Southern Styles Kung Fu Page 2

Also see:
Southern Page One (Five Ancestors and Hung Gar)
Some background on Southern Kung Fu

#22030 Hakka, Unicorn Boxing
(Kei Lun Kung Fu)
Tyler R. Rea
45 minutes, English Language
$29.95, PLUM price $26.95

 

As the back cover says, “Hakka Unicorn Boxing is quite rare, so this DVD may be the only place to really get deep instructional content on the system. “

Hakka constitutes a cultural group which has uprooted itself many times and relocated as “guest people” in different parts of China, mostly around the Fujian area. As time passed, this group developed its own signature approach to boxing. This method is clearly laid out in this DVD, working from basic training such as foot patterns, to hand formations and strikes, such as sword finger hand and phoenix fist.

The boxing footwork section is presented first. Here, the camera work is so tight  that during the first minutes of Sifu Rea’s demonstration you cannot even see his head, just his body and feet. I assume this was purposeful, directing your attention downward, but the effect is a little odd.

From there, he goes on to break down a crucial form in the Hakka style, Unicorn Boxing. This section is straightforward, very clear and easy to learn from his presentation.

Lastly, he applies blocks and strikes to a wooden dummy, always a welcome example. However, I found the extreme simplicity of the movements to be a bit disappointing. Rea shows progressive patterns where each move furthers a step before starting a new pattern.

This DVD lays out the style with no showboating whatsoever. Each movement, in the air or against a “dummy,” is shown in solo form, just Rea himself with no partner.

You can find it all in this DVD.

(And if you have more interest in this people and their art, please see our beautiful Hakka museum exhibition book.)

  

#21070 White Eyebrow Chi Kung & Form

Sifu Kwong Man Fong is a direct lineage holder of the Bak Mei system. In this short but packed 30 minute DVD he shows the famous and fundamental Sup Jee form with both he and his top student demonstrating (a vivid version). In addition applications, exercises for training, and Bak Mei's particular Chi Kung are all explored. A good representation of a well known but hard to find system.

More about Bak Mei style...       NTSC: About 30 minutes.

Five Ancestors Boxing, founded by Sijo Chua Giok Beng, combines hands from the White Crane, footwork from the LuoHan, evasions from Tai Hsing Monkey, light techniques from Tai Tzu and Iron Body work from Boddhidharma method. FAB was designed to be simple but effective. This DVD shows the essence of the FAB system including many of its important guiding principles. Tu: spit, Tim: Sink, Tun: swallow, Pu: float. Mr. Paman’s presentation here is very concise and logical with short but well constructed sections. Using Key Words is a very interesting way to cross reference the entire system. Among forms is an advanced version of San Chin known as Tien Te Chien (Heaven and Earth War form). This form shows the obvious influence of Crane Boxing. Next is See Mun Pa Kat (Hitting the Four Gates) which has a number of advanced FAB principles and movements. Again the connection to Crane Kung Fu is crystal clear. Panam Sifu shows full breakdowns in both cases. The DVD finishes with short and sweet applications all in the FAB mode. Overall Mr. Panam’s presentation is well paced and very considered, no rushing through the information. Mr. Panam has been practicing Ngo Cho for over 30 years and is also expert in arnis, karate and jiujitsu. He was voted the Inside Kung Fu "Writer of the Year" in 2007. See his book on Ngo Cho.
Backgound information on this style.

58 Minutes     

#12051 Fut Shan Bak Mei vol. 1
with Sifu Li Yang Jian

NOTE: Bak Mei is Cantonese for White Eyebrow (Bai Mei).
This DVD is a work of intense interest in the subject. It shows ShihFu Li Yang Jian ( a student of the very active Lau Xiu Luang) of Fu Shan City. Michael Coconis and Dr. Gar Won Ko help with narration and instructions. The basic set, Sup Gee, is shown over and over from different angles and with different speeds. Bak Mei energy is likened to that of the Tiger blending hard and soft. Bak Mei is considered to be relatively easy to learn before one sees results. It is highly efficient and very fast. There is also some space on the tape devoted to the plight of the Tiger and the danger to the different species. This art is from the Lao Xiu Luang branch. He established the Futshan lineage of Bak Mei through Li Yang Jian.

Sup Gee is considered so important that the saying goes, "If you don't know Sup Gee how can you be a Bak Mei student?" The set has 72 movements and can be performed in less than 60 seconds but it is fundamental This DVD doesn't pretend to be entirely instructional and even though the form is shown many times there is relatively little commentary.
More about Bak Mei style...

25+ Minutes     Review by customer