Martial Arts Gathering 2007.

[Eric Ling]

Hi everybody,

I spoke earlier on about shooting the 2 Masters of Hakka Tiger Boxing here in Kuching; Grandmaster Liew Kao Chai and Kong Shu Ming.

Well, I did GM Liew and today, with a little time available, I revisited GM Kong to learn more about his Hakka Suppressing Tiger style

Well, got to say that of all the Hakka Masters I touched hands with, GM Kong stands out.

Instead of the more “linear” executions, GM Kong’s method is more “circular”, comparatively speaking.

Centering on the nucleus concept of “shock – deceive – control (subdue) “, GM Kong presented a series of combinations that really took me off guard.

Short range in focus, his “deceiving” is the sting that left me in vulnerable positions for his finishers.

Still moving awkwardly because of his leg injuries, GM Kong did 3 forms and went on the explain principles and concepts; for that I am so thankful.

And as expected, I was asked to do a little reciprocal Kung Fu to keep the ying-yang balance.

So again my fav style – White Crane and I took the opportunity to talk a little about the “sinking elbow” that we do in Ancestral Crane.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F4zNSYIA4jU

Warmest Regards.

Eric

Ps….in the clip, we are discussing in some Mandarin and most parts, in that strange-sounding (even to me) dialect called “Fuzhou”.

[Eric Ling]

Hi everybody,

Here a clip that might be easier for some of you to follow the verbal explanations; most parts in Mandarin with a tiny weeny bit of “Fuzhou” used when Mandarin fails to carry the point across.

Here we got GM Kong asking to see my Fuzhou Ancestral Crane and I showed him the first fighting principle in our system; going to the fourth door or out of direct line of attack.

Simple illustrations and for someone like GM Kong, I think, they are child’s play.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=spNNcNkCzhA

Warmest Regards.

Eric

[Eric Ling]

more Wing Chun ....

Palms including the "Snake hands".

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TH_L4xN1omI

Warmest Regards.

Eric

[Eric Ling]

Hi everybody,

Spoke to 2 mainland White Crane giants these last couple of days to confirm their appearances in the event.

• Fujian Yong Chun White Crane’s Pan Chen Miao – thanks to Martin Watts, I am able to invite this highly respected Sifu.

• Fuzhou Whooping Crane’s Ruan Dong – we spoke briefly about our Whooping Cranes; Ruan Laoshi’ Whooping Crane, is in theory, the same Whooping Crane that we do in Singapore. If only I understand his form of Fuzhou better; Ruan Laoshi speaks with a very heavy “Mingchiang” Fuzhou accent and I am more “Putian”.

So at this point, I am certain to have both Pan and Ruan Laoshi attendance and I will be talking to Taiwan’s Feeding Crane family next.

Hungga clips featuring 2 different mainland teachers:-

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-XqYFkVHP9o
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ohWPYAaEIWk

Warmest Regards.

Eric

[Eric Ling]

Hi everybody,

After a few attempts, finally got Feeding Crane’s Sifu Liu Chang I on the line.

We spent about an hour talking on the phone and besides him coming in September, we spoke about White Crane in general.

It appears that Sifu Liu is making terrific progress in expanding his style in France and in the coming months a French company is visiting him in Taiwan to do a documentary.

We also spoke about collaborating on some publishing projects to investigate all the Southern White Cranes and this is something that I will be looking forward to…..

Now if only I could find that Hakka Crane that I’ve been hearing about …… arrrrghhh…..

Got a very nice little clip here to share; Shaolin Luohan very well described.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cr3q4vhzr58

Love the portion where the presenter illustrates his “shaking’ power; something you don’t really expect from a typical Northern style – standing in one spot to generate jin. More often you would see them moving to create the power for their techniques…..

Warmest Regards.

Eric

[Eric Ling]

Hi everybody,

Looks like I will be in Kuching for another week or so before I start out for Singapore and West Malaysia to talk to Kung Fu Masters there.

Got a press conference scheduled here in Kuching and a VIP (a government Minister) will be invited to officially launch our website and you know… all that jazz….

Got another clip here to share; Pan Nam Wing Chun “Bil Jee” or “Mountain Cat Fingers”. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_geVJUH8xks

Well, I am aware of the debate going on about origin, lineage and methodology in the Wing Chun circle; not my place to make any comment – I don’t do Wing Chun.

My interest in Wing Chun is the recorded relation with White Crane and IMHO, this connection shows up very clearly in the clip.

Apart from the “obvious” Crane techniques throughout the whole form, here I also see something else very close to my Ancestral Crane – every technique done in sets of 3s.

Our “koon kor” (Fuzhou) or “Fists Song” has a line that says;

“Crane washing body to pray to the Buddha 3 times”.

And the form has the same “does every technique 3 times” practice.

Warmest Regards.

Eric

[Eric Ling]

More from the same VCD – 2 applications from Bil Jee form.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xNmA1NGCKaE

The 1st technique – folding elbow take down is the same exact technique that we do in Ancestral Crane’s “Babulien”.

If I am not wrong this is also found in Flying Crane’s Babulien.

The 2nd is “Leading Cattle across River” except that in this case it’s done with one hand.

The White Crane’s version is done with 2, one at the wrist and the other at the attacker’s elbow.

Warmest Regards.

Eric

And oh yes, happy "Chap Go Mare" or "15th day of CNY" to all.

Carlsberg's time ....

[Eric Ling]

Hi everybody,

Remember Master Chang and his very distinctive “FoJia” or Buddhist Grand Ancestor Boxing?

A few days back, Master Chang and his associates held a traditional CKF performance/competition at a local temple, “See Lin Kong”, here in Kuching. This is also when they did “heavy” weapons competition.

FoJia TaiZhu Quan is very intriguing as far as I am concerned.

I do TaiZhu or Tai Chor (Fukinese) and for the longest time, my thought is that the style is, more or less, a merger of:-

• Northern Kung Fu reflected in the Lohan that is found at the advanced level. Characteristic features like long bridges and one stance/one technique all spell “Northern”. Not strange considering that all historical records point to a Northern beginning from Song TaiZhu.

• Fukien Crane – This is almost to be expected if we look at the evolution timeline. Fukien Yong Chun White Crane was a strong influence and bearing in mind the geographical proximity of “Quanzhou” or “Zhaung Chew” where Fukien TaiZhu was spawned, cross-pollination must have been the norm.

• Southern Tiger – This is probably a later day’s inclusion and some lines dropped the tiger element altogether. I am from GM Quek Yong Hor/Master Teo Choon Teck’s line and we still do a pure tiger form known as “5 Tigers Turning River” or “Ngo Hor Huan Kang”.

In fact, I used to think that TaiZhu is the Fukien version of Canton’s “FuHok Sueng Ying” which, if you think about it, consists mainly of Lohan, tiger and crane.

The one thing that has been bothering me is the 5-movements salutation that starts all my TaiZhu forms; almost identical to Wuzu (5 Ancestors) which, depending on which camp you talk to, could either signify the 5 component styles or 5 Elements philosophical concepts.

We have neither in TaiZhu.

Encountering Master Chang and his Hakka Grand Ancestor here in Sarawak could be the source of some answers as far as my research into TaiZhu is concerned.

His style has a stronger “Northern” feel in execution interspersed with some observable “Southern” techniques. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VFCBorOv3mI

In the coming months, I will be spending more time with this very knowledgeable Hakka Master and hopefully find more answers to all my TaiZhu questions.

Warmest Regards.

Eric

[Eric Ling]

More from Hakka Grand Ancestor Boxing.

This is, I think, their version of “SanZhan” or “3 Battles”. At the very least, it follows the “3 steps front and 3 steps back” outline that describe so many Fukien/Hakka Southern Styles.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8SlyjJ6YiBI

Notable:-

• The Hakka flavor of this form is very perceptible. Got “Saat” written all over; straight line pursuing manner of execution, in the words of a good friend and CKF researcher.

• Whipping mode which highly imply Crane’s influence as opposed to the “twist-lock” style common in other styles.

• “Ren Dao Shou Dao” or body and hands in unison which, in my book, says “Northern”.

Taizhu presented in a Hakka manner, I looooove it…..

I will try and shoot some of my students doing my Fukien version of Taizhu in the next few days for contrast.

This will make the stuff I am talking about clearer ….. I hope….

Warmest Regards.

Eric

[TenTigers]

Nevermind that, did you see the size of that Tiger Fork? I want one!!!!

[Eric Ling]

Nevermind that, did you see the size of that Tiger Fork? I want one!!!!

Arrrrgghhhh Grasshopper, don’t be looking at the pointing finger when you should be looking at the moon.

Now, when you’re ready, snatch the pebble from my hand….

Or something like that … are they going to rerun the old “Kung Fu” series

[Eric Ling]

Hi everybody,

Another version of Wing Chun Bil Jee http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UTrR6_-LKkk

After the form, the Sifu goes on to demonstrate “sinking elbow” and palm training.

In Cantonese, the Sifu talks about “whipping” like a cane …. Now now, where have I heard this before……

Warmest Regards.

Eric

[Eric Ling]

Hi everybody,

Had another Silat shoot last evening.

This time we got “Hidayah Melayu” or “Malay Inspiration” and it was nothing that I would expect from a Silat.

The clips are being processed now and I will be posting them later.

In the meantime, a little CLF http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lhI8WhO7mWc

Warmest Regards.

Eric

[Eric Ling]

Hi everybody,

Well here it is – Hidayah Melaya or” Malay Inspiration”; a really nice name for a Silat style.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-hLzPBw3Mxk

Again thanks to Tuan Haji of Rumpun Silat Sarawak, I am able to film and share this.

Next, Tuan has kindly arranged for an Indonesian style – Silat Betawi for some videos.

Hidayah Melayu, to me, is different, from most of the other Silats that I’ve seen in my part of the world.

Looking forward to explore this style deeper to get a better understanding of what lies underneath…

Warmest Regards.

Eric

[Infrazael]

I would really love to participate in this. Would we provide for our own hotels/housing and lodging then?

Thanks