The Secret Trick Inside Shaolin Kung Fu Fighting Systems

This secret trick is actually inside karate fighting systems, as well as kung fu fighting systems, or just about any martial art. This is because it is based on a basic motion of the arms. This basic motion, once one sees how it works, will give rise to virtually all the techniques of the martial arts.

Assume a natural stance, feet shoulder width and extend the arms straight out to the front. Bend the arms slightly and make circles with the arms in a clockwise manner. The circles should be about three feet wide, and should overlap each other slightly.

As you make these circles you will see a series of blocks. At one point your right arm will do a high block and your left arm will do a low block. As you continue the clockwise circle of the limbs your right arm will go through an inverted low block (back of the wrist protecting the groin) and your left arm will go through a palm block (protecting the face).

Anybody who comes at you will run into one of these blocks, or enter into the swirling motion of your arms. You can angle the blocking motion and cause all types of manipulations simply by adjusting foot movement. Take a step, pivot the hips, turn, all will alter the angle of the circles, and you will find other types of blocks.

If you maintain distance and focus the circles you can execute hard and bruising blocks. If you step into a person and circle the attacking arm it will turn into a lever and a joint manipulation or a throw, as you might find in Gracie Jujitsu. Tighten it up and charge at a person and you will end up doing the basic Bruce Lee blasting technique.

Thus, this circling of the arms is inherent in any art, and most students will play with it at some time in their careers. Unfortunately, they don't usually explore it to the degree necessary to understand the basic conceptual nature of the circles. Yet, a few decades into the art, an accomplished student will invariably realize the fundamental usefulness of the arm circles.

I discovered this move in Pan Gai Noon. The wa-uke circling block is a variation of this fundamental motion. It wasn't long before I saw it in the various kung fu fighting systems, and then the kenpo fighting art and all the karate fighting systems. I was quick to make it the pivotal point of my own Shaolin Butterfly Kung Fu home study course.

In conclusion, let me point out that this arm motion opens the door to countless fighting techniques. If you change the direction of the circles, or change the direction of one of the circles, you will find virtually every martial arts technique. Go ahead, look at your martial arts forms, and you will find that this little concept is at the heart of every martial system, and not just Shaolin Kung Fu Systems.

If you want to learn Shaolin Gung Fu online, Monster Martial Arts specializes in Gung Fu DVD courses. 3