KUNGFU PRACTICE IS NOT JUST PHYSICAL TRAINING BUT ALSO SPIRITUAL CULTIVATION
Sifu Nick expresses both the energy and the spirit of the forms he is performing
One of the effective ways to enhance your kungfu performance is to manifest the spirit of the forms you are performing. Needless to say, the purpose of enhancing performance is not to please spectators, but to improve combat efficiency as well as enrich our daily living.
Manifesting the spirit of the Dragon when performing Dragon forms, for example, improves our presence of mind. Manifesting the spirit of the Monkey enables us to be agile and cheerful. We nurture our spirit, besides developing our energy and body. Hence, practicing kungfu is not just physical training but also spiritual culitvation.
Laughter is Regular Feature in Shaolin Wahnam Training
Laughter is a regular feature in Shaolin Wahnam training. Being a playful Monkey, Nick's movements are like those of a walking panther. This sets the class laughing. How would Nick change from being a Panther to being a Monkey?
Playful Movements for Effective Combat
As mentioned earlier, Shaolin Wahnam practitioners are fast learners. Here, Nick is like a playful Monkey. But it would be a big mistake to think that his playful movements are for show only; they are effective for combat. Do you know how?
Fast, Powerful Movements of a Big Monkey
Here is another Monkey — a big one. Charles' movements are fast, but they are also very powerful, though the uninitiated may not see it and therefore not believe it. The power comes from internal force. The uninitiated will also not realize that Charles' movements are very combat effective.
Difference in Energy and Spirit
Not only the form but also the energy and spirit of different styles are noticeably different. The energy and spirit expressed in these movements from the Pakua Set are characteristically different from those of other sets.
Manifesting Energy and Spirit
Manifesting the energy and the spirit of the form in your solo performance not only helps to enhance your combat efficiency but also develops desirable qualities that enrich our daily life. Do you know why this is so.
Spirit of the Five Animals
"Black Tiger steals Heart", and not steals stomach, and should be executed with the energy and spirit of the Tiger. When punching out the mouth should be open.
Black Tiger Steals Heart
When executing “Black Tiger Steals Heart”, the energy should be shot out, and not pulled back, and it should be executed with the spirit of the Tiger. “Black Tiger Steals Heart” is poetic; its technical name is “Bow-Arrow Arrow Punch”. The punch, therefore, should shoot out like an arrow.
Appropriate Energy and Spirit for Different Forms
Chris also performs patterns from the Shaolin Five-Animal Set. The performance is good as the forms are expressed with appropriate energy and spirit. Can you see the difference, for example, between the Snake and other Shaolin Animals?
Kungfu Practice is Not Just Physical Training but also Spiritual Cultivation from Wong Kiew Kit on Vimeo.
LINKS
How to Think and Act as a Master
- Returning to the Basics
- Form, Force, Flow and Element of Threat
- Reviewing the Basic Combat Sequences
- Devising Strategies Using Combat Sequences
- Applying Strategies for Effective Combat
- Free Sparring with Prescribed Conditions
- Combat Sequences to Train Spontaneous Attacks and Responses
- Using Strategies and Tactics in Attack and Defence
- It is Heartening to see so Many People Using Kungfu in Free Sparring
- Felling and Gripping Techniques in Shaolin Kungfu
- How Sequence Training and Chi Flow Enhance Combat Efficiency
- The Tiger-Crane Set — Manifesting the Hard and the Soft in Shaolin Kungfu
- The Dragon-Tiger Set — Crystallization of Two Wahnam Traditions
- The Dragon-Form Set — Demonstrating that Softness Can be Very Powerful
- Shaolin Monkey Set — Symbolizing Spiritual Path from Cheekiness to Enlightenment
- Shaolin Five-Animal Set — Gist of Shaolin Forms and Essence
- Shaolin Pakua Set Set — An Exclusive Set Fit for Kings and Generals
- Combat Application pf Pakua — Sharing Secrets for Combat Efficiency
- Beginning to Learn some Monkey Tricks
- Refining Techniques in Combat
- Some Examples of High level Combat
- Collective Effort for Greater Benefits
- Can Sophisticated Kungfu Techniques be Used in Combat?
- Skills are usually More Important than Techniques
- One-Finger Shooting Zen — the Treasure of Shaolin Wahnam
- Raising Levels of Techniques and Tactics in Combat
- Bringing Combat Skills to More Sophisticated Levels
- Monkey Techniques are Flowing and Agile but can be Very Devastating
- Flowing with the Opponent's Momentum
- Beware of the Monkey Tricks
- Marvelous Techniques Beget Marvelous Techniques
- How to Raise your Level of Combat
- How you can Defeat your Opponents
- Employing Sophisticated Kungfu Techniques to Enhance Combat Efficiency
- Systematic Training is Essential for Combat Efficiency
- Raising Combat Efficiency from Basic to Advanced Levels
- Kungfu Philosophy and Swaying Willows
- Hands Pave the Way, Kicks to Clinch Victory
- Six Harmonies of the Double Tiger Claws
- The Amazement and Effectiveness of Monkey Kicks
- A Bag Full of Monkey Tricks
- Gentle and Flowing, yet Very Powerful
- Can your Responses still be Correct and Spontaneous in Real Fights?
- Incorporating Kicks into Combat Sequences
- Elaborate Patterns to Meet Complex Combat Situations
- The Benefits of Understanding and Applying Kungfu Philosophy
- Our Kungfu is a Training of Energy and Mind
- Ensuring Own Safety when Felling Opponents
- The Beauty and Profundity of Shaolin Felling Techniques
- Felling Techniques of the Dragon and the Monkey
- Felling an Opponent Without him Realizing What has Happened
- Pattern Analysis of the Tiger-Crane Set
- Tiger Patterns for Chin-Na, Against Kicks and Countering the Shoot
- Pattern Analysis of the Dragon-Tiger Set
- Revealing the Secret Tactic of Leak Hand
- From the Level of Techniques to the Levels of Tactics and Strategies
- Pattern Analysis of the Dragon-Form Set
- Effective Techniques for Fighting on the Ground
- Pattern Analysis of the Monkey Set
- Soft Techniques and Internal Force in Monkey Kungfu
- Interesting Monkey Patterns that are Deadly for Combat
- Pattern Analysis of the Pakua Set
- Pattern Analysis of the Five-Animal Set
- Variety of Techniques in Shaolin Five Animals
- Investigating the Combat Applications of Some Patterns
- Similar Patterns but Different Applications
- Effective Counters against Kicks, Grips and Knee Jabs
- Secrets of Skyward Cannon Punch in Continuous Attack
- Cannon Punch Towards Sky and Fierce Tiger Crouching on Ground
- Flowing Monkey Techniques against Powerful Tiger Claws
- Sophisticated Grips and Sophisticated Counters
- Breaking an Opponent's Elbow and Wrist
- Neutralizing Wrist Lock and the Three Harmonies
- Advanced Chin-Na Techniques and Counters
- Two Stories about Kicks
- How to Respond to Attacks Spontaneously and Correctly
- Can Beautiful Patterns and Flowing Movements be Effective in Combat?
- Linking Combat Sequences into a Set
- From Pre-Arranged Sparring to Combat Efficiency
- Crystalization of Combat Techniques from Past Masters
- Hei Sai or the Spirit of Energy
- Manifesting the Energy and Spirit of your Form
- Manifesting the Spirit of the Form
- Kungfu Practice is not just Physical Training but also Spiritual Cultivation
- Fluidity of Form, Energy and Spirit
- Shaolin Kungfu is Chi Kung and Meditation
- Revealing the Secrets of Shaolin Masters
- The Profundity of Shaolin Combat Application
- It is Easy to Fight against Boxers
- Avoiding a Boxer's Strong Points and Attacking his Weaknesses
- Some Effective Tactics against Boxers
- The Strategy of Not Allowing an Opponent to Escape
- The Strategy of Letting Trick Manifesting Trick
- The Strategies of Interception and of Striking Form
- Standardized Routines of Kick-Boxing Attacks
- Some Effective Counters to Kick-Boxing Attacks
- Felling a Kick-Boxer when he Kicks
- The Secrets of Two Tigers Subdue Dragon
- Shaolin Counters against Kick-Boxing and Karate
- Some Important Combat Philosophy and Principles
- It is Relatively Easy to Handle Karate Attacks
- Good Spacing When Executing Kicks
- A Variety of Taekwondo Kicks
- Effective Shaolin Counters against Taekwondo Kicks
- Trapping Legs and Subduing Opponents
- Making Expedient Changes to Surprised Attacks
- The Legacy of Sigung Ho Fatt Nam — Planting Willow in Front of Camp
- Having Fun in Throws and their Counters
- Sharing the Secret of Move Stance Change Step
- Some Unorthodox Felling Techniques Not Commonly Seen
- Felling Opponents with your Stances!
- Beware of Monkeys; they are Expert at Plucking Peaches
- Sophisticated Footwork and Leg Techniques of Monkeys and Gorillas
- Wrestling Throws are Found in Shaolin Kungfu Too
- Real Fighting is Different from Martial Sports
- Who Says there is no Ground-Fighting in Shaolin Kungfu
- An Incredible Secret of One-Finger Zen
- Understanding Muay Thai Fighting Strategies and Techniques
- Various Strategies to Counter Muay Thai Fighters
- Responding to Muay Thai Attacks Spontaneously and Correctly
- Avoiding Opponent's Strength and Attacking his Weakness
- Effective Ways to Counter Sweeping Kicks
- Effective Counters against Knee and Elbow Strikes
- Crouching Tiger against Grab Neck Elbow Strike
- Shaolin Kungfu for Combat Efficiency, Good Health and Spiritual Development