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I'm training Kung Fu with a Shaolin Monk here in England, and I was wondering if Chang Quan, the style I'm learning currently, is Shaolin?
We are also doing a lot of Qi Gong but mainly the meditation side of it, but with this forum being called Shaolin Boxing, I know they do lots of Sanshou at the shaolin monastery but are these non animal hand forms still Shaolin?
Thanks
Chang Quan is an umbrella term for many northern kung fu systems. I'm sure some are shaolin-based, but Chang Quan (Long Fist) systems such as Cha Quan/Tan Tuei are of Chinese Muslim (Uighur) origin. Taiji Quan could also be classified as a Long fist system as well.
shaolin temple gets its kung fu from the medieval chinese army, that includes chang quan. if you describe more detail of what you are doing in training i can tell you what it is.Quote:
Originally Posted by cturts
Yes and no. Its complicated. As BaWang says we need a little more detail.
At Shaolin Temple Animal forms are not the focus, thats more of a southern thing. Shaolin even confined to Song Mountain contains many family styles. The styles can roughly be thought of as having 3 major strategies;
ChangQuan (Long Fist), DuanDa (Short Strike) and TieShenKao (Leaning against the body techniques).
Typically Shaolin forms will contain bits of all 3 strategies but when practicing basic skills (JiBenGong) it is common to focus on the longfist techniques.
Thanks guys,
What kind of information do you need? I don't know if it helps, but if you put in Jet Li Chang Quan on YouTube, I'm learning similar moves to that, not the same form but the moves are similar.
unless that's the same as all chang quan forms ha, I'm pretty new and have never had people to talk to about my Kung Fu
The long fist system contains 5 major branches 查(Cha), 花(Hua), 洪(Hon), 弹(Tan), 炮(Pao). There are also many minor branches such as 埋伏(Mai Fu), ... Which branch are you talking about?Quote:
Originally Posted by cturts
Any names of forms would be useful, (they are hard to pronounce I know)Quote:
Originally Posted by cturts
Well, to be honest a lot of northern kung fu does look a bit like this yes. I see the differences clearly now but if you have seen less of them they will all look very similar. During basic skills practice a lot of the Shaolin will practice techniques a lot like in JetLi's chang quan. All the same jumps and kicks etc.
When it comes to traditional forms and techniques they are different, but if you are starting off then these basic drills are probably the main focus for a while.
Here are some classic Shaolin Temple forms so you can see the kind of the style;
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8NrLSCa16no Da TongBei Quan - YiLu,
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xub2tLJYzRY Xiao Hong Quan - YiLu,
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cr3q4vhzr58 Da LuoHan Quan - YiLu,
With regards to Changquan, most schools run by "Shaolin Monks" these days either teach a form called "Taizu Changquan" which is a traditional style associated with Shaolin, or they are teaching a modern wushu form called just "Changquan". This modern "Changquan" is strictly for performance, though some of the moves contained are derived from traditional sources.
I think this is the one, thanks pazmanQuote:
Originally Posted by pazman
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0pdMqq4Lq2c this is the kind of thing, I think it's just Changquan because everything I do is based on the performance, straight legged kicks etc.
So is this Shaolin? If not, what is it?
this is 1960 communist era performance wushu. you perform in front of judges and they award you points.Quote:
Originally Posted by cturts
you have a dilemma. at one end, your teacher scammed you and he is not a shaolin monk.
on the other hand, it is exactly what you are looking for, and you are not suitable for traditional kung fu of any kind.
Quote:
Originally Posted by bawang
He's certainly a shaolin monk
Master Xingbo
He is trained in modern wushu too so I'm not being scammed.
Why would you not consider me suitable just because I practice Wushu? does it make me any less flexible or practiced?
his website clearly says he is a modern wushu coach. and he never claims to be a shaolin monk on his website. it only says he trained there.Quote:
Originally Posted by cturts
"Competitive Wushu is composed of two disciplines:
• Taolu (套路; forms)
Taolu involve martial art patterns and manoeuvres for which competitors are judged and given points according to specific rules. "
this guy looks pretty good and suits what you are looking for.
Thanks :) that's the kinda thing I've joined this forum to learn, I have no idea ha.
he does a really good Mantis form, is this still not shaolin?
What's the difference between training at the shaolin temple and being a shaolin monk?
Thanks again :)
training at shaolin temple means you pay them 10 thousand-50 thousand dollars and train kung fu for 1-5 years. then you receive a certificate and a buddhist name. or you make up a fake buddhist name.Quote:
Originally Posted by cturts
being a shaolin monk means being an actual monk and training kung fu on the side.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Twv4y2INZoo
cturts, your first lesson here is not to take bawang too seriously. :rolleyes:Quote:
Originally Posted by bawang
Here's my Shaolin Special 2004 cover story, Real versus Fake, which might enlighten you about on the unique status of the 'monk' title at Shaolin.
Quote:
Originally Posted by cturts
Basically it is wushu (changquan-northern fist) performance with nandu (degree of difficulty/gymnastic criteria vs nanquan (southern fist) with a lowered centre of movement!