Changquan


Changquan refers to a family of external martial arts styles from northern China.
The forms of the Long Fist style emphasize fully extended kicks and striking techniques, and by appearance would be considered a long-range fighting system. In some Long Fist styles the motto is that "the best defense is a strong offense," in which case the practitioner launches a preemptive attack so aggressive that it deprives the opponent of the opportunity to attack. Others emphasize defense over offense, noting that nearly all techniques in Long Fist forms are counters to attacks. Long Fist uses large, extended, circular movements to improve overall body mobility in the muscles, tendons, and joints. Advanced Long Fist techniques include qin na joint-locking techniques and shuai jiao throws and takedowns.
The Long Fist style is considered to contain a good balance of hand and foot techniques, but in particular it is renowned for its impressive acrobatic kicks. In demonstration events, Long Fist techniques are most popular and memorable for their whirling, running, leaping, and acrobatics. Contemporary changquan moves are difficult to perform, requiring great flexibility and athleticism comparable to that of gymnastics.
Long Fist's arsenal of kicks covers everything from a basic front snap-kick to a jumping back-kick, from a low sweep to a whirlwind-kick. Specifically, typical difficulty movements in modern changquan include the whirlwind kick, the butterfly kick, the cekongfan, and the lotus kick.

History of Long Fist

The core of changquan is attributed to the 10th century Emperor Taizu, the founding emperor of the Song dynasty. His style was allegedly called taizu changquan, which means "the Long Fist style of Emperor Taizu." That said, these texts can only be reliably dated to the second half of the 19th century. The Long Fist of contemporary wǔshù draws on Chaquan, "flower fist" Huāquán, Pao Chui, and "red fist".
Widely perceived to have a strong Shaolin influence, traditional Long Fist was promoted at the Nanjing Guoshu Institute by Han Qing-Tang, a famous Long Fist and qin na expert. After the defeat of Chiang Kai-shek and subsequent closing of the institute, the new People's Republic of China created contemporary wushu, a popular artistic sport inspired largely by traditional Long Fist. However, this new evolution of changquan differed from the old style in that it was exhibition-focused. Higher, more elaborate jump kicks and lower stances were adopted, in order to create more aesthetically pleasing forms. Applications were then reserved for the sport of sanshou, which was kept somewhat separate from the taolu. In 2005 with the creation of difficulty movements criteria in international competition, there has been a continued attention to jumps.

Subtypes of Long Fist

  • Pao Chui pre-Tang dynasty;
  • Mizongyi Tang dynasty ;
  • Chaquan Tang dynasty ;
  • Huaquan Tang dynasty.
  • Taizu changquan Song dynasty ;
  • Fanziquan Song dynasty ;
  • Hongquan Song dynasty ;

    A sample Long Fist curriculum from Han Chin Tang Lineage

Northern Shaolin Long Fist Kung Fu Includes:
  1. Barehand Forms
  2. Weapons
  3. Qin Na Dui Da
  4. Two Man Fighting Routines
  5. Self Defense Applications
  6. Iron Palm Training

    Hand forms

  7. Lian Bu Quan - Consecutive Linking Step Fist
  8. Gong Li Quan or Power Fist Form
  9. Tan Tui or Springing Legs
  10. Yi Lu Mai Fu or First Road of Ambush
  11. Er Lu Mai Fu or Second Road of Ambush
  12. Shi Zi Tang or Crossing Sequence
  13. Xiao Hu Yan or Little Tiger Swallow
  14. San Lu Pao or Three Ways of Running
  15. Taizu Chuangquan
  16. Si Lu Cha Quan or Fourth Way of Cha's Fist
  17. Si Lu Ben Za or Four Way of Running and Smashing
  18. 20 Methods Fighting Form or Er Shi Fa Quan
  19. Duan Da Quan - Fighting In Close Quarters Boxing/Short Hit Boxing
  20. Hua Quan - First Set Of China Fist Yi Lu Xi Yue
  21. Hua Quan 2 - Second Set Of China Fist Er Lu Xi Yue
  22. Hua Quan 3 - Third Set Of China Fist San Lu Xi Yue
  23. Hua Quan 4 - Fourth Set Of China Fist Si Lu Xi Yue
  24. Hua Quan 2 2 Man - Second Set Of China Fist Two Man Fighting Set Er Lu Xi Yue
  25. Hua Quan 4 2 Man - Fourth Set Of China Fist Two Man Fighting Set Si Lu Xi Yue

    Hand forms explained

  • Lian Bu Quan - Consecutive Linking Step Fist: the most basic Shaolin Long Fist form containing over 70 applications.
  • Gong Li Quan or Power Fist Form: the second basic form using dynamic tension at the end of each technique which develops muscles and tendons. Contains over 70 applications.
  • Tan Tui or Springing Legs: due to their fast and accurate spring-like kicks, and they have a long history in China. The routines were popularly practiced by Northern Chinese martial arts society between 1736 and 1912. Improve your fighting skills, balance, strength, and focus with Tan Tui. These 12 routines form the basis for other, more complex forms practiced in Northern Shaolin Kung Fu.
  • Yi Lu Mai Fu and Er Lu Mai Fu, the first and second Ways of Ambush, are powerful fundamental sequences that instruct clever and subtle methods of defense and attack. Both contain practical and effective escape and withdrawal techniques. They are intermediate forms that are considered the "foundation" of Long Fist. Contains subtle techniques designed to trick opponents.
  • Shi Zi Tang builds on earlier sequences with the addition of several different kicks, side door attacks, and forceful techniques.
  • Xiao Hu Yan is a challenging and exciting sequence combining techniques from Long Fist and Northern Praying Mantis. Xiao Hu Yan emphasizes low stances, powerful kicks, leg sweeps, trapping, and striking.
  • San Lu Pao means "Three Ways of Running." It is the first advanced Long Fist sequence. San Lu Pao focuses on the fluid integration of speed and power through several hand and leg techniques, while also pushing the practitioner's endurance and sense of enemy.
  • Taizu Chuangquan was created by Emperor Taizu in the Song dynasty. It is an advanced sequence that enhances and develops a student's knowledge in Long Fist fighting techniques while specifically training a combination of rooting, balance, and power.
  • Si Lu Cha Quan means "Fourth Way of Cha's Fist." It is one of the more well-known Chaquan sequences in Long Fist. When practiced with a proper sense of enemy, root, speed, and power, it is a very effective style for training higher level techniques in long range fighting.
  • Si Lu Ben Za means "Four Way of Running and Smashing." It is considered one of the most difficult and most advanced sequences created in Long Fist. Training this sequence patiently and diligently will lead a student to the highest level of Long Fist techniques.

    Stances">Wushu Stances">Stances used in the system

  1. Ma Bu
  2. Deng Shan Bu /Gong Jian Bu
  3. Jin Ji Du Li
  4. Xuan Ji Bu
  5. Zuo Pan Bu
  6. Fu Hu Bu
  7. Si-Liu Bu
  8. Tun Bu - similar to False Stance, but with toes up and heel on the ground
  9. Half Horse Stance

    Weapons training

  10. Long Staff
  11. Broadsword
  12. Double Edge Sword
  13. Spear
  14. Chain/Nine Section Whip
  15. Dragon Phoenix Sword
  16. Umbrella
  17. Straight Sword
  18. Double Sword
  19. Double Broadsword
  20. Pudao
  21. Meteor Hammer
  22. Hook Sword

    Notable practitioners