Wu-Dang Nan-Zong Song-Xi Style

Wu-Dang Southern Sect Pine and Stream Branch. The practitioner shows an interesting style here and with skill. Interestingly enough most of the sets are named after birds. The style has long low stances but many of the hands come straight out of the center of the body then take unusual attitudes. Palms turn over like BaGua and some sets are definitely more internally oriented. It is said to be a continuation of Chang San Feng and other Taoist masters. Among other elements it has "3 hastenings and 6 harmonies. A compilation style such as Shaolin or ErMei it is composed, in part of "Eight Family Fists": Song, Yue, Pu, Zhao, Hong, Gui, Zi and Hua. Among its elements are 24 Double Hands, 24 Double steps, 9 Single kicks, 9 special Hands and 12 Fists. Master Tan is skilled and shows different flavors for different sets such as the Flying Dragon or the Swallow. His students are good and the flavor of the style distinct, something like Lost Track mixed with White Eyebrow if you can imagine...

Demonstrator: Tan Ben-Lun is the WuDang Nan-Zong Nei_jia inheritor of the 19th (that's right, 19th) generation.

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This set has three key poiints: changing, stretching and palm actions. Many stutter step actions and timing changes in the footwork. Hard quick actions somewhat resembling Leopard style. Very active footwork, especially for only the #2 set in the series. Heng energy (horizontal) is strong with many twisting palms and much elbow folding.

Or Zhi-Chi Quancan mean "close at hand" boxing. This is said to introduce internal much like a combination of Tai Chi, Xing Yi and BaGua. Wide stretching moves are used with the back hand extended. Alternation occurs of tight claw motions and Tong Bei like arm swings. Intermediate length.

This set mixes grabbing actions and striking actions. There is an emphasis on vertical striking energy. Also much folding and off angle hand strikes resembling the Chap Choy of Choy Lai Fut. Much opening and closing. It is said to be practiced singly or as a partner training.

Diao Quan. This is a long and intresting fist. Contrast is the theme here with motions that are fast/slow; light/heavy; soft/hard. Beside normally striking there are said to be cavity strikes within the set. Kicks are definitely more difficult with an added stress on balance.

Taken from ErMei Mountain this set is probably the least beautiful of the style. It is said to be developed by Taoists who studied BaGua theory and the Three Treasures of Spirit, Essence and Chi. It includes cavity striking, the Three Hastenings and Six Harmonies and much stress on Cloud Hand like actions.

Angular variation is the main point here. As the name, Yen Qing implies, this is much like a Lost Track set with a number of side stepping actions and other off-angle attacks.

This is a combination style containing, among others, elements of Yue, Hong and six other styles developed by one Zhang Song Xi in the beginning of the Qing. Thought of as an internal style it has special characteristics such as rounded steps, internal and external harmonies, blocking and hitting strength distinguished. This VCD starts with a demonstration of the Dragon Palms positions. Next it goes to the form itself, a medium length series with exclusive use of the Dragon Palm position. The steps are often circular giving it a Bagua like appearance. Many of the moves distinguish between Hidden Dragon (concealed moves) and Bright Dragon (open attack moves). The form is nice and learnable with a definite “internal” pacing and few hurried or forced movements. Fa Chin is subtle, kicks are few and the entire form takes up a fairly small area. Good for anyone but perfect for the mature practitioner.

A nice set with a "short" staff, often called a whip. Reverse hand and off angles whipping style attacks. Well constructed with a number of hand changes. Back and front hand motions combined. Distinctive Tiger Tail motions as ground sweeps. Demonstrated with his female student and filmed from two angles. Relatively easy to learn.

A form with a little longer weapon than the "tiger tail" whip. This staff set resembles the White Eyebrow stick. It has a number of rolls where the hands are touching one another, called "Big Wheel" turns. Wide ranging swinging motions.

A straight sword set with a little difference. Many swords are constructed to show the most graceful and balanced series of actions. This set is about fighting with the sword. The postures are torques and some times even awkward with unusually strong and definite motions for most sword sets. Other particulars include that this set does not use "swords fingers". It is constructed to work with either a whip or a stick. This form celebrates the famous White Snake, a magical character with a kind heart who became a savior to her people.

Here are all the sets on the other VCDs demonstrated with brief introductory remarks in Chinese. Occasionally a set is performed a second time with the student showing the same set at a different speed. No applications are shown.