Unusual Kung Fu Styles!

[Andy Murray]

Hi folks, what's your take on some of the less mainstream Kung Fu systems out there?

For Example (http://www.martialinfo.com/Styles/monkey.htm)

[Chinwoo-er]

You're calling monkey unusual ???

[Andy Murray]

Nope, 'less mainstream'

What would you call unusual?

[Greyghost]

Anything i do looks unusual.!!!!!!!!

[Cain]

ROFLMAO! :D

Damn! That cracked me up :D

In that case it would be the same here :D:p

|Cain|

[Spike]

Not sure I understand the question Andy? Could you elaborate?

[JediMasterChris]

My friends think Tai-Chi is unusual....:(

[pgm316]

Some of the older Kung Fu - animal styles. I don't know much about these styles, but the older ones in general seem less efficient. I won't comment on effectiveness! ;) But they seem to have a lot of wasted flowery movements, replicating those of a certain animal etc.

The styles seem very unnatural to me, much of the actions are not needed! You can see how newer "more scientific" styles such as Wing Chun have evolved.

I think many of these styles concentrate on certain principles or strengths too much, making a fighter good in one area but possibly weak in many others........

[wayofthedragon]

concerning less mainstream kung-fu styles......
My take on it is that they are cool. I beleive they're only less mainstream because they were the most gaurded secrets of the chinese martial arts, not because they are less effective or less flashy, and so on. But because they were probally only passed down to certain people and would be careful to whom they taught, this may have even caused a lot of them to die out. However, those styles are becoming to come more and more out in the open. Like the duck style, horse style, unicorn, etc Though there are still a lot of mystery and secrets surounding a lot of them.

[Chinwoo-er]

Chances are, some styles were less passed down mainly because they kept to themselves. Most of the popular styles were made popular becaus they were somehow brought from the countrysides to the cities where all the competition for students superiority ( similar to today really ) are. In the cutthroat game of martilal arts marketing, number of students and quiality of students is of utmost importance. Back in the old days, some of the styles are used just in one village or even one family with 30 or less people. If they don't get spread to the cities, they don't get alot of students, Hence, remaining small in the numbers of practitioners and never making it to the mainstream. Although secrecy do play a role in this, many mainstream style's secrets are still kept tightly among some individuals. So I think it is possible for secrets to be kept even if you become mainstream. Just teach them the elementary and what is enough for them to hold their own in common fighting situaitns

[wayofthedragon]

ahhh chinwoo.... fair enough;)

[bob]

those little known mysterious styles like stag and monkey and unicorn ect are some of the more intriguing. but i think that's only because their seldom seen. they have novelty, like drunken boxing had a few years ago, before it was all over the movies and video games. i think that they die out like the other systems, because they are not taught. kung fu suffers and suffered alot from the elitist mentality that kept it secret and hidden while other arts were everywhere and grew like crazy. they weren't aloud to get popular because they were secret. at least in the u.s.
in the county i live in there are three kung fu schools, all owned or affiliated with my sifu. but for karate there are at least six that i know of and add in the tae kwon do and kick boxing and the guys doing pekita-arnis in the park and the tai chi practioners not affiliated with us and we make up a very small percentage of the martial arts schools in the county. this tradition and attitude had to start somewhere, and i think it dates back a long time. probably back to when kung fu masters were hunted and had to live in secret. the chinese government supressed and destroyed a lot of inforation and styles in its efforts to maintain control and military superiority over its populace. it's a bitter irony that the activities that were meant to protect the arts are the things that lead to their demise.

that's just what i think.

[cyrk007]

Hun Gar is not the most mainstream of Kung fu.. not too many people have heard of it outside of martial arts people ..

[PeeJ]

in that case nothing is mainstream, if i went up yo a regular, non-mertial arts person and said "Name a style of Kung Fu."
The reply would probably be along the lines of "Fighting!" or the even better "Eh? What do you mean style?"

[Andy Murray]

Peej, could you re-post that worded in a different way please?

You're meaning is vague!

[PeeJ]

I was refering to cyrk007 saying

"Hun Gar is not the most mainstream of Kung fu.. not too many people have heard of it outside of martial arts people .."

I ment that if your measuring by that yardstick then none of the styles are mainstream since very few people outside of martial arts know that there are different styles of Kung Fu.

[Wong Fei Hung]

I have heard about Hun Gar but I don't know much about the style but I'm not sure if this is a style or technique but I think Armor Pugilist is unusual but I think it is cool knowing Armor Pugilist.

[Andy Murray]

Ah, sorry, me being dumb. I get you now.

Like saying Karate, when there are so many different styles of that too?

I think Wing Chun is probably the closest to being known by the general public. I really meant the styles some members have mentioned. I saw a guy who had forms based on the movements of a Duck once. Pretty unusual.

I'm just interested in styles I haven't heard of I guess.

[Andy Murray]

Has anyone heard of or seen, Nam Pai Chuan?

(North/South Fist)

[Wong Fei Hung]

The name sounds familiar to me. Andy if you want me to research about it I'll try.

[Andy Murray]

Thanks WFH,
yeah a link or a site would be good. I saw some through the week, and I want to check the background on it.

[Wong Fei Hung]

Ok, I might have the information by tomorrow.

[SoKKlab]

Ah Andy with these Unusual Kung Fu styles you are spoiling us...

Here's a couple more:

Tei' Tong, T'i Kung or Ti T'and (Bai Ma Sya Shan) is a ground fighting system. Contains techs that are either about counter-striking when being thrown or uprooted, particularly counter-striking during the fall, many ways to land, roll, breakfall and fight from the floor.

Part of this was apparently used in some of the Monkey Systems...

Dog Boxing (Can't remember the Chinese for this) is also a System that 'rides' throws, apparently counter-striking during the Arc of said throw, or counter throwing during the landing. How I don't know for sure, but apparently they ahve an Ruff attitude, sorry, I mean they are fierce.

Meizhua Zhang (Don't quote me on the spelling) Is a Northern Chinese System replete with loads of throws, Dynamic Kicks, Jumps, Springing and Jumping Techniques etc

Anybody know anymore??? I know that tere are thousands of styles pre-1900.

Lama Kung Fu (Hop Gar) is not well known. Has some great Low Kicking/ sweeping drills.

[Andy Murray]

Hmmm, you've got some good books I think SoKKlab.

I'm gonna burgle your house!

[Wong Fei Hung]

I kind of think Lua and Capoeira is unusual but they aren't Kung Fu styles.

[SoKKlab]

Watch out for my Dog Boxer, He lives in the Outhouse...

All from memory I'm afraid. The Folly of a mispent youth Andy.
Whilst other kids were out knicking cars and mugging old ladies, I was in the house with my Kung Fu books, talking to Grasshoppa.

Ling Lom (Air Monkey) is pretty unusual too, but is a Thai system and not strictly KF.

Go Ro Kun is a quite unusual KF style from South East (Hokkien) China. Very unusual Sanchin forms, strange face pulling in their striking, almost constipated breathing...

[Andy Murray]

Sanchin???

As in Dynamic Tension KARATE form?

[SoKKlab]

Sanchin as found in many Kung Fu systems such as Ng Cho Kun (5 Ancestors), that's where these Carrotee blighters get it all from.
See latest book on 5 Ancestors for a really good comparison of the two as found in Goju-Ryu (Okinawa) and 5 Ancestors (Hokkien)

[Andy Murray]

Any idea if that form is similar to that found in Karate?
I always saw similarities with Sui Nim Tao.

I'd be interested in that book.
You spamming for 'martialartsadvice'?

Any joy on the Chin Na yet SoKKlab?

[SoKKlab]

Very similar to the Goju form, they do a side by side photo comparison in the book. I also kept the Go Ro Kun article from the now defunct Fighting Arts International (From 1990), that's very okinawan Karateish.

A friend who knows shedloads more about Martial Arts than me and is highly skilled in Praying mantis and Hsing-I told me about a few more as well.

Steve Morris the Goju Karate stylist was one of the first UK Karatekas to go to China and confirm that the Okinawan stuff was
from Hokkien Province. They allude to White Crane mostly.

The 5 Ancestors book is on Unique Publications I think.

www.martialartsadvice.com is my website. I've written all the reviews etc on there. See the Blurb if interested. It's Great!

Chin Na-not a sausage, I do have the Zhao Da Yuan book 'Practical Chin Na' book though, so i know my Ji Quan's from my Neiguan's. No-one in the Uk teaches Chin Na as a seperate system, unfortunately...

[Andy Murray]

Originally posted by SoKKlab


1/ The 5 Ancestors book is on Unique Publications I think.

2/ www.martialartsadvice.com is my website. I've written all the reviews etc on there. See the Blurb if interested. It's Great!

3/ Chin Na-not a sausage, I do have the Zhao Da Yuan book 'Practical Chin Na' book though, so i know my Ji Quan's from my Neiguan's. No-one in the Uk teaches Chin Na as a seperate system, unfortunately...

1/ Thanks for that.

2/ Pulling your chain. Link in your sig is fine, I've already checked out your site. It's good. Wanna do a deal to advertise? :D

3/ I know there was someone teaching pure Chin Na in Ireland ten years ago, there has to be someone in the UK. My searches certainly hinted at it. I'll do another couple of searches for you. Why the interest?

[SoKKlab]

Oh yeah Andy,
The 5 Ancestors thing is available as a video series as well, also
on Unique. Fantastic prone Scissor Leg Takedowns and nice use of elbow. Good Book and Video series.

I did contact Paul Whitrod (Praying Mantis, Kalaripayarit etc in East London) to see if he teaches any seperate Chin Na classes. He's ment to be a good teacher, but only teaches (as ever) the Chin Na as part of the Mantis system. Not really in my game plan to go off and learn Praying Mantis, though it's a very good system...

But I have managed to integrate the Chin Na in with my standard Thai technique, some of the interception/ offensive block techniques are the same as Muay Boran (Old style Muay Thai) and I am now really good at Collar Bone Throws.....

Am doing a Ju Jitsu class as alot of the basic techniques are the same, except Chin Na is a bit nastier, by degrees...

Advertising on www.martialartsadvice.com ?
I'd definitely consider it. What did you have in mind?

The site is only just getting going and I have been writing a really long series of articles about Muay Thai and the technical similarities of certain other systems.

Apparently Yang Jwing Ming's organisations teaches Chin Na as a seperate system (Passive and Active apparently) in the States...

[Wong Fei Hung]

Hey guys do you think Kobujutsu is wierd?

They use walking sticks,a rice grinding handle as weapons.

[SoKKlab]

Hey Wong
Rice Grinding Handles (Tonfa) are found in loads of Asian Martial Arts weapon systems ,
Chinese, Okinawan, Filipino, Malay-Indonesian etc

I guess you use what comes to hand.

Look at the Europeans. Major battlefield weapon during Medieval times, was the Bill Hook, which by the way is one of the meanest nastiest things that you could swish about in the face of the enemy. Military Bill Hook was based on the common civilian Bill Hook, as used for cutting trees, hedges etc etc.

And the Threshall was another European weapon, it's a staff with a cudgel attached by rope or chain. Used for thrashing grains. As used on many a battlefield in Medieval Europe.

[Wong Fei Hung]

Oh! Sorry I was thinking of a diferent picture of the Handles.

Hey it's Self defense at least lol.

[jmd161]

Originally posted by Wong Fei Hung
I have heard about Hun Gar but I don't know much about the style


Your MAP name is the name of the most famous Hung Gar Master that ever lived,and yet you know nothing about the style.

That's pretty funny !lol:D

Well there are a lot of styles that are not mainstream.In China Wing Chun,Choy Lay Fut ,and Hung gar are not seen much outside of Hong Kong? In the US they are three of the most popular.My current style of Hak Fu Moon (Black Tiger) is a very rare style even in China.But Black Tiger is known for two things.It's brutal training and it's Various types of dummies.Like The Black Tiger "Grinder Dummy"

Unusual styles are usually very effective because ppl have never seen them and don't know how to react to them.

http://www.black-tiger.org/lan7.jpg

The Black Tiger Grinder Dummy is made of Cement and iron with two rows of moving iron arms.


jeff:)

[inacan]

Hop Gar is a variation of the White crane style isn't it? Hung Gar actually is quite popular from what I understand, being the most dominant of the southern styles, and probably the most recognized of the 16 southern tiger styles (monkey being one as well).

If you think about it the majority of people know Kung fu as....kung fu, there used to the hollywood variety (Wu Shu or Wing Chun), so until you get into the martial arts community, you don't know much about the styles. Once your into though and start to learn, you start hearing of these styles and who practices what and so forth.

I hope I've made some sense.

[jmd161]

Originally posted by inacan
Hung Gar actually is quite popular from what I understand, being the most dominant of the southern styles, and probably the most recognized of the 16 southern tiger styles (monkey being one as well).

I hope I've made some sense.

Yes Hung Gar is very popular outside of China,but inside China once you get outside of Hong Kong it's not seen much.Most Southern styles are making a comeback through Hong Kong.When most masters fled the mainland some settled in Hong Kong which was under British rule until some yrs back.When it was returned to China.


jeff:)

[s00perb4k4]

Yea, I'm not sure what one would consider "less mainstream", but I'd have to say mantis and monkey are... never tried monkey, but mantis is fun. Crazy difficult training, but it feels you with a sense of accomplishment at the end of the day... well, accomplishment and fatigue, but that's why it's fun!!!

[Hakko-Ryu]

There's also Futgar, the style tends to lead with and use the left hand alot.
I'm very interested in learning Baji quan (eight gates fist) or Hakkyoku- ken (I beleve is the Japanese derivative.) Baji quan is an internal style which focuses on EXPLOSIVE blows...Blows that would finish a fight. Wild guess but does anyone know of any Bajiquan schools around Northern California, san francisco area? thanks!

[deCadena]

and mixing hung gar and fut gar, we have HUNGFUT :) www.hungfutph.com

i have a very high interest with ziranmen (natural boxing) it's the style of a legend kung fu master in china of the 20th century ban lai sing or wan lai sheng. :)

[SeekerOfWisdom]

I got a book from the libary. It is called "The Original Martial Arts Encyclopedia: Tradition, History, Pioneers" by John Corcoran and Emil Farkas with Stuart Sobel. It has alot of Unique Styles in it. Like Fong Ngan. Also known as the Phoenix Eye. It Originated in China's Hopu provinse and developed by Kew Soong. In the Fong Ngan system, the basic blow is delivered with the fore-knuckle fist (from which the style takes its name). Palm fist, finger poke, rigid hand and Knife hand techniques also are taught. The style's only kick is the Front Snap Kick, delivered to the low groin area. There are no formal stances in the style. Instead, practitioners learn to crowd opponent, enticing him to make a wrong move. A Fong Ngan practitioner never retreats from an attack, but moves into it or, if necessary, jumps to the side while counterattacking. Fong Ngan employs tripping and leg-hooking throws, techniques that are always follwed up by a "killing" blow or strike. The style emphasizes kuen(forms), proper breathing, speed, and form. There are 4-man and 2-man exercises, the latter is closely resembling sparring. There are a lot of other styles in the book. It would take to long to write them all out though. I don't have a webpage to post any of them either sorry.

[David]

Dog style (mentioned)
Duck style (already mentioned)
10,000 stining bees
Fish style
Snake style
Flea
Squirrel (recent invention; humurous)
Elephant


I was amazed to see vids of sanchin on the web recently. Sanchin is quite similar to the forms in my style of southern mantis.

sokklab, Yang Jwing Ming's chin na book is very good and well worth £17 if you haven't alrady got it. All you need is someone to practice with.

Rgds,
David

[keith1892]

has anyone heard of splashing hands???

[jmd161]

Originally posted by keith1892
has anyone heard of splashing hands???


Yes! Do you study splashing hands?





jeff:)

[Sub zero]

Hey sokklab. I practice Hung gar/Lau gar and JJ.

My JJ teachers are alwasy telling e how i do some moves with a Kung fu , (jmd161s favourite word) faght.And tehyare always talking about the links between chi na and JJ something i'e found some JJ instrucotrs to be reluctant to tlak about.

[jmd161]

Originally posted by Sub zero
Hey sokklab. I practice Hung gar/Lau gar and JJ.

My JJ teachers are alwasy telling e how i do some moves with a Kung fu , (jmd161s favourite word) faght.And tehyare always talking about the links between chi na and JJ something i'e found some JJ instrucotrs to be reluctant to tlak about.



Ahhh Ha!


See that's the point i was trying to make on that thread haha:D




jeff:)

[God]

10,000 stinging bees?

*too intrigued for words*

[surgingshark]

The first time I ever heard of Ba Gua was from watching the Russel Wong TV Show "Black Sash" (Curse you, WB, for cancelling that show...)

[David]

Can't tell anyone about 10,000 stinging bees but it sounds like fast n furious nerve strikes or something.

I'm interested to hear about splashing hands but perhaps in its own thread.

Rgds,
David

[Indestructible]

Has anyone ever heard of the Harkmoon Tiger style? I heard it mentioned before but know nothing about it myself.

[jmd161]

Originally posted by Indestructible
Has anyone ever heard of the Harkmoon Tiger style? I heard it mentioned before but know nothing about it myself.


I think you mean Hark Fu Moon?

Hark Fu Moon
Huk Fu Moon
Hak Fu Muhn
Hak Fu Moon


Are ways of saying Black Tiger!

Although Fu Jow Pai Tiger's Claw usually uses the Hark Fu Moon spelling.



jeff:)

[Smee]

A few unusual ones for consideration:- Apolojies but 2 of my keys aren't workin very well - see if you can decide wot tey are?

Boziquan - Cripple style. Style was created by a buddist priest. It imitates a crippled person. Only one known routine wit 80 movements.

Chuanquan - Translated as Boat Fist. In Wuxing area of Zejiang province, people often tied two boats together and set up a platform for a fight. Cuanquan was a result of tis. Many bareand and weapons routines.

Dabeiquan - based on teachings of Buddist Dabeizhou. Practioners are required to recite a phrase from sutra along wit each posture.

Ditangquan - ground style. Uses offensive groundfighting moves.

Dishuquanfa - DOG style - as previous post. Known for kicks executed after falling to ground.

Fanziquan - turning body fist.

Lianmenquan - United fist.

Liuhebafa - water boxing. or six harmony fist.

Lulinpai - green forest style.

Manshouquan - Full hand fist.

Mianquan - cotton fist.

Mizongquan - lost track boxing.

Paochui - cannon hammer fist.

Piqua - axe handle boxing or splitting fist.

Qinglongquan - green dragon fist - focuses on application of palms and fingers.

Tongbiquan - connected arm fist

From "KF Elements" book. Would be nice to see some of these!

Paul

[Indestructible]

Thanks Jeff,
Thats probably it.

[surgingshark]

"Cotton Fist"???

[keith1892]

yes i do i am learning splashing hands & it is an awesome system. however, it sucks b/c not too many people know about it & it is lost from mainland china though it moved to taiwan. only one person teaches it in the us & he is sifu james mcneil, my teacher. anyone interested in it?

[keith1892]

yes splashing hands has its own thread...i'd be more than happy to respond to anyone's questions, i.e. david, about it. it's a great system & very unusual to see.

[Smee]

suringshark

From the book -

cotton fist - practitioners of this style are required to attain a high level of flexibility. It is also known as Yanshou - referrin to the characteristics of extending the arms during its applications. Their routines include Liujiashi and Bazhe.

???:)

[bcullen]

Originally posted by PaulS
A few unusual ones for consideration:- Apolojies but 2 of my keys aren't workin very well - see if you can decide wot tey are?


Ditangquan - ground style. Uses offensive groundfighting moves.


Paochui - cannon hammer fist.


From "KF Elements" book. Would be nice to see some of these!

Paul

These two caught my attention -- As I practice The numbered sets of General Yue Fei. The first set Pow Chuan (cannon boxing) and second set; rainining fist/meteor fist/splashing fist, comprise whats called 18 northern fist. The offensive side (all about blocking, hitting, kicking). Trapping fist, 13 sweeping method, Chi Na (Joint locks), Di Tang (ground work) are the next section. Crossing fist, Attack and evade, plum flower fist and flying kicks finish the series. I'm working on Di Tang, it's very acrobatic. It's also where you learn how to fall correctly.

[Sub zero]

I know ! I know!

It's ur H and A key. Wow i must be a genius!:D

btw JMD i learn The JJ faght aswell. But their faghts are veryssimilar. The JJ tehcs still work wiht my Jung fu style. And i hope to develop my own "faght" not somebody elses.

[Chimpcheng]

I've seen chicken style kung fu and I'm not kdding either

[bcullen]

Originally posted by Chimpcheng
I've seen chicken style kung fu and I'm not kdding either

O.k. I gotta ask:
Chicken? :confused: Now that's obscure. Is it similar to Crane with less graceful movements?

[bcullen]

Wait. Don't tell me. There are two forms, right.
Original and Extra-Crispy :D

[Indestructible]

I know a chicken kick, but I think that may be a nickname for it. Never heard of a chicken style though.

[Matt_Bernius]

There is a Chicken (or rather Rooster) aspect to Hsing Yi (along with the 12 other Chinese Zodiak Animals). But as far as an entire Chicken system... that's new to me too.

- Matt

[Sub zero]

Yeh i agree with matt. I have heard of chicken forms within internal schools but anything else not sure

[SliqueRICK]

ive heard of mandarin duck boxing and my xingyi has 2 chicken forms

[SliqueRICK]

elephant kung fu

[lamegrappler]

I do Shuai Jiao and I never heard of it till my vale tudo instructor told me about there kung fu classes.

[SliqueRICK]

you never heard of it man i heard about shuai jiao when i was five

[shifu v]

shou shu, the kung fu system of the 7 fighting beasts including
Mongoose...

It was originally taught to the oldest child in the mandarin royal families...

[Ninestep]

Unusual kung fu styles, so that would be not commonly practiced ones.
Well, any real traditional style is fairly unusual.

[Ninestep]

"It was originally taught to the oldest child in the mandarin royal families..."

That sounds very interesting, which dynasty?

[Sub zero]

Originally posted by shifu v
shou shu, the kung fu system of the 7 fighting beasts including
Mongoose...

It was originally taught to the oldest child in the mandarin royal families...


Are you sureit wasn't youngest?

[shifu v]

"That sounds very interesting, which dynasty?"

Somewhere around 200-150 BC...

[Ninestep]

"Somewhere around 200-150 BC..."

So you can trace your martial art to the Qin Dynasty, over 2000 years ago then? Must be some family tree.

[Shou Tu]

Originally posted by Ninestep
"Somewhere around 200-150 BC..."

So you can trace your martial art to the Qin Dynasty, over 2000 years ago then? Must be some family tree.

Good day Ninestep, i have to ask are you being sarcastic to Shifu V or are you actually be pure in your responses?

Salute,

SS Blue

[Ninestep]

"Good day Ninestep, i have to ask are you being sarcastic to Shifu V or are you actually be pure in your responses? "

I'm simply asking a question. Nothing purer than the truth.

[Kat]

ZiranMen, Tongbiquan, Pigua, Baji, Dagongli, Sanhuangpao, Meihuaquan, Niantui, Wushizhuang, Lianquan, Liuhebu, Xinyibu, Mulanquan.

There are literaly thousands of styles in China and Taiwan.Most you won't find onthe internet or documented in Westerm Publications.
Go to China or Taiwan,go to any park in any City in the morning and have a chat to some older people and you will get loads of stories and styles,not all accurate ofcause;).The Tiyu Daxue's in various cities usually have at least one department dedicated to MA styles and development into stardarised forms. There is a lot of research happening in China concerning MA and their traditions.

[Shou Tu]

Originally posted by Ninestep
"Good day Ninestep, i have to ask are you being sarcastic to Shifu V or are you actually be pure in your responses? "

I'm simply asking a question. Nothing purer than the truth.

Salute,

your getting sly in your old age arent you LOL. How goes the training there in the UK.

Salute,

Blue

[Charlie85]

im not doin this style,but i have seen it.its realle strange :P

[Mika]

I didn't read every post on this thread, so someone might have said this already. A couple of years ago Kung Fu Magazine listed 100 Kung Fu styles. Most of them I had never heard of, but that's just me, though...

And I agree, most people unfortunately wouldn't understand the question about styles and Kung Fu. "There are styles?"...LOL

The most well known styles in my humble guess would have to be Choy Lee Fut, Wing Chun, and Hung Gar. I am now omitting any styles that have the name Shaolin attached to them (if I am allowed). Those three styles exist in many countries (although in Finland we do not have Hung Gar, as far as I know, but we do have some very obscure styles. If you go here http://koti.mbnet.fi/budo/ and click Paikkakunnat, you will see an alphabetical listing of most cities in Finland. Then just pick and choose to see what kinds of martial arts are offered here. If anyone is interested...).

//mika

[xuande]

If by unusual you mean rarely seen styles try Ha Say Fu (lower 5 tigers) often it is taught in Hung Gar schools, rarely by itself. Very interesting in that for a Southern style it incorporates quite a few weapons that are rarely seen outside of northern styles and for a rather large amount of 3 person sparring sets.

It's hard to come by a pure Lau Gar school, again often it is found taught in Hung Gar schools.

Lastly 8 Immortal Taoists is pretty rare and the forms themselves are pretty crazy, not to mention the choice of weapons.

[Smee]

"It's hard to come by a pure Lau Gar school, again often it is found taught in Hung Gar schools."

xuande

Obviously you haven't been to the UK. "Lau Gar" kung fu is very, very common in the UK but its origins have been subject to much debate on this and other forums. If you want to read about it do a search coz there's no point in re-starting this particular discussion.

Anyway - interesting stuff has been raised over on SouthernFist which seems to be pretty categoric that Hung Gar's Lau Gar Kuen originated from Mok Gar and Lau Gar Pole originated from Southern praying mantis. The only factor in common was that the person that taught the forms to Lam Jo was named Lau and the naming of the HG set was in reference to this. That would mean that HG's Lau Gar is not really Lau Gar after all. (confusing innit!!)

:D

Paul

[xuande]

I guess I should have specified that it is hard to find here in the US. I guess it gets really confusing in knowing who taught what and when with the masters around Lam Jo and a generation before. There was just such a great deal of cross training 'encouraged' by the Chings it gets really murky. It doesn't help that our SiGung had quite a few instructors so tracing the lineage for some pieces outside of our core curriculum can be complicated at best.

[snowman8198]

I have a good one for you I train in the art of Kun Tao from William Reeders by Grandmaster Bob Servidio ,Master George Etzel , and Grandmaster Cootie Harris. this is a style you can't find hardly any where

[eagelclaw]

have u lots heard of dim mak....(u probbly have) ....isnt that type of kung fu supose to rare???????

[gedhab]

have u lots heard of dim mak....(u probbly have) ....isnt that type of kung fu supose to rare???????

not really, its basically pressure point striking that can case death and the same points that are used for healing can be used for injuring/killing. pressure points are found in many KF systems.

[Mushroom]

have u lots heard of dim mak....(u probbly have) ....isnt that type of kung fu supose to rare???????


Havent you seen BloodSport???

Its where you blow up the bottom brick:D:D

[Noodlesoup]

I have a good one for you I train in the art of Kun Tao from William Reeders by Grandmaster Bob Servidio ,Master George Etzel , and Grandmaster Cootie Harris. this is a style you can't find hardly any where

There are quite a few Kun Tao schools here in Holland ;)

[Infrazael]

The truth is, ALL styles of Kung Fu is pretty damn rare, compared to the vast multitude of crappy Karate and TKD McDojos and Kung-Fu wannabe McDojos in the world.

Just becaus CLF, WC or HG is "more" known than say, Monkey or something doesn't mean that they are THAT popular in the world. Quite to the contrary, almost ZERO Westerners, and even about 90% of the current Chinese population are oblivious to these styles.

Actually, I grew up in Northern China, and stuff like WC, CLF and HG are ALOT rarer than say, stories of the Mantis or the Tiger or Dragon.

Animalistic styles are actually very well known, if not practiced.

[awakened nature]

Anyway - interesting stuff has been raised over on SouthernFist which seems to be pretty categoric that Hung Gar's Lau Gar Kuen originated from Mok Gar...
Paul

Ive heard this too, havent learnt enough forms yet to compare, but live on MOK GAR.

[Frogman316]

I think Poon Kuen might fall into this catagory as it is a relatively "new" closed temple style.

[diligentmantis]

I have a good one for you I train in the art of Kun Tao from William Reeders by Grandmaster Bob Servidio ,Master George Etzel , and Grandmaster Cootie Harris. this is a style you can't find hardly any where

Kun Tau is not a style of martial art. This is a Hokkien term meaning fist way. Kun tau is often used in Indonesia, Malaysia, and filipines as a common term for chinese arts, We use the term kung fu in the west. My Father inlaw also knows what he terms kun tau, When you see Kun tau in malaysia as i have on several occasions it seems to be a mix of chinese and Malay arts.

sean

[Matt_Bernius]

Kun Tau is not a style of martial art. This is a Hokkien term meaning fist way. Kun tau is often used in Indonesia, Malaysia, and filipines as a common term for chinese arts, We use the term kung fu in the west. My Father inlaw also knows what he terms kun tau, When you see Kun tau in malaysia as i have on several occasions it seems to be a mix of chinese and Malay arts.

seanAll that said Mr Reeder's family system is taught under the title
of Kun Tau and is exactly what you describe: a mix of Chinese and Malay concepts. Great system.

- Matt

[diligentmantis]

All that said Mr Reeder's family system is taught under the title
of Kun Tau and is exactly what you describe: a mix of Chinese and Malay concepts. Great system.

- Matt Has Mr Reeder got a website on his art?, I like the Malay Arts there is a Malay Art that is quite rare Naskel Haq.

sean

[Evil Betty]

The truth is, ALL styles of Kung Fu is pretty damn rare, compared to the vast multitude of crappy Karate and TKD McDojos and Kung-Fu wannabe McDojos in the world.
I'll second that. I live near Ann Arbor Michigan, which is a good size city that has one large university and is extremely close to a couple other good colleges. So far I've only found one school teaching styles these more common types of kung fu. Ann Arbor basically sucks for martial artists. :rolleyes:

[oldman]

Some of the older Kung Fu - animal styles. I don't know much about these styles, but the older ones in general seem less efficient. I won't comment on effectiveness! ;) But they seem to have a lot of wasted flowery movements, replicating those of a certain animal etc.

The styles seem very unnatural to me, much of the actions are not needed! You can see how newer "more scientific" styles such as Wing Chun have evolved.

I think many of these styles concentrate on certain principles or strengths too much, making a fighter good in one area but possibly weak in many others........


sorry
to dis these so called flowery movements is to not understand them they are there for a reason.

[Cuchulain4]

Crab Kung Fu

It was in Mortal Kombat Deadly Alliance as one of reptiles styles. I was intrigued so i looked on the net and found that it did exist but is now dead. It uses a completely sideways horse stance with hands in the shape of claws. There was alot of hand conditioning involved.

[oldman]

Crab Kung Fu
It uses a completely sideways horse stance with hands in the shape of claws.


like MC HAMER :D :D :D :D :D :D :D

[Greyghost]

apparantly it had a lot of vocal attacks......

"STOP...hammer time"

[Matt_Bernius]

Has Mr Reeder got a website on his art?, I like the Malay Arts there is a Malay Art that is quite rare Naskel Haq.

seanHere are two good sites with more information on Reeder's System (unfortunately Master Reeders has been dead for quite some time) though the system itself continues.

http://members.cox.net/eharris2/cimac/history.html
http://www.acifa.net/

- Matt

[FightingMonk2k3]

can anyone explain to me why Moore's Shou Shu is so great? to me, they were horrible! i mean, i tried them for a year of training from 2000 to 2001 and all i got was lies from the black belts. they were also trying to tell me that i needed to be someone i'm not. plus, i have NEVER, EVER, met so many egotistical black belts from any martial art system that i've encountered so far. i mean, sure, each karate system or kung fu system has 1 or 2 egotistical black belts, but wow, Moore's Shou Shu had the most.

since my leave of Moore's at the end of my 1yr training, i've found a better place for me back December of 2005. and once i signed up w/ them recently, the Moore's location in Stockton, CA on Miracle Mile, was trying to discredit my kung fu school that was about a 5 to 10min drive north of them. i mean, just today, one of the Moore's students tried to tell me that they're the best style out there and that my kung fu is a copy-cat system. also, he told me that the only way to become a grandmaster or in their terms "Da Shifu" is to add in something to the system. well if that is true, they might as well promote me to the same rank because any person can do it. all i'd have to do is add in like, 3 punches and kicks and there i go.

plus, this same student told me that he was sorry for me because of who i've decided to sign up with. in all honesty, i feel sorry for him because of all the lies that he's been told and all the "cheating" that the Moore's system has given him so far.

out of all my friends that i hang out with, a good number of them who are martial artists themselves, came up with the same answer: Moore's Shou Shu is the absolute worst one to go with due to the fact that they're known for lying to students, and cheating students out of their $$'s worth, and anything else you can possibly think of.

[TheDarkJester]

can anyone explain to me why Moore's Shou Shu is so great? to me, they were horrible! i mean, i tried them for a year of training from 2000 to 2001 and all i got was lies from the black belts. they were also trying to tell me that i needed to be someone i'm not. plus, i have NEVER, EVER, met so many egotistical black belts from any martial art system that i've encountered so far. i mean, sure, each karate system or kung fu system has 1 or 2 egotistical black belts, but wow, Moore's Shou Shu had the most.

since my leave of Moore's at the end of my 1yr training, i've found a better place for me back December of 2005. and once i signed up w/ them recently, the Moore's location in Stockton, CA on Miracle Mile, was trying to discredit my kung fu school that was about a 5 to 10min drive north of them. i mean, just today, one of the Moore's students tried to tell me that they're the best style out there and that my kung fu is a copy-cat system. also, he told me that the only way to become a grandmaster or in their terms "Da Shifu" is to add in something to the system. well if that is true, they might as well promote me to the same rank because any person can do it. all i'd have to do is add in like, 3 punches and kicks and there i go.

plus, this same student told me that he was sorry for me because of who i've decided to sign up with. in all honesty, i feel sorry for him because of all the lies that he's been told and all the "cheating" that the Moore's system has given him so far.

out of all my friends that i hang out with, a good number of them who are martial artists themselves, came up with the same answer: Moore's Shou Shu is the absolute worst one to go with due to the fact that they're known for lying to students, and cheating students out of their $$'s worth, and anything else you can possibly think of.


You sound like that dude Acid Rain...

[Yohan]

No he doesn't, he sounds like he's TALKING about acidrain.

[Guizzy]

What's with all those Wolverine and Goku/Gohan/Vegeta/whatever-DBZ-character avatars? Why do so many people have the same?

And why do they so rarely end up with quality users?

[Captain Karate]

Man, China has a such a diverse variety of arts most of which aren't even known of let alone practiced in the west. Who knows what innovative ideas are still buried in these forgotten arts.

OMG there's a groundfighting one, look out BJJ.

[FightingMonk2k3]

why should i still join moore's when i didn't have a very good experience in the first place? no one really did answer me about why student's from Moore's are claiming that it's "such a great style".

i couldn't see it when i was there and i still can't see it. as far as i'm concerned, it's just an evil scheme to get $$ out of people, let alone cheat people out of learning how to defend yourself.

[SimonM]

OMG there's a groundfighting one

Yo!