual joys. Of course, it has to be learnt personally from a competent teacher. Those who learn from books or videos only gets its outward forms.
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26. Raising Levels of Techniques and Tactics in Combat
One way to raise our level of combat efficiency is to have more sophisticated techniques in both attack and defence. We can also bring to a higher level the way we use our techniques. We can also trick our opponent with a bait. We may initiate a simple attack like a Black Tiger, and when he responds we can surprise him with a planned counter. Or we may purposely give him an opening to attack, and defeat him as he falls into our trap. The video series below shows some of these interesting developments in combat application.
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27. Bringing Combat Skills to More Sophisticated Levels
Having raised our levels of techniques and tactics, we can raise our skill level. The same technique or tactic performed at different skill levels can have vastly different results. In our 16 basic combat sequences, we place much importance to spacing and timing. Here in the special combat sequences, we bring spacing and timing to more sophisticated levels. For example, by adjusting the angle we face our opponent or by the manner we tame our opponents’ hands, we can make it difficult for them to attack and defend. By reducing big movements we can speed up our attack, and by purposely slowing down we can trick our opponents to respond the way we want.
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28. Monkey Techniques are Flowing and Agile but can be Very Devastating
The Shaolin Monkey Set is flowing and graceful, and does not rely on muscular strength. A Monkey stylist uses internal force. In fact, Monkey techniques are well known to be effective for small sized practitioners against bigger sized opponents. Nevertheless, the Shaolin Monkey Set, especially with its “gorilla patterns”, is also combat effective for big sized persons. An important technique of the Monkey Set that enables its practitioners to neutralize powerful attacks is the Monkey Paw. In attacking, the Monkey Claw can be devastating. It goes for an opponent’s throat or his groin in patterns like “Golden Monkey Pluck Fruit” and “Beneath Leaves Steal Peach”.
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29. Flowing with the Opponent's Momentum
If an opponent has succeeded in gripping your throat, how would you release it? Don’t push away his hand or pull away your head, because these movements may cause his grip to tear away your trachea. You should also guard his gripping hand to prevent him from suddenly releasing the grip to attack your eyes. This video series shows some participants attempting to release a grip on their throat. Although the techniques applied may be different, the basic combat principle is the same, i.e. flowing with the opponent’s momentum. This important kungfu principle enables small sized persons to defeat bigger sized opponents
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30. Beware of Monkey Tricks
Monkey Kungfu is full of tricks. The tricks are not noticeable to most people, otherwise they would not be tricks. A skillful Monkey stylist would trick you to attack and defend in certain ways, often without you knowing. When you think you are gaining the upper-hand, he suddenly defeats you in surprise. This and other video series on the Shaolin Monkey Set provide some interesting examples of Monkey tricks.
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31. Marvelous Techniques Beget Marvelous Techniques
When you think you have defeated a Shaolin master with a marvelous technique, all of a sudden you find yourself marvelously defeated. This is marvelous techniques beget marvelous techniques. You have dedicated yourself to develop a kungfu skill that gives you wondrous results. Then you discover that this leads to other skills that give even more wondrous results. This is wondrous skills generate wondrous skills. This video series give some examples of marvelous techniques.
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32. How to Raise your Combat to Higher Levels
How would you raise your level of combat? The video clips here show how you can do so in at least three ways. Firstly, you can use more sophisticated techniques for attack as well as defence. Secondly you can use higher level tactics. Instead of first defending then countering, you may use defence cum counter or no defence direct counter. Thirdly, you can raise your combat level by enhancing your footwork. Good footwork makes your attack more effective, as well as makes it more difficult for your opponent to defend or counter-attack.
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33. How you can Defeat your Opponent
If your opponent fights haphazardly but you use basic kungfu techniques, you are one level higher than him in combat efficiency. If he also uses basic techniques, you can improve your techniques, using sophisticated instead of basic ones. If all other factors were equal, you would beat your opponent if you are a level higher in techniques. But other factors are not equal. Even when you have better techniques, but if he uses effective tactics or his skills are better, he may still beat you. Hence, besides improving your techniques, you should also enhance your tactics and skills.
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34. Employing Sophisticated Kungfu Techniques to Enhance Combat Efficiency
Kungfu has been debased to such a shocking state today that many kungfu practitioners, including some world known masters, think that kungfu techniques cannot be used for fighting! Of course, kungfu techniques can be used for fighting. Our 16 basic combat sequences in Shaolin Kungfu and 12 basic combat sequences in Wahnam Taijiquan provide the main material for our basic combat training. In this course we use techniques from selected kungfu sets, which are more sophisticated than those of the basic combat sequences, to enhance our combat efficiency level.
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35. Systematic Training is Essential for Combat Efficiency
Why is it that many kungfu practitioners, including some masters, find it hard to use kungfu in combat? It is because kungfu fighting is not natural, it is an art. If someone attacks you it is easier for you, if you had not been systematically trained in kungfu combat application, to response instinctively than using kungfu forms. To be proficient in kungfu combat requires not only time and effort but more significantly systematic training. If you merely free spar hoping to use kungfu techniques, it is not systematic. It will inevitably result in you fighting instinctively, i.e. without any art.
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36. Raising Combat Efficiency from Basic to Advanced Levels
In this Special Shaolin Kungfu Course we raise our combat efficiency to higher levels not just by using more sophisticated techniques from our selected kungfu sets but also by enhancing our skills. For example, by purposely slowing down our speed while we defend, we trick an opponent to slow down his momentum too. Then we suddenly speed up our counter-attack, we can catch him in surprise. This video series captures some of the lessons on how we raise our combat efficiency from basic levels to advanced levels by enhancing both our techniques and skills.
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37. Kungfu Philosophy and Swaying Willows
Philosophy is an aspect of kungfu training that has been much neglected. Amongst the most important benefits, understanding kungfu philosophy shows us what our goals are and enables us to be cost-effective in our training. On the other hand, we should not merely talk about philosophy we should make it alive, bringing us practical benefits. Another aspect that most kungfu practitioners have missed today is chi flow, poetically described in Shaolin Kungfu as “yew foong pai lau” (Cantonese pronunciation) or “flowing breeze swaying willows”. It is a treasure that we still have and greatly benefit from.
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38. Hands Pave the Way, Kicks to Clinch Victory
Some people, including kungfu practitioners, mistakenly think that kicks are uncommon or unimportant in kungfu. Its importance can been seen in the kungfu saying, “sau hai leong moon seen, chun pang kheik ta yen” (Cantonese), which means “hands are like two doors to open the way, it is kicks that hit opponents”. There are more kicks in Shaolin Kungfu than all the kicks in other martial arts put together! This combat sequence of the Five-Animal Set, a representative set of Shaolin Kungfu, gives some examples not only of kicks, but how to open the doors with the hands to pave the way for kicks.
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39. Six Harmonies in Double Tiger Claws
The Five-Animal Set has a great variety of techniques. Besides kicks, this combat sequence of the Five-Animal Set introduces the famous Shaolin Tiger Claws. “Fierce Tiger Descends Mountain” is an illuminating pattern applying the technique of the Double Tiger Claws. Its movement is simple, but application profound. Important factors for its successful application, like appropriate body-movement, good footwork and pressing hand techniques, are demonstrated. Together with “jing”, “shen”, “qi”, or essence, mind and energy, these three factors constitute the six harmonies that are very important in Shaolin Kungfu.
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40. The Amazement and Effectiveness of Monkey Kicks
Monkey Kungfu is well known for kicks. But the kicks in Monkey Kungfu are very different from those in Taekwondo. Monkey kicks are inconspicuous, generally low, and are tricky. Monkey kicks and hand movements are integrated. A Monkey stylist uses his hand techniques to pave the way for his kicks. Often his hand movements camouflage his kicking techniques. Monkey kicks are effective and amazing. This video clips show some examples.
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41. A Bag Full of Monkey Tricks
The Monkey is known for tricks. He may pretend to attack your face, then kicks your groin. He may run away, then surprise you with a monkey-tail kick. But how would you avoid these tricks if your opponent is a Monkey stylist? The video clips below give some examples of how you can apply the tricks on your opponent, and how you may minimize the risks of these tricks if someone applies them on you.
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42. Gentle and Flowing, yet Very Powerful
Dragon Style is noted for its flowing movements. The Dragon movements are gentle and graceful but powerful. The uninitiated may find it hard to comprehend. How can one be gentle and graceful, yet powerful? The answer lies in chi flow and internal force. Actually there is no lack of kungfu literature mentioning that past internal art masters, of course including women, were relaxed, gentle but very powerful – in combat as well as in their daily life.
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43. Can your Responses still be Correct and Spontaneous in Real Fights?
A legitimate question many people ask is whether fixed routine of combat sequences can be useful in real fighting where combatants do not follow any fixed order in their attack and defence. Of course the answer is yes, which most of you have discovered from your own direct experience. It is worthy of note that we have the experience first, then we find the answer from our experience. This was actually how Shaolin philosophy developed.
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44. Incorporating Kicks into Combat Sequences
Kicks are very important in kungfu. There is a kungfu saying that the hands open the way, it is the legs that defeat opponents. “Kicks” may not be a perfect translation of the Chinese term “thuei fatt” (“tui fa” in Mandarin pronunciation), which means “leg techniques”, as there are some leg techniques, like “leg-drag” and “knee flick”, which are not normally conceptualized as kicks. Traditionally, there are “Thirty Six Leg Techniques” in Shaolin Kungfu. This and subsequent series capture the lessons course participants formulate combat sequences where kicks are incorporated.
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45. Elaborate Patterns to Meet Complex Combat Situations
Many kungfu practitioners, including some masters, do not believe that elaborate kungfu patterns can be used for fighting. Indeed, in the 1970s when Karate and later Taekwondo became popular, some traditional kungfu masters attempted to simplify kungfu, doing away with elaborate forms like Tiger-Claws and Dragon-Hands, and emphasizing straight-forward blocks and punches. Elaborate kungfu forms were not invented. They evolved naturally from simpler forms as combat situations became more complex.
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46. The Benefits of Understanding and Applying Kungfu Philosophy
For convenience, kungfu may be classified into four aspects, namely form, skill, application and philosophy. Most kungfu practitioners today neglect philosophy. This is one main reason they do not derive as much benefit as they should given the time and effort they have spent. This and the following video series show course participants discussing kungfu philosophy in relation to the combat sequences that they formulate. Philosophy should serve us, not enslave us – a trap even some masters have fallen into! Some masters, The onus of kungfu training is practical benefit, for combat as well as daily living, not merely intellectual pleasure.
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47. Our Kungfu is a Training of Energy and Mind
Why is it that we can develop internal force and mental clarity by practicing our kungfu (Shaolin Kungfu as well as Wahnam Taijiquan)? A short, simple answer is that our kungfu is also chi kung and meditation. That explains why we can develop a lot of internal force and mental clarity by practicing zhan zhuang, or stance training. It also explains why we can spar for many hours yet are not tired, and why we experience spiritual expansion.
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48. Ensuring Own Safety when Felling Opponents
Shaolin Kungfu is very rich in felling techniques, though not many people may be aware of it. Traditionally there are “Eighteen Felling Techniques of Shaolin”. Because Shaolin Kungfu is a martial art not protected by safety rules, much importance is paid to ensuring one’s own safety before attempting to throw an opponent. A Shaolin practitioner, for example, would not grip an opponent’s collar with his two hands to attempt a throw. After felling an opponent onto the ground, you must also ensure that your opponent has little or no opportunity to strike your vital spots.
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49. The Beauty and Profundity of Shaolin Felling Techniques
In many other martial arts, if your opponent is bigger and stronger, you will have little chance of felling him. But not in Shaolin Kungfu. You will learn the secret in this video series. You will also learn how to use patterns that are not normally associated with felling, to fell your opponents. You will also learn an interesting technique. You can use the same pattern your opponent uses to fell you, to fell your opponent instead!
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50. Felling Techniques of the Dragon and the Monkey
A helpful method to formulate your own combat sequences is to use our basic sequences as bases. You can then substitute some patterns from the basic sequences with patterns from your specialized set. Many participants choose Combat Sequence 13, “Fell Tree with Roots”, as a base. In their Dragon sequences, George uses “Fierce Dragon Across Stream” and also “Chop the Hua Mountain” instead of “Double Butterflies Flying” to counter the throw. Normally a solid stance, like the Horse-Riding Stance, is used to execute throws. But in the Monkey sequences, Grandmaster Wong uses the agile False-Leg Stance instead, demonstrating that a Monkey stylist can be agile and solid at the same time.
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51. Felling an Opponent Without him Realizing what has Happened
Shaolin Kungfu makes uses of a great variety of methods, which are also very versatile. A Shaolin master may change from one felling technique to another, yet still using the same pattern. Two felling techniques are demonstrated in this video series, namely “leg-drag” and “leading”. Other felling techniques, like “sweeping”, “sinking elbow” and “pulling back”, are demonstrated in earlier series. The “leg-drag” is interesting. You fell an opponent without him knowing what has happened. The pattern implementing the “lead” technique is “Pakua Palm Technique”.
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52. Pattern Analysis of the Tiger-Crane Set
At first, fighting movements were straight-forward, not unlike the random punching and kicking of untrained persons. But as experienced fighters used more advanced movements, simple techniques gradually became more sophisticated. These fighting movements were stylized into kungfu patterns over many centuries. Due to various factors, different combatants preferred some patterns over others. The various special sets in this course represent the crystallization of these various preferred ways of fighting. Course participants go over all the patterns in their set to explain their combat applications.
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53. Tiger Patterns for Chin-Na, Against Kicks and Countering the Shoot
Chin-na is an advanced art in Shaolin Kungfu. It is a compassionate way of combat. It puts an opponent out of action without serious injuring him, and allows him to recover if he seeks remedy from a master or Chinese physician. The Tiger patterns, “Tiger Leans on Wooden Door”, “Tame Tiger with String of Beads” and “Yun Tan Tames Tiger”, from the Tiger-Crane Set are demonstrated in this video series as chin-na techniques. “Tame Tiger with String of Beads” can also be employed against any kicks. When an opponent attacks you with a “shoot”, you can stop him with “Yun Tan Tames Tiger”. You can choose merely to fell him onto the ground, or cause serious internal injury n his head.
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54. Pattern Analysis of the Dragon-Tiger Set
The Tiger-Claw is an integral aspect of the Dragon-Tiger Set. Tiger-Claws are excellent for chin-na though many practitioners may not realize it. The other two combat methods of the Tiger-Claw, striking with the Tiger-Claw palm, and goring with the powerful fingers of the Tiger-Claw, are more drastic. Dragon patterns are deceptively soft. In the hands of a practitioner with internal force, strikes from the Dragon-Hand which usually aims at vital points, can cause serious internal damage without leaving external marks.
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55. Revealing the Secret Tactic of Leak Hand
“Leak Hand” is one of the many important concepts in Shaolin or Hoong Ka Kungfu that is sometimes mentioned but little understood. It is found in many of the kungfu sets in Uncle Righteousness lineage. However, its application was taught only to selected disciples. In an unprecedented manner, Grandmaster Wong reveals its secret openly here. An important reason for letting out this secret is that Grandmaster Wong does not want the secret to be lost. The form is simple but its application profound.
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56. From the Level of Techniques to the Levels of Tactics and Strategies
In many ways kungfu combat is like playing chess. At the basic level, when your opponent makes a good move, you counter with a better move. At a higher level, you frustrate your opponent’s intention even before he makes his planned moves. Or you allow him to make his planned moves but overcome him as he does so. Two secret tactics are revealed here, “lead hand” and “false-false, real-real”. But if your opponent applies them on you, what would you do? You can play chess. You can frustrate him before he makes his move, or allow him to carry on but overcome him in his process.
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57. Pattern Analysis of the Dragon-Form Set
Dragon patterns are graceful and flowing. If other martial artists criticize us saying that our kungfu is too graceful and flowing to be effective for combat, we should feel complimented rather than angry. It was a fact that great masters in the past were graceful and flowing, yet very powerful and combat efficient, and we are blessed to have similar attainment. Others who believe otherwise can keep their opinions; we are not interested or obliged to share our secrets with them. Paradoxically, many secrets are revealed in these video series, which are actually meant for our own students, but others may enjoy them if they wish.
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58. Effective Techniques for Fighting on the Ground
The Dragon stylist is not only graceful and flowing but also agile. The pattern “Move Body Little Jump” is effective for training agility. A good way to land when jumping away is to use the pattern “Submerged Dragon Subdues Sea Monster”. You may then rise to attack with “Comet Chases away Moon”. If you wish to remain on the ground for some reasons, “Old Dragon Squats on Ground” enables you to be safe from any attacks. An opponent may strike or kick you in any ways and you can counter effectively using this pattern.
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59. Pattern Analysis of the Monkey Set
The Monkey Set is full of tricks. Even in the apparently simple movement of rolling out at the start of the set, many tricks are embedded in it. Why does a Monkey “wash” his head or body? Of course, it is not just for show; these washing movements contain some effective combat functions. Often one may not see their combat application from merely watching a performance of a Monkey Set. The applications need to be explained and demonstrated by a master.
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60. Soft Techniques and Internal Force in Monkey Kungfu
A Monkey stylist is usually small in size, and his movements are generally “soft”. How would he overcome a bigger size opponent who is powerful? Monkey techniques are graceful and employ the tactic of using minimum force against maximum strength. Moreover, a Monkey stylist uses internal force, where size and muscular strength are not important. Indeed, being muscle-bound would be a disadvantage
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61. Interesting Monkey Patterns that are Deadly for Combat
The Monkey Set is also full of interesting patterns where their combat functions may not be obvious to the uninitiated. “Hiding Peaches under Armpit”, for example, may be used to take your opponent for a walk without giving him an opportunity to strike you! When a Monkey stylist executes a pattern like “Happily Pluck Fruit”, of course, he does not merely pluck fruit. He may pull of your ear or dislocate your neck. What do you think a Monkey stylist actually does when he catches fleas from his, or your, body?
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62. Pattern Analysis of the Pakua Set
The Pakua Set looks simple but is very sophisticated in combat applications. It is the set that enables Grandmaster Wong to be “enlightened” in using any kungfu patterns for combat. The starting pattern “Two Steps Pull Boat”, for example, is simple looking but can be subtle in many combat functions. Grandmaster Wong also shows how you can use a series of typical Pakua patterns to attack an opponent almost irrespective of how hr responds.
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63. Pattern Analysis of the Five-Animal Set
The beginning patterns of the Five-Animal Set are meant to develop internal force. These patterns, of course, can also be used for combat. “Single Planting of Flowers” a “close secret”. Understandably it is not shown in the video clips here. But Grandmaster Wong reveals the “Secret of Continuous Snakes”, which is a deadly attacking tactic. It requires much skill to execute this secret effectively.
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64. Great Variety of Techniques in Shaolin Five Animals
The Shaolin Five-Animal Set provides a great variety of techniques as well as different forms of internal force. The fast techniques of the Leopard, for example, are different from the graceful techniques of the Crane. The expansive force of the Dragon is different from the powerful force of the Tiger. Grandmaster Wong also reveals the secret of “Grindstone Leopard Punch”. There are also effective counters. Basically it comes down to the skills of the combatants rather than their techniques or tactics that usually decide the outcome of combat.
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65. Investigating the Combat Applications of Some Patterns
There is at least one combat application for every kungfu pattern. But most kungfu practitioners today do not know the combat applications of the kungfu patterns they practice. The video series shows participants forwarding patterns that they are unsure of their combat functions. Three patterns are shown here” “Single Tiger Emerges from Cave”, “Horse-Riding Hand Sweep” and “Lohan Emerges from Cave”. The pattern “Single Tiger Emerges from Cave” shown here is from the classica Tiger-Crane Set of Uncle Righteousness’ lineage. It is slightly different from the one we normally perform.
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66. Similar Patterns but Different Applications
The patterns “Great Showing of Majesty” and “Great Sage Looks at Way” from the Monkey Set are similar in appearance. But do they have different combat applications? Nick and Sifu Rolland demonstrate some combat applications of these two patterns. You may, for example, use “Great Showing of Majesty” to kick an opponent as he kicks. Some interesting applications of “Great Sage Looks at Way” are demonstrated. They include deflecting an opponent’s attack and simultaneously striking him, and preventing an opponent from moving away as you kick him.
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67. Effective Counters against Kicks, Grips and Knee Jabs
For many people, kicks are quite formidable. They are at a loss as what to do when opponents kick them. This video series shows a variety of counters against kicks, some of which are quite deadly. If you have practiced these counters well, as soon an opponent executes a kick, you can readily defeat him. There are also deadly techniques to grip an opponent’s head, especially if he attempts to take you down with a shoot. You would also learn how to counter if an opponent grips your head or throw knee jabs at you.
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68. Secrets of Cannon Punch in Continuous Attack
Would you believe that by using just the pattern “Cannon Punch Towards Sky” you can continue to attack an opponent almost irrespective of how he responds? This video series will show you how. Of course, it is not merely the technique; you need considerable skills. The cannon punch here is known as “Skyward Cannon Punch”. It is different from the horizontal cannon punch, which is also known as an arrow punch. The pattern “Two Steps Pull Boat” is a variation of the Skyward Cannon Punch, and can serve many combat functions.
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69. Cannon Punch Towards Sky and Fierce Tiger Crouching on Ground
Two patterns from the Pakua Set, namely “Cannon Punch Towards Sky” and “Fierce Tiger Crouching on Ground”, are discussed. A combination the skyward cannon punch with some fist techniques can make you into a formidable fighter – even with gloves on. This can be a good answer to those who say that kungfu is quite useless when gloves are worn. Many people, especially those who only perform kungfu forms, would be at a loss as what combat functions “Fierce Tiger Crouching on Ground” can have. Amongst many other applications, it can be used to break an opponent’s arm or leg. You should know not only the combat applications of any patterns but also their counters.
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70. Flowing Monkey Techniques against Powerful Tiger Claws
If all things were equal, it would be difficult for a Monkey to fight against a Tiger, especially against the chin-na of the Tiger Claws. But of course things are not equal. There are various ways for a Monkey to counter the powerful grip of Tiger Claws. This video series shows some effective Monkey counters, “Spiritual Monkey Plucks Flowers” and “Spiritual Monkey Washes Face”, against two powerful chin-na techniques of the Tiger Claws, “White Tiger Presents Claws” and “Fierce Tiger Descends Mountain”. These Monkey techniques exemplify the principle of “soft overcoming hard”.
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71. Sophisticated Grips and Sophisticated Counters
For most people, if they are held by a stronger opponent, it would be difficult for them to escape. A Monkey stylist, however, has effective ways to counter powerful grips. How does he do it? This video series reveals some of these secrets. These sophisticated techniques of attack and counters are linked to form a combat sequence. Will actual fighting follow the way the combat sequence is arranged? Most likely it will if the combatants are efficient as the combat sequence is arranged to give them the best advantages. But if one is incompetent, the combat is soon over when the more sophisticated combatant start to apply the techniques of the sequence.
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72. Breaking an Opponent's Elbow and Wrist
Two sohpisticated chin-na techniques are demonstrated in this video series, one to break an opponent’s elbow, and the other to break his wrist. The patterns used are “Black Tiger Break Flank” and “Technique of Spiral Hand”. Your opponents will find them difficult to escape from. It is important that you cover your own safety as you apply your chin-na or any techniques. A number of fine points are explained.
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73. Neutralizing Wrist Lock and the Three Harmonies
“Chein see sau” or “spiral hand” is a formidable chin-na technique. You hold an opponent’s hand in such a way that asserting just some pressure on his wrist will break it. How can you neutralize or counter this chin-na attack? There are a few effective ways, and “Swimming Dragon Plays with Water” is one of them. A successful application of this counter requires a good co-ordination of the three external harmonies, namely footwork, body-movement and hand technique. Hence, practicing how to use this technique to escape the wrist lock is a good way to train the three external harmonies.
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74. Advanced Chin-Na Techniques and Counters
Chin-na or gripping is the most advanced of the four categories of attack. Unlike a strike or a kick which can be executed in one movement, it usually takes three or more movements to implement a chin-na attack successfully. Basically there are two aspects in chin-na – “chin” which is holding, and “na” which is gripping. But “na” in chin-na is more than what is normally conceptualized by the term “gripping”. It is gripping in such a way that even when the grip is released, the victim would be unable to continue fighting.
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75. Two Stories about Kicks
Wong learned an excellent counter from his sifu, Grandmaster Ho Fatt Nam, who taught him the pattern “Two Tigers Subdue Dragon”. He used it so well that in his friendly sparring soon no one dared to execute side-kicks at him, as he would lock the opponents’ kicking legs without fail. Grandmaster Wong also learned the counter against this “Two Tiger” lock on the kicking leg. But before he had become skillful in its application, he tried it on his siheng, Ah Leong, in their free sparring. Ah Leong caught Grandmaster Wong’s leg, and Grandmaster Wong attempted the counter. But Ah Leong responded with “Lead Horse Back to Stable” which resulted in Grandmaster Wong felling flat on his face covered with blood.
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76. How to Respond to Attacks Spontaneously and Correctly
How would you train so that your responses in free sparring or real fighting are spontaneous and correct? Many people may be surprised to find out that an excellent way is to practice kungfu sets with sequences of combat applications! Participants at the Special Shaolin Kungfu Course did more. They composed their own sets from the combat applications they had worked out with their sparring partners. Such ttraining contributes much to their thinking and acting as Shaolin masters.
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77. Can Beautiful Patterns and Flowing Movements be Effective for Combat
Some kungfu practitioners, due to their ignorance and sometimes arrogance, insist that kungfu patterns cannot be used for combat! They probably do not mean it, but they are insulting the past masters of their own lineage, implying they were fools or liars. They also imply that past masters who could seriously injure their opponents with apparently gentle movements without using brute strength were liars. Against such background, it is inspiring to see participants in the Special Shaolin Kungfu Course use graceful kungfu movements for combat.
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