The Martial Arts of Wan Lai Sheng page 3
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Wan Lai Sheng was a famous master of three schools; Shaolin, Six harmony and Ziran (Natural). Friend of martial artists, champion fighter, he was a major influence on Chinese martial arts. The demonstrator, Wu Sun Xiong, became a formal student of Wan in the 1960's. He also learned Traumatology and other aspects of Chinese medicine. More on teacher Wan Lai Sheng.

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DVD#11381 SO Six Punches (Tao Liu Chui)
Mandarin CHINESE with ENGLISH subtitles

Here are training methods from a student of Wan Lai Sheng himself. It starts with a simple six handed two person mini practice. There are numerous details and an evolutionary aspect. For instance what starts out at six punch and six blocks becomes six punches and six body evasions, a theme of the VCD. Then there are applied strikes with very living steps and some classic blows such as Pi or splitting. A good example of a "renovated" training that makes some sense and actually is closer to what traditional training was like.

DVD#11382 SO 12 Animals (shapes)
Mandarin CHINESE with ENGLISH subtitles

Said to be a 12 Shape or Animals Xing Yi set this appears, to all intents and purposes, to be a version of a basic linking set. One might think that this is one of the weaker sections of the Wan inheritance for the Xing Yi seems a bit stiff and the flavor is not representative of the best in that style. On the other hand this, too, is an addition to the corpus of work left by the famous founder of this branch, Wan Lai Sheng.

DVD#11383 SO Throwing Arts
Mandarin CHINESE with ENGLISH subtitles

This is a demonstration of basic throws first in a simple example and then as applied to self defense situations like bear hugs. There are many key points made but the general atmosphere is pretty informal with sometimes weak looking variations shown.

DVD#11384 SO Tools (Attack Methods: Shoulder, Elbow, Knee,Head Wrist)
Mandarin CHINESE with ENGLISH subtitles

One might consider this a section on “tools.” Strikes and applications are shown of elbows, shoulders, head strikes, chin, finger tips in crane hand, knee strikes and most other weapons used in Chinese boxing. Some interesting angles and some weaker motions. An occasional surprise strike or unusual angle.

DVD#11385 SO Counters (Breaking Method of Capture, Seize, Grip, Catch)
Mandarin CHINESE with ENGLISH subtitles

Very practical counters against literally dozens of attacks such as shoulder grabs, chokes, bear hugs, wrist grabs, etc. Many are classical with standard details. Overall though, there is a simplicity and directness of attitude that is refreshing.

DVD#11386 SO Weapons Counters (Breaking Methods of the Weapon)
Mandarin CHINESE with ENGLISH subtitles

We have mixed feelings about this VCD. First we are delighted when teachers come out and show their real applications against things such as weapons. The usage here is the test of the style. This one is particularly unusual in that it shows counters bare handed vs. weapons such as knives but also countering staves, sabers, straight swords. Then there is saber vs. saber and sword vs. sword to use the consistency of the principles. The problem is that the saber and sword actions are not high level showing the rudimentary attitudes to the weapon that reveal the present weakness in Kung Fu and the loss of generations of information. We need more open information like this, an apparent subtext in the attitude of Wan Lai Sheng’s inheritors. We also need to research, consolidate and improve our usage before it is impossible to recapture the treasure.

DVD#11387 SO Training Methods (Original Striking Taiji SanShou)
Mandarin CHINESE with ENGLISH subtitles

This is a combination of training and technique. The early part of the VCD shows weight and equipment training including body conditioning, training with iron rings, heavy ball and other methods. Then there is an application section of practical Tai Chi principles such as Ward Off done with two person training such as pushing against the chest and the Tai Chi practitioner bouncing the pusher back.

DVD#11388 SO Zi Ran (Natural) Fighting
Mandarin CHINESE with ENGLISH subtitles

Zi Ran Men. This is a survey of the “natural strikes” of the Zi Ran (a "spontaneous" style developed at the end of the 19th century) branch of the Wan Lai Sheng studies. These movements are loose, powerful and indeed, natural. Hooking punches, drop strikes, sweep kicks, turning kicks, and many others.

DVD#11389 SO Multiple Attacks (Active Orientation Attack/Defense of Ziran)
Mandarin CHINESE with ENGLISH subtitles

This might be considered the “fancy footwork” section of the Wan Lai Sheng presentation. First basic foot patterns from Wan are shown. Then free steps are applied not only to fighting one person but to multiple attackers, too. Actions show footwork somewhat similar to boxing but with a distinct Kung Fu approach. The demonstration against multiple opponents itself disappointing - not of the highest caliber.

DVD#11390 SO Zi Ran Training
Mandarin CHINESE with ENGLISH subtitles

A sort of routine from the Zi Ran style with a very interesting breakdown of movements and a few Zi Ran exercises that will challenge. Then a section near the end with a superimposed Nine Palace diagram explaining footwork and angular deviation.

DVD#11391 SO Zi Ran 9 Palace Methods
Mandarin CHINESE with ENGLISH subtitles

There are some elements of Kung Fu which might almost qualify to be mysteries. Many styles and teachers have used which might be considered a cultural icon, namely the Nine Palace magic square arrangement, to explore variations in movement. This is a pattern of movement which aims to give you the "angle" on the opponent.Song correlates the sections of the palace to the trigrams. A similar pattern is used in Bagua for the continuous linked palm. Here in the Zi Ran branch it is used as complex series of changes and footwork variations. He also shows the 7 Star Poles method (no poles) which is like the 9 Palace on the diagonal.