About Kung Fu Styles....

Shaolin Chuan or Kung Fu

Little Forrest Boxing

Shaolin Chuan literally translates to LIttle Forrest Boxing.  This term is used because the first Shaolin Temple was located in the "Little Forrest" on the side of the mountain.  The term Kung Fu literally translates to, "Great achievements made through time, effort, and patience," and is a generic term used to refer to ALL Chinese Martial Arts. 

Northern Shaolin Kung Fu, or Shaolin Chuan as it is properly called, is probably the best known Chinese Martial Art.   It was founded by Da Mo (Bodhidharma) 512 A.D.. There are over 400 hundred styles of Chinese Boxing, Shaolin Chuan being one of that four hundred.

Kung Fu is generally broken into two geographic regions, Northern and Southern.  Northern Shaolin is where Kung Fu originated which then it migrated to the south.  Northern Shaolin Chuan utilizes both hand and foot techniques through the use of balanced flowing movements to strengthen the body. 

Northern Shaolin Chuan is the foundational system used to develop martial arts skills which lead to more advanced internal styles and systems. 

...click here for more information about Shaolin Chuan.

Tai Chi Chuan

Grand Ultimate Boxing

 The ancient art of Tai Chi Chuan is gaining popularity today in the USA because of its' health benenfits.  China Hand Kung Fu Academy teach the Yang Style Tai Chi System and even more specific, the Guang Ping Yang Style.  This is the more rare style from the Yang System as handed down by Yang Lu Chan and his son Yang Pan Hou and is the first Yang Style form practiced before the more popoluar styles seen today. 

While Tai Chi has martial applications, it is mostly taught with an eye to developing the health aspects such as improving:

• Balance, Flexibility, & Strength.

•  Mental Focusing & Breathing

• Cardiovascular, Immune, & Neurological Systems

...click here for more information about Tai Chi Chuan. 

Pa Kua Chuan

8 Trigram Boxing

Pa Kua Chuan literally translates to 8 Trigram Boxing.  It is the most abstract style taught at the Academy because of its' circular nature.  Learning movements while walking in a circle and circling your body at the same time is foriegn to most and a coordination challenge at the least.  But, it is a fun to do because of its' walking pace and flowing movements. 

Like many other styles of kung fu, Pa Kua has several different pronunciations:  Pa Kua, Pa Kua Chuan, Pa Kua Chang, Ba Gua, Ba Gua Zhang, Ba Gua Quan.  No matter how you say it, it is still all the same...Pa Kua.  Also, like many other styles, Pa Kua has many influences depending on the teacher and their background.  As in all internal martial art's, pick a style, stay with it as the concepts should follow regardless of who's style you do. 

Pa Kua was was founded by Dong Hai Chuan (1798 - 1879) in northern China, though many might argue differently, the most reliable information is Dong Hai Chuan did found Pa Kua.  Pa Kua, like the other internal martial arts of Tai Chi and Hsing Yi, has three main components to it:  martial, health, and performance.  Though it is not as popular a style as Tai Chi, it is growing.  Pa Kua is the youngest of the three internal arts and considered and is a companion system to Hsing Yi and Tai Chi.  

Pa Kua traditionally was taught as an advanced system, meaning you had to have other kung fu experience in order to learn Pa Kua.  This eliminated the need to teach basic kung fu skills to the student who was already familiar with martial skills.  Today, you can learn Pa Kua having no knowledge of any kung fu or martial art.  All you need is a good teacher and the will to want to learn.  

Pa Kua traditionally didn't have weapons.  Though as time has gone on, many have incorporated weapons training into their Pa Kua systems. 

...click here for more information about Pa Kua Chuan

Hsing Yi Chuan

Mind Body Boxing

Hsing Yi Chuan, or Mind-Body Fist, utilizes the Five Elements which are the basis of Chinese medicine, science and technology.  It is known for its' explosive linear movements in combination with the power of the mind.

Hsing Yi Chuan is also an internal martial art and sister system to Pa Kua Chuan.  Hsing Yi Chuan is the one of the three major internal martial arts

...click here for more information about Hsing Yi Chuan

Weapons

Basic Chinese Weapons

China Hand Kung Fu Academy teaches what is considered to be the Basic Chinese Weapons.  There weapons are:

• The Long Shaft - The Grandfather Of Weapons
• The Broadsword - The Commander Of Weapons
• The Double Edge Sword - The Queen Of Weapons
• The Spear - The King Of Weapons
• The Umbrella - The Everyday Weapon
• The 9 Section Chain - The Flexible Weapon
• The Throwing Knives - The Projectile Weapon

The Weapons forms we teach come from the Shaolin Chuan and Tai Chi Chuan Systems.  Each system brings about a use of the weapon that enables the user to totally understand the application of the weapon.  Weapons training is meant not only to bring about self defense, but a level of "Coordination & Focus" by making the weapon an extension of your body. 

Also, this combination of weapons allows you to be able to use any object as weapon.  From these basics you will learn single edged weapons, double edged weapons, long weapons, short weapons, flexible weapons, and throwing weapons.  Now you have the knowledge to anything from your credit card or keys to a garden hose or stick on the ground and be able to defend yourself.  

...click here for more information about Weapons Training

Chin Na & Push Hands

Seize & Control Skills & Sensitivity Training

Chin Na literally means to Seize and Control.  The art of Chin Na is more then just grappling but is the closest thing that most will relate it to.  Chin Na taught by China Hand Kung Fu Academy has a unique flare to it in that we teach you how to "Escape" when a lock is done to you.  Taking it the next step further, we then teach you how to "Counter" or apply a Chin Na (grappling or locking) technique back to the opponent. 

Many people teach how to apply a technique,...few show the "Escape & Counter."

...click here for more information about Chin Na Dui Da

Meditation & Qigong

Breathing & Mental Focusing

Qigong or Chi Kung literally translates to breath work and encompasses many Chinese exercises.  These type of exercises stretch, strengthen, and condition the mind and body.  It cultivates internal energy called "Chi" which is used to heal.  It is also used for martial training thereby combining external and internal to create power.  All internal martial arts contain "Qigong" but not all Qigong arts contain martial arts.   

...click here for more information about Meditation & Qigong