Hi,
Though there are not any Bak-Mei instructors in my area, I have always found the style interesting. I was reading somewhere once that Bak Mei had more of an emphasis on Tiger and Leopard forms(similar to Hung Ga having Tiger-Crane and Wing Chun having Snake-Crane?) but somewhere else I read that BM was a 5 animal style.
Can anyone comment?
Thanks
LTN
tanks for the link, i need to look more into this style bak Mei...i really need to run a search of old threads...didn't everything from the 70's to around 911 get lost in the great forum change many moons ago?.Quote:
Originally Posted by hskwarrior
Wow, blast from the past. :D Thanks for reviving it.
Mantis108
This forum did not exist in the 1970s.Quote:
Originally Posted by diego
The Internet as we know it did not exist in the 70s.Quote:
Originally Posted by The Xia
It started as "DARPANET".....
sounds like metal gear solidQuote:
Originally Posted by bakxierboxer
;) old joke...thought I would run with it...peaceQuote:
Originally Posted by The Xia
The way I understand it, Tiger and Leopard are the the styles that are used to explain the way the style is but it doesn't necessarily emphasize these animals over others. All are used(in my experience). If there is a preference of of certain animals it would be the Dragon, tiger, and leopard. The body of the Dragon, the Spirit of the Tiger, and the footwork and speed of the leopard.
I don't know if I have explained it correctly or not but I hope this gives one a better understanding of the style.
I for one see a lot of similarities to Southern Crane.
I hope this helps.
I don't get the joke but ok! :pQuote:
Originally Posted by diego
I think Bak Mei is an awesome style - but any reference to "animals" is a purely academic / philosophical discussion which detracts from developing the spirit of the style (raw aggression). Call it tiger, leopard, psychotic human being on drugs, wart-hog, etc. - the words may be different but the meaning is the same.
La - AQ
Huh? :confused:Quote:
Originally Posted by Ao Qin
In TCMA animals encompass different techniques, attributes, strategies, etc.
Warthog Fu - now that's an image to ponder....:D
Now, here's something to complicate the issue. Animals are buddhist constructs from Shaolin. Pak Mei is Taoist in origin with Hakka family styles applied. I don't find much in common with Pak Mei and Shaolin derived styles. The breathing is the characteristic that most aligns it with the Daoist origins. The attitude is another.
Vietnamese have applied lots of buddhist constructs to Pak Mei that other branches haven't, just to further muddy the waters.
My interpretation of the couplet is that Sifu can teach you only so much. As any good Pak Mei Sifu will reinforce, to learn Pak Mei, you must make it your own, you must practice extensively to discover the higher level. A roadmap is not the same thing as a destination. You must walk your path alone, or be forever dependent and crippled.
The tiger and leopard elements are the raw agression, the 'rip the skin of their face' element, the total comittment to ravage your prey. Likewise, the use of the hands, fingers, phoenix fist to maim your opponent, break joints, etc.
I've heard it said that the leopard element is the lateral movement, the sok sau, sei ma, etc. Just another thought to ponder.
What about snake, dragon, and crane in Bak mei?
Hello all,
From what I understand Bak Mei was buddhist and not Taoist. I think that HB Un's book caused some of the missconception. Shaw Brothers caused some and the Hung Gar legends caused the rest.
For a better explaination you might want to check out Dr. Wong's website.
http://www.dryqwong.com/
Anyway(this is my take), the whole legend that Bak Mei was evil started it all. From I can gather it was created by the Hung Gar people that were trying to kill Bak Mei. From there the legend grew and every lineage has their own take on it.
Some say that he simply decided not to fight and therefore he was a traitor. Others say that he was the "Judas" of the group. Others state that he was a spy for the rebels, caught, and the lives of his student's threatened and he therefore left the resistance.
Either way, he was labeled a traitor to Shaolin and people tried to kill him.
At the time, Wudang and Shaolin were considered rivals. I suppose it was due to the fact that their opinions on religion differed. I suppose that rivalry helped Bak Mei change from a Monk who helped the Shaolin escape the fire to a Taoist who is already an "enemy" of Shaolin. That coupled with the fact that Hung Gar was considered Shaolin by the majority made the change one that made sense.
The Shaws took the legend and ran with it, creating some great films.
This enhanced the BM/Taoist thing.
Then Ub Un's book came out and flat out called BM a taoist. However, he also stated that CLC was wearing Taoist robes yet they are clearly Shaolin.
Now, Man of the Tao doesn't exactly mean taoist priest. It can but not always. It can also mean a man that follows a Taoist way of life. It can also mean a renaissance man.
SO, while I understand while one might think that BM was taoist, I don't think that he was. '
Once again, I will suggest that you guys check out Dr. Wong's site. He can explain it better than I. Also, I don't think that the Vietnamese were the one's who first added all the Buddhist aspects of the style. Especially considering the since "all BM comes from CLC", CLC's teacher CHut Fat Wan is always seen (in pictures) wearing the Buddhist robes. As is CLC himself. Chut fat wan is also usually called a Shaolin Monk.
I hope this helps
WF
ps--Xia, all animals are used.