Changquan
Encyclopedia
Neijia
Nèijiā is a term in Chinese martial arts, grouping those styles that practice nèijìng , usually translated as internal martial arts, occupied with spiritual, mental or qi-related aspects, as opposed to an "external" approach focused on physiological aspects...
) martial arts
Chinese martial arts
Chinese martial arts, also referred to by the Mandarin Chinese term wushu and popularly as kung fu , are a number of fighting styles that have developed over the centuries in China. These fighting styles are often classified according to common traits, identified as "families" , "sects" or...
(kung fu) styles from northern China.
The forms of the Long Fist style emphasize fully extended kicks and striking techniques, and by appearance would be considered a long-range fighting system. In some Long Fist styles the motto is that "the best defense is a strong offense," in which case the practitioner launches a preemptive attack so aggressive that the opponent doesn't have the opportunity to attack. Others emphasize defense over offense, noting that nearly all techniques in Long Fist forms are counters to attacks. Long Fist uses large, extended, circular movements to improve overall body mobility in the muscles, tendons, and joints. Advanced Long Fist techniques include qin na joint-locking techniques and shuai jiao
Shuai jiao
Shuai jiao is the general Mandarin Chinese term for wrestling. As a generic name, it may be used to cover various styles of wrestling practised in China in the form of a martial arts system or a sport. The narrower term pertains to wrestling styles of the North China Plain...
throws and takedowns.
The Long Fist style is considered to contain a good balance of hand and foot techniques, but in particular it is renowned for its impressive acrobatic kicks. In demonstration events, Long Fist techniques are most popular and memorable for their whirling, running, leaping, and acrobatics. Contemporary changquan moves are difficult to perform, requiring great flexibility and athleticism comparable to that of gymnastics.
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. Specifically, typical moves in modern Changquan include: xuanfengjiao (旋风脚; "whirlwind kick")
Jump inside kick
The jump inside kick is a popular aerial move in Wushu kung fu and in martial arts tricking. It is also known as the tornado kick, whirlwind kick, Nei Xuan Feng Tui, and Xuanfengjiao in Chinese. In this kick, the performer launches from one leg into a 360° rotation that incorporates an inward...
, xuanzi (旋子; "butterfly jump")
Butterfly kick
A butterfly kick or horse kick is a jumping kick in martial arts such as modern wushu and taekwondo and capoeira.Although the specific nature of the kick varies, it is generally composed of a twist of the body while both legs are lifted from the ground and swung around, while the torso remains as...
, cekongfan (侧空翻; "side somersault")
Aerial cartwheel
An aerial cartwheel is an acrobatic move in which a cartwheel is executed without touching hands to the floor. During execution of a standard cartwheel, the performer's body is supported by the hands while transitioning through the inverted orientation, whereas an aerial cartwheel performer is...
, and tengkongfeijiao (腾空飞脚; "flying jump kick")
Lotus kick
The lotus kick is also known as jump outside, outside spinkick, Wai Xuan Feng Tui, or Teng kong bai lian. This is a very popular jump in Wushu kung fu martial arts. The kick begins by launching off from the right leg into a 360° clockwise rotation that includes an outward snapkick in the air. The...
.
Traditional Long Fist
The traditional long fist had a very small amount of techniques that were learned quickly; once you had mastered the three common Long Fist Stances of Horse, Dragon and Snake. With the Winding Roundhouse Punch, Meteor Fist Punch, Long Uppercutting Punch, Reverse Fist Punch and the Twin Gorilla Punch all the Hand techniques were covered. Adding the Winding or Whirling Roundhouse Kick the original style was complete. The only variation on this allowed Long Fist practitioners to also strike with their fore-arm and shins, not just feet and fists. Though still using the same techniques and movements. There are no blocks in Long Fist, although the execution of Long Fist techniques allowed the 'brushing' aside of attacks whilst delivery the powerful techniques.Practitioners of the Long Fist trained their style on live trees, hardening their limbs, improving their foundation and stances; and practicing to break bones. A Long Fist practitioner was deemed ready when the tree, given to the student by their master, failed to blossom in spring.
History of Long Fist
The core of Changquan / Long Fist was developed in the 10th century by Zhao Kuangyin, founding Emperor of the Song DynastySong Dynasty
The Song Dynasty was a ruling dynasty in China between 960 and 1279; it succeeded the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms Period, and was followed by the Yuan Dynasty. It was the first government in world history to issue banknotes or paper money, and the first Chinese government to establish a...
(960–1279). His style was called Tàizǔ Chángquán, which means "the Long Fist style of Emperor Taizu." In semi-legendary "classic" writings transmitted by Taijiquan'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. The Long Fist of contemporary wǔshù
Wushu (sport)
The sport of wushu is both an exhibition and a full-contact sport derived from traditional Chinese martial arts. It was created in the People's Republic of China after 1949, in an attempt to nationalize the practice of traditional Chinese martial arts...
draws on Chāquán
Chaquán
Chāquán is a Chinese martial art that features graceful movements and some acrobatic aerial maneuvers.Chāquán also includes a large range of weapons....
, "flower fist" Huāquán, Pào Chuí
Pào Chuí
Sān Huáng Pào Chuí is a Chinese martial art attributed to the Three August Ones: Fuxi, Shennong, and Gonggong.The spread of Pào Chuí was due in part to its early association with Shaolin....
, and "red fist" (Hóngquán).
Widely perceived to have a strong Shaolin influence, traditional Long Fist was widely promoted at the Nanjing Guoshu Institute by Han Qing-Tang, a famous Long Fist and
qin na expert. After the defeat of Chiang Kai-Shek
Chiang Kai-shek
Chiang Kai-shek was a political and military leader of 20th century China. He is known as Jiǎng Jièshí or Jiǎng Zhōngzhèng in Mandarin....
and subsequent closing of the institute, the new People's Republic of China
People's Republic of China
China , officially the People's Republic of China , is the most populous country in the world, with over 1.3 billion citizens. Located in East Asia, the country covers approximately 9.6 million square kilometres...
created contemporary wushu
Wushu (sport)
The sport of wushu is both an exhibition and a full-contact sport derived from traditional Chinese martial arts. It was created in the People's Republic of China after 1949, in an attempt to nationalize the practice of traditional Chinese martial arts...
, a popular artistic sport inspired largely by traditional Long Fist. However, this new evolution of changquan differed from the old style in that it was exhibition-focused. Higher, more elaborate jump kicks and lower stances were adopted, in order to create more aesthetically pleasing forms. Applications were then reserved for the sport of sanshou, which was kept somewhat separate from the taolu (forms).
Subtypes of Long Fist
- Pào ChuíPào ChuíSān Huáng Pào Chuí is a Chinese martial art attributed to the Three August Ones: Fuxi, Shennong, and Gonggong.The spread of Pào Chuí was due in part to its early association with Shaolin....
(Chinese: 炮捶; literally "cannon punch") pre-Tang DynastyTang DynastyThe Tang Dynasty was an imperial dynasty of China preceded by the Sui Dynasty and followed by the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms Period. It was founded by the Li family, who seized power during the decline and collapse of the Sui Empire...
; - ChāquánChaquánChāquán is a Chinese martial art that features graceful movements and some acrobatic aerial maneuvers.Chāquán also includes a large range of weapons....
(Chinese: 查拳; Cha Yuanyi style) Tang DynastyTang DynastyThe Tang Dynasty was an imperial dynasty of China preceded by the Sui Dynasty and followed by the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms Period. It was founded by the Li family, who seized power during the decline and collapse of the Sui Empire...
(618–907); - Tàizǔ Chángquán (Chinese: 太祖長拳; "Emperor Taizu Great Ancestor long fist") Song DynastySong DynastyThe Song Dynasty was a ruling dynasty in China between 960 and 1279; it succeeded the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms Period, and was followed by the Yuan Dynasty. It was the first government in world history to issue banknotes or paper money, and the first Chinese government to establish a...
(960–1279); - FānziquánFanziquánFānziquán is a Chinese martial art that emphasizes offense and defense with the hands. Its movements have been described as:Fānziquán routines are usually quite short and very fast...
(Chinese: 翻子拳; "tumbling fist") Song DynastySong DynastyThe Song Dynasty was a ruling dynasty in China between 960 and 1279; it succeeded the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms Period, and was followed by the Yuan Dynasty. It was the first government in world history to issue banknotes or paper money, and the first Chinese government to establish a...
(960–1279); - Hóngquán (Chinese: 紅拳; "flooding fist") Song DynastySong DynastyThe Song Dynasty was a ruling dynasty in China between 960 and 1279; it succeeded the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms Period, and was followed by the Yuan Dynasty. It was the first government in world history to issue banknotes or paper money, and the first Chinese government to establish a...
(960–1279); and - HuáquánHuaquanHuaquan is a style of Long Fist Kung Fu which is believed to have originated in the Former Song Dynasty around the Hua Shan area of Shanxi Province...
(Chinese: 華拳; "China fist") Tang DynastyTang DynastyThe Tang Dynasty was an imperial dynasty of China preceded by the Sui Dynasty and followed by the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms Period. It was founded by the Li family, who seized power during the decline and collapse of the Sui Empire...
(618–907).
A sample Long Fist curriculum
Northern Shaolin Long Fist Kung Fu Includes:- Barehand Forms
- Weapons
- Qin NaChin NaChin Na or Qinna is a Chinese term describing techniques used in the Chinese martial arts that control or lock an opponent's joints or muscles/tendons so he cannot move, thus neutralizing the opponent's fighting ability...
Dui Da (Joint Locking skills & sets) - Two Man Fighting Routines
- Self Defense Applications
- Iron PalmIron PalmIron Palm or Iron Hand is a body of training techniques in various Chinese martial arts. These conditioning techniques are typically meant to condition the hands to allow a practitioner to deliver very powerful blows without injury to his or her hands.-Overview:Iron Palm is a broad term covering...
Training (Internal)
Hand forms
- Lian Bu Quan - Consecutive Linking Step Fist
- Gong Li Quan or Power Fist Form
- Tan TuiTán TuiTán Tuǐ is a famous Northern wushu routine and has several versions due to its incorporation into various styles. For this reason the name can be translated to mean "spring" or "springing leg" or "pond" or "lake leg"....
or Springing Legs - Yi Lu Mai Fu or First Road of Ambush
- Er Lu Mai Fu or Second Road of Ambush
- 20 Methods Fighting Form or Er Shi Fa Chuan
- Duan Da Quan - Fighting In Close Quarters Boxing/Short Hit Boxing
- Hua Quan - First Set Of China Fist Yi Lu Xi Yue
- Hua Quan 2 - Second Set Of China Fist Er Lu Xi Yue
- Hua Quan 3 - Third Set Of China Fist San Lu Xi Yue
- Hua Quan 4 - Fourth Set Of China Fist Si Lu Xi Yue
- Hua Quan 2 2 Man - Second Set Of China Fist Two Man Fighting Set Er Lu Xi Yue
- Hua Quan 4 2 Man - Fourth Set Of China Fist Two Man Fighting Set Si Lu Xi Yue
Hand forms explained
- Lian Bu Quan - Consecutive Linking Step Fist: the most basic Shaolin Long Fist form containing over 70 applications.
- Gong Li Quan or Power Fist Form: the second basic form using dynamic tension at the end of each technique which develops muscles and tendons. Contains over 70 applications.
- Tan TuiTán TuiTán Tuǐ is a famous Northern wushu routine and has several versions due to its incorporation into various styles. For this reason the name can be translated to mean "spring" or "springing leg" or "pond" or "lake leg"....
or Springing Legs: contains spring-like kicks. - Yi Lu Mai Fu or First Road of Ambush: an intermediate form that is considered the "foundation" of Long Fist. Contains subtle techniques designed to trick opponents.
Stances
Wushu Stances
Stances are a highly fundamental part of all Chinese Martial Arts. Wushu is characterized by low, wide stances designed for mobility and protection. Stability is another key concern of Chinese martial arts, and the wushu stances reflect this sensibility. There are five key stances utilized in both...
used in the Long Fist system
- Ma Bu (Horse StanceHorse stanceThe horse stance is an important posture in Asian martial arts and takes its name from the position assumed when riding a horse. It is called mǎbù in Chinese, in Japanese, kekuda or kuda-kuda in Malay, asvavadivu in Malayalam, and juchum seogi or annun seogi in Korean...
) - Deng Shan Bu/Gong Jian Bu (Mountain Climbing Stance/Bow and Arrow Stance)
- Jin Ji Du Li (Golden Rooster Standing on One Leg Stance)
- Xuan Ji Bu (False/Cat Stance)
- Zuo Pan Bu (Crossed-Leg Stance)
- Fu Hu Bu (Flat Stance)
- Si-Liu Bu (Four-Six Stance)
- T'ai chi - similar to False Stance, but with toes up and heel on the ground
- Half Horse Stance (Lead foot turned forward)
Weapons training
- Long Staff (GunGun (staff)The Chinese word gun refers to a long Chinese staff weapon used in Chinese martial arts. It is known as one of the four major weapons, along with the qiang , dao , and the jian , called in this group "The Grandfather of all Weapons".-Variants:There are various kinds of gun, and they include the...
) - Broadsword (DaoDao (sword)Daois a category of single-edge Chinese swords primarily used for slashing and chopping , often called a broadsword in English translation because some varieties have wide blades. In China, the dao is known as one of the four major weapons, along with the gun , qiang , and the jian , and referred...
) - Double Edge Sword
- Spear (QiangQiang (spear)Qiang is the Chinese term for spear. Due to its relative ease of manufacture, the spear in many variations was ubiquitous on the pre-modern Chinese battlefield...
) - Chain/Nine Section Whip (Bian)
- Dragon Phoenix SwordDragon-Phoenix SwordDragon-Phoenix Sword a major weapon featured within the famed ancient Chinese novel Investiture of the Gods....
- UmbrellaUmbrellaAn umbrella or parasol is a canopy designed to protect against rain or sunlight. The term parasol usually refers to an item designed to protect from the sun; umbrella refers to a device more suited to protect from rain...
- Straight Sword (JianJianThe jian is a double-edged straight sword used during the last 2,500 years in China. The first Chinese sources that mention the jian date to the 7th century BCE during the Spring and Autumn Period; one of the earliest specimens being the Sword of Goujian.Historical one-handed versions have blades...
) - Double Sword (Shuang JianJianThe jian is a double-edged straight sword used during the last 2,500 years in China. The first Chinese sources that mention the jian date to the 7th century BCE during the Spring and Autumn Period; one of the earliest specimens being the Sword of Goujian.Historical one-handed versions have blades...
) - Double Broadsword (Shuang DaoDao (sword)Daois a category of single-edge Chinese swords primarily used for slashing and chopping , often called a broadsword in English translation because some varieties have wide blades. In China, the dao is known as one of the four major weapons, along with the gun , qiang , and the jian , and referred...
) - PudaoPudaoThe Chinese weapon known as the podao was originally an edged infantry weapon which is still used for training in many Chinese martial arts. The blade of a podao is shaped like a Chinese broadsword, but the weapon has a longer handle usually around one and a half to two meters which is circular...
- Meteor HammerMeteor hammerThe meteor hammer , often referred to simply as meteor, is an ancient Chinese weapon, consisting at its most basic level of two weights connected by a rope or chain. One of the flexible or 'soft' weapons, it is referred to by many different names worldwide, dependent upon region, construction and...
- Hook SwordHook swordThe Hook Sword, Fu Tao or Shuang Gou also known as Hu Tou Gou is an exotic Chinese weapon traditionally associated with Northern styles of Chinese martial arts, but now often practiced by Southern styles as well.-Background:...
See also
- Chinese martial artsChinese martial artsChinese martial arts, also referred to by the Mandarin Chinese term wushu and popularly as kung fu , are a number of fighting styles that have developed over the centuries in China. These fighting styles are often classified according to common traits, identified as "families" , "sects" or...
- Northern Shaolin (martial art)Northern Shaolin (martial art)In its broadest sense, Northern Shaolin refers to the external martial arts of Northern China referring to those styles from the Northern Shaolin Monastery in Henan...
- WushuWushu (sport)The sport of wushu is both an exhibition and a full-contact sport derived from traditional Chinese martial arts. It was created in the People's Republic of China after 1949, in an attempt to nationalize the practice of traditional Chinese martial arts...