Kung Fu styles are universal

[ManilaCrane]

I've been training quite sometime with my sifu in white crane style, and he's also quite a philosopher. He tells me that if u at all the styles in Kung Fu, they are all universal. What do you guys think?

[Minghequan]

Manilla Crane,

Please tell me more about your White Cane style. Is it Fuzhou related White Crane Boxing?

[Scott R. Brown]

I've been training quite sometime with my sifu in white crane style, and he's also quite a philosopher. He tells me that if u at all the styles in Kung Fu, they are all universal. What do you guys think?

When training all arts look different, when fighting they tend to all look alike. Even when one starts out moving according to their style's preference, once active engagement occurs they all revert to similar looking actions!

A punch is a punch, a kick is a kick, a throw is a throw. They all follow the same principles.

Most differences between arts are artificially constructed for philosophical reasons.

The goal of fighting is to win against an opponent, whether on the war scale or a personal level.

Knowing this, observe your enemy's method, identify his weaknesses and attack them using methods they are unfamiliar with defending against. It is that simple!:)

[RenDaHai]

I agree With your master.

All Wushu uses the same principles. In combat you are formless. Once a strike makes contact, it doesn't matter which route it took.

The concept of Wu is the same, you can read the art of war and apply it to personal combat, to any style. It relies on principles not specifics.

[uki]

I've been training quite sometime with my sifu in white crane style, and he's also quite a philosopher. He tells me that if u at all the styles in Kung Fu, they are all universal. What do you guys think?i think your teacher is wise. :)

[David Jamieson]

well, they all come from shaolin right? :p ;)

[MightyB]

After a certain point you start to see the similarities rather than look for differences.

[SPJ]

well

cranes use the beak to strike and also flapping the wing (arm) close and then open to strike, standing on one leg to kick--

tigers use the tiger claws to jump on you, control (qin na)--

universal in solutions to fighting problems

and yet cranes have no claws

tigers have no wings

and human has neither

---

we are assuming the shape/form (xiang xing) and mimicking the functions/purposes/intents (chu yi)

--

[SnowDog]

After a certain point you start to see the similarities rather than look for differences.

I liked this quote......... So True.

[Scott R. Brown]

well, they all come from shaolin right? :p ;)

I thought they all came from Shinanju!

[Lokhopkuen]

I've been training quite sometime with my sifu in white crane style, and he's also quite a philosopher. He tells me that if u at all the styles in Kung Fu, they are all universal. What do you guys think?

What you say is most true, the differences lay in the training methods that are particular to each system.

[David Jamieson]

I thought they all came from Shinanju!

i believe you are referring to sunny joe.

lets ask remo, he knows.

[ManilaCrane]

Manilla Crane,

Please tell me more about your White Cane style. Is it Fuzhou related White Crane Boxing?

The white crane boxing that i practice is Toisan White Crane. Its similar to Tibetan style, except the style uses both short and long range fist. Plus the style is deceptive and aggressive at the same time. The style was brought to the US by Sigong Rhu Zhu.

[ManilaCrane]

Awesome! looks like if i can completely master the system, i can incorporate other gung fu techniques into my form, then i can make my own "style" while keeping the same principles of kung fu. Just like decorating a christmas tree.

[dirtyrat]

Awesome! looks like if i can completely master the system, i can incorporate other gung fu techniques into my form, then i can make my own "style" while keeping the same principles of kung fu. Just like decorating a christmas tree.

I would recommend studying other non chinese martial arts systems as well. The perspective you would gain in doing so can only enhance your understanding of your chosen art. You may even come to the conclusion that all styles, Chinese or otherwise, are universal.

[ManilaCrane]

I would recommend studying other non chinese martial arts systems as well. The perspective you would gain in doing so can only enhance your understanding of your chosen art. You may even come to the conclusion that all styles, Chinese or otherwise, are universal.

That's what my sifu told me. I am considering taking Japanese jujutsu or Muay thai after i complete my system.

[HumbleWCGuy]

I've been training quite sometime with my sifu in white crane style, and he's also quite a philosopher. He tells me that if u at all the styles in Kung Fu, they are all universal. What do you guys think?

I think that it just means that kung fu teaches a skill set that best translates into other arts. Kung fu is a broader art than others.

[David Jamieson]

It's also good to bear in mind, that in order to really understand that is to become that.

[Minghequan]

Manila Crane,

Thank you for the explanation. I agree with your teacher.

[Gru Bianca]

The white crane boxing that i practice is Toisan White Crane. Its similar to Tibetan style, except the style uses both short and long range fist. Plus the style is deceptive and aggressive at the same time. The style was brought to the US by Sigong Rhu Zhu.

Do you have any info on the history and lineage of this Toisan White Crane?
If you don't, possible to ask your Sifu?

Many Thanks

[ManilaCrane]

Do you have any info on the history and lineage of this Toisan White Crane?
If you don't, possible to ask your Sifu?

Many Thanks

Lineages can be trace back here on the website.

http://www.whitecrane.ws/about-white-crane/master-zhu/lineage.html

Sigong Rhu Zhu was the one who brought the style to the US. But now its only being teached in AZ by two teachers he certified.

[Gru Bianca]

Lineages can be trace back here on the website.

http://www.whitecrane.ws/about-white-crane/master-zhu/lineage.html

Sigong Rhu Zhu was the one who brought the style to the US. But now its only being teached in AZ by two teachers he certified.

Thank you very much for the link however not much info on the "history" of this style of crane. Is there any way you could ask your Sifu for the oral tradition of this particular style of crane?
I find it interesting that it seems to have some similarities with the "Tibetan" Crane, however it mentions as main forms the five major styles of Fukian White Crane (Leaping Crane, Flying Crane, Calling Crane, Resting Crane and Feeding Crane) which would lead to think it is originated from the Fukian Crane.

Any more info would be really highly apreciated.

Thank you

[ManilaCrane]

ill ask my sifu then about the history of our style then :).

[Minghequan]

Yes, I'd be interested in this as well. Thank you.

[monkey mind]

I think it' interesting to see how attitudes change over time. In the past, it was more common to adopt a competitive approach - focusing on the differences between martial styles, or religions for that matter. Nowadays, more 'enlightened' people like to look at the universal aspects of these things. But in their extremes, both approaches tend towards shakiness. If it is one's nature or current tendency to focus excessively on difference, then one might benefit from adopting a more universalist viewpoint. But then the opposite would be true as well. Doesn't yin/yang suggest something like this?

Kung fu is universal. Kung fu is particular. And my kung fu is best!

[ManilaCrane]

Thank you very much for the link however not much info on the "history" of this style of crane. Is there any way you could ask your Sifu for the oral tradition of this particular style of crane?
I find it interesting that it seems to have some similarities with the "Tibetan" Crane, however it mentions as main forms the five major styles of Fukian White Crane (Leaping Crane, Flying Crane, Calling Crane, Resting Crane and Feeding Crane) which would lead to think it is originated from the Fukian Crane.

Any more info would be really highly apreciated.

Thank you


Yes, I'd be interested in this as well. Thank you.


Well guys i got the history from my Sifu. Not much of a history, but this is what he said dat his Sigong told him:

"Our style is a combination of Tibetan long range mixed with Choy Lay Fut
short range technique. Those form names are generic for all White Crane
systems of which there are only two, Northern Tibetan and Southern Fujian.
Sigung "Yuen Dak Wen" was a Choy Lay Fut teacher so he took the best of what
that system offered and integrated into the Tibetan White Crane he received
from Chen Tin Leung. They also integrated many internal concepts from Bagua,
Xing Yi and Tai Chi and the three main animals; Crane, Dragon and Snake.

Obviously our main forms look nothing like the Tibetan or Fujian
equivalents. "

Hope this satisfies the history :)

[ManilaCrane]

I think it' interesting to see how attitudes change over time. In the past, it was more common to adopt a competitive approach - focusing on the differences between martial styles, or religions for that matter. Nowadays, more 'enlightened' people like to look at the universal aspects of these things. But in their extremes, both approaches tend towards shakiness. If it is one's nature or current tendency to focus excessively on difference, then one might benefit from adopting a more universalist viewpoint. But then the opposite would be true as well. Doesn't yin/yang suggest something like this?

Kung fu is universal. Kung fu is particular. And my kung fu is best!

Well one thing we can all agree, since all Styles are universal, we can safely say that its not the better style, its who's the better fighter :p. So when one says their style is the best, it means in my interpretation that they practiced and train in their art for quite a long time :p.

On the other hand, another thing that my Sifu mentions is that when one practices the style, its not gonna be perfect like their previous mentors, so they have to mix their style with yours to make something new, while still having the core principals of the style ur practicing in.

[Gru Bianca]

Well guys i got the history from my Sifu. Not much of a history, but this is what he said dat his Sigong told him:

"Our style is a combination of Tibetan long range mixed with Choy Lay Fut
short range technique. Those form names are generic for all White Crane
systems of which there are only two, Northern Tibetan and Southern Fujian.
Sigung "Yuen Dak Wen" was a Choy Lay Fut teacher so he took the best of what
that system offered and integrated into the Tibetan White Crane he received
from Chen Tin Leung. They also integrated many internal concepts from Bagua,
Xing Yi and Tai Chi and the three main animals; Crane, Dragon and Snake.

Obviously our main forms look nothing like the Tibetan or Fujian
equivalents. "

Hope this satisfies the history :)


Thank you very much for the info.

Regards,

[ManilaCrane]

Thank you very much for the info.

Regards,

Your welcome. And Thank you for asking :)