Traditional

Learning anything new can be a challenge. The introduction to traditional Kung Fu starts with a basic foundation: stances, basic kicks and punches, flexibility work and overall conditioning. The beginning of every class at BTKA consists of a warm-up, stretching and basic drills (to keep everything you learn precise), followed by forms instruction. How many forms a student learns is based on the curriculum he or she chooses.

There are basic elements that need to be mastered before advancing to any style. These elements have been standardized from a style of Kung Fu known as “Long Fist,” and will teach students several ways to block, kick and punch. Along the way, students will also improve their balance and strength.

1. Front Punches
2. Side Punches
3. Pick Palm
4. Flash Palm
5. Drop Stance
6. Resting Stance
7. Stretch Kick
8. Outside Crescent Kick
9. Inside Crescent Kick
10. Kick-Punch Combinations
11. Side Thrust Kick
12. Wu Shu Basic
13. Jump Kick
14. Tornado Kick
13. Butterfly Kick

Created in Northern China by Chinese Muslims, Tan Tui is composed of a series of forms which emphasize blocking, stances, footwork, and, most of all, kicks. Tan Tui exists as a style on its own but is commonly used as a basic foundation form.

 

The Tan Tui routines consist of “Roads” or parts that divide the form into its many variations. Originally Tan Tui consisted of 28 Roads that were based on the 28 characters of the Arabic alphabet and was later shortened. Today the most common variations of Tan Tui are the 10 and 12 Road Tan Tui.

Springing Leg forms have a long history in China. The 12 Roads of this form are the basis for more advanced material in the Long Fist system. This form improves your fighting skills, balance, strength, and focus; thus, Tan Tui contains the basic skills and flexibility drills required in advanced forms. In some schools, Tan Tui is taught as the first form to build the skills necessary to advance in the system. It has been stated that if a new student doesn’t find the Tan Tui form challenging, then he or she will not like the Long Fist style of Kung Fu. Tan Tui is deeply rooted in China’s Hui Muslim community. One such indication of the Islamic influence is the posture of holding one punch out in front of body as a punch is thrown to the rear with the other hand. The body is turned sideways so that both the front and the rear punches reach maximum range. Besides being a good exercise to train the fighter to get full shoulder and body trust behind each punch, like a good boxer, it also is a giveaway that the form has a Muslim history. Kung Fu forms that use this posture come from China’s Muslim community. (History and Definition courtesy of Wikipedia.)

BTKA’s Tan Tui consists of ten sections and is taught first to get new students comfortable memorizing set movements, controlled motion, kick and punch combinations and other basic Kung Fu combinations.

Although a contemporary Wu Shu form, beginning Long Fist creates a strong foundation for getting you started with traditional Kung Fu. Also, along the way, a student may find that he or she would like to add or switch to the Modern Wu Shu curriculum. This form teaches fast and accurate movement, arm and leg extension, jump kicking and many other aspects of basic Kung Fu.