... and I couldn't stay away from this one.
EAZ:
"I would like to know from any Dragon style practioners if there are big differences between branches of the style. "
Differences, yes. Big, not on the surface. The world sees one branch, not the tree. All teachers take what they have and teach accordingly, same as in any kung fu. The internet has opened communication between the current generation of dragon practitioners, and we find how much we have in common, and appreciate the different nuances. One day we may all sit at the same table. I hope I don't get the bill.
"I would like to know if those practicing the same style as Nerval for instance on the forum are considered mainstream Dragon branch."
After the reactions I got this past weekend, I don't think any dragon is mainstream!
"... it has come to my understanding that Dragon style at high level may incorporate very soft movements (although rapid) and that in this respect it bears a certain ressemblance to certain Pak Mei principles found in certain schools and considered advanced."
Lung ying, at it's highest level, is considered internal. My own struggle to progress involves elimination of tension (drop shoulders, drop elbows). I know nothing about Pak Mei. What I have seen of it seems to share techniques, but not power generation.
Yum Cha:
"The crunching of the belly is given a bit of a sideways twist, especially when pulling in. This requires the training to separate the hip rotation from the waist rotation."
While the manifestation of hip and waist independance may differ according to style, it is my opinion that this is a fundamental and much-overlooked area of any good kung fu.
"Additionally, the repitition of 3 techniques in a row is a dragon legacy too, or so I'm told."
Two is a nice number also.
Yum Cha:
"The Pak Mei pattern Ying Jao Lin Que is a dragon pattern, or at least very heavily inspired by Dragon Style, and it is the most advanced of the "lesser" forms."
and BIU JI:
"I've found Ying jow lin Q does have more of the Dragon flavor to it then other forms as you say. It certainly starts in a very similar way to Dragon forms and seems to focus on the angles a little more than pakmei forms do, though this is not a big difference so it can be argued. it's linear in it's direction but attacks the angles alot."
The Ying Jow I have, from my Lung Ying, must be very different from Pak Mei's or Yau Kung Mun's. My very, very superficial understanding of my Ying Jow makes it one of the hardest forms I have because it does deviate from the percieved "dragon flow" while exemplifying what dragon should be.
fiercest tiger:
"When and why would we use the angles...?"
Why, for holding up shelves!
Of course, that's all just my opinion... I could be perfectly wrong.
East River Dragon Style, Lam Family
東河龍形 - 林家拳, 林志平,師傅