Emei (Omei) Mountain Style #1

Emei Mountain has for centuries been considered the home of many great martial artists. Styles from Emei often fall somewhere between the relative hardness of Shaolin and softness of Wu Dang. Also Emei is famous for an unusual variety of weapons, some centered on navel engagement as well as land fighting.

Some of the later Emei is shown by Xin Liang-Wu is a famous practitioner of Emei Kung-Fu and a national judge. He is also the the creator of Emei Soft Push Hand (Jou Tui Shou). See a video clip of this style.

With Xiao Jia Ze. This form is a prime example of animal imitation style. The wheeling, fluttering, swooping actions of a "Cliff Hawk" are demonstrated in this highly expressive, elegant and somewhat contemporary form. Generally these "acting" forms are very theatrical but relatively unburdened with martial skill. The exception in this case is that the performer has a highly trained body and a mature execution. Still, more emphasis on animal imitation, though a good one, than on content. Sets as pure art form.

Here are some dynamic, kick boxing-like movements based on classical hand positions such as palms, dragon fists, leopard fists, elbow and kicks. Everything here is based on a fast and changeable footwork then expressed as snappy, off angled strikes. A couple of interesting things: a rather strange but neat training tool basically a woven inner tube suspended by multiple elastic cords and struck in the middle. Also some of the fastest and most interesting anti-kicks throws. Xiao Jia Ze has quick hands and a good eye.

The chi kung of the style with a series of combination health and strength builders that also concentrate on Fa Jing or Power Issuance exercises. A nice set of the internal workings of the style. Many soft exercises with the refrain of waving hands and what is generally known in Chinese medical circles as Chi Yun or Chi movement disciplines.

1000 Chin Na Applications based on single hand push hands. Many nice counters including a number of anti-kicking techniques we regard as pretty realistic. Also some truly nice feeling and listening exercises from the point of partner work. If you have a practice partner these are the real treasures because the partners can dramatically heighten their abilities to interpret and neutralized energy. A good overall look at Emei's usage.

Tai Chi Soft Push seems to be the sobriquet that contains the homogenized style of Emei especially in reference to self defense and hard Chi Kung training. But here is a set, obviously inspired by the Yang style, but definitely not Yang or any of the other four families. This is a version that emphasizes torso movement, soft arms and high but relaxed stances. There is a demonstration of Soft Push Push Hands which is basically very close to the series of pattern used by Yang style Tai Chi.

Emei Jin-Jia Gong Kang-Sheng Cao
Emei Chin family Gong This VCD has two sections. The first is a combination of Chi Kung and practical self defense. Movements are repeated that might be described as basic actions either of the self defense aspect of Emei or, and also, the health maintenance of the art. Every action is shown in application and most of the applications are reasonable and classical and pretty good. The second section is on seated Chi Kung strictly for the preservation of health. Many seated and lying Chi Kung's are actually very useful especially to show to those not involved with martial disciplines.

Here is an essential series of Ermei style internal practices. This is an interesting combination of Qigong breathing, self-message and body conditioning exercises. Movement is intermixed with stillness exercises. True to its name there is a section of moves which pat down the muscles. There are also numerous body and waist turning exercises all the way from the feet to the neck. Some sections resemble parts of forms but, in general, most actions are short groups of one to four moves. Overal all these ancient methods are meant to strengthen the Wei Qi (protective qi) of the body.

Emei Pan Gong. There are basics and basics. These, created by Xin's instructor - Ma Zhen-Jiang, capture the important actions of the system. They are a combination of posture, stretches, strikes and Chi Kung. Many are common to WuShu but are delivered in a distinctly Emei manner.

Instructor Xin has developed a comprehensive Emei system he calls Soft Push. It is very similar in many ways to Yang style Tai Chi, one of its obvious inspirations. In this disks he shows dozens of pretty solid hands on applications that fall somewhere between Push Hands and Chin Nah. Many good moves, a few not-so-great. Overall good solid applications for the "first level" but with some interesting angles and force vectors.

What is unusual about this set is that it overtly claims to combine the actions of the Spear and the Staff. The performance of the practitioner verifies this as some movements are obviously more staff-like than not. An interesting set and, due to the hybrid, not a bad one to begin with for people who have only had staff work training.