XING GONG SHAOLIN TEMPLE Boxing page 12

One of the oldest continuous styles of Kung Fu in the world. Famous the world over. Associated with the birthplace of Chan (Zen) meditation. Many of these forms are, in our opinion, purposely meant to "look ancient." XING GONG (movement and exercise) is said to have been created by Fu Ju during the Song Dynasty, over 1000 years ago. It has passed through Yang Xiu Shan (1885-1949) then to Gao Zhuo Jun (1917-2003). It is a relatively rare branch of Shaolin.

While so many of the modern Shaolin practitioners are actively trying to resemble old prints and illustrations they come no where near the ancient looking postures of this style.
Demonstrated by : Yi Liu, 31st generation inheritor of Shaolin Xing Gong Fist, 22nd generation Shaolin Tai Zu Long Fist. Now head fighting instructor of Chinese military Special forces. 13 Claw information box.

This was created by monk Fu Ju in the Song Dynasty. It contains 10 roads. The movements have some of the power and firmness associated with Shaolin. This is a tough form with many tornado kicks, broom kicks and forward rolls into jump kicks. Wide arm movements and some noticeable Shaolin poses. As we have said before this form shows that Shaolin need not be "stiff" or "wood blockish."

VCD#1069 Shaolin Xing Gong Boxing
About 1 Hour, VCD pricing, Chinese Only

Quantity

Ying Men Shi. This fist runs on the theme of the horse stance, double pushing palms which is its refrain. Once again good kicks, many broom even consecutively, strong stances. We are still not convinced that the official version of Shaolin, with relatively little torso movement depicts anything more than a decayed interpretation of the art. But these are certainly of a higher caliber than most of the robotic and only superficially representative sets we often see associated with this style. This is considered a fundamental fist, hence the name, and though complex especially in terms of kicks gives good strong basics for the aspiring Shaolin student. Also said to have been created by Fu Ju. It has eight sections.

This is a relatively standard saber with one very interesting exception. Whether purposefully or not, the practitioner demonstrates a perfectly valid, intermediate length and typical set but with nary a single WRAP that touches his body. This is very rare and we've only seen it before in a few sets. All the wrapping actions are the same as similar sets but the saber spine never touches the back. Some interesting rolls. Not flashy but lively. This one was said to have come from Yang Xiu Shan, 28th generation practitioner (see above).

VCD#1071 Shaolin Small Split Hammer
About 1 Hour, VCD pricing, Chinese Only

Quantity

Xiao Li Chui. This is one of the easier forms to pick up in the Xing Gong system. Good, solid movements. Nice kicks. A clean and open structure. It shows a definite Shaolin architecture including the famous Strike Tiger salutation at the end. The movements are somewhat modular which is one point of the form giving basic actions which can be practiced, as the name implies, separately.

Dan Zhai. The 13 Claw is a known and authentic branch of the Shaolin family. This is a more advanced set. Many roads with a refrain of three front hand claws followed by a front hand cover. Much fewer kicks though still long ones. Many changes and turns with the the hands as claws. A rare branch of the style. This is the fundamental set of this branch.
A Double VCD.

See below this VCD section for an information box on the 13 claws.

VCD#1073 Shaolin Strike Four Directions
About 1 Hour, VCD pricing, Chinese Only

Quantity

Though not as long as the previous 13 Claw set this one requires more changes and directional variations. Still based on the refrain of three claws and a cover this form strikes to all four directions and incorporates many dropping and turning movements. The show set of this particular branch of the Shaolin style.

This is a respectable though, to our mind, not revolutionary version of the famous Spring Leg set. Each version, though, has its own little variations that - if you are into Spring Leg as we are - make it interesting. Normally the player executes a line then salutes and turns around with a new line. In this chase you can execute up then BACK then begin the next line. Sort of like those exasperating Xing Yi turnarounds. This is a simple, straight forward and decent version of the Moslem form - as they point out in the introduction - with a Shaolin flavor.

VCD#1075 Shaolin Yang Family Spear
About 1 Hour, VCD pricing, Chinese Only

Quantity

The Yang Family Spear is one of the most famous in all of the Chinese history held in equal regard with the Pear Blossom Spear and the Six Harmony Spear. Therefore many styles claim the form if in name only. As recorded in Song Dynasty history this was supposedly created by Yang Miao Zhan, the wife of General Li Quan. That would mean the three greatest spear sets were created by two women (one the wife of a general) and a general. Interesting. Passed down through Yang Xiu Shan.