Chinese martial arts, or kung fu, has a long history stretching over thousands of years. Over this time, these fighting skills have become more sophisticated, refined and effective, profoundly influenced by Buddhist and Taoist concepts. A wide variety of skills and approaches have been developed. Currently, there exist hundreds of styles of kung fu which embody these skills and philosophies in different ways and in different measure. At Steel Dragon, we teach 2 different styles of kung fu: Ying Jow Kuen (Eagle Claw) and Baiyaun Tongbei Quan (White Ape Connected Back).

Ying Jow Kuen

Ying Jow Kuen is a Northern Shaolin kung fu style known for gripping, joint locking, takedowns and pressure point strikes. Ying Jow Kuen arose from the hand locking techniques developed by the famous General Ngok Fei, combined with Faan Tzi, known for it's kicks and legwork in particular. This was accomplished by the monk and Faan Tzi master Lai Chin. He originally called it Faan Tzi Ying Jow Pai, then it became known Buk Ying Jow Kuen, or simply Ying Jow Kuen. It is also known as Ying Jow Pai or Bak Ying Jow Pai. The famous Ying Jow master Chan Tzi Ching helped establish the first Ching Mo Association in Shanghai, and since then Ying Jow has been among the styles associated with that school.

In training, an emphasis is initially placed on the development of a strong kung fu foundation such as stance work, root, striking, kicking and so forth. Most of these foundational skills will be applicable to other styles associated with the Ching Mo schools (and in fact, some basic Ying Jow forms are Ching Mo forms), and even more generally to many other Northern Siu Lum (Shaolin) styles. Without a strong foundation, the application of skills, advanced or basic, is not possible.

Ying Jow fighting principles are "Claw and Hit, Catch and Lock", "Tear Muscles, Break Bones", "Strike Pressure Point, Stop the Breathing", "Hold and Destroy, Blockade", "Evade, Flying (jumping)", "Controlling, Throwing", and "Absorbing, Falling". These skills express the fundamental characteristics of Ying Jow.

Areas of training include forms, techniques, principles, combinations, stance work, partner work, iron training, weapons, locks, chi gong, meditation and fighting. Physical conditioning is also part of the overall training regimen. Note that the conditioning is specific to Ying Jow and different than that of Baiyuan Tongbei.

Baiyuan Tongbei Quan

Baiyuan Tongbei is believed to be have originated at least 1000 years and as long as 2500 years ago, and is based upon Taoist principles. We are part of the International Baiyuan Tongbei Quan Association (IBYTBQ), which is a branch of Yin Cheng Gong Fa. We teach the Shi branch of Baiyuan Tongbei. Known for it's effective fighting skills, this kung fu style is sometimes referred to as "Black Fist".

Although Bai Yuan means "White Ape", Baiyuan Tongbei does not imitate the physical movements of an ape, but rather the "mind" or "feeling" of the ape. To this end, a Tongbei fighter endeavors to be quick, aggressive, accurate, changing and adapting, and clever.

There are few kicks in Tongbei, and they are all low, sudden and small and generally performed in coordination with a hand technique. Fighting skills are categorized as quick hand skills, hard and heavy skills, disruption and displacement skills, and controlling and throwing skills. More information about this style can be found on the IBYTBQ website.

Unlike many styles of kung fu, forms, though they exist, do not play a significant role in Tongbei training. The emphasis is on practising specific skills and combinations, first solo and then with a partner. Iron palm also plays a vital role in Tongbei training. Chi gong and physical conditioning are also part of the training. Note that the conditioning is specific to Baiyuan Tongbei and different than that of Ying Jow.

Kung Fu Training at Steel Dragon

A question that has been asked is "how long will it take before I can fight?" The answer is, it depends. Who are you going to fight? What is your skill level now? What kind of condition are you in now? How often and how hard will you practise? And even more questions than those. Many variables go into this kind of question.

There are two old sayings that are applicable to this issue as well. "There is always a bigger mountain" means that there will always be somebody better than you. Also, "The only way to guarantee that you will not lose a war is to not get in a war". This means there is always a chance you can lose, even to somebody who is weaker and less skilled, just by luck. Keep this in mind before getting into a fight. Most of the time, it's not worth the bother to get into a serious fight.

Chinese martial arts is useful for more than just fighting; it also develops health, fitness and mental discipline of the martial artist. Regular practise can result in reduced stress and a feeling of well being.

Finally, a traditional set of ethics also underlies training. It is inappropriate to use ones skill in fighting to pick on the weak and defenseless, for example. As one grows and develops as a martial artist, an understanding and adoption of such ethical standards is expected.

One last note: It may be noticed that Cantonese is used when discussing Ying Jow and Lion Dance, but Mandarin is used when discussing Tongbei. This is because the instructor's family speaks Cantonese as did those from whom he learned Ying Jow and Lion Dance, but Zhang Yun, from whom he learned Tongbei, speaks Manadrin, being that he's from Beijing.

The lion dance has a continuous history of over one thousand years, and its origins may reach back more than two thousand years. Many stories surround the lion dance and its origins. One of the more popular ones is that an Emperor of China had a dream where a creature resembling a lion saved his life from evil spirits. When he woke he declared the lion a symbol of good fortune. However, since lions are not native to China, artisans had no idea what they look like. As a result, they fashioned an animal with the attributes of other fortunate creatures: the dragon, the phoenix and the dog.

The lion dance is an integral part of not just Chinese culture, but many Southeast Asian cultures such as Vietnamese, Korean, and Japanese. In fact, the most famous teams are probably from Malaysia.

There are many aspects to lion dance today, and lion dance has performed a number of different roles over history. For instance, lion dance was used to raise money and facilitate communication by revolutionaries attempting to overthrow the Ch'ing, or Manchu, Dynasty. Lions were Today, a lion dance can perform many types of purposes, including ceremonial, entertaining, competitive or some combination.

The lion dance is used in ceremonies ranging from the more formal and solemn to the more informal and joyous. Either way, the lion's purpose is to bring good fortunate and to drive away any malevolent spirits that might be hanging around. The lion is associated only with auspicious acts and events. In this capacity, the lion must obey certain rules of propriety. These types of events can include house and business blessings, weddings, and other joyous occasions. Lion dance is used to open up a New Year, so it is commonly seen in Chinatowns throughout the country during Chinese New Year celebrations.

A lion dance can also be used to tell a story and simply entertain. Often, there are one or more other characters who interact with the lion, and in fact there can be more than one lion in a performance. These stories are always uplifting and resolved positively, in keeping with the positive nature of the lion. There is no such thing as a lion dance tragedy! Finally, there are various forms of lion dance competition. Malaysia in recent years has dominated this sport, which is often performed on poles reaching up to 12 feet high. Tight ropes and other barriers and props can also be used. Typically, lion dance teams are either associated with a kung fu school or are independent. They have also been associated with benevolent associations and other groups as well. Good lion dance depends upon strong stances and foot work and athleticism. Kung fu training is an integral part of good lion dance training.

The Gong Lung Sing Si Deui training requires Ying Jow Kuen kung fu training as a basis, and then lion dance, tumbling and drumming. The kung fu training provides much of the basis for the lion dance. Strength, flexibility and endurance are developed as well as awareness and the ability to work as a team.

We currently perform blessings and other ceremonial performances as well as the more generally entertaining lion dance routines. While we do not currently compete, it is we expect to start sometime down the road.

Chris Young has been engaged in martial arts or gymnastics for nearly his entire life. He has over 15 years of martial arts experience in several styles. He started teaching about 10 years ago. Although most classes at Steel Dragon are teens and adults, he also teaches kung fu to kids at Reserve Elementary and short courses to expose kids to kung fu through schools and youth programs. Chris has Act 33/34 clearances. He is on the board of the International Baiyuan Tongbei Quan Association. His lion dance mentor is Corey Chan of San Francisco and his kung fu sifu is Zhang Yun, originally of Beijing.