ESSENCE OF SHAOLIN -- MODIFICATION, SPECIALIZATION, DEVELOPMENT, SPIRIT, INTERNAL FORCE AND SPECIAL SKILLS
The Dragon is most characteristic of Essence of Shaolin
Question
As you have modified the Dragon Strength Set, did you also modify the Essence of Shaolin? If yes, could you please explain the differences? If no, could you please explain why?
You have mentioned that you specialized in the Dragon Strength Set, then what about the Essence of Shaolin?
How did the Essence of Shaolin affect your personal and kungfu development?
If you would ascribe an animal style to the Essence of Shaolin Set, what animal would it be and why?
As there is no specific internal force part in the Essence of Shaolin, what kind of internal force training, like One Finger Shooting Zen, Cosmos Palm, Iron Wire, Grasping Sparrow´s Tail, Dantien Breathing, would fit best?
During the Dragon Strength Course we have learned Dim Mark, Dragon Force and Lightning Speed. What skills will be taught during the Essence of Shaolin Course?
Sifu Anton Schmick
Answer
Yes, I have also modified the Essense of Shaolin set. As I progressed in my understanding of kungfu, I made modifications according to my new understanding. This includes a deeper understanding of the classics. I am lucky to have a little classic on the Essence of Shaolin. Initially I could not understand many of the applications described in this classic. But as my understanding grew, I could understand better. So I made modifications to bring out the applications.
For example, in Pattern 11, Double Dragons Embrace Pearl, I could understand that the pattern was not just a double punch as outwardly shown, but gripping an opponent’s head even from behind. At first I did not understand the combat application of Pattern 13, Double Dragons Subdue Serpent, but later I knew it was dislocating an opponent’s wrist.
I also made modifications to meet expedient needs. Originally Pattern 3, Dragons Return to Cave, was performed separately as a pattern by itself, i.e. a practitioner performed just that one pattern. But I incorporated it into the main flow of the set as a continuation of a sequence.
Nevertheless, the main structure of the set remains the same as I learned it.
I specialized in a few sets. Essence of Shaolin is one of them. However if I were to compare which set I specialized more than the other, I would say the Dragon Strength Set. This is relative, and it does not mean that I do not specialize in Essence of Shaolin.
The combat applications in Essence of Shaolin are very sophisticated, though some techniques may look common-place. When they are used on opponents, the opponents have no chance to escape, unless he is very, very skillful. So I seldom used them in free sparring or real fighting. I did not need to use them because I could defeat my opponents using simpler techniques like those found in Dragon Strength.
The Essence of Shaolin have great effect on my personal as well as kungfu development. A main reason why I could know the combat application of any patterns, including those I saw the first time, was because of my training in Essence of Shaolin. The combat applications of Essence of Shaolin are sophisticated or marvelous. Once I know these applications, all other combat applications became easy.
This ability in kungfu helped me greatly in my daily life. Because I was trained in sophisticated or marvelous applications of techniques in Essence of Shaolin, I could transfer this skill to daily living. Things or events that appeared to be complicated, became clear and easy. Many people were kind to comment that I could see situations wisely. I believe this ability owed much to my training in Essence of Shaolin.
As the Essence of Shaolin set comprises of the best techniques in Shaolin Kungfu, all major Shaolin animals are represented, although the animals may not be mentioned by name. For example, the Snake is not mentioned, but certainly there are patterns manifesting the training of energy as represented by the Snake. In fact, in the hands of a master all the patterns in the set is a training of energy.
The most commonly met animals are the Dragon, the Tiger and the Crane. The word “Crane” may not be mentioned often, but elegance of movement and good balance, which are characteristics of the Crane patterns, are frequent.
Describing an animal style to Essence of Shaolin will limit the set to a particular characteristic represented by the animal. It is best that being the essence of Shaolin techniques, the set trains all the characteristics represented in Shaolin Kungfu. Nevertheless, if I had to name just one animal, I would choose the Dragon, which also happens to be the Shaolin animal that is most represented in the set.
The Dragon trains mind, or spirit. It is the most important and influential of all the characteristics represented by various animals. If a practitioner is good at other characteristics, like energy training represented by the Snake, internal force represented by the Tiger, speed represented by the Leopard, or elegance represented by the Crane, but lacks presence of mind or spirit he will be much compromised.
Unlike some Southern Shaolin sets like Triple Stretch, Flower Set and Dragon Strength, there is no special section for internal force training in Essence of Shaolin. There is also no special section for internal force training in many Northern Shaolin sets, like Seven-Star, Eighteen Collection of Praying Mantis, and the 50 Sequences of Eagle Claw Kungfu. Indeed, for some time I wondered how great masters like Hou Yun Jia and Wang Zi Ping, who specialized in Shaolin Tantui, had so much internal force. Later I discovered that their internal force came from training the Eighteen Lohan Art.
It is the same for Essence of Shaolin. Practitioners of Essence of Shaolin have to practice other methods of internal force training to develop their internal force. Personally I believe One-Finger Shooting Zen will fit best. If a practitioner practices One-Finger Shooting Zen, by the time he has the rare opportunity to learn Essence of Shaolin, he would have much internal force.
Apart from One-Finger Shooting Zen, any of the methods you have mentioned – Cosmos Palm, Iron Wire, Grasping Sparrow’s Tail, and Dan Tian Breathing -- will generate internal force. Other useful methods are Bone-Marrow Cleansing at the Muscle Level, Cotton Palm, various styles of Taijiquan, Lifting Water and Stance Training. We are indeed very lucky that we have so many methods to develop internal force.
The Dragon Strength Course was fantastic. If a practitioner could learn only one of the three rare arts in five years, which were Dim Mark, Dragon Force and Lightning Speed, he would be extremely happy and grateful. Our course participants learned all the three arts in only five days! It was simply ridiculous, but true. Course participants who attended my Dragon Strength Course needed prior kungfu experience, but those who had the chance to learn any of these rare arts in five years also had prior kungfu experience. They were already at a master’s level.
The special skill I shall teach at the Essence of Shaolin Course is to attain a marvelous level. Not many masters have a chance to attain a marvelous level; they would be happy if they could attain it after 20 years. Course participants at my Essence of Shaolin Course will attain it in 5 days! Again we are simply ridiculous. But we have been used to being ridiculous.
One-Finger Shooting Zen is an excellent method to develop internal force for Essence of Shaolin
This question and answer are reproduced from the thread 10 Questions on Essence of Shaolin in the Shaolin Wahnam Discussion Forum.
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