Professional Documents
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(Swallowing (Tun), Spitting (Tu), Floating (Fou), Sinking (Chen) and others)
1. Sinking (Chen/Chuen): The hands, body, legs and Chi/Qi can all sink. Ones Chi/Qi should always be sunk to
the Dan Tien point. Sinking is this method. This is used to control an opponent's movements. Chuen has a
two-fold meaning: a) A method which immobilizes or controls an opponent via "lowering one's mind".
Sinking relates to capturing the opponents movement and breaking his/her balance, thus causing the
attackers body to also sink, involuntarily: b) To sink the body for Ground-Reaction-Energy. It's a simple
lowering of one's own body in stance by bending knees to deepen the position. Many of the movements
performed downwards could be considered as "sinking". This can also involve locking the shoulders and
sinking the hand (Earth Element). When used in conjunction with Too (Spitting) it results in a powerful
attack. The proper combination of sinking and forward power is one of the ways to develop heavy power
(Heavy Hands).
2. Swallowing (Tun/Tuen): To absorb and deflect the incoming force or attack. In a similar fashion to Sinking,
Tun is "absorbing the energy from ground through rooting ". It is the act of absorbing incoming force. An
ancient proverb states Sz liang po chen jing. Loosely translated this means that it is best to use 4 ounces to
topple a thousand pounds. It uses a yielding body and sometimes retreating footwork. Students should train
to raise their hands and then Swallow the opponents power. Tuen (Swallowing) is always followed by Too
(Spitting). The hands, feet, body and Chi/Qi can all use swallowing in personal life-protection.
3. Floating (Fu/Foo): The method of uprooting an opponent via a sudden release of force to unbalance the
aggressor. Upwards, raising motions often is seen in raising the hands while the body and feet maintain a
strong connection with the earth (Ground-Reaction-Energy). It involves moving in a higher stance and
exploding with a technique's energy (T'u). It also relates to floating over the opponent, controlling him
completely. Foo/Fou is always followed by Too/T'u. Foo is the act of floating and is therefore characterized
by upwards motions. Foo often implies raising the hands while maintaining the bodys oneness with the
earth (rooting). Many techniques use a slight amount of floating and then combine with some other element
of the Fist Rules such as swallowing etc.
4. Spitting (Tu/Too): One of the most important concepts of Baihequan. This means to release energy. To
strike with great energy so that the opponent is defeated. Also means "To Eject". If one examines the CraneFist poem entitled "Hequan Quan Jue - Poems of Crane-Fist", one line of this poem consists of five Chinese
Characters which read: 1.The Method, 2.Hard, 3.Soft, 4.Absorb, 5.Eject. This could be translated as: The
way/method of uses hard and soft, absorbing and repelling/ejecting/spitting out". Tu/Too is always used for
attack. Tuen is always followed by Tu/Too.
5. Pouncing (Pou): Pou means to pounce with the hands or feet like a tiger in nature jumping out from its lair
to attack its prey. The hands for example, rush out and intercept, grasp or strike. An example of a technique
that embody pouncing would be Double Dragons swim out to sea.
6. Lifting (Ti): Lifting refers to quickly raising the hands to intercept the opponents attack. This principle is often
applied to hand techniques but can also be applied to specialized kicking movements as well. The Metal
Hands and Rising Crane Head apply this principle.
7. Throwing (Shuai): This involves techniques used to unbalance and take down an opponent. This can include
Chin-Na techniques such as locks, takedowns and sweeping techniques. A certain amount of sudden
power is used in Shuai.
8. Springing/Rebounding (Tang): Springing energy is used extensively in White Crane Bouncing or springing
your hand off an enemies incoming attack and then using that same hand to counter-attack is one example
of Springing in combat.
In Baihequan/Miquan (SecretFist), the element theory of Metal (Jinshou), Wood (Mu), Water (Shuei), Fire (Huo),
Earth (Tu) and Gold (Huangjin) are of paramount importance as these form the basic essence of the art. There are 5
major techniques embodying the essence of Baihequan. Each is named after the elements of traditional Chinese
philosophy.
From here, all other methods and variations are developed and the encouragement of refinement (Li-Jing) is then
pursued. The aim being to seek knowledge (Qi-Zhi).
The Element Hands are also known as the Loosening Exercises within the Huang Shen Shyan lineage of White
Crane Fist and are supported by long experience.
The Element hands use a wave of expansion from ground - shooting arrow and emphasises wave of stretching and
compression that precedes wave of expansion - drawing the bow
Wood-Hand : the characteristic of Wood is "straight," so Wood-Hand thrusts straight through fingers.
Fire-Hand : the characteristic of Fire is "expanding upward," so Fire-Hand points fingers upward, and Qi
goes out at the heel of the palm.
Earth-Hand : the characteristic of Earth is "receiving," so the fist-like Earth-Hand can take punishment
and deliver power to strike the opponent's body.
Metal-Hand : the characteristic of Metal is "changing," So metal-Hand changes in form, can be used to
block or counter-attack
Water-Hand : the characteristic of Water is "flow downward" or away so Water-Hand flows or flushes
downward or away.
Shaolin White Crane Gates Theory simply states that one may be attacked from all directions at any given time.
Therefore one must be prepared to defend the four gates: East, West, North and South.
Inside & Outside Gates (Jung Men, Bien Men)
The concept of gates is also used in terms of inside and outside gates. Outside gates techniques (Bien Men) are
generally safer to use in that one counterstrikes from the outside of the attacking limb thereby limiting the
aggressors opportunity to follow-up. Inside gate techniques (Jung Men) move head on into an opponent on the
inside of the attacking limb.