More on Kung Fu
The Kung Fu system taught at IPDArts is unique. It incorporates principles and training methods from several different styles of Chinese martial art. Below are those schools which have had a major influence on the formation of IPDArts Kung Fu, and the characteristics of those styles.
Wing Chun
Characterized by:
- Tight, efficient use of the centreline for both attack and defence.
- Efficient use of motion.
- Simultaneously stopping/diverting an incoming attack and counterattacking, rather than blocking first, then countering.
- Absorbing/redirecting superior force, allowing a smaller, weaker person to deal with a larger, stronger adversary using tactile sensitivity and positioning skills.
The grabbing hands and sticking hands exercises, similar to those used in Wing Chun are trained extensively in the IPDArts system to develop instinctive responses to the opponents movements/attacks when in contact with their arms, or indeed any other part of their body.
Yiquan
Characterized by:
Power! Yiquan practitioners spend the majority of their training time working on exercises designed to cultivate co-ordinated whole body power (power generated by the legs, the waist and the back) and to teach the student how to express that power (transfer it into the opponent).
Post standing exercises (Zhan Zhuang) and force testing exercises similar to those practiced by Yiquan students are used in the IPDArts system to improve the students health, and to help them discover how to emit whole body power.
Baguazhang.
Characterized by:
Use of twisting, spiralling forces and circularity to avoid opponents and divert their force.
Linear and circular stepping exercises similar to those practiced in Baguazhang are used in the IPDArts system to help students learn how to keep their posture, grounding, relaxation and potential for releasing whole body power whilst moving at high speed.