Forms: Application of movements in forms

[Lucky Bamboo]

Hi everyone. I've had a curiosity for a while now. In my experience with both southern and northern styles I've noticed a difference in emphasis on application of movements found in forms. At the school I train in today, we start out with standardized Chin Woo (school) forms before moving on to specific Mi Zhong Lohan forms. Years ago I trained in Lama and Choi Li Fut kung fu (both southern). I've trained briefly in other styles/schools along the way as well (Wing Chun and Shaolin, under a monk), but these two have been my primary. From what I have experienced up to this point, the southern schools seem to emphasize the hands-on application of the movements of forms while the northern schools seem content to teach the movements and performance of those movements. Has anyone else made any observations as to which types of styles or schools focus on hands-on application and which do not? While I understand that this may be subject to individual instructors or schools rather than a function of whether a style is southern or northern, I'd nonetheless be curious as to what others have noticed. Thanks!

[YinOrYan]

From what I have experienced up to this point, the southern schools seem to emphasize the hands-on application of the movements of forms while the northern schools seem content to teach the movements and performance of those movements. Has anyone else made any observations as to which types of styles or schools focus on hands-on application and which do not? While I understand that this may be subject to individual instructors or schools rather than a function of whether a style is southern or northern, I'd nonetheless be curious as to what others have noticed. Thanks!

That's probably been the pattern for the last 80 years because there was more of an outmigration of Southern traditional forms away from the mainland. It seems the forms that became more valued in China were oriented for Wushu sports performance since the center of government that promoted it was in the North.

From what I know in California there still tends to be more Southern and traditional forms. Its somewhat painful for me to watch Wushu weapon forms just thinking of everything that could go wrong in application, although its interesting to watch. Sometimes I even find some nice variations still embedded in them that can improve my traditional forms and make them better...

[Lucky Bamboo]

Hi, thank you! I began to suspect as much but didn't want to make generalizations based only on my experience. I feel that the southern styles have trained me (my mind) to constantly think of applications as I learn and perform forms. I feel that many of the students I train with, ones that are at the same level, have more of an abstract outlook on the movements. I think the drawback is that it shows in the performance where, on the other hand, if they knew what the movement was for they'd do it differently or more accurately. Understanding of the movements is a great way to self-correct and gain insight into what one is learning. Not to mention is creates another facet of training where sections of forms can be isolated and practiced with a partner.

[mickey]

Greetings,

Lucky Bamboo, though your technical base comes from the "South" and what you have trained is of Buddhist temple origin, you should be able to find pearls of understanding that others fail to encounter. Take your understandings and apply it. There is no foul in that. Simply kick a$$ with it and grow in the process.

mickey