Learn Shaolin Hung Gar Kung Fu
Self Defense Health Fitness Body Mind Spirit
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Int. Chiu Chi Ling Hung Gar Kung Fu Assoc. Tucson, AZ. U.S.A. Branch Sifu Lopez 1 520 370 6063 [email protected] Private lessons/Seminars/Performances www.facebook.com/chiu.daifook Sifu Robert Lopez became a direct disciple and a certified instructor under Shaolin Hung Gar Grand master Chiu Chi Ling over 20 years ago and has practiced Wing Chun as taught to him by Sifu Augustine Fong for over 35 years. Sifu Lopez is also a certified Shaolin Master and more recently, for over 4 years studied the Chinese Martial Arts curriculum of the Confucius Institute at the University of Arizona including Shaolin Fist and Weapons. Sifu Lopez has spent many year's performing for Tucson Chinese Cultural Center and giving presentations as Chinese Physical Culture Coach for Tucson Unified School District. |
Performances Please contact us with your performance request. We offer Kung Fu and Lion Dance performances. Lion Dance is great for any occasion such as grand openings, New Year gatherings, weddings, birthdays, etc. We also offer educational presentations as well. Sifu Lopez 1 520 370 6063 [email protected] www.youtube.com/sillumwingchun |
Shaolin Hung Gar Kung Fu The legend of Shaolin temple boxing has spread to all corners of the earth. Two of the most famous of all Chinese boxers having helped to popularize the Shaolin Martial Arts are the late Wing Chun Grand Master Yip Man and his student Bruce Lee. Lee Jun Fan as his name is pronounced in Cantonese is well respected world wide as the founder of "Jeet Kune Do" or "the way of the intercepting fist" as well as the earlier taught, less eclectic and more traditional Wing Chun based"Jun Fan Gung Fu". Wong Fei Hung, China's Celebrated Martial Arts Hero However, no Chinese martial arts master has been more celebrated then the highly acclaimed Hung Kuen Grand Master Wong Fei Hung. The life of the great southern fist master has been depicted in more then a hundred films and has been portrayed by the very popular Kwan Tak Hing, Jackie Chan and Jet Li. The genius of Wong Fei Hung is apparent in his creation of the "Fu Hok Suerng Ying Kuen" or "Tiger Crane Double Shadow Fist" and is preserved in the hand form as it is taught today. One of Wong Fei Hung's top students, Lam Sai Wing, is renowned in the martial arts world for his demonstrations of the Tiger-Crane form, and for demonstrating in textbooks on Tiger-Crane Gung-fu. Hence, his nickname "Fu Hok Sing Sang" or Mister Tiger Crane. Hung Gar is a Traditional Martial Arts System Hung Gar is a traditional Chinese Kung-fu system,and is one of the most practiced of the five southern Shaolin systems. Hung Gar's origin came from the "fighting monks" of the Shaolin Temple in Henan province and was practiced along with Ch'an Buddhism, a hybrid of Mahayana Buddhism and Taoism. As early as 500 AD, Da Mo, a Buddhist patriarch from India, taught breathing exercises (Chi Gung) to the monks. This helped them improve their physical bodies so they could endure longer periods of meditation. The breathing exercises evolved into a fluid self defense system that included techniques mimicking five animals - dragon, snake, tiger, leopard, crane. These were developed, in an effort to protect the Henan temple from bandits and invaders. Jee Shim the Abbot of Shaolin Temple is credited with the origins of Hung Gar During the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), the Shaolin monks reached the height of their fighting skills, warding off intruders and assisting the ruling sovereignty or the neighboring villages against attackers. This was the last native Chinese empire, and the most fertile period for all the arts. It was also during this time when the majority of fighting styles were developed, including Hung Gar. Jee Shim, an abbot originally from the Henan Shaolin Temple, is given credit for planting the seed of Hung Gar, as well as other traditional systems. Abbot Jee Shim Opens System and Temple to Outsiders During the Ching Dynasty (1644-1912), in the mid 17th century, Ming family and former officials took refuge in the temple, masquerading as monks. The abbot opened the Shaolin system to these outsiders, in hopes of gaining support to overthrow the Manchurians. Of these followers, Hung Hei Gwan stood out. His talent caught the attention of Jee Shim, who wanted to train him personally. The Shaolin monks, who were supported by the Ming government, were thought to be a threat to the new government. After many attacks to the temple, the Ching regime was successful in burning down the monastery. Most of the Shaolin monks died, defending their temple. Several of the surviving monks, including the abbot, fled to the southern temple located in Fukien province. There, Jee Shim felt the urgency to systematize the training, facilitating mastery of the system in a shorter time span. Hung Hei Gwan Selected by Jee Shim to Open School in Guangzhou Hung Hei Gwan was a tea merchant from Fukien, but couldn’t prosper under the tyranny of the Ching government. Hung Hei Gwan’s grandfather was an official of the Ming Dynasty, and he, a supporter. Out of loyalty to the deposed government, he changed his family name from Jyu to Hung, in honor of the first emperor of the Ming Dynasty, Jyu Hung Mo. Under the directive of the abbot, Hung Hei Gwan return to Guangzhou province to open a school and spread the knowledge. The system was taught as the Hung Family boxing so it would not be associated with its source. He married Fong Wing Chun who learned the White Crane system from its founder, Ng Mui, a surviving abbess from the Honan Shaolin Temple. Hung Hei Gwan incorporated the Fukin White Crane with the Shaolin Black Tiger Style Hung Hei Gwan became famous for his martial arts and gained the namesake of "The Southern Fist". Hung Gar evolved as he incorporated the Shaolin Tiger style with his wife’s Crane system. The reputation of the school, and its master, became widespread in southern China. By this time, Jee Shim had more followers. He sent his best students to Hung Hei Gwan for further training. Luk Ah Choi who later became known as the forefather of several traditional Chinese systems, was among the students sent. After his training, Luk Ah Choi was sent to Guangdong to spread the knowledge. Wong Fei Hung (1847 - 1924) Learns the Secret Iron Wire Form In Guangdong, Wong Tai became a student of Luk Ah Choi. He taught his son, Wong Kei Ying. In search of more knowledge, Wong Kei Ying studied with Luk Ah Choi and other disciples of Hung Hei Gwan. He passed all this knowledge to his son, Wong Fei Hung. During a street performance, Wong Kei Ying and his son, saved a martial artist in trouble for accidentally hurting a bystander. The performer was Lam Fook Sing who was a student of Dit Kiu Sam, whose real name was Leung Kwan, a disciple from the Shaolin Temple. Lam Fook Sing was so grateful that he passed on the knowledge of the "secret form" to the father and son.This form, Iron Wire Fist ( Dit Kiu Kuen) is the most advanced form in the Hung Gar system. The Tiger Crane (Fu Hok) form became the signature of Wong Fei Hung. Reputed as one of the "Ten Tigers of Kwangtung", today, he is immortalized to folk hero status, with many movies and publications portraying his life. Despite his legendary status, Wong Fei Hung’s life was also filled with tragedies; several of his wives died prematurely. A son he trained, died in an ambush, and thereafter, he thought that he could protect his other sons by not teaching them. He later married Mok Gwai Lan, another descendent of one of the five southern systems, Mok Gar. Lam Sai Wing (1860 - 1943), Wong Fei Hung's best Student One of Wong Fei Hung’s best students was Lam Sai Wing, a pork butcher from Kwangtung. He was a disciple for fifteen years before he was entitled to advanced training. From his personal experience, he felt it took too long to gain advanced knowledge. Therefore, he taught openly, including the army of the Republic. Credit goes to Lam Sai Wing for perpetuating the system that we know today and setting precedence for future masters in the Hung Gar system. This system remains closest to its original Shaolin style and has maintained the integrity of the system. Gung Ji Fook Fu Kuen (Taming the Tiger Form) The foundation of all other Hung Gar forms. The transliteration of Kung in this specific instance refers to the Chinese character I and is therefore sometimes interpreted as the "I Shaped Subduing the Tiger Form ". There are many other translations: "Cross Tiger Fist Form" and "Taming the Tiger Form". This is the oldest form in Hung Gar Kung Fu believed to have been developed by Hung Hei Gwan after his intense training with his Sifu Abbot Jee Shim. This form teaches the practitioner the basic stances and builds his foundation through emphasis on the horse stance as well as developing and enhancing one's breathing capacity. This is the longest form in Hung Gar and is one of the hardest. It is while the student is learning this form that his character, persistence and determination to learn the system are assessed. His patience is also put to the test time and time again with this form. Fu Hok Suerng Ying Kuen (Tiger Crane Form) This is the most famous and popular of the Hung Gar forms and is said to have been developed by Wong Fei Hung. The Tiger/Crane form combines the black tiger and the white crane with the 1000 pound horse stance, iron bridge techniques, five elements theory and the shadow-less kick (Mo Ying Gurk).The form stresses the cultivation of the Tiger(hard) and Crane(soft) as well as a balance(yin/yang theory) between the two complementing each other in the form. While the Tiger is utilized for teaching one to refine his physical strength, dynamic tension breathing skills and courage. The Crane develops whipping power, evasive tactics, waist movement, and calmness of the spirit and balance. The Tiger form of training provides the hard or external methods of Hung Gar while the Crane form provides the soft or internal balance between the two. Sup Ying Kuen (Ten Form Fist) This is an advanced form featuring the five traditional animals of the Shaolin Temple, the Dragon, Snake, Tiger, Leopard, and Crane. It also contains the five elements (Gold, Wood, Water, Fire & Earth) found in Chinese philosophy each of the animals and elements teaches the practitioner an important lesson. The Dragon (Lung) teaches internal training in Hung Gar. It is the first animal represented in the form. The Dragon is a spiritual and supernatural creature and transcends from the easily understood real world. The power of the Dragons strength can appear and disappear at will. Its domain is therefore internal power and spirit. The Snake (Say) trains the fingers and is for striking the vital points on an opponent's body. It is utilized in the training and manipulation of Chi (Vital Energy). It teaches pinpoint hitting of vital areas. The Practitioner focuses his Chi all the way up to his fingertips in order to deliver and generate power correctly. The Tiger (Fu) is designed to strengthen the constitution and has a fierce spirit. This animal emits ferocity, courage and strength since it is the strongest of the animals. Dynamic tension, vigorous and strong hand techniques in the form of Tiger claws is what characterizes this animal. The Leopard (Pow) is the embodiment of speed and power. It has swift penetrating attacks. The Leopard fist strikes always involve more than one strike and always at extremely quick speeds. The Crane (Hok) stresses balance, quick foot movements, pecking, hooking and deflecting movements. It is a lively animal whose essence can be seen in its beak attacks and pecking motion. The Metal or Gold element (Gum) involves a strong slow stretching power. The entire arm is used as a solid unit. The elbows are always bent slightly in this movement, as there is less susceptibility to the arms being broken. The Wood element (Mok) is a simultaneous block and strike and is the shortest arm movements in Hung Gar. This element teaches long and short arm sequences. The Water element (Soy) are strikes which are of a constant nature. A series of battering blows similar to the pounding of ocean waves upon the shores. It is the swinging motion of the practitioner's arms which are the source of the Water element's power. The Fire element (For) is characterized by a straight punch. Its more common name is the Sun Punch because the fist forms the character Sun in Chinese characters. The sun is a fiery mass. The Earth element (Tow) is the last of the elements and closes the form. It develops a strong foundation. (Boxing is rooted in the feet, developed in the legs, directed by the waist and is expressed through the hands). Since the practitioner's foundation is so strong, he is capable of delivering some very destructive blows.The Dragon, Snake, Tiger, Leopard, and Crane are said to give the practitioner five ways to manipulate and use his strength while the Gold, Wood, Water, Fire and Earth elements are said to give the practitioner five ways to generate and transform the power in each of these forms. Dit Sin Kuen (Iron Wire Form) This form was created by Dit Kiu Sam, who was known as one of the best martial artists in the history of China. He was one of the famous Ten Tigers of Kwangtung. Through the years he passed his knowledge of the set down to one of his students, Lam Fook Sing, who passed this knowledge to Wong Fei Hung. This form is the highest set taught in the Hung Gar system. It takes the practitioner into the realm of internal Kung Fu training, which is the ultimate goal in Chinese martial arts.Did Sin's limited footwork is based solely upon the movements and spirit of the Dragon coupled with vibrating sounds and various intonations of breath control with twisting movements which stimulate the internal organs. Each emotion (Happiness, Anger, Sadness, Sorrow and Fear) is said to be translated into a breathing tone producing different vibrations, which affect different organs. From the breathing sounds comes a strong type of power, which is emitted from within the practitioner. There are twelve types of bridge methods contained in this form. They are: Hard (Gong), Soft (Yau), Crowding (Bik), Linear (Jik), Dividing (Fan), Steady (Ding), Inch (Chuen), Lift (Tai), Reserve (Lau), Send (Wan), Control (Jai), and Finalize (Deng). These twelve types of training are designed to control and improve the internal functions of the organs. It is a dynamic tension exercise used to increase the flow of Chi throughout the body. It is an efficient means of body building and stamina development. The combined pugilism of the Tiger and Crane styles, known as Hung Gar Kung Fu, is a southern Shaolin system designed to strengthen the physical constitution, the bones of the body as well as the sinews, breathing, and spirit. It is a most respected system whose training concepts are steeped in morality, rigidly traditional and uncompromising in preserving the original standards of Shaolin Kung Fu. From ancient to modern times Shaolin Hung Gar is the largest clan of Kung Fu in southern China, and its practitioner were leading members among the very famous cultural heroes known as the Ten tigers of Canton. The Southern Shaolin monastery was the birth place of all Cantonese kung fu styles. Hung Gar Boxing is the closest most original representation of the south Shaolin style of Kung Fu. The root of Hung Gar started with the Buddhist Zen Master Jee Shim. Historically, passing the Southern Shaolin Monastery’s famous 108 wooden dummy alley, mastering the 18 complete combinations, and understanding Hung Gar’s every technique and principle, develops a superior martial artist like no other training or style. In addition, Dit Bo Sum,(Body defense training), Tong Zi Kung, (gymnastics), Say ping ma(Four Square horse stance), Gung Jee Fook Fu (Taming the Tiger Form) and Dit Sin Kuen (Iron Wire Fist) represent Hung Gar’s most advanced stages of Chi Kung training methods. The famous Fu Hok Suerng Ying Kuen (Tiger and Crane) is one of the Hung Gar sytems most distinctive training sets and together with weapons like Ng Long Ba Gwa Gaun,(5th son, 8 direction Pole), Jee Mo Suerng Do (Mother/Son Double Knife) and the Night Battle Double Broadsword, compose a complete and special curriculum, which when completely mastered, stand second to none. The essence of this unique and world-renowned Chinese martial arts style as refined by many famous heroes throughout history. Hung Hei Guan, Fong Wing Chun, Fong Sai Yuk, Luk Ah Choy, Dit Kiu Sam, Wong Tai, Wong Kei Ying, Wong Fei Hung, Mok Gwai Lan, Lam Sai Wing, Wong Sai Wing, Chiu Kao, Siu Ying and the present Grand master of the Chiu family Hung Gar lineage, My Sifu, Chiu Chi Ling. Today, to preserve this precious part of Chinese historical lineage and various historical aspects the Chinese government expended great resources to build the worlds one and only Hung Gar museum, located in Foshan city, Guangdong province. This wonderful landmark is dedicated to the great historical folk hero Wong Fei Hung, who was born in 1847 in Xiqiao village, Nanhai county in Guangdong province. Highly acclaimed as being the best lion dancer in the province, Wong also demonstrated his high level of attainment in the esoteric Iron Wire fist, the Tiger Crane form and the shadow-less kicking technique. Wong Fei Hung’s fourth and last wife Mok Gwai Lan was very supportive of the Chiu family and their school. When Chiu Chi Ling opened his first school in Kowloon, Hong Kong, Mok Gwai Lan was present, Dotting the eyes of the lion for the opening ceremonies. She even gave direct, private lessons to Chiu Chi Ling when he was growing up. Set up at Wong Fei Hong’s birthplace in Xijiao Mountain are the memorial and Kung Fu practice halls, open for the entire world’s martial arts practitioners and the very lucky local citizens to visit. Grand-master Chiu Chi Ling, a direct Hung Gar descendant from Wong Fei Hung, is tirelessly spreading the authentic, traditional Chinese martial art of the Shaolin Hung Gar style and its subsequent cultural traditions such as southern lion dancing and herbal healing throughout the entire world. The Chinese government invited Grand-master Chiu Chi Ling to be the memorial museum’s consultant, and he graciously accepted the honorable duty. At the same time he feels very proud, and is working very hard to unite the world’s Hung Gar family. “The Wong Fei Hung Memorial Museum’s opening has led a lot of people from many countries to understand Wong Fei Hung and his Shaolin Hung Gar Kung Fu; how it started and spread throughout the world. This is yet another great stepping stone for Chinese Kung Fu!” “ If the Chinese martial arts would be included in the Olympics, I will train my students very hard for this great event! It does not matter, win or lose. Just to participate, this is my wish!” “To see a true southern fist division, to see authentic “Nam Kuen” represented in the Olympic competitions, this would be a great accomplishment”. The level of Grand-master Chiu’s prowess and understanding is very apparent when he displays the power and energy not usually seen in people half his age! His enthusiasm and over sixty years of experience makes his teaching very exciting and reveals many aspects of the Hung Gar system which are rarely understood by anyone not witnessing his skill’s firsthand. Chiu Chi Ling said: “Actually the martial arts are not just for fighting. They are also for self- control, controlling the bad temper. You should be like Buddha and learn to quiet your heart. You see, it is for the development of being a better person overall.” Always remember, It is very important to find a true Kung Fu master so you can learn the right way, from the best.! |
Traditional Chinese Lion Dance Lion dance is an art that combines ancient stories and costumes with Kung fu. This art has been a part of Chinese culture for thousands of years. The dance is performed by two persons who traditionally have practiced Kung fu. The performer has the ability to manipulate the movements of the lion's head, eyes, and mouth to make the lion look truly alive. A mirror and horn is attached to the head of the lion. These features are believed to expel negative energy as well as deflect evil spirits when they see the mirror. Apart from the lion, the performers are accompanied by a monk or Buddha. The funny face serves as a comic relief as well as a guide for the lion. This demonstrates how one should approach the ineffable with good humor and dexterity. Lion dance is not only looked at as a skillful display of strength and artistry, but as the discipline of mind and body. It enhances one's health while solidifying one's own martial arts foundation. It also cultivates inner strength and self discipline to receive life's challenges with grace. The transmission of martial arts and lion dance is the conveyance of tradition, lineages, skill, and relationship. It requires respect, loyalty, and reverence to the Sifu, fellow students and the lion. When you see a lion performing, feeding it "lucky money" means good fortune for you as well. Each performance has a story to tell, and the goal is always to spread luck and prosperity to audience. Enjoy the show! . |