Chow Gar Techniques

Chow Gar Techniques

"Sau gai booi" refers to your back and front. By keeping the chest in, which curves the back, you are protecting your chest area. This allows you to use your techniques more proficiently.

Dip Gwut Gung (Rib bone power)

Dip gwut gung, meaning rib bone power, is one of the Southern Praying Mantis Kung fu training skills used throughout its forms. This action is performed by the opening and closing of the rib cage, thus strengthening the rib bones and the ligaments that join them to the sternum and spine. The bones of the entire body are very much alive and just like the muscles they can be strengthened with certain exercises such as "dip gwut gung" (i.e. special "gung lik" training skills).

The ribs protect our internal organs and the ribcage bones are flexible and move as the body moves. Training methods such as the "Saam hay gen" (three air power drills) and "dip gwut gung" work on this movement through rigorous drills that build up the muscle tissue and ligaments around the ribs so the midsection and rib cage can withstand heavy blows.

Since it is reasonable to assume that every punch or kick cannot be blocked or prevented, training to absorb punches is crucial. There is a verse that states. "Dip Gwut Gung, Gen Tung Gen," meaning that the development of the shock-like power gen comes from the practice of the "dip gwut gung". These two forces combine to produce awesome striking power.

Inch Force Power

The Chow Gar Praying Mantis Kung fu system is famous for its inch force power. This inch power not only emanates from the fist, but from every part of the body. Inch force power can only be achieved by practicing extraordinary mantis training methods. These methods may at times be hard and boring, but they will give the edge a martial artist needs to win a fight. Termed Gen, inch force is an explosive power that comes from within. There are many forms and drills in the mantis system which expresses this power using short range moves reminiscent of small explosions. In inch power, there is no need to wind up to throw a punch or pull back before striking. With this trained hidden energy, you can instantly explode through your opponent like a lightning bolt attacking a tree.

Gen power consists of a number of facets, including explosive power, heavy power, shock power, inch force power, soft and hard power, rooted power, and mind power. One training drill, "Chy sau" or grinding arm, develops the wrist, forearms, shoulders and back. Though it seems a simple exercise, its main task is to push out the vital internal power (Chi) to the fingertips, providing the explosive "gen" power. The bones, joints, and ligaments will become strong and the limbs will possess the heavy arm power.

This exercise has 18 variations, each guaranteed to produce a stronger, more powerful fighter. "Doy Chong" or double arm practice develops what is called "say bun lig" or 4 powers. This two-man drill enhances the forward moving power which many have talked about but few have experienced. There are too many training exercises to list but this gives an insight into the style.

Forms

There are 25 set forms in the Chow Gar System, all concentrating on either developing the body or striking techniques. A number of which have hidden training drills and applications which make Southern Praying Mantis Kung-fu quite unique. Novices begin with the basic but also one of the most advanced forms "3 step arrow" or "Saam Bo jin". They then move onto other 3 step forms including "Yui kui" or "shaking off the bridge" etc.. The advanced forms include -searching insect hands- "bo sim sau", 4 gate hands- "Say mun sau", 9 top asking hands - "Gau si mun sau".

Dim Mak in all Mantis Forms

Southern Chow Gar Praying Mantis Kung-fu exercises its vital pressure point striking within the complexity of its Forms and training Chongs. All Forms and training Chongs contain the appropriate angles and directions in which to strike these vital points. Just like a book that has many chapters, so too does a single Form/Chong contain many sections in it. Each section has its group of vital points, with some techniques using a single strike and other necessitating multiple blows. Certain Chow Gar Praying Mantis forms will highlight particular vital points. There are not any blocks in this system of Kung fu, all contact is aimed at pressure points to either weaken or destroy what is coming in at you.

One example, "Bo sim sau" or searching insect noise hands, relates to striking the 36 say yuet points. The name of the form really does conceal its true meaning, which should really read, "The hands that strike the 36 death points". Other forms, such as "Bic saan gung" or pick up mountain power, contain deadly seizing skills which are used on vital points on the arms and shoulders. Banging on drum form connects to the body with downward strikes.

Dedication and hard work combined with the knowledge of an experienced Sifu will give any willing student a good standard in this fighting system.