Chuo Jiao

  CURRICULUM, FORMS AND COMBAT METHODOLOGY OVERVIEW

CURRICULUM AND METHODOLOGY

THE CHUO JIAO SYSTEM OVERVIEW

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.

Fundamentals (Jibengong):

Chuojiao methods are then broken into the following components:

1. Zhanzhuang: The standing practice of various stances and techniques.

2. Tizhuang: The standing practice where the specific kicking parts are strengthened and developed

3. Digongfa: Special methods to strengthen the upper limbs (various pushup like actions and associated methods)

4. Tuigongfa: Special leg associated methods to strengthen the lower limbs (various leg press and kicking aspects).

5. Yaogongfa: Special waist, including back and abdominal strengthening methods.

6. Kaodafa: Training of the impact strengthening of the body and limbs which includes knocking various parts against each other (also referred to as Paida).

7. Zhuanjiaofa: Specialist training in the unique turning kicks of Zhao family Chuojiao.

8. Tuifa: Kicking methods, this includes the practice of many of the 81 kicking methods of Chuojiao. Such as Gao Tui, Waibai Tui, Lihe Tui, Chuai Tui, Guai Tui, Dian Tui, Zhuzi Jiao, Cuo Tui, Yuanyang Jiao, cun jin, cun hou and deng tui.

9. Huobufa: Stepping and specialised footwork methods.

Combination methods:

Includes various individual drills such as Kaishilei, Yuanyangjiao, dipantui, pudengtui, zhuanghuanbu, lianhuan saotui, sanpantui, yuhuanzhuanjiao. wuhuapao, wuhualouda, Yunmoshou, tangen, mihunzhang, and more

Sandbag and post Training:

Chuojiao also trains with various apparatus including simple trees and posts, sandbags, iron fillings bags, pads etc....to develop the necessary power and impact skills.

Neigong (Internal 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 Baduanjin, Yijinjing, Dongyiwushifa and more/

Jibenjifa (Basic combat strategy):

Additional to basic speed, distance, timing, fundamental deflection and striking common to many martial arts, the traditional development of chuojiao is based on 18 Jifa (combat methods). Here is the basic development of combat skills which is achieved through the practice of simple applications based concepts, there are 18 of these and include Kaihua, Hutiao, Liuheshou, Kaoda, tiaoda and others which relate to the individual drills such as wuhuapao, kaoda etc. Lianhuan Jifa (Small two man routines): Not necessairly listed as forms there are also 18 short two man combat sets which are practiced such as xiao lianhuantui, lianhuannianda, gougualianhuantui, lianhuanbashi, and more.

Yinggongfa (External 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 Practice:

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.

FORMS

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 forms or routines passed down that encapsulate concisely many of the theorems and techniques into a practice method. For the contents of other Chuojiao branches please refer to the articles section for information relating to those branches. Below are the forms of the Zhao Family Chuojiao as taught by Master Wu Chanlong and the Taiping Wuguan. 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.

There are 54 Empty Hand forms in Zhao Family Chuojiao. Some are listed below:

The Fundamentals

1. Great Warrior Frame (Jing Gang Jiazi)

2. Great Warrior Strikes (Jing Gang Chui)

3. Six Coordinations Essence (Liu He Gen)

The Core

Wu Tangzi - Martial Routines

1. Mandarin Duck Kicks (Yuanyangjiao)

2. 3 bangs and 4 zha hands (Sanbangsjzha)

3. Thrusting and Spearing Legs (ChuanqiangJiao)

4. Facing the Sun Hands (Chaoyangshou)

5. Separate the Clouds to See the Sun (Fayunjianer)

6. Separate the grasses lively snake (Facaolingshe)

7. 6 Coordinations Hands (Liuheshou)

8. Green Dragon (Qinglongquan)

9. Warding Hands Thrusting Palms (Loushouchuanzhang)

Wen Tangzi - Scholarly Routines

1. Changing Resisting Steps (Yuhuanbu(1))

2. Changing Resisting Steps (Yuhuanbu(2))

3. Continuous Fists (Lianhuanquan)

4. Continuous Kicks (Lianhuantui)

5. Round Weight down Kicks (Raomatui)

6. 18 Kicks (Shibati)

7. 18 Points (Shibadian)

8. Stab Points (Chadian)

9. Litu Boxing (Litu quan)

Specialised Tangzi

1. 8 Planes Kicks (Bapantui)

2. 3 Intercepting Hands (Sanlanshou)

3. 8 Places Fists (BaFangquan)

4. Turning Kicks interlinked (Zhuanjiaolian)

5. Jiazi Kicks (Jia Zi Tui)

6. 2 8 Kicks (Er Ba Tu)i

7. Lean Adhere Continuously (Kaonianlian)

8. Naza Boxing (Naza quan)

9. Tiaoshan Boxing (Tiaoshanquan)

10. Yanqing Boxing (Yanqingquan)

Dixing tangzi

1. 18 Ground Methods (Dixing Shibashi)

2. Flying Scissors (Fei Jian)

3. Swallow (Yanzi Ka)

4. Five folding Legs (WuzhiJiao)

5. Golden Wrapping Hands (Jing Si Shou)

6. Little 8 Immortals (Xiao Baxian)

7. Drunken 8 Immortals (Zui Baxian)

8. Thirteen Imitations (Shisan Xiang) ............

The Two man forms

There are 8 two man Empty Hand forms in Zhao Family Chuojiao, 4 are listed below:

1. 3 Legs hang 5 legs (San Jiao Gua Wu Jiao)

2. 12 continuous strikes (Shi Er Lian Chui)

3. Passing Sleeves strikes (Tongxiu Chui)

4. Five Canons (Wu Hua Pao) ..........

The Weapon forms

There are 52 Weapon forms in Zhao Family Chuojiao, this includes the practice of a large array of different weapons, some of these are listed below:

1. Open the mountain Staff (Kaishan Gun)

2. Locking Hand Staff (Suo Shou Gun)

3. Mysterious Spear (Qi Qiang)

4. Luosi Spear (Luosi Qiang)

5. Break the Gates Spear (Duanmen Qiang)

6. 4 Doors Spear (Simen Qiang)

7. Small Stick (Xiao Ganzi)

8. Sectional Staff (Shaozi Gun)

9. Kunlun Broadsword (Kunlun Dao)

10. Golden Back Crushing Mt. Broadsword (Jinbei kanshan Dao)

11. Scholarly Sword (Wenru Jian)

12. Thirteen (13) Sword (Shisan Jian)

13. 8 Places Broadsword (Bafang Dao)

14. Plum Blossoms falling Broadsword (Meihua Luozhi Dao)

15. Three sectional staff (San Jie Gun)

16. Two Headed Spear (Shuangtou Qiang)

17. Snake Spear (She Qiang)

18. Double handed Sword (Shuang ba jian)

19. Double handed Broadsword (Shuangshou Dai)

20. Chopping Long handled Broadsword (Pu Dao)

21. 3 coordinated circles swords (Sanhequanlong Shuangjian)

22. Double Daggers (Shuang Bishou)

23. Flying Hammer (Fei Chui)

24. Meridianal Sword (Ziwu Jian)

25. Clear Wind Long Handled Broadsword (Qing Feng Dadao)

26. Coiling Dragon Staff (Pan Long Gun)

27. Tiger Tail Stick (Hu Wei Bian)

28. 9 Section Whip Chain (Jiu Jie Bian)

29. Tiger Head Double Hookswords (Hutou Gou)

30. Double Piercers (Shuang Ce)

31. Mandarin Duck Hook Knives (Yuanyang Chan)

32. Pipe (Lan Mian Sou)

33. Broadsword with Chain (Dao li jia bian)

34. Dragon head long pole (Long Tou Gan Bang)

35. Tiger tail Whip (Hu Wei Bian)

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