CLOSE SECRETS IN KUNGFU OF SHAOLIN WAHNAM
Sifu Emiko and Grandmaster Wong sparring during a kungfu course in Toronto
The video clips on this webpage are meant for private viewing only, especially by Shaolin Wahnam instructors and selected members, as the video clips reveal kungfu and chi kung secrets that I would prefer not to make public. Later, if conditions are suitable, I may (or may not) release some of these video clips openly. You may download the video clips if you like, but please keep this webpage, the video clips and the information herein secret.
This same pattern, "Dragon Swims through Water", is performed in three ways. The first way was initially performed by Michael, which contained a weakness. How this type of weakness can be exploited by a master is shown in another video. The second way neutralizes Emiko's attack. This is the level of combat similar shown in the video clip of Hoong Hei Khoon fighting with a Qing kungfu expert. The third way is of a higher level, striking Emiko in a surprise just as her attack is spent. If you fight at a high level skill against opponents who fights like the Qing kungfu expert in the movie, you would beat your opponents as soon as they move to attack. Such high-level fights are deadly effective, but not spectacular to watch.
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Exploiting a Weakness of a Poor Defence
Michael uses "Green Dragon Shoots Pearl" to counter my "Black Tiger Steals Heart". His technique is correct but his skill defective, offering a weakness which I can exploit. His weakness is due to excessive movements of hands and body. This is a good example showing the difference between skills and techniques.
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Different Levels of the Same Technique
When masters fight, unless the opponents are also high-level masters, the combat is not spectacular to watch, unlike one sees in a movie. The fight will be over almost as soon the opponent initiates an attack, or as soon as the master initiates an attack. In this video clip, first I show what middle level fight would be, as often seen in movies. Then I show what high level fighting would be, using the same patterns as in the middle level.
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Dragon Hand Striking Vital Points
With high level skills a master may use just one pattern to cover almost any attacks. And he strikes the opponent as soon as he or the opponent makes a move. Often, irrespective of what moves the opponent may make, the master uses his special technique, often called his ultimate technique, to overcome the opponent. In the example here I use "Dragon Swims through Water" to strike Michael Chow as soon as he makes a move. Strikes are all aimed at vital points and here I use the dragon-hand form, which is also known as "Two-Finger Zen". Appropriate body work is essential, and here it is the swerving movement of the Dragon Style. Note that I do not need to move my legs, which are rooted to the ground, yet I can be very agile and flexible. This is "top light bottom heavy".
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Anthony's response to Anton's grip exposes himself to counter-strikes by Anton. Although Anthony may hurt Anton, but he himself may also be hurt. This is not what we want. There are various ways to overcome Anton's grip without risking yourself and yet you can attack your opponent. Notice that in my double punch, my left arm is guarding Anton's both arms. Many exponents, including some masters, do not know how to use this double punch safely.
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The Tactic of Continuous Kicks
The "organ-seeking kick" or "liu yam theui" is deadly. More deadly is when it is executed with the tactic of continuous attack as "lin wan thui" or "continuous kicks". Here when the two kicks are swiftly in a jump, they are also called "seong fei thui" or "double flying kicks".
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Another Example of Continuous Kicks
Here is another example of "lin wan theui" or "continuous kicks". Note that the striking point in the first kick is the instep, whereas in the second kick it is the tip of the foot. The kidney, which the second kick aims at, is a fatal spot.
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Tiger-Tail Kick and Dragonfly Kick
The first kick can be real or feigned. The second is the famous tiger-tail kick. If Michael had used his left hand to sweep away my first kick, it would not be feasible for me to use the tiger-tail kick. But I could use a "dragon-fly kick" using the pattern "Dragonfly Dots Water".
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This is a deadly technique and often catches an opponent by surprise. Of course you must not use it often, even in friendly sparring, or else others will be prepared for it. It employs high-level tactics. First you distract your opponent by squatting down to attack his groin. Usually he will neglect his head when he lowers his focus, physically and psychologically, to response to the groin attack. Then you spring up surprisingly to strike his head, and when he shifts his focus to his head, you kick his groin.
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This is a deadly, deceptive technique from the Monkey Set. If Darryl who is agile and tricky can be tricked, you can image how effective this technique is. Notice that I look at Darryl's face when attacking him. Looking at your intended target may give him a clue of your surprised attack. You may also recognize this technique in our Wahnam Taijiquan Set, "Flowing Water Floating Clouds".
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Continuous Attacks with White Snake
This is a deadly technique in Taijiquan using the pattern "White Snake Shoots Venom" with the tactic of continuous attacks. Irrespective of whether an opponent defend or counter my first White Snake, which can be feint or real, I continue with one or more White Snakes.
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The application of this pattern, "Black Bear Sinks Hips", illustrates the profundity and beauty of Taijiquan. You fell an opponent when he thinks he has thrown you to the ground. And you accomplish this almost effortlessly. The crucial points for a successful application of this technique are a solid stance and good timing.
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In the 16 fundamental Shaolin combat sequences, the counter against a backward throw using "Fell Tree with Roots", is "Double Butterflies Flying". A simpler counter is "Jade Girl Kicks Shuttle" which is found in both Shaolin Kungfu and Wahnam Taijiquan. In Wahnam Taijiquan, you may use "Black Bear Sinks Hips", as shown in the previous video clip, or "Jade Girl Kicks Shuttle", as shown here.
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"Embracing Dragon Kick" or "Phoon Loong Theui" in Chinese is a deadly kick, but not many people know it as it has been kept as a secret. When an opponent kicks at your groin, you sweep away or deflect his kick, and immediately kick at his groin in return. You may also use the "Embracing Dragon Kick" to counter a hand attack to your groin. This video clip shows me applying the "Embracing Dragon Kick" to counter Jose's leg attack when I kick him with "Golden Cockerel Stands Solitarily". For compassionate reasons, I kick at his knee instead of his groin. The video clip also shows me applying "Black Bear Sinks Hips" and "Golden Cockerel Stands Solitarily" to counter Jose's "Carry Tiger Back to Mountain".
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"Black Tiger Steaks Heart" is a killing strike. Chinese kungfu stories often mention combatants being killed or seriously injured by this strike. But how could this be a killing strike? It isn't, if it is executed the way it is usually demonstrated. The secret is shown in this video clip, where the strike goes through the heart. But of course you don't teach this secret to ordinary students, nor demonstrate it in public.
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Similarly, "Through-the-Heart Palm" is a deadly strike. Here, I demonstrate it using the tactic of "no defence direct counter", striking an opponent at a time when he thinks he has hit me. It is illuminating to see in this video clip that Tim has good defence, yet I could penetrate his defence to strike him. Right spacing and right timing are crucial.
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What would you do if an opponent attacks you continuously? A good counter-tactic is interception. Another good counter-tactic is using surprised kicks. Jordan is agile and able to dodge the surprised kicks, whereas most combatants would be hit. Yet, the interception surprises Jordan. As usual, our training is full of laughter.
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What would you do when your Leg is being Held
What would you do if your leg is being held by an opponent. Most Taekwondo exponents, including masters, would not know what to do. Most Muay Thai fighters would jump in to strike you with their elbows or knees. Jamie shows a counter but there is a flaw. Do you know what it is?
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Scissor-Kicks to Release Leg being Held?
Jamie shows another counter against an opponent holding his leg. It is not perfect because if Joshua holds Jamie's leg tight, Jamie might not release it. Joshua could also move a step slightly forward to avoid Jamie's sweep with the other leg without letting of the leg held.
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Protecting your Groin while Striking
An effective counter is using the pattern "Tai Mountain on the Head". The crucial point is not the strike on the opponent's head or the stomping on his front foot, but your own protection at your groin. Otherwise he may let go of his front hand on your leg to strike your groin. This was Jamie's fault in his earlier counter even though on that occasion he succeeded in releasing his leg, but he neglected his safety first. Hence, the main objective of this counter is not so much as to strike your opponent but to free yourself from a disadvantageous position.
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Tiger-Tail Kick against Leg being Held
Another effective counter is to use the Tiger-Tail Kick. You must place your hands near to your other leg as you execute the Tiger-Tail Kick. If you place your hands in front, as most inexperienced exponents do, you would be too far away to execute an effective kick. In the opponent moves in to attack your groin, you can use your leg to defend and then counter-strike.
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The Secrets of the Tiger-Tail Kick
Even when an opponent holds on to your leg, you can still execute a Tiger-Tail Kick with the other leg. Your withdrawing leg (in this case, the right leg) protects your groin if the opponent attempts to strike it from the outside, and your kicking leg protects it if he attempts to attack from the inside. A skilful opponent may avoid or brush away your Tiger-Tail Kick and moves in to strike your back. You roll away, kicking him in the process.
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Secret of Continuous Snake — Part 1
I start with Basic Combat Sequence 1 of our Wahnam Taijiquan. Robin knows this sequence very well and therefore can defend against my attacks. Yet, when I use the same sequence the second time, I strike Robin. Why? Herein lies the essence of the marvellous, the skill of masters. The opponent knows the counters and knows what is coming, yet you can defeat him.
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Secret of Continuous Snake — Part 2
What make the technique marvellous? One obvious factor is speed. But just speed alone is not enough. A more important factor is flow - your attacks flow into the opponents defences or counters. The most important is that you yourself must be save. Notice that Robin counter-attacks, but I neutralize his counters spontaneously without affecting my own flow.
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Secret of Continuous Snake — Part 3
Notice that my speed also flows with Robin's. If he is slow, I slow down; if he is fast, I speed up. I use only one pattern, "White Snake Shoots Venom", but it has many variations to suit the combat situations. Even if Robin uses other modes of defence or counter, like kicks or felling techniques, I would still continue with "White Snake". This makes it an "ultimate technique".
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This is Tantui Combat Sequence 4. But the video shown to the public does not reveal this secret kick, "Green Dragon Exhibits Tail". In this private video, the movements are purposely performed slowly so that you can see them more clearly. As Michael executes an organ-seeking kick, I scoop up his leg and kick at his groin from behind.
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This is Tantui Sequence 6, "Embrace Moon in Bosom", but the deadly kick is in the pattern "Spiritual Dragon Exhibits Tail". "Embrace Moon in Boson" is the pattern where I use a double fist, one fist controlling Michael's hands and the other fist striking him. As Michael executes a side-kick, I thread up his leg and kick his groin from behind with "Spiritual Dragon Exhibits Tail".
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How would you Defend against this Deadly Kick?
This is a repeat of Tantui Combat Sequence 6. How would you defend against this deadly "Spiritual Dragon Exhibits Tail"? The defence is "White Horse Steps on Snow" found in Tantui Combat Sequence 6.
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This is Tantui Combat Sequence 8, "Shoot Spear at Yun Pavilion". As Michael executes a whirlwind kick, I move back to avoid it. But I purposely leave an opening for Michael to continue his attack. As he comes in, almost irrespective of what attack he uses, I respond with "Shoot Spear at Yun Pavilion", brushing away his attack and striking and kicking him at the same time. Notice that had Michael attack with his leg, I would also have brush away his leg attack with my kick.
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Close Secrets in Kungfu of Shaolin Wahnam 01 from Wong Kiew Kit.
Close Secrets in Kungfu of Shaolin Wahnam 02 from Wong Kiew Kit.
Close Secrets in Kungfu of Shaolin Wahnam 03 from Wong Kiew Kit.