 What is Sil-Lum Kung-Fu?
Sil-Lum (or Shaolin) Kung-Fu originated in Shao-Lin Temples hundreds of years ago. Although the exact origins are difficult to trace, the birth of Sil-Lum is usually accredited to the Buddhist monk Bodhidharma who introduced the 18 Lohan movements to Shao-Lin monks as a form of exercise. The Lohan eventually gave rise to the five basic animal styles that Kung-Fu is famous for: Crane, Leopard, Tiger, Snake, and Dragon.
Practitioners of any of these styles mimic the movements and assume the fighting spirit of the animal. For example, the Tiger teaches clawing techniques and courage. Additional styles such as Praying Mantis and Monkey were subsequently developed.
Kung-Fu was originally taught only to Shao-Lin monks who could not leave the temple until they passed a life or death test. Graduates were well known for their fighting prowess. The modern Kung-Fu student is no longer put to such extremes, but nonetheless has inherited a powerful fighting art laced with a philosophy emphasizing peace and respect for life.
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What is Sasamba-Arnis-Kali? |
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 What is Sasamba-Arnis-Kali?
Sasamba is a Filipino Kali Arnis System that includes Preying Mantis techniques and movements but maintains the true Kali Arnis Warrior ethos. It was developed by Tuhan Rick Ward and is his system and he is one of four Grandmasters in North America in the Kali system.
The orgins of Arnis, or Filipino stick fighting, are also uncertain. There are nearly as many styles of stick fighting as there are islands in the Phillipine archipeligo-over 7,000! Arnis traditionally employed sharp swords, daggers, and fire-hardened sticks in combat.
Sasamba-Kali-Modern ArnisPhilipino Knife and Cane Fighting
Blue Ridge Kung-Fu International Headquarters teaches a Pilipino Cane-Knife Fighting (Kali - Modern Arnis - Sasamba) martial art which supplements our kung-fu and enhances our ability to change styles and manuever for a different approach for both defense and offense. We incorporated and worked this art form into our system of kung-fu and also teach it as a separate system. Modern Arnis which uses a variety of joint locks, sweeps, throws and low kicks also develops a flow of movement that is in it own holds its own. As a complete system, it can stand as your only art form for self defense or it makes an excellent supplement to any stylist or martial artist. In our school it is like learning two completely different systems for the same membership commitments. You also have the Sasamba mixed in that is Tuhon Rick Wards own system. This sytem incorporates Preying Mantis type movements and striking styles along with the Kali background incorporated from Tuhon Ruby.
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What is Emperor's Long Fist? |
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 What is Emperor's Long Fist (Ba Gua Chan "Tai Chi Chuan" Hsing-I)?
Emperors Long Fist (Tai Tzu Chang Chuan)
Emperor's Long Fist (Ba Gua Chan "Tai Chi Chuan" Hsing-I)
The internal arts Tai Chi, Ba Gua, and Hsing-I are taught collectively at our school as the Emperor's Long Fist system. Emperor's Long Fist (Tai Tzu Chang Chuan) was created in Sung dynasty China by Emperor Chao Kuang Yin in 960 A.D., and is the root of all other Tai Chi styles. Ba Gua and Hsing-I, the sister arts to Tai Chi, were also incorporated. These internal arts emphasize the cultivation of Qi (a.k.a. Chi, Ki, life energy, etc.) for use in combat rather than external muscular force. Thousands of Chinese and a growing number of Westerners practice internal arts (especially Tai Chi) for health and longevity.
Emperor's Long Fist History
Chao Kuang-yin, founder and ruler of the Sung Dynasty from 960-976 A.D., reunited war torn China following the division of the Five Dynasties. He also brought an end to the militarism which characterized China during that era.
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What is Chin-na?
Chin-Na is the facet of Kung-Fu which involves grappling, joint locks, pressure points, takedowns, and throws for immobilizing an attacker. These techniques are derived from animal attributes such as the praying mantis hooking or eagle claw.
Today
The recent understanding that grappling is as important as striking, has also caused some Kung Fu systems to focus on their Chin Na techniques, even expanding the system by incorporating/developing new ones. This is one reason why Chin Na of one school differs from that of another. There are over 700 traditional techniques and countless more being developed/adopted, depending on the specific school.
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