Traditional Martial Arts: Northern Shaolin

[scarletcougar]

From ASN:

Description: Northern Shaolin is an external style based on extending the body, and long, aggressive techniques that explode and drive through the opponent. It is the Fire Nation?s martial art of choice. Northern Shaolin became popular during the Tang Dynasty of China. This style teaches the 5 elements of movement; Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, and Water. Each element describes a different way of attacking or defending. These elements can also apply to other martial arts. Shaolin is said to be the origin of most fighting styles.

Northern Shoalin fits the art of firebending because, like fire, it is aggressive, expanding, and extravagant.

Other Information:

Northern Shaolin Kung Fu is an external style directly descended from the system taught at the Shaolin Temple. Shaolin, meaning young forest, has historically and culturally been regarded as the greatest Chinese temple boxing style. It is one of the five major systems developed in Northern China. They include Wa, Cha, Fa, Pao and Hung or Shaolin.
Northern Shaolin Kung Fu developed as a "long-fist" style emphasizing kicks over hand techniques. Such a long-range system stresses full extension of the limbs so that kicks and punches are extended as far as possible without compromising balance or power. The Northern Shaolin practitioner generates power from a combination of great speed and large, flowing movements, picturing his hands and feet as strong and compact as stones while his arms and legs are ropes. The limbs remain supple and relaxed during movement and only tighten when fully extended.

The Shaolin practitioner is also renowned for acrobatic but devastating kicks. Shaolin's repertoire of kicks covers everything from a basic front toe kick to a jumping back kick, from a low sweep to a tornado kick. Northern Shaolin Kung Fu is well suited to the student who is agile and flexible, who has good endurance and speed, or who wishes to develop such traits.



WEAPONS STYLES:
Nine Province Short Staff
Shaolin Broadsword
Dragon Movement Straight Sword
Shaolin Spear
Spring Autumn Guan Do
Double Daggers
Dragon Head Walking Cane
Two Person Staff Sparring
Twin Flying Dragons Straight Sword
Five Tigers Catch the Lamb Staff
Three-Section Staff
Double Broadswords
Lok Hop (Six Harmonies) Spear
Lok Hop (Six Harmonies) Broadsword
Two Section Staff
Horse Knife
Spinning Chain Whip on the Ground
Hook Blade Spear
Double Tiger-Head Hook Swords
Guan Do vs Spear
Broadsword vs Spear
Three-Section Staff vs Spear
Empty Hand vs Double Daggers


Other good sites of information:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northern_Shaolin
http://www.shaolin.com.au/history.html

Hope this is interesting...


:: EDIT - Sept. 9, 2007 ::

Azula's form of Firebending Martial Arts: Cha Kuen

Cha Kuen is a form of Northern Shaolin also known as (Seven Star)Praying Mantis style or Long-Fist boxing style. It has several other spellings: Cha Kuan, Cha Quan, Cha Kwan, Cha Kwen, Cha Chuan, Zha Kuen, Hua Quan.

Long Fist (Chang Quan ) is the general term used for several schools of martial arts, including Cha Quan (Cha-family boxing), Paochui (cannon boxing), Hong-family boxing (red style boxing), Shaolin boxing, Praying Mantis, and Fanzi Quan (tumbling boxing). Some long fist characteristics are expansiveness and gracefulness in posture and agility, and speed in movement. People practicing this style fight to the extreme length of their arm. They move rapidly, jump high and far, and display power that is explosive and fluid

~~~ from: http://www.shaolinkungfucenter.net/curriculum.html ~~~

There is lots of schools that teach this style. It seems to be a more common style for women to learn. The following are some internet links with information and history:

- http://www.shaolininstitute.com/tom_toy_muslem_kung_fu.htm
- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZZZPJWGk7pY
- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JIoBPBUQfVI&mode=related&search=
- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fpWELFWecvM&mode=related&search=
- http://www.chinaculturemall.com/crafts/article.aspx?id=3962
- http://www.northernshaolinacademy.com/new/NsaTienShanPaiTerminology.asp

[youtube]<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/XHJwGZ8H42g&hl=en&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/XHJwGZ8H42g&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>[/youtube]

[thedancingflame]

i've been trying to teach myself this style of kung fu...cause my parents are too cheap to give me lessons. it sounds very interesting, but lacks a defense.

[zukotokozu]

*O* as i expected from Fire Nation Priestess <3

[tophlover14]

wow it is pretty interesting alright

[kataang]

id luv to learn how to do this but in the waterbending way thingy

[bluestone777]

I take Karate myself, but other forms of martial arts are just as interesting(and demanding) ;)

[scarletcougar]

Updated the first post with Azula's unique style of martial arts.

[lordzuko]

today i found the book about the "long fist" at my home and some of the movements drawn there are often performed by Zuko in this show.also there i found our Agni Kai stance.

[koru]

Someone needs to make a martial arts section in this forum!!!

[kuzo]

i have a book about northern shaolin kung fu
it is one of the more fast and active ones
but it also involves alot of meditating.
garrr

[zuko614]

cool

[darkfire990]

i've been trying to teach myself this style of kung fu...cause my parents are too cheap to give me lessons. it sounds very interesting, but lacks a defense.

The style is lacking in defense in the traditional sense, yes. But that isn't to say it leave the practitioner vulnerable, most of the defensive techniques in this style focus on redirection of attacks and avoidance. It's my favorite style, wish there was a studio that taught it nearby ;-;. But alas, there isn't so I'm stuck learning Tang Soo Do.

[airman]

I just recently started eagle claw kung fu, one of the northern shaolin styles. I think it's the only place in the UK to teach any sort of northern shaolin. Everywhere I look I see karate, tai chi (the wimpy kind, not proper tai chi) and Taekwondo. I absoloutely love it! It is the best martial arts style for me compared to others I've tried, which just seem to want your money and have a relaxed kind of training. It requires good stamina and strength and gives me a complete workout. I've never felt so good in my life, it's amazing what proper technique and training will do for you.

[zukose]

if any one is intressted in learning this style of kung my web site teaches it. the link is in my sig. or you can pm me.

[scarletcougar]

I added some links and a youtube vid into the first post of this thread

[kuniggety]

Good info but this:

Cha Kuen is a form of Northern Shaolin also known as (Seven Star)Praying Mantis style or Long-Fist boxing style. It has several other spellings: Cha Kuan, Cha Quan, Cha Kwan, Cha Kwen, Cha Chuan, Zha Kuen, Hua Quan.

is wrong. Cha Kuen is not Seven Star Praying Mantis which is a completely different style (which Sifu Kisu does implement some of in the show). Cha Kuen is a long fist (chang quan) style developed by the Hui people who were the Chinese moslem population. It is known for its acrobatics and is popular among females because it takes advantage of limberness as compared to the more popular Northern Shaolin/Bak Sil Lum which is relatively acrobatic compared to other styles of martial arts but also emphasizes strength.

i've been trying to teach myself this style of kung fu...cause my parents are too cheap to give me lessons. it sounds very interesting, but lacks a defense.

I know this is old that I'm responding to but just an interesting tid-bit about the style. There are very few blocks whereas southern style teach strong blocking skills. In Northern Shaolin, the best defense is a strong offense. It's hard to really just talk about the intricacies of the style but many of the forms are designed to teach you to deflect blows while striking, so a kind of two-in-one kind of strike.