Shaolin Longfist Kung Fu: Lien Bu Chuan and Gung Li Chuan!
Kung Fu ‘Long Fist’
Shaolin Longfist Kung Fu owes its origin ultimately to the ancient battlefields of North China. The same notions of hitting, stabbing, sweeping, cutting, etc. long distance were extensively systematized and encoded in Bei Shaolin Si, the North Shaolin Temple or ‘Grandfather’ for over 150 years, before their first open exhibition at the beginning of Tang Dynasty,
The heyday of Chinese culture from the Tang Dynasty (618-907 AD) to date owed its existence to the support of the Shaolin Temple to the future Emperor Li Shi-Min, whose forward-thinking overview is reminiscent of the long-range thinking of Shaolin. General Zhao Kuang-Yin, who established the Sung Dynasty (960-1279 CE) recognized as the founder of Nothern Shaolin Longfist Kung Fu, received similar training at Shaolin.
Kung Fu forms
Forms, predetermined sets of interconnected Kung Fu movements, incorporating certain particular themes or aspects of their original style, are an essential aspect of Kung Fu training. Ranging in duration from less than 30 to more than 300 moves, the forms become more sophisticated, advanced, and demanding as students progress through an entire Kung Fu contest section dedicated to forms competition.
Sometimes described as the ‘Spirit of Kung Fu’ The repeated performance forms imprint the Student Technique with the fundamentals of the parent’s style. The shapes, which require long sequences to be remembered and their precise physical performance, are also renowned for invigorating the mind and sharpening the intellect, whether people are in school, college, work, or retirement. Through the practice of the Form, coordination and balance are acquired, kicks, blocks and blows with the hands are “polished”, speed, resistance and flexibility improve and the body, mind and breath they come together until they function as one. Northern Shaolin Longfist forms generally embody the extended circular movements, power, and athleticism that typify the style.
Bu Chuan / ‘Continuous Step Sequence’ link
Developed around 1910 by Huo Yuen-Jia (played mainly by Jet Li in ‘Fearless’) at the Chin Woo (‘Pure Spirt’) Association in Shanghai. Link Bu Chuan’s upright postures show his affinity with the Crane. Fighting on the move (albeit in a straight line) is emphasized, sometimes against multiple opponents. The success of the form led to its adoption by the Nanjing Central Kuoshu Institute for Chinese Army Kung Fu training purposes. The opening and closing salutes reveal their northern Shaolin origins, depicting the Northerners’ custom of tying and untying their long robes before and after Kung Fu practice, while the in-between movements are filled with kicks, punches, and Qin Na applications.
Gung Li Chuan / ‘Power training sequence’
Gung Li Chuan, also known as ‘Power Training Sequence’, as Lien Bu Chuan, a basic training form in the Huo Yuen-Jia Chin Woo Association, was similarly selected by the Chinese military authorities for training purposes. from army. However, the shape was created by Chao Lian (1657-1748) during the early part of the Qing Dynasty. Gung Li Chuan deep poses help develop lower body strength and endurance:
“Zuo fu mian, Heu hu tuo xin, Xia da zai hu xi qian.”
“Sweep left face, Black Tiger Steals Heart, Double fists hammer down to stop knee.”
So goes verse 3 of ‘Gung Li Chuan’s Song of the North’, which describes movements 5-8 of this classic, fluid form of ‘Long Fist’. In addition to its dynamic strength and endurance-enhancing qualities, and a certain aesthetic appeal, Gung Li Chuan also has healing and healthy properties and is conducive to longevity.
Filmography
Many films have depicted Huo Yuen-Jia’s untimely death and how his main student, Chen Zhen, avenged this, including: Bruce Lee’s “Fist of Fury” (1972); Jet Li’s ‘Fist of Legend’ (1994) and ‘Fearless’ (2006); and ‘Legend of the Fist: The Return of Chen Zhen’ (2010) starring Donnie Yen, currently in premiere.