Introduction to Tiger Mantis Kung Fu

About the Style:
Ch'i Kune Jow Do is a style based on the integration of the Southern Tiger (Wah Gar*), and Southern Praying Mantis (Chou Gar*), styles of Kung Fu. It is a close in fighting system which emphasizes power, speed, tenacity, and technical skill. The name for the Tiger Style is Lo Fu Do ("The Way of The Tiger"), while the Southern Mantis style is called Tong Long Kune ("Mantis Fist"). Ch'i Kune Jow Do itself translates to "The Way of the Ch'i Fist and Claw" and was developed by Sifu Alastair Bourne. For the history of the style see the Tiger and Mantis pages.

Basic Introductory Comments about the Style for New Students:
The style is not really a style for show since it emphasizes practical fighting application. The fighting stance of the style and fighting methodology follow several general principles - both arms are used to equal effect, blocks and strikes are often performed simultaneously in response to attack. Control of the opponent is emphasized such that one must be able to manipulate the opponent's striking arms or kicks and be aware of the significance of their positioning. To this end students also practice Chi Sao (sticky hands) which is very beneficial in close quarters fighting since it encourages responding to arm movements, identifying or creating openings and reacting to movement instantly and instinctively. Practitioners of the style train to use both arms with equal facility.

In a stance the torso is squared to the front which means both arms may be brought to bear with equal reach, speed and power. The weighting of the feet and the method of standing (that is the stance), is designed to allow quick movement yet stability and neither foot is significantly favored for weight. The arms are never pulled back before striking and the hands always travel forward from whatever position they are in. Considerable power can be delivered from short strikes - the force of the style's "one inch punch" is a good example.

The style relies on arm conditioning exercises or "hardening", an interesting demonstration of striking power in this style is the Fang Gow, which originates from the Mantis component of the style.

Ch'i Kune Jow Do has a foundation of 21 fighting forms (including Five Animal Forms) which form the basis of all the style's fighting applications and techniques. Members are taught these forms which not only reinforce the principles of the style, allow practicing of technique, and facilitate the development of power, but they also serve to form a reservoir for all the fighting techniques applied.

Throws and immobilizing techniques (Chin Na) are practiced in addition to "rolls". Groundwork (fighting from the ground) is also inherent in various forms. Beside the 'hard' components of the style, there is the 'soft' component - the Ch'i Kung. Students learn sitting and standing Ch'i forms. Weapon forms also constitute part of the syllabus for higher grades. These include Pole, Chinese broadsword, Double Daggers, Double Sticks, and Double Chinese Broadsword. A range of two person forms and fighting manoeuvres is included in the syllabus. Light sparring is practiced.

Concerning Training: This style of kung fu is generally considered very physically demanding and also difficult to learn. The warm-ups may be considered quite difficult and intense, which, combined with the hardening, takes its toll on new members. Students are told to go to their own limits and not overdo things either by training excessively beyond their physical limits or taking too much bruising from hardening. Despite this, beginners tend to find the style physically demanding (though this of course is true for most martial arts). Another adversity in training is that it is often difficult keeping up with seniors performing the more complex techniques demonstrated. Note, there are no separate classes for beginners, as such, all students in the class generally train together with beginners and seniors training side by side (though the class is often partitioned for the purposes of teaching material of the appropriate level). All hardships aside students sticking to the style are rewarded with learning an interesting and complex martial art and through gaining proficiency with very effective fighting skills for self-defence. As an anecdote, learning this style is often compared with trying to trying to drink out of a firehouse - training is characterised by a very large style content (as expected since it draws from two foundations) and complexity.

About the Club:
The Auckland University club is based at the dance studio in the Auckland University Recreation Centre. Instructors are Wayne, Croydon and Chris.