First, be advised that all of these VCD's are IN CHINESE ONLY. In our opinion that doesn't matter much because the instruction is clear and the quality of photography very good. But we will not accept returns just because people didn't read... IN CHINESE ONLY. Given that, these are really tremendous deals for the money. Each of these special VCD's can be played on a computer for full enjoyment. Made for PC's they are also Mac compatible by downloading Quicktime (for free) and any similar VCD player program. Also playable on most DVD players. For less than $10.00? Wow!

HeNan CHA style Boxing Page 3

Cha (Zha) Boxing is the quintessential Northern Kung Fu style. Cha is a branch of Jiao Men or Muslim style Kung Fu. Famous for centuries due to its relative purity not to mention great beauty, Cha is one of China's best beloved Long Fists. In fact, Cha was taken as the basis of Contemporary Wushu mandatory routines. It is pure, graceful and sophisticated. This group of performances, more than the other Cha we display, shows a very tight relationship to that Contemporary WuShu we see most often. There is a tendency to over-extend and to "show" the postures. The performers are dedicated and practiced, but the thin line they walk between traditional and contemporary is disappointing at times, regardless of which you might prefer.

Demonstrator: Wang Ai Ren and Wang Mo Nuo.
Click on pictures to see larger versions.

VCD#1045 Cha Style #3 Flying Feet & Pu Dao
About 1 Hour, VCD pricing, Chinese only

This demonstration of Cha Road #3 is performed through repetition of the set without verbal breakdowns. Both teachers show the set a number of times. The Long Fist emphasis is classic and clear Cha with very little elaboration or, for that matter, idiosyncrasy. Straight form in a text book performance. There is, admittedly, a little instability in the form. We see this a lot as though some of these instructors have not done these particular sets for a long time. There is also an intermediate level Pu Dao set shown in the same Cha manner through reiteration.

VCD#1046 Cha Road #4
About 1 Hour, VCD pricing, Chinese only

The best known of all Cha forms! This time demonstrated by Ms. Wang Mo Nuo. Wang Sifu is a strong martial artist and the #4 demonstrated shows all the right moves with little interpretation but a good amount of form and strength. Again, this is textbook Cha system, which means it utilizes off-set timing and Long Arm movements.

VCD#1047 Cha Road #5
About 1 Hour, VCD pricing, Chinese only

We should never forget that Cha, a relatively hard to find Muslim style, was taken as the basis of Contemporary WuShu. This can sometimes make it difficult to see Cha as something PRE-DATING what is now such a common, indeed standardized, syle. But we would say that Ms. Wang's performance is essentially traditional though to our eye she hyperextends her arms and excessively stretches her back. Cha #5 is a beautiful and well constructed Long Arm set.

VCD#1048 Cha 10 Road Tan Tui
About 1 Hour, VCD pricing, Chinese only

The Spring Leg form (Tan Tui) is gaining well deserved attention by martial enthusiasts. We remember a time when Chinese style instructors were seriously considering eliminating it from the curriculum. The Cha Tan Tui is considered the forerunner of all others. This one, though, has little interest as it is shown as a simplified version somewhat similar to the Shaolin Tan Tui. A few interesting points. The sets are done in pairs (for demonstration purposes). All roads are correct according to the written information on the form. Ms. Wang demonstates and Mr. Wang shows breakdowns. Of historical interest and cetainly respectable but not as nuanced as Tan Tui can be.

VCD#1049 Cha Water Margin Form
About 1 Hour,VCD pricing, Chinese only

Water Margin (Shui Hu) is of course a reference to the famous book Outlaws of the Marsh (All Men Are Brothers). It can also be a slight allusion to "Lost Track" style. This is a major linked set of the Cha system with more depth and variety than the earlier sets. If you think of the Roads as being mixed Tan Tui sections and the advanced sets as being mixed Roads you will have it Demonstrated and broken down by both Wangs.