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The fourth section of the form is possibly the most physically demanding as part of it is done on one leg. The second half can be challenging regarding the footwork. Anyway, here is how it all fits together. Practice Practice Practice Sorry but to view this post you will need a subscription to the relevant part of the site. Click here to be taken to the sign up page. Username…
We already looked at the brush knee in Module 4. In this section it comes up again but includes a step forward and doing it on the other side. It’s followed by a low punch and then we go straight into Ward Off East and carry on as we did in the first section to single whip. This next set of movements is quite hard to describe so study the…
There are two figure of eight arm movements – heaven and earth. They have many uses: Today we are going to learn the heaven figure of eight. We will do a large movement that basically describes an anticlockwise circle to your left and a clockwise circle to your right. Stay upright throughout the movement. Don’t allow your arms to pull your body in any direction. Start in wuji position…
One of the main aims of tai chi and kung fu is for you to be able to hold and move your body in the most effortless and efficient way. This doesn’t come naturally as our habitual way of holding our body is from above by tensing up. This takes the weight off our weak legs but means we are constantly standing and moving as if we are always under…
Developing an effective guard is essential in any combat situation. I have lost counts of the number of fights I have seen – both in real life and on video where one protagonist has his hands down around his waist and then wonders why he gets hit so easily. In fact, I can often tell before the fight really gets going who’s going to win by simply seeing who has…
The dragon punch is the most powerful punch that is taught in the Jade Dragon kung fu system. It is a powerful forward strike, generally aimed at the chest area and the non-striking arm moves out at the same time to block or cover the striking arm. When you learn to punch with power you can take an assailant straight to the floor and wind him for seconds, even minutes…
The tiger punch is a powerful punch considering that most of your weight stays on your back leg. It is ideal for delivering a fast and powerful strike to the chest or abdomen area with a closed fist or striking the chin with an open palm from a short to medium distance. It turns you almost side on to your opponent so limits their choice of target for a strike…
The back kick and the front kick are the 2 main kicks taught to new students in the Jade Dragon School. The back kick is an important one to learn and practice as it can protect you against attacks from behind, it is very versatile in its use and is the strongest kick in our arsenal. Why is it so strong? The back kick is so powerful because it uses…
The martial arts are perhaps best known for the fancy high kicks that are so often seen in the films and in the ring. However, although these look great many of them are of limited use in real life. New students to the Jade Dragon school learn just two kicks – the front kick and the back kick. These are the most useful kicks in the armoury and even if…
Please read this post. Because almost nothing else I can teach you (apart from good breathing) is more important. The strength of your legs directly relates to almost every element of your physical and mental health and wellbeing. Your legs are the foundation of your structure. They are your connection to the earth which is the only thing in your life that will always be there to support you. Without…
The ‘leaping tiger’ is the first form that students of yu lung chuan (Jade Dragon kung Fu) learn. The Jade Dragon School derives its name from the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain in South West China where its monastery was located. To the West of the mountain flows the Jinsha river, a tributary of the Yangtse. At the foot of the mountain is a very deep canyon where the Jinsha flows…
The scissor stance (also known as the crossover stance) is one of the most useful stances in kung fu. It is often not the fastest or strongest fighter that wins the day but the one with the best footwork. Good footwork gets you quickly out of danger and puts you in a position where you can move from a position of strength into one where your opponent is weak. The…
The tiger stance is another great stance to develop leg strength. Most of the weight is on the back leg so it enables you to move forward with power. It is also great practice to move from a tiger stance forward into a dragon stance and back to tiger. The tiger stance is one of the most challenging although it looks easy. It stretches some muscles while holding others in…
The dragon stance (sometimes called the forward stance or bow and arrow stance) is one of the most fundamental stances in the Chinese arts. It is the main stance used when receiving power from the front or delivering power to the front. If someone tries to push you backwards you just place one leg behind you and root down and they won’t be able to move you. Below is a…
This move requires you to stay rooted and balanced on one leg while extending the other out in front of you. It also involves a twisting, circular movement that’s great for opening your hips and spine. This move also contains the most physically challenging move in the whole form but I will show you an easier version. How to do it Now for the really tricky part. You take both…
