METHODOLOGY

Chuojiao demands the full use of all parts of the body and as a result one of the key fundamentals is to develop coordination and flexibility to the same. When commencing the study of Chuojiao one commences with specific exercises to strengthen the structure of the body, which includes both strength but pliability development as well. All the joints need to be highly tuned to ensure proper absorption. The preliminary methods of Chuojiao focus on some unique kicking fundamentals. Additionally, basic stances are developed including unique Zhanzhuang (Standing Post Exercises) methods. From here some introductory drills (both individual and partner) are practiced ranging from the obviously simple to more advanced. At this stage some of the key stepping methods, combinations and handworks are introduced.

JI BEN GONG FA (BASIC CONDITIONING EXERCISES)

As Chuojiao requires all aspects of the body to be applied, the conditioning is a thorough program of gaining strength and flexibility across all major parts. To achieve this there are many isometric and calisthenics like exercises that are practiced, these are divided into a few major categories:

• Zhan Zhuang (Standing Practices)

• Ti Zhuang (Static Kicking or Leg strengthening Postures)

• Di Gong Fa (Ground Strengthening methods, upper limb strenghtening)

• Tui Gong Fa (Dynamic Kicking or Leg Strengthening Movements)

• Yao Gong Fa (Waist, back and abdominals development)

• Kao Da Fa (Body bumping, striking, development)

• Huo Bu Fa (Stepping and Footwork development)

• Die Pu Fa ( Falling and Dropping onto ground)

LIU TUI SHI (KICKING POSTURES)

The practice of standalone kicking methods are both treated as exercises and practice, with emphasis on gaining flexibility and strength. Many of these are as a result high based kicks. Below a few of the most common that we train daily are listed:

• Zheng Ti Tui (Straight High Kick)

• Ce Ti Tui (High Kick to the Side)

• Li He Tui (Incircle Kick)

• Wai Bai Tui (Outcircle Kick)

• Shi Zi Tui (High Kick across)

• Chuan Tang Jiao (Thrusting Kick)

• Yuan Yang Jiao (Mandarin Duck Kick)

• Li He Wai Bai Tui (In and Outcircle Kicks)

• Pi Tui (Splitting Kick)

• Kou Tui (Button up Kick)

• Cui Tui (Pressing Kick)

• Ta Tui (Stamp On Kick)

• Cun tui (Inch Kick)

• Jue Zi Tui (Hind Legs Kick)

• Gou Tang Tui (Lying Hooking Kick)

• Zhuan Jiao (Turning Kick)

• San Dian Tui (3 Points Kick)

• Chuan Qiang Jiao (Thrust Spearing Kick)

SHOU TAO - DAN CAO (INDIVIDUAL TECHNIQUES)

The practice of standalone techniques. These form important basics and develop the coordination and techniques. These are not single techniques in terms of movement rather they encompass an range of methods. As a result for example Wu Hua Pao and be practiced as 3 step variation or a 6 step one, as well as with different footwork. Liu He Shou as an example includes techniques in short and long, from a turn or stationary variations.

 

• Wu Hua Pao (5 Flower Cannons (Fireworks))

• Tiao Da (Carrying Strike)

• Pi Za Chui (Splitting Hammer Strikes)

• Lou Da (Passing Strike)

• Si Fang Chui (4 Places Strikes)

• Kai Hua Zhang (Opening Flower Palm)

• Yun Mo Shou (Cloud Rubbing Hands)

• Bai She Du Xin (White Snake Exels Poison)

• Chuang Le (Break Through ribs)

• Liu He Shou (6 Harmonies Hands)

• Beng Da (Crushing Strike)

• Chaoyang Shou (Sun Facing Hands)

• Kai Shi Lei (Splitting Stone Thunder)

• Si Jian Shou (Arrow Hands)

SHOU TAO - SHUANG CAO (COMBINED 2 MAN DRILLS)

These are fundamental drills that range from conditioning of the body and limbs by knocking with an opponent but then advance into more complex yet practical combat techniques practice. Some of these are listed below:

• Shang Xia Chui (Upper and lower Strikes)

• Tang Gen (Sequence Roots)

• Jie Gu Chui (Part Bone Strikes)

• Shi Zi Chui (Criss Cross Strikes)

• Si Fan Shou (4 Turning Hands)

• San Chui Wu Dian (3 Strikes 5 Points)

• Ba Fan Shou (8 Turning Hands)

• Si Men Dou (4 Gates Shaking)

• San Jiao Mao (3 Kicks Cat)

• Tun Xiu Chui (Sleeves Slipping Strikes)

• Mi Hun Ba Zhang (Enticing Mystifying Palms)

• Suo Shou (Locking Hands)

• Wei Shen Zhang (Surrounding Body Hands)

SANDBAG AND POSTS TRAINING

Chuojiao also trains various apparatus including poles, logs, posts, sandbags (Multiple stationary and moving), iron bags, pads, boulders and many more to develop the necessary power and impact skills.

NEI GONG FA (INTERNAL QI GONG CULTIVATION)

Like most traditional martial arts, Chuojiao also includes elements of internal development such as Hunyuanzhuanggong: This is the extension and development from the preliminary zhanzhuang in the jibengong component. There are 8 levels, with the first being zhanzhuang (of which there are 5 key postures such as Zhuanshi, zunshi, tishi etc), then Yang Dantian (Nourishing Dantian), Zhan Dantian (Holding dantian), Fan Dantian (Rotating Dantian), etc....

The other component of Neigong development is referred as Donggong (moving methods), which include methods such as

• Ba Duan Jin (8 Pieces of Brocade)

• Yi Jin Jing (Muscle Tendon Changing)

• Dongyi Wushi Fa (Moving the Mind Methods)

YING GONG FA (EXTERNAL HARD QI GONG CULTIVATION)

This is the training of some of the key external methods such as:

• Tiejiaogong (IronLeg Skills)

• Doujingfa (Shaking energy Methods)

• Choujiaogong (Piercing Kicks)

• Pigua tiesha (Iron arms and palms.

GENERAL PRINCIPLES

Chuojiao then includes the study of many methods including the 5 elements, six coordinations, 9 keys, 81 kicking methods, changing and transforming hand methods, energy generation methods and much more. Some of the key kicking methods of Chuojiao include the following: - Dian (Point) - Quan (Circle) - Jue (Trample) - Nian (Roll) - Cuo (Grind) - Ti (Lift) - Cun (Inch) - Xian (Cover). In Chuojiao: - Hands and legs can be used simultaneously yet mutually exclusive from each to take advantage of the full arsenal of the human body. - Every plane from upper to lower and middle can be transitioned with ease and methods can interchange accordingly

CHUOJIAO SYSTEM

Chuo Jiao is a very practical martial art which requires the training of many drills and combat. Accordingly the Methodology section outlines some of the key elements to the study of Chuojiao. With a martial containing the content and having the long military history of Chuojiao, it is noticeable that there are quite a lot of methods passed down that encapsulate concisely many of the theorems and techniques into a practice method. Once students have mastered the basic exercises, gong, methods and drills, then to learn the forms students must firstly learn and practice the individual techniques, this includes their basic application and mastery of the techniques to an acceptable level. These are composed and the form or routine is taught in full, at which time further applications, power methods and technical aspects are refined.

Liu Tang Gen

These sets are said to be derived from Bafanmen. It contains 6 sequences, each sequence has 3 moving gates, each gate has 4 entries, each entry method has 5 hands short striking. This then becomes 18 moving gates, 72 entry methods and 360 techniques. This is one of the earlier sets that was taught in Dezhou, Shandong as well as throughout Hebei districts. It is fairly simple (3 returning rows) but contains a lot of essential fundamentals

• Liu Tang Gen (6 Sequences of Roots)

Jin Gang Quan

Jing Gang refers to the Buddhist Warrior Guards assigned to protect the Dharma, and as a result are found at the entrances or alongside images of Buddha. They are known for a fierce, powerful stature. Jingangchui, combines and transforms Jin (Metal/Gold), Ying (Silver), Tong (Copper), Tie (Iron) and Gang (Steel) into one. It is the essence of the powerful Jingangquan methods which cannot be easily defeated. Its intention is that power is as indestructible as a Diamond Steel and its postures move like a swinging hammer. The movements of Jingangchui are large and extended, every posture every technique emphasises "Da jia qiang du" (Large improves level of Strength), "Qiang Du jia ying du" (Strong improves the level of hardness).

• Jingang Jiazi (Framework Set)

• Jingang Chui (8 Sequences/sections of Jingang Strikes)

• Jingang Sanshou (2 man matching set of Jingang Chui)

• Sixing Quan (4 Roads Boxing)

• Luomen Babu (8 Steps Boxing)

Er Lang Quan

Erlang Shen is another mythical god in Chinese Folklore, known for helping to regulate the great floods and as the nephew of the Jade Emperor. He carries a Trident Spear, a bow, and has a faithful Dog as a companion. In a martial sense, Erlang also referred to two young gents, potraying that this skillset was originally only practiced as a 2 man combat set. Latter practitioners isolated the movements and developed the single set as well. Erlangquan's 8 sections are based on the Bagua (Trigrams) of Heaven, Lake, Fire, Thunder, Wind, Water, Moutain and Earth. The importance of this training is both more angled techniques whereas Jingangquan was predominantly linear, Erlang Quan is across multiple directions and includes a range of attacks and defence

• Erlang Quan (8 sequences/sections of Erlangquan)

• Erlang Sanshou (Matching 2 man Combat Set of Erlangquan)

Ne Zha Quan

Nezha (Skanda) a Daoist Deity for protection, is often depicted flying in the sky with a wheel of fire under each foot, a golden hoop, the "cosmic ring", a red sash around his shoulder and a spear in his hands. Many specialised techniques are uniquely found in Nezhaquan, such as Lian Jian Chui (Linked Arrows Strikes), which is also known as San Tou Ba Bi (3 Heads, 8 Arms), Nezha Tanhai (Nezha disrupts the Oceans) and Nezha Bao Quan (Nezha embraces the Golden Ring). The movements in Nezha Quan are quick and nimble, steadfast and strong. With an array of footwork and stepping skills that add mobility to the powerful Jingang practitioner.

• Nezha Quan (6 Sequences of Nezha Boxing)

Hua Quan

Legends suggest that during the Tang Dynasty, a warrior knight from Hua Shan (Hua Mountain), Cao Mao killed some nobles from the nearby Chang An (now known as Xian one of the ancient capitals), and thereafter escaped to distant Rencheng (now known as Jining) in Shandong province. Cao Mao was renowned for both his Sword skills (Hua Shan Sword) and Combat (Hua Quan), he passed on to his descendants which gradually developed the system further. Chuojiao Master Feng Keshan acquired these skills with masters in Jining whilst he was with his teacher Wang Xiang). These were then taught to the many followers in Hebei later. Huaquan belongs to the similar set of boxing techniques as in this group, except it is distinct by its execution, the techniques are linked, flowing with both speed and stability, it requires high level of skills to master the methods. There are 12 sequences or sections to Huaquan and there is also a matching 2 man combat set.

• Huaquan (12 sections of Hua Boxing)

• Huaquan Sanshou (matching 2 man combat set of Hua Boxing)

Da Chuojiao

The essence and heart of Chuojiao are in the Military ('Wu') and Scholarly ('Wen') routines. Collectively these are often referred to as Da Chuojiao (or Greater Chuojiao). This is because the core of Chuojiao is here and thus these are the most wide spread and practiced.

Wu Tangzi (also known as Jiu Zhi Zi)
The core of Chuojiao are on these sequences (sometimes referred to as Gu ZhiZi (Old Branches), or Jiu Fanzi (9 Rotations - mainly because it consists of 9 squences) and latter as Wu Tang Zi (Military Routines). Jiu Zhi Zi are the core of Chuojiao and are essential to master as all the important kicks are included and elaborated upon in the course of mastering Wu Tangzi, it is the parent and heart of the Chuojiao system.

• Jiu Zhi Zi Quan (9 Sequences of Wu Tangzi)

Wen Tangzi (also known as Ba Gen)
The advanced sets of Chuojiao were developed on the basis of Jiu Zhizi and the older boxing methods. These combinations created new methods and combinations, the techniques are less direct as in Jiu Zhizi, and allows for adopting more advanced strategies to combat. More importantly the power in Wen Tangzi is more refined, a harmony between hard and soft. The fist work in Wentangzi also brings a lot of elements to the already impressive arsenal of the Chuojiao practitioner.

• Xie Huan Bu (Removing Ring Step)

• Lian Huan Quan (Continuous Fists)

• Lian Huan Tui (Continuous Kicks)

• Rao Ma Tui (Round Weighted Down Kicks)

• Shi Ba Ti (18 Kicks)

• Shi Ba Dian (18 Points)

• Cha Dian (Stab Points)

• Li Shi Quan (Guardian Warrior Boxing)

Xiao Chuojiao

The specialised and differentiated skills of Chuojiao are often referred to as Xiao Chuojiao (or Lesser Chuojiao). This is because there are fewer practitioners and seldom are the contents known. Here most Chuojiao styles deviate because Zhao Canyi taught different skills and often these are from other styles or in fact styles in themselves. Every generation would contribute to these methods and additionally, later generation masters created or adopted methods/sets from other styles as well.

• Xiao Mei Quan (Small Blossom Boxing)

• Bapan Tui (8 Coiling Kicks), also known as Sancai Tui (3 Treasures Kicks)

• Bapan Zhang (8 Coiling Palms), also known as Bafan Zhang (8 Turning Palms)

• Ba Fang Quan (8 Places Boxing)

• Jia Zi Tui (Jia Zi Kicks)

• Jia Zi Chui (Jia Zi Strikes)

• San Lan Shou (3 Intercepting Hands)

• Zhuan Jiao Lian (Turning Kicks Continuous)

• Zhuan Huan Lian (Turning Ring Continuous)

• Kao Nian Lian (Learn Adhere Continuous)

• Yanqing Quan (Yanqing Boxing)

Meihua Luodi

Attacking angular strikes, kicks, hidden movements of tumbling, falling and ground fighting are a major focus of Meihua Luodi (or Ditangquan). These techniques were derived from the teachings of Tang Youyi and were passed on by Master Liu Zhenjiang

• Dixing Quan (Ground Moving Boxing)

• Zi Sun Dan (Posterity Elixir)

• Fei Jian (Flying Scissors)

• Yanzi Ka (Swallow Blocking)

• Wu Zhi Jiao (5 Folding Legs)

• Jing Si Shou (Golden Wrapped Hands)

• Xiao Ba Xian (8 Small Immortals)

WEAPONS

Practitioners of Chuojiao did not realm temples or isolated mountains, Chuojiao practitioners were warriors or knights, rebels and bandits. They served as Imperial bodyguards, battled in wars for the rights of the masses and were generals and fighters in uprisings and rebellions. Skilled in empty hand combat, yet masters of classical chinese weapons. There are an enormous array of Weapons skills as a result. The key weapons of focus are the Spear (Qiang), the broadsword (Dao), the sword (Jian) and the Taiping Dao (Long Hanled broadsword or Shuang Shou Dai). Other unique and rare weapons were also practiced and we thus continue the tradition. Some of the key weapons and their sets/methods are noted below:

Broadsword (Dao)

• Da Kun Lun Dao (Great Kun Lun Broadsword)

• Xiao Kun Lun Dao (Lesser Kun Lun Broadsword)

• Jin Bei Lian Huan Dao (Golden Back Continuous Broadsword)

• Jin Bei Kan Shan Dao (Golden Back Chopping Mountain Broadsword)

• Jin Bei Biao Dao (Golden Back Darting Broadsword)

• Ye Zhan Ba Fang Dao (Night Battle 8 Directions Broadsword)

• Mei Hua Luo Zhi Dao (Plum Blossom Dropping Petals Broadsword)

• Zhan Dao (Miao Dao) (Battle Long Broadsword)

• Shuang Dao (Double Broadswords)

Spear (Qiang)

• Wu Hu Duan Men Qiang (5 Tigers Breaking the Gate Spear)

• Wu Hu Dian Gang Qiang (5 Tigers Piercing Steel Spear)

• Wu Hu Ti Hu Qiang (5 Tigers Protecting Spear)

• Zheng Ba Luo Si Qiang (Straight Hold Flexible Shifting Spear)

• Zuo Ba Luo Si Qiang (Left Hold Flexible Shifting Spear)

• Er long Chu Shui Qiang (Double Dragons Exit Water Spear)

• Qi Qiang (Mysterious Spear)

• Jue Ming Shi San Qiang (Life Destroying 13 Spear)

• Liu he Da Qiang (6 Harmonies Long Spear)

• Shuang Tou She Qiang (Two Headed Snake Spear)

Sword (Jian)

• Wen Wu San Cai Jian (3 Treasures Sword)

• Zi Wu Qing Yun Jian (Clear Cloud Sword)

• Zi Wu Chuan Yun Jian (Thrusting Clouds Sword)

• Zi Wu Lian Huan Jian (Continuous Sword)

• Qi Xing Dian Dou Wen Rui Jian (7 Stars fight pointing Scholarly Sword)

• Qing Gang Jian (Hardness Sword)

• Huan Long Jian (Transforming Dragon Sword)

• Jue Ming Shi San Jian (Life Destroying 13 Sword)

• Shuang Shou Da Jian (Two Handed Long Sword)

• San He Quan Long Shuang Jian (3 Harmonies Circling Dragon Double Swords)

Staff or Stick (Gun or Bang)

• Jin Shan Gun (Entering Moutain Staff)

• Yin Yang Suo Shou Gun (Yan and Yang Locking Hands Staff)

• Zi Mu Yuan Yang Bang (Mother and Son Mandarin Ducks Stick)

• Wu Hu Pan Long Gun (5 Tigers Coiling Dragon Staff)

• Wu Hu Chun Yang Gun (5 Tigers Catching Sheep Staff)

• Da Lian Jia Gun (Large Link sectional Staff)

Other Weapons

• Hu Wei Bian (Tiger Tail Whip)

• Jiu Jie Bian (8 Section Whip Chain)

• Hu Tou Shuang Gou (Tiger Heads Double Hook Swords)

• Shuang Ce (Double Piercers)

• Zou Xian Chui (Flying Hammer on a line)

• Nezha Jin Huan (Nezha Ring)

• Yuan Yang Chan (Mandarin Duck Hook Knives)

• Qing Feng Da Dao (Clear Wind Long Handled Broadsword)

• Taiping Dao (Long Handled Broadsword)

• San Jian Liang Ren Dao (3 Pointed twin edge Long Handled Broadsword)

• Niu Tou Yue Chan (Ox Head Moon Spade)

• Yuan Yang Pen (Mandarin Duck Basins)

• Pai Ba (Beating Rake)