Long Fist Kung Fu is great for any age, but we recommend Long Fist for students under 16 and Taijiquan for students 16 and older.
Chángquán (simplified Chinese: 长拳; traditional Chinese: 長拳; pinyin: Chángquán; lit.: 'Long Fist') refers to a family of external (as opposed to internal) martial arts (kung fu) styles from northern China.
What will you be learning?
You will start with Kung Fu Basics: This is the start of your training. Here you will learn how to warm up, Footwork, Blocking, punching and kicking techniques.
Once you have the basics down, you will learn the following.
Tán Tuǐ (traditional Chinese: 彈腿; simplified Chinese: 弹腿; pinyin: TánTuǐ) may refer to a particular style of Chinese Martial Arts (commonly called Kung Fu or Gung Fu (Chinese: 功夫; pinyin: Gōng Fu), but more accurately called Wushu (traditional Chinese: 武術; simplified Chinese: 武术; pinyin: Wŭ shù) bearing the name Tantui, a form(s), set(s) or routine(s) - popularly known by the Japanese term Kata, but the Chinese term is (Chinese: 套路; pinyin: Tào lù) Taolu - bearing this Tantui name in many different styles, or perhaps a specific type of front snap kick - also bearing the Tantui name.
As a form, routine or set, Tantui can be found in many Northern styles of Chinese martial arts. Its prevalence being so widespread, a common saying among Chinese martial artists has evolved: If your Tán Tuǐ is good, your kung fu will be good.
The term 'Tán Tuǐ' itself has been translated into English a variety of ways, with the most prevalent equating to "Springing Leg." Others are Pond Leg, Tam's (as in surname - used to represent name of a family style of Chinese Martial Arts) Kicks, Pond Kicks and others. The name has been translated several different ways, with the most prevalent being that of 'springing leg'. The term is made up of two Chinese words or characters. Everyone tends to agree on the second word or character: 腿. In standard Mandarin Chinese, this is represented by the Pinyin romanization as Tuǐ, and literally means leg, thigh, shank, etc.; a Google Image search for the Chinese character will reveal many images of legs, etc. However, in the world of martial arts, this has generally been accepted to mean 'kick,' or more specifically, a type of front snap kick.
The first Chinese character or word that makes up the term, however, is the one that tends to bring some confusion. The exact reasoning for the variations is unknown, however may be tied-in with the varying accounts of the form and / or style's origins and history.
Tán Tuǐ is deeply rooted in China's Hui ethnic group of people.
Understanding Tán Tuǐ as a Form
Little is known of Tán Tuǐ as a complete style, however the routine bearing this name is wildly popular in various Northern styles. The two most common versions are known as 10 and 12 'road' Tán Tuǐ. The word "road" is used to refer to a piece of the form - a group of movements strung together - such that, road one will have its set of movements (perhaps executed once, but often done three times) going in one direction, road two will have its movements going in the opposite direction and, road three going back in the other direction and so on... It continues this way through road 10 or 12. There are other varieties of this form as well, 14, 20, 24, paired or "two-man" Tán Tuǐ, etc.
Styles that have incorporated a version of Tán Tuǐ into their curriculum usually use it as a beginner form or training form, however due to its large number of movements, could be used for intense study for many years, regardless of version.
Once you have a full understanding of Tan Tui, you will learn the following.
Lien Bu Quan was propagated at the Nan Jing Guo Shu Guan and is now practiced in many different Northern Chinese martial arts systems. The routine is one of the centerpieces of foundational training in Northern Shaolin Long Fist.
Lien Bu Quan literally translates to Consecutive or Continuous Linking Step Form. Lien Bu Quan originates from its’ own system of Kung Fu. But, over time it has been generically accepted as a Shaolin Form. This form is still taught today in the Chinese Army and as part of the physical education program in school. Also it is seen as Hsing Yi Form by some schools.
Lien Bu Quan is purported to be named after the south western province which made it famous. Some claim this is also known as Szechwan Linked Fist.
Once you have a full understanding of Lien Bu Quan, you will learn the following.
Gong Li Quan meaning “Power Fist” is a famous routine in Northern Shaolin and is the second routine of the ten fundamental Chinwoo routines. It teaches beginners how to correctly master the posture of various stances and hand techniques such as fist, palm and hook.
Gong Li Quan demands sturdy and proper postures with firm stances. It also requires precise release of strength. Shifting of stance has to be quick and agile, but still maintaining stability. It is good for strengthening the arms, developing waist muscles and improving stances.