Gu Yi Kung-fu, a Buddhist Martial Art
The style of kung-fu we practice is called Gu Yi kung-fu (GOO YEE KUHNG FOO). "Gu Yi" literally
translates as "Ancient Righteousness (Right Conduct)", although it freely implies a code of chivalry. Gu Yi
kung-fu is a Buddhist martial art with roots meandering back 1,500 years to the original Shaolin Temple at
the foot of Songshan (Song mountain) in northern China. For over two hundred years Gu Yi was kept
within the confines of the Chinese Buddhist community. It was brought to the United States in 1965 by
Master Liang Jiebing.
Gu Yi kung-fu is a scientific martial art, totally based on the realities of human motion and psychology.
There is no emphasis on competition, or sport. The point of the training, however, is not simply to turn
ourselves into fearsome fighters. We seek to master ourselves, so that we achieve internal harmony.
Having achieved (a semblance of) internal harmony, we are then able to live in external harmony with the
world around us. We recognize human conflict as the disruption of harmony; and we seek to restore
harmony, rather than destroy the aggressor. We learn to act toward life, rather than to react.
Our art was a final development in the evolution of Shaolin Temple martial art before the dominance of
firearms in the 19th century. Gu Yi kung-fu was developed into its present form in a Buddhist monastery at
Hengshan in Hunan province at the close of the 18th century and during the early years of the 19th
century. Our kung-fu curriculum includes techniques of breathing; balance; qigong; linear and circular
movements; unparalleled kicking, leg maneuvers, and footwork; a multitude of punching, striking, blocking,
deflecting, adhering, trapping, controlling hand techniques; jointlocks, sweeps, takedowns, throws;
pressure-point manipulation (disruptive and antidotal); and blending with the energy of the assailant. But,
most importantly, Gu Yi kung-fu involves meditation, which is taught step-by-step.
The emphasis is always on the primacy of the spiritual and physical development of the practitioner, rather
on an obsession with imagined threats to one's well-being. Our art does not simply rely on muscular
strength; but on correct body dynamics and spiritual development where all aspects of the physical, mental,
and spiritual combine to act as a unified whole at a single point in time. There are no impractical or
acrobatic techniques. Gu Yi kung-fu either avoids the aggression, interrupts the aggressor's attack before
it has the chance to fully manifest, or redirects the force of that assault.
If you really want to learn to handle all conflict well (daily as well as extraordinary), and learn to do so in a
short period of time-- then Gu Yi kung-fu is for you. Gu Yi kung-fu is a coherent system of self-defense that
can be learned and practiced by any age of adult. But more than a system of self-defense, Gu Yi kung-fu is
a pathway to authentic living.
Tai Chi Chuan-- The Taoist Martial Art
We practice the major style of Tai Chi Chuan, the Yang style. Our forms are the orthodox forms, as
standardized by the Chinese National Physical Culture and Sports Committee. Taijiquan (TIE JEE CHWAHN)
roughly translates as "Supreme Ultimate Martial Art". It is one of the three major internal martial arts (as
differentiated from those of Shaolin lineage, which are classified as external arts). An internal martial art
progresses from the inside out. It seeks to regulate the mind, will, breath, and qi (ch'i) in order to let the
body follow. External martial arts generally seek to vigorously train the body, in order to develop the mind,
will, breath, and qi as byproducts of that rigorous training.
Taijiqun seeks harmony with life and unification with the universe (the "Supreme Ultimate"). It has been
called moving meditation. Taijiquan forms are performed slowly, with continuous motion, and its energy is
circular and never ending. The key elements are relaxation and suppleness. The health benefits of
Taijiquan are spectacular and well documented. It is an excellent exercise--mentally, spiritually, and
physically--for adults of all ages. Taijiquan is especially available and beneficial for those with no history of
physical fitness.
Training in Taijiquan will positively change your life. You will find yourself more flexible, both physically and
mentally. The little trials of each day will pass you by like ripples on a pond, rather than raging waves on an
angry sea. Your relationships with others will improve, because you will be at peace with yourself. Your body
will also experience a new vitality, as old aches and pains fade away, and you are filled with a new zest for
life.
While beginners learn the 24-movement Yang Short Form, we offer a complete curriculum of Taijiquan. At
Xiang Hua we also practice and teach the Yang Long Form, 48-movement Combined Form, Tai Chi sword
forms, and Tai Chi staff forms; as well as qigong, sensitivity exercises, and the self-defense applications of
the techniques. Competence in Taijiquan is recognized with certification at five levels: practitioner, senior
practitioner, assistant instructor, instructor, and master instructor.
Weapons
All kung-fu students from the beginning level upward learn to use authentic Chinese weapons. The two
standard weapons first learned are the staff and the kitchen knife, which reflect the Buddhist origin and
nature of Gu Yi kung-fu (in that they are not specifically made to be used as weapons). Among the weapons
used and taught at Xiang Hua are the baton; eyebrow-height staff; long pole; (small) knife; Eight Cut Knives;
sword (jian); broadsword (dao); spear; tiger fork; halberd (General Kuan's); nianzhu (Buddhist prayer
beads); and fan.
Chinese Culture
In the Xiang Hua school great emphasis is placed on the language, history, philosophy/religion, and culture
of China. Our arts are precious cultural transmissions of the Chinese people. The practice and
understanding of any Asian martial art is intricately related to the country from which it derives, and cannot
be divorced from it. If someone is ignorant of the cultural matrix of the country from which the martial art she
or he practices originates, then that person will never truly understand that martial art.
The style of kung-fu we practice is called Gu Yi kung-fu (GOO YEE KUHNG FOO). "Gu Yi" literally
translates as "Ancient Righteousness (Right Conduct)", although it freely implies a code of chivalry. Gu Yi
kung-fu is a Buddhist martial art with roots meandering back 1,500 years to the original Shaolin Temple at
the foot of Songshan (Song mountain) in northern China. For over two hundred years Gu Yi was kept
within the confines of the Chinese Buddhist community. It was brought to the United States in 1965 by
Master Liang Jiebing.
Gu Yi kung-fu is a scientific martial art, totally based on the realities of human motion and psychology.
There is no emphasis on competition, or sport. The point of the training, however, is not simply to turn
ourselves into fearsome fighters. We seek to master ourselves, so that we achieve internal harmony.
Having achieved (a semblance of) internal harmony, we are then able to live in external harmony with the
world around us. We recognize human conflict as the disruption of harmony; and we seek to restore
harmony, rather than destroy the aggressor. We learn to act toward life, rather than to react.
Our art was a final development in the evolution of Shaolin Temple martial art before the dominance of
firearms in the 19th century. Gu Yi kung-fu was developed into its present form in a Buddhist monastery at
Hengshan in Hunan province at the close of the 18th century and during the early years of the 19th
century. Our kung-fu curriculum includes techniques of breathing; balance; qigong; linear and circular
movements; unparalleled kicking, leg maneuvers, and footwork; a multitude of punching, striking, blocking,
deflecting, adhering, trapping, controlling hand techniques; jointlocks, sweeps, takedowns, throws;
pressure-point manipulation (disruptive and antidotal); and blending with the energy of the assailant. But,
most importantly, Gu Yi kung-fu involves meditation, which is taught step-by-step.
The emphasis is always on the primacy of the spiritual and physical development of the practitioner, rather
on an obsession with imagined threats to one's well-being. Our art does not simply rely on muscular
strength; but on correct body dynamics and spiritual development where all aspects of the physical, mental,
and spiritual combine to act as a unified whole at a single point in time. There are no impractical or
acrobatic techniques. Gu Yi kung-fu either avoids the aggression, interrupts the aggressor's attack before
it has the chance to fully manifest, or redirects the force of that assault.
If you really want to learn to handle all conflict well (daily as well as extraordinary), and learn to do so in a
short period of time-- then Gu Yi kung-fu is for you. Gu Yi kung-fu is a coherent system of self-defense that
can be learned and practiced by any age of adult. But more than a system of self-defense, Gu Yi kung-fu is
a pathway to authentic living.
Tai Chi Chuan-- The Taoist Martial Art
We practice the major style of Tai Chi Chuan, the Yang style. Our forms are the orthodox forms, as
standardized by the Chinese National Physical Culture and Sports Committee. Taijiquan (TIE JEE CHWAHN)
roughly translates as "Supreme Ultimate Martial Art". It is one of the three major internal martial arts (as
differentiated from those of Shaolin lineage, which are classified as external arts). An internal martial art
progresses from the inside out. It seeks to regulate the mind, will, breath, and qi (ch'i) in order to let the
body follow. External martial arts generally seek to vigorously train the body, in order to develop the mind,
will, breath, and qi as byproducts of that rigorous training.
Taijiqun seeks harmony with life and unification with the universe (the "Supreme Ultimate"). It has been
called moving meditation. Taijiquan forms are performed slowly, with continuous motion, and its energy is
circular and never ending. The key elements are relaxation and suppleness. The health benefits of
Taijiquan are spectacular and well documented. It is an excellent exercise--mentally, spiritually, and
physically--for adults of all ages. Taijiquan is especially available and beneficial for those with no history of
physical fitness.
Training in Taijiquan will positively change your life. You will find yourself more flexible, both physically and
mentally. The little trials of each day will pass you by like ripples on a pond, rather than raging waves on an
angry sea. Your relationships with others will improve, because you will be at peace with yourself. Your body
will also experience a new vitality, as old aches and pains fade away, and you are filled with a new zest for
life.
While beginners learn the 24-movement Yang Short Form, we offer a complete curriculum of Taijiquan. At
Xiang Hua we also practice and teach the Yang Long Form, 48-movement Combined Form, Tai Chi sword
forms, and Tai Chi staff forms; as well as qigong, sensitivity exercises, and the self-defense applications of
the techniques. Competence in Taijiquan is recognized with certification at five levels: practitioner, senior
practitioner, assistant instructor, instructor, and master instructor.
Weapons
All kung-fu students from the beginning level upward learn to use authentic Chinese weapons. The two
standard weapons first learned are the staff and the kitchen knife, which reflect the Buddhist origin and
nature of Gu Yi kung-fu (in that they are not specifically made to be used as weapons). Among the weapons
used and taught at Xiang Hua are the baton; eyebrow-height staff; long pole; (small) knife; Eight Cut Knives;
sword (jian); broadsword (dao); spear; tiger fork; halberd (General Kuan's); nianzhu (Buddhist prayer
beads); and fan.
Chinese Culture
In the Xiang Hua school great emphasis is placed on the language, history, philosophy/religion, and culture
of China. Our arts are precious cultural transmissions of the Chinese people. The practice and
understanding of any Asian martial art is intricately related to the country from which it derives, and cannot
be divorced from it. If someone is ignorant of the cultural matrix of the country from which the martial art she
or he practices originates, then that person will never truly understand that martial art.
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| If you would like to join us, contact us at: info@xianghua.com |
| Copyright 2000-2007 Xiang Hua Chinese Martial Arts |
| Xiang Hua Chinese Martial Arts |
