Part 1 - Welcome to CLF Master Class Tuesday, 04 July 2006

Welcome to the CLF Master Class series There are essentially three aspects to training Choy Lee Fut kung fu. First and foremost, the student must have a basic knowledge of the fundamental techniques employed. For instance, the different horse stances, punches, kicks, and blocking techniques. Without this basic knowledge the other two aspects of training cannot be undertaken. The second aspect of training is known as San Da. This can be generally understood as applications and combinations training. Applications are an extension of the basic principles learned as techniques, but put into practice. The third aspect of training covers power and energy. Conditioning, stamina and endurance are all a part of this. Usually this aspect requires a partner and equipment, or else wooden dummies may be used. This, the first article in the CLF Master Class series, takes a generalised look at San Da training. Otherwise known as hand combinations, Sou Fa San Da can be used to train a range of fist, palm and other hand techniques in combinations of attacks and defences. The term bakwa hands is often used to describe combinations that employ a variety of 45 and straight line angles. Sou Fa San Da can be trained alone or with a partner. The use of training equipment can also help improve the techniques. In the first video clip you can see Master Chen Yong Fa demonstrating a variety of Sou Fa San Da, including some bakwa hands combinations. These are performed alone but with speed and high repetition. Leg, foot and kicking combinations train a variety of strikes and blocks with the knee, ball of the foot, shin, and heel of the foot. Like Sou Fa San Da, sand bags, punching balls, or a partner can assist with the development of speed, power and accuracy in these combinations. The first video clip contains Master Chen demonstrating some hand and foot combinations, while the second clip contains some Girk Fa and Sou Fa San Da training

at the Sydney Hung Sing Gwoon. What the future holds... This article is but a brief introduction to some of the aspects of Choy Lee Fut kung fu training. It was produced to provide an example of what to expect from the CLFMA.com Master Series. In the coming weeks we will be presenting a more structured study of the Chan Family system. Starting with an overview of the seven faculties of study that come together to formuate Choy Lee Fut, we will progress through the kung fu curriculum, covering horse stances, fundamental techniques, empty-handed fighting, weapons training, and the dummy house system. There will also be articles on Shaolin Lohan Qigong and traditional Chinese medicine, all complete with photos and video material from Master Chen Yong Fa. So stay tuned... About Choy Lee Fut Kung Fu Tuesday, 04 July 2006 Choy Lee Fut is one of the most widely practiced kung fu styles outside China today. It is well known for its speed and power, its smooth circular body movements and its flexible footwork. It combines the powerful hand techniques characteristic of southern styles with the versatile kicks of the northern system. It emphasises the intelligent use of strength and the combination of external force with the internal will. Choy Lee Fut has a tradition deeply rooted within the martial arts of the Shoalin Temple. Chan Heung, our founder, spent 20 years learning his art from his three mentors: Chan Yeun Wu, Lee Yau Shan and monk Choy Fook, before combining his knowledge into one effective and comprehensive system. Chan Heung called it Choy Lee Fut to commemorate his teachers and the Buddhist origin of the art (Fut means Buddha in Cantonese). The Choy Lee Fut system has over 190 forms classified into three levels of learning, these forms include the following: Traditional fist forms and weaponry, either in solo forms or two person sparring sets Shoalin wooden dummy forms for hand techniques and weaponry Sand bag techniques and forms Qi Quong forms and traditional Chinese medical theories Lion dance sets The external sets are harder and faster, designed to condition, increase stamina and benefit muscle and bone structure. The internal sets are slower, flowing and more relaxed. They promote internal organ harmony, correct breathing and a healthier stronger body. The couplet below was give to Chan Heung by the monk Choy Fook. The couplet give to Chan Heung by the monk Choy Fook

"When the Dragon and the Tiger meet, the outcome will always be uncertain. The disciple must be fully alert and careful of the situation and continue to spread the Shaolin techniques so as to keep the next generation alive ". Last Updated ( Tuesday, 04 July 2006 ) Weapons of Choy Lee Fut Tuesday, 04 July 2006 By Sifu Lane Louie Choy Lee Fut weapons are divided into several categories. these are long range, mid range, close range. This is further subdivided into hard, soft, heavy, light, flexible, double and combinations of weapons. Weapons that fall into the first category are poles, spears, kwan do, rake, fork, buddhist type weapons and special type forks (pa). Amongst the pole category are the single headed pole (dan tau gwan), double headed pole (seun tau gwan),monkey pole (hou gwan), level eyebrow pole ( chai mee gwan) as well as several others like the flag pole(dai hung kee gwan). This category also includes several types of spears such as the shadow spear(ying cheung), double headed spear(seun tau cheung), snake hand spear ( seer sou cheung), hooked spear. Other long range weapons are the various types of "big knives" or "dai do". Some of these are the kwan do, nine ring kwan do( gau wan dai do), choy bak do, 7 star knife(chut sing do), big knife ( dai do), pu do. Several farmers type implements also fall into this category. Some of these are 9 teeth rake ( gau gna pa), iron hoe (cho tau), fork or trident (pa). As well as the above ,several 'fork' type weapons (pa) are also in this category. these include the heavenly combat fork ( fong tien jeun) golden fork(gum gong pa), this group also includes some buddhist type implements such as the copper hammer ( hoong chui) and the lions ball (se kau). The founder of Choy Lee Fut chan heung also hand a special variation which combined a lot of the above weapons called the nine dragon fork (gau lung pa). Mid range weapons in Choy Lee Fut consist of the following:- the darn do, finger sword(sou ji do), waist sword(yiu do), horse sword (ma do). These are but a few of the mid range weapons which also include the 'swords' or gim. Chinese generally classified a darn do type weapon as a knife rather than a sword as generally accepted in the European terminology as a knife only had one cutting edge. Swords (gim) on the other hand had two cutting edges. Swords were further subdivided in the Choy Lee Fut system into 'hard'(gnargn) or soft (yuen) categories. 'Hard' swords are 'green dragon sword'(ching lung gim), tamo gim ( bodhidharma sword). an example of the 'soft' sword is the plum blossom sword{moi fa gim). Other 'mid range' weapons are the bench(wang tau daang) 'butterfly hooks also commonly known as tiger hooks(wu sou au), 'hammers' (le chui), a weapon called the "gaan', axes (bu tau). Short or close range weapons include the fan ( fei lung sen) and daggers. Amongst the flexible weapons in the Choy Lee Fut system are the 9 section whip ( gau ji pen), rope dart(fei to),3 section soft whip (sarm ji yuen pen). Flexible weapons such as the 9 section whip was made up of 9 steel links with a pointed barb on one end. This would enable its user to overcome an opponent by whipping the weapon forward, the quickly retracting it for multiple strikes.

Double weapons include broadsword( seun darn do), double gim ( seun gim), double hammers ( seun lui chui), doble axes( seun bu tau), double hooks ( wu sou au), double 9 section whips ( gau ji pen), double dish shields ( seun dip pal) and double tiger head shields ( fu tau pal). Another special weapon in Choy Lee Fut is the throwing knives. First category weapons such as the pole group are also divided into single headed ( dan tau) and double headed ( seun tau), hard and soft. The single headed pole generally referred to is usually tapered, whereas the double headed pole in Choy Lee Fut has a parallel shaft. The reason why the pole is the first weapon taught in the Choy Lee Fut system, apart from the legacy of famous shaolin pole techniques, is that the student must first strengthen up the wrist and forearm and train all techniques developing power utilising the various 'horse stance". If the wrists are not 'conditioned', there will be no power to utilise the techniques at more advanced levels of weapons training. Also most of the later Choy Lee Fut "pole ' type weapons such as the spear, kwan do,etc. have techniques based on the fundamental pole techniques. The pole can be utilised as a single headed weapon or a double headed weapon. Spear techniques are also derived from the pole. In Choy Lee Fut all spear forms are really called spear poles. Whereas the pole is generally regarded as a 'hard'(yang) weapon, the spear is 'soft' (yin). Movements with the spear are executed with 'yin. power. This is power that is developed by very fast movements akin to a bullet i.e. high velocity generates power. Even though the spear, is basically a pole with a sharp barb on one end, it also uses the single and double headed techniques from the fundamental pole. Even the heavy weapons such as the gau wan dai do and kwan do (9 ring type kwan do) utilises pole techniques. These weapons also have a large knife blade which can be used to cut, slash, hack and stab. As with the primary forms in Choy Lee Fut such as 5 wheel horse (ng lun ma) and 5 wheel fist ( ng lun chui), the principles found in these two fundamental forms are also used in weapons training. 5 wheel horse trains the student to move in a linear direction before moving to more circular movements later on in 5 wheel fist(ng lun chui). The principles are also passed on to weapons levels i.e> linear to circular. For example the first weapon taught in the Choy Lee Fut weapons system, single and double headed pole( seun gaap dan tau gwan), teaches the practitioner linear (single headed pole) techniques, then progresses to circular (double headed pole) techniques. This basic weapon also utilises the bagua techniques of the Choy Lee Fut system. i.e. 8 directions. This is a fundamental principle of all Choy Lee Fut techniques whether training 'empty hand sets' or using weapons. There are about fourteen different pole/spear forms underlying the importance of the shaolin pole. Mid range weapons such as the 'darn do' or sabre also use the bagua techniques in the Choy Lee Fut system. The 'darn do uses more elbow, shoulder movements to slash, cut, slice and hack whereas the gim is more refined in that mainly wrist movements are used. These techniques initiating from the wrist are used to allow the gim to penetrate vital organs and accurately pinpoint pressure points to overcome the opponent. Most mid range weapons in Choy Lee Fut embody techniques from either the 'darn do' or the 'gim'. Included in this category is a weapon called the 'gaan'. When using this weapon, techniques are called upon from many of Choy Lee Fut's other weapons such as the ' darn do' 'gim' and short pole ( chai mee gwan or monkey pole). Close range weapons such as the fan originated from the scholastic class within china.

This group of people were more "learned and gentlemanly like' so did not want to appear in public bearing arms. But underneath the exterior, a person knowing how to use a fan properly, could utilise this seemingly unnoticed implement to devastating effect. Fans sometime had hidden or sharpened ends which were razor like sharp and could be used to attack the pressure points on a body. The sharp end of a closed fan could also strike vital areas such as the solar-plexus, throat, stomach, top of the head, and around the groin area. When opened with the speed of a cobra spitting venom, the edges or fan blades could slice open areas such as the throat or face. Other areas vulnerable to attack were the temples, back of the knees as well as the side of the throat. A closed fan could also be used to trap an opponents limbs by using kau or hook techniques. In Choy Lee Fut the fan is also used as a prelude to learning the gim as both weapons utilise techniques that originate from the wrist. Daggers is another close range weapon that is used as a double weapon. Most techniques involving daggers benefit from the fact, that one hand is used to parry while the other is used to attack. Flexible weapons such as the rope dart (fei to), flying whip( fei pen), 9 section whip ( gau jl pen) all use the body to generate power to these weapons. Techniques using these weapons once again use the bagua principles. Also included in this category is the 3 section staff. This weapon can be used both as a short range or long range weapon. Fully extended using one hand, the 3 section staff can be used like a spinning whip. One of the advantages of the 3 section staff is that when used correctly, it can double both as a long range or short range flexible weapon. When used against a conventional pole, the flexible 3 section staff can whip around a rigid pole to attack an opponent. Finally we come to double weapons in the Choy Lee Fut system. There are a vast amount of double weapons in Choy Lee Fut as mentioned previously. Most double weapons again use the bagua techniques. Special double weapons such as the 'tiger hooks' or wu sou au can be joined or linked as one to give a long range effect. Other double weapons such as the tiger headed shields ( fu tau pal) also use one hand to parry whie the other hand is used to attack. What is rather special about the tiger head shields is that the sharp leading edges act like a double edged knife while the lower edge is arrow shaped. When using these weapons, again one of the fundamental techniques taught at the primary levels are used, that is gwa, cheung gnarn. There are a lot of weapons in the Choy Lee Fut system, but it is impractical or sometimes impossible to learn them all. What master chen yong fa, the current keeper of the style or "jeun mourn yun", has endeavoured to do is to teach a variety of the traditional type of weapons to help the dedicated Choy Lee Fut practitioner to gain an insight to understanding the methods and techniques of some of these weaopons which may otherwise be lost. The same can also be said of the 18 wooden dummy sets in the Choy Lee Fut system which are a legacy from the shaolin temple., But again these are only obtainable to the most dedicated chan family Choy Lee Fut students.

Master's Name: Sifu Frank Yee M.A. Style: Hung Ga

Can you tell us a little of your background, when and where you were born, etc.? I was born in Hong Kong, July 28, 1948. I practiced Hung Ga Kung Fu for some 45 years, but also found the time to learn Bak Sil Lum, Choy Lee Fut and Taiji. However, I am a strong believer in specialization, which is why Hung Ga Kung Fu has been the focus of my life all this time. At what age did you start learning martial arts? And was Hung Ga the first style you learned? My introduction into marital arts began at the age of six with the Hung Ga style. Who was your Hung Ga teacher and how did you come to study from him? My teacher was Yuen Ling, successor to Tang Fung Wong Fei Hungs close disciple. My father, Yee Yin, was also a Hung Ga practitioner. Because of his training and relationship in the style, I was brought to and accepted as a disciple by my teacher. When I entered the room, there were about thirty other people in the class. Sifu asked me, "Why are you here? This training is too difficult for you. You are too weak and you will not be able to take it. You should go home." I responded, "I don't care how hard it is. I am going to do it. I know I can take it." And so my training began. My teacher lit incense and we sat in a horse stance. Day after day, we sat in a horse and

at the end of thirty days; there were only a couple of us left. Can you talk a little about your teacher? Yuen Ling was a quiet but strong man. He was born in Guang Dong Province China. He learned Village Hung style from Luk Fung Sei and learned Dog Boxing from, Gum Yuen Dang. In 1949, he met Tang Fung while he was working at the fish market association in Hong Kong. Tang admired his being a hard and honest worker and the honor he expressed to his style. He learned from Tang Fung until Tangs death, whereupon he took over Tangs teaching and security position at the Sau Kay Won fish market (where Lam Sai Wing also ttaught). He also maintained a school at 73 Dong Dai Street, which became famous for winning the Cheurng Pao contest. My teacher died of throat cancer in 1968. Can you give us a brief historical background on Hung Ga? First, I would like to say that there are three main styles of Hung Ga. The first is called Shaolin Temple Hung Ga. Some famous practitioners of this style were: Tit Kiu Sam, Ngam Yiu Ding, Ngam Dim Hung. The second style was called Hung Men. The revolutionaries who fought against the Ching government practiced this style. The third founded by Hung Hei Gune during the 1700s and systematized by Wong Fei Hung. This is the style most commonly seen today. A little known fact is that present day Hung Ga has relationships with all three methods. Wong Fei Hung was a member of the Hung Men association, thus having learned their Kung Fu. He also learned the Tiet Sing Kuen, Iron Wire form from Tit Kiu Sam of the Shaolin Temple Hung Ga lineage. He then combined the knowledge of Tiger Crane Techniques obtained from Luk Ah Choy and his father, thus creating the version seen today. Traditionally, Hung, Lau, Mok, Choy and Lee are regarded as the five major schools of Chinese martial arts. The styles mentioned are the famous five family styles of Southern China. The Hung style, founded by Hung Hei Gune, is known for its 1,000 pound horse stance, iron fist and forearms, body connection, power generation and the use of sound to bring up the Qi, thus summoning different types of power.

The twelve bridges are also a major component of the style at the higher levels, as well as the five animals and five elements. The style shows a strong dominance in the use of Tiger techniques, as seen at the advanced levvel when learning Hung Ga's 18 Methods of Chin Na. What does Hung Ga basic training consist of? Lots of foundation training such as: stances, punches, connection training such as the twelve bridges, and three star hitting exercise to toughen forearms. The Tiger and Crane, and the Iron Wire forms are two of the major sets of Hung Ga. Please share with us the importance of these two sets and what is gained by their practice? Using the elements of the three, existing Hung styles created the Tiger and Crane form. At the time of its formulation, it was considered the most complete set in Southern China also the most popular. It combines Tiet Que Som horse stance and hand bridge from the Iron Wire form with Wongs hand techniques from the Hung Men association and the Tiger and Crane movements of Hung Hei Gune. This is why the form has a heavy and solid horse stance, solid hand bridge and a lot of sinking of the Qi, known as connection. It also has an emphasis on the hard and soft power. Important methods of the form are: 1) 5 element fist, 2) 8 horse stances, 3) tiger shape, consisting of twelve specific tiger techniques, 4) crane shape, consisting of eight specific crane techniques, 5) the eight strong techniques, and 6) ten killing hands. The importance of the Iron Wire form is in the building of the body's connection. It teaches you how to use extreme hard and extreme soft power, how to create energy using the Qi, five sound theory, twelve bridges body connection, five organs and the five elements theory. All of these must be used together, if you attempt to separate them or do not understand a specific part, then you do not know what you are doing. This is why you need a qualified, highlevel instructor in the style to guide you so that you may gain the form's treasures. What are some of the other Hung Ga forms which are

considered Important in the style? All the four forms in Hung Ga are important. It is a step-by-step process. We start training with the Gung Ji Fuk Fu Kuen, which introduces the basics of stance, bridges, power and breathe. The important thing to know is that each form is good for a certain level. For example, Iron Wire form can produce tremendous benefits to the practitioner; but it cannot be taught on the first day, because essential skills needed to unlock the form have not been developed. Just as in school, you are not taught to create stories in writing form until you first learn your ABC's, then go on to form sounds, words, sentences, paragraphs, etc. Hung Ga contains many weapons sets. Which, if any weapon is regarded as the primary one? The primary weapons of Hung Ga are the long pole for long distance fighting, and the saber for short distance fighting. Each of these weapons requires the practitioner to have a very strong foundation in order to properly execute the techniques. Also, just as in school the ABC's are taught, the weapons have their basics. For example, the single end pole teaches us the 6-_ points of not only the pole itself; but of all single ended weapons. These basics are: 1) Huen - circle, 2) Gawt- cut, 3) Boot - clear, 4) But - pull, 5) Tan - spring, 6) Tieu -pick up/lift, 1/2) Dim - dart/poke. As we know, Hung Gats biggest asset is the training of the foundation. Therefore, these two weapons most exemplify the fighting spirit of Hung Ga. What is the progression of training for students in your school? When a student begins, there is a strong emphasis on foundation training annd body conditioning. Training consists of stance work, forms and applications, Qigong, Lion Dancing, weapons, free fighting and philosophy. It is important to teach carefully so that students understand what and why they are doing certain things. As a teacher, you should not yell at a student if they do not understand. You must be patient to find a way to help the student realize what they are doing and always give them a chance. What training advice can you offer to our readers? Well, my advice is to stick to what you are doing for

a long time in the same style. Anything you do, you must have patience until you have a complete understanding. It is not just learning the forms, because any Chinese martial art has a long history. It is not created by one generation; it has the experience of many. Some even have a. thousand years of history. So you, as a practitioner, are just carrying on the knowledge and this does not depend on how smart you are. You should pass the knowledge and add your experience. Many people jump around learning the skin of many styles, but then at the end they do not know anything. A lot of people know the word traditional, but they don't understand its meaning. They think if they learn from a real Sifu, it makes them automatically traditional. Most of the Sifus who succeed are traditional, because they would not succeed if they did not stick to what they were doing. Traditional means, "stick to what you are doing." Some people work really hard for a short time and then after a couple of years they feel they did not learn everything and leave. These people feel they can get it from somewhere else. They do this all their lives and at the end, they have learned nothing. Some people are built on honor and how much they respect their Sifu If your Sifu finds out you don't respect him or have a heart for the style, he is not going to teach you the real thing. The student has to earn the knowledge of the style, and the Sifu has to earn the respect with his knowledge. This is called balance. If one side is not balanced, it is not going to work. Most of the time, the students do not have the patience to gain the knowledge of the highest level.
Reported by Sifu Joseph Demundo for BLT Supplies, Inc. @2000, BLT Supplies Inc.

Interested in studying the martial arts techniques of Sifu Frank Yee? Check out his instructional videos currently for sale on our video section.

" The importance of the Iron Wire form is in the building of the body's connection."

"When a student begins, there is a strong emphasis on foundation training and body conditioning. Training consists of stance work, forms and applications..." "Anything you do, you must have patience until you have a complete understanding... because any Chinese martial art has a long history."

"The student has to earn the knowledge of the style, and the Sifu has to earn the respect with his knowledge. This is called balance. If one side is not balanced, it is not going to work."