拳 術
Quán Shù
Chinese Boxing
踢
Tī
Kick
摔
Shuāi
Throw
打
Dǎ
Strike
拿
Ná
Catch
拳術 Quánshù means boxing, but consists of 踢 Ti “kicking”, 打 Da “striking”, 摔 Shuai “throwing” (wrestling) and 拿 Na “seizing” (catch, joints locks). People would 下功夫 xià gōngfū or “put in the hard work” to gain these fighting skills. This consisted of kicking and punching to incapacitate or close the gap, bridging and control of the arms for dominance was made instinctive, and short strikes, locks and joint breaks, and throws and sweeps were used to destroy the opponent. Given the ‘common vernacular’ of northern Chinese boxing skills, and the fluid nature of learning, many styles arose - essentially, mixed martial arts. These were versatile combat methods, meant to allow one to duel a challenger, defend oneself against attackers, or eliminate threats swiftly. By the end of the Qing dynasty civilian fighting arts reached a high point in effectiveness.
For northern Chinese boxing systems, this often involved a 長拳 Cháng quán “Long Fist” or “Long Boxing” approach to commanding the distance and pummeling the enemy. Striking methods were blended with throws, sweeps, and takedowns. Since its methods were so widespread in China and were a core part of, or influenced, many Boxing systems, those interested in Traditional Chinese Boxing should learn the basics of 長拳 Cháng quán.
The Traditional Chinese Martial Arts (武術 Wǔshù) come from a context of a violent Confucian culture plunged into societal collapse. The late Qing dynasty was a turbulent time, with famines and floods, opium epidemic and foreign encroachment, mass banditry and open revolts. Many learned weapon skills as well as Chinese boxing and found employment as militia trainers, guards, and caravan escorts - or resorted to banditry.
長拳 Cháng quán
Long Boxing or Long Fist is an umbrella term for a whole ‘language' of combat movement’ from the North China plain. Most of the Chinese Boxing systems and styles are or have influences from Long Boxing. There are deep commonalities in most of these methods both technically and tactically.
基本長拳
Essential Long Boxing
If we look at fighting and movement as language, then there are many languages, with many dialects, accents, and personal flairs. China’s traditional bare knuckle boxings likewise was an expansive language family. Most seem to be in decline. If this powerful meta, this way of moving and fighting, is to be re-established, that baseline fluency in the combat movement-language must be attained… I have distilled and dissected 長拳 Cháng quán, Long fist or long boxing, and broken down its combat language for you so you can use these building blocks to become fully fluent.
Gain fundamental Chinese Boxing skills
This online course is designed to give you a high level overview on the core mechanics and strategic doctrine of the 長拳 Cháng quán (Long Boxing or Long Fist) art, and details on some of the most common techniques. This is not an encyclopedia of techniques nor 套路 Taolu or forms / sequences. This isn’t athletic training, nor is it fight coaching. I offer such things, but not here. In this course I give you a framework to understand, train, and practice Chinese boxing, whether you plan on taking up a system, or you have already devoted time into training an art.
彈腿 Tan Tui 潭腿
Adopted by many, understood by few.
Considered to be a fundamental form of northern Chinese boxing…
If your Tan Tui is good, your gong fu is good.
Online Course coming soon!
Embodying the Art, Reversing the Decay
As we know, China was further plunged into war, famine, and the Cultural Revolution - forever changing the cultural context within which “kung fu” evolved. Nationalist fervor gripped the people and efforts were made to save the martial arts - one such initiative was the highly influential Chinwoo Athletic Association. However the changing of the context, societal collapse and then rapid urbanization, neo-Confucian values, gentrification, and the need to survive in the modern economy have all led to serious decay in the Chinese boxing skills and the extinction of many folk fighting arts.
Vincent Tseng had the fortune of learning legitimate Chinese boxing skills. He dedicated himself to training the Chinese boxing system of Praying Mantis Boxing on a foundation of Long Boxing movement, and spent time in the USA as well as Taiwan honing his skills. He is also involved in the Fujianese-Taiwanese art of Taizu Quan (Emperor’s Fist), an old form of Kuntao, and has begun studying Xinyi Quan and Bagua Zhang.
He resolved to be the change he wanted to see in this world. His multi-disciplinary approach to Traditional Chinese Martial Arts combines knowledge in athletics and combat, history and culture, and pedagogy and learning psychology. This allows Vincent to create training environments and transmission systems that allow students to rapidly gain fighting skills from the Chinese Boxing methodologies.
Bridging and Clinch-fighting can help you dominate the fight.
Many systems and styles share the same core techniques, such as this throw.
These mixed martial arts have a variety of techniques to win the fight.
Taolu / forms, are a traditional part of Chinese boxing.
Paying Respects to the Teachers
致敬老師和祖先
王榮生 Wáng Róngshēng
FOUNDER OF 七星螳螂拳 QIXING TANGLANG QUAN
Wang Shifu was a weapons-master, weight lifter and Long Boxer. He later learned Mantis Boxing through his affiliation with the Liang Clan and their Caravan-escort guard company - it set the stage for his creation of Seven Star Mantis Boxing. He was of the generations towards the end of the Qing who lived in a time of upheaval and violence. His student Fan Xudong would go on and become a famous boxer and saberman. His student Luo Guanyu would bring Seven Star Mantis to the 精武體育會 Chin Woo Athletic Association where it would take on more Long Boxing influences.
His and his students’ exploits and lives continue to inspire Vincent.
Randy Brown
TANGLANG QUAN SHIFU & BJJ BLACK BELT
Shifu Randy Brown has a background in Taekwondo, Chinese kung fu, and Brazilian Jiujitsu. His Chinese Martial Arts training included Xing Yi Quan, Yang Taiji, some Eagle Claw, and Praying Mantis Boxing (both 7 star and 8 step) as well as staff, spear, saber, sword, and rope darts. He learned a lot from training with Shifu Puyot and Shifu Laurette. His teachings gave Vincent Tseng his foundation in Long Boxing forms and fighting using Praying Mantis Boxing.
Shifu Brown’s unending mission to improve pedagogy and provide a welcoming and effective training culture have been as powerful for Vincent as the fighting skills themselves.
張君豪 Chang Jūnháo
TEACHER AT 台大八步螳螂拳社 NTU Eight Steps
Junhao is a prime representative of the 八步螳螂拳 Eight Step Mantis Boxing community of Taipei. He has fought many challenge matches and continues to guide a group in their learning of the fighting skills. He represents the youngest generation who were able to witness and train Chinese boxing in Taiwan when the skills were mostly intact and being tested frequently.
Being a distant martial relative, Vincent visited him in Taiwan. Junhao gave him many insights and lessons to take home. Those insights and the hospitality and comradery stuck with Vincent. Touched, he maintains gratitude and good relations, and the insights gained continue to influence his Mantis Boxing.