 |
Chang Quan or the long-style Chinese Chuan is the general term for a dozen schools of Chuan. These include Cha Quan (Cha-family Chuan), flower-style Chuan, China-style Chuan, Paochui (cannon Chuan), Hong-family Chuan, red-style Chuan, Shaolin Chuan, Fanzi Quan (tumbling Chuan), etc.
According to historical records, by the latter half of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) classifications of fist fights and Chuan schools and styles had appeared. This classification became more detailed in the Qing Dynasty. Ming Dynasty general, Qi Jiguang, and Wushu master Cheng Chongdou both pointed out the difference between the long-style Chuan and the short-range fighting. They cate-gorized the 32 stances practised by the first Song Dynasty Emperor Taizu (also known as Zhao Taizu Chang Quan) as the long-style Chuan and the Mianzhang Chuan as the short one. The modern long range fist-fighting has programmed into its routine the strong points of the Cha-family, flower, cannon and red Chuan skills. The basics in the different forms of hands, hand techniques, footwork, step forms, ways of manoeuvring, stances of the body, movements of the eyes and legs, balancing, jumping and leaping are standardized and choreographed in accordance with the direction of movement of the long-style Chuan. The jumps, leaps, rises and falls are programmed into different training routines with different degrees of difficulty, such as the long-style Chuan for beginners and long-style Chuan for youths.
The main characteristics of the long-style Chuan are expansiveness and gracefulness in posture and agility and speed in movement. Long-style boxers fight to the extreme of their arms' length. They move fast, jump high and far and combine hardness and softness, fast ( and slow moves, motions and stillness. Their movements are clearly rhythmical. Their generation of energy is powerful and the origin and outlet of the energy are clear. The bones and ligaments of the long-style boxers are compatible with their movements and actions (see picture).
Chang Quan is more suitable to youngsters who can enhance strength, speed, agility, elasticity and endurance through exercise and practice. It helps develop the physique and teach the techniques and skills in offence and defence.
Chángquán (Traditional Chinese: 長拳; Simplified Chinese: 长拳; literally "Long Fist") is a general term for external (as opposed to internal) Northern Chinese martial arts (like the term Northern Shaolin in some cases). This includes:
 The core of Long Fist was developed in the 10th century by Zhao Kuangyin, founding Emperor of the Song Dynasty (960–1279). His style was called Tàizǔ Chángquán, which means "the Long Fist style of Emperor Taizu." In some Long Fist styles the motto is that "the best defence is a strong offence," in which case the practitioner launches a pre-emptive attack so aggressive that the opponent doesn't have the opportunity to attack. The Long Fist fighter likes to keep the opponent at middle-to-long range distance. The Changquan of contemporary wǔshù draws on Chāquán, "flower fist" Huāquán, Pào Chuí, and "red fist" (Hóngquán). Of contemporary wǔshù events, Chángquán, with its whirling, running, leaping, and acrobatics, is the most widely-seen. Chángquán is difficult to perform, requiring great flexibility and athleticism, and is often practiced from a young age. In semi-legendary "classic" writings transmitted by Tàijíquán's Yang family, their martial art is referred to by the name Chángquán in one of the received texts. These texts can only be reliably dated to the second half of the 19th century. Typical moves in modern Changquan include: xuanfengjiao (旋风脚; "whirlwind kick"), xuanzi (旋子; "butterfly jump"), cekongfan (侧空翻; "side somersault"), tengkongfeijiao (腾空飞脚; "flying jump kick"). The forms within the Long Fist style emphasize fully extended kicks and striking techniques, and by its appearance would be considered a long range fighting system. After further study, a Long Fist practitioner will find that its forms contain Chinese Qin Na techniques, as well as Shuai Jiao throws and takedowns. Long Fist uses large, extended, circular movements to improve overall body mobility in the muscles, tendons, and joints. The Long Fist style is considered to contain a good balance of hand and foot techniques, but the Long Fist practitioner is also renowned for devastating acrobatic kicks. Long Fist’s arsenal of kicks covers everything from a basic front toe-kick to a jumping back-kick, from a low sweep to a tornado-kick. A sample Long Fist curriculumNorth Shaolin Long Fist Kung Fu Includes:
Hand Forms:
Hand Forms Explained:
Stances used in the Long Fist System:
Weapons Training:
|
This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia .