Traditional Guan Dao form

[DCB]

Hey guys,

Has anyone come across any videos of traditional Shaolin Guan Dao forms? Most of the stuff I've found is just modern wushu or performance forms.

I've always wanted to learn the Guan Dao but I want to learn something traditional rather than something just for show. Perhaps some one knows of a master in the UK that teaches such traditional forms?

Thanks

[David Jamieson]

Hung Gar and Choy Li Fut both have this classical weapon. If you find a Sifu of those, you are that much closer to learning the weapon form.

[kfman5F]

Here's footage of Ark Wong doing a Guan Dao form.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xq2zl...eature=related

[Ben Gash]

Aside from myself I know several UK teachers who do it. Where are you and what's your background?

[Shaolin Rasta]

DCB, at the risk of drawing fire from the staunch traditionalists, I would say maybe you should take another look at some of the routines that you call "performance". I mean, what do you want? Actual combat with guan dao is, uh, not common know what I mean? I find that people complain about the movements that are actually quite athletic, advanced and dynamic because, well, maybe they are sorta "hating" because they don't have the ability(or think they don't) to do them. Don't be afraid. Of course some people are really into preserving the traditional and that I can appreciate. It should be preserved and practiced, but don't be mad because the game is elevated in this era. Just like in basketball, the Bob Cousy set shot might be "traditional", but it just ain't happennin' no more, know what I mean?
That said here are a couple of vids that I think are pretty good. Don't know how "traditional" they are, but the guys doing them are bona fide in my opinion.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RWdOTwNhxyk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=speOiJ3hR-g


Now compare them to the vid with Ark Wong. No disrespect, but that aint too impressive in my opinion. Ok guys, fire away, I'm outta here!

[Ben Gash]

Those are traditional forms Big difference is that the first guy has a stupidly light weapon, so can move more quickly, and both are 40 years younger than Ark Wong in that video

[DCB]

That said here are a couple of vids that I think are pretty good. Don't know how "traditional" they are, but the guys doing them are bona fide in my opinion.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RWdOTwNhxyk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=speOiJ3hR-g

I've seen that first one before, but the second one is new to me, thanks. Don't get me wrong I know the Guan Dao isn't exactly a pracatical weapon for self defence, but let's be honest how many of us have learnt to use swords? We're not likely to use them to defend ourselves any time soon.

I'm not against performance forms by any means, they certainly look good, which is what they are meant to do, and I've learnt some in my time. My main interest is forms and their applications, so I am looking for things which have been developed with actual fighting application in mind, rather than a series of moves put together to look good. This is what I mean by traditional, I'm under no illusion that the forms I know are exactly the same as when they were first developed, of course things change, it's the intent and heritage that's the key issue for me here.

Aside from myself I know several UK teachers who do it. Where are you and what's your background?

I live on the south coast and have been training in Shaolin for about 3.5 years.

[Ben Gash]

South coast's a bit broad. There's various White Crane groups in Brighton who'll do it, Fighting Lions and Kixx in Kent, Alan Tinnion in Bournemouth, Zheng Dao Lo in Portsmouth etc. Most'll want you to train for a fair while before learning it though.