Introduction Yin and Yang aspects of the 72 Consummate and Secret Arts of the Shaolin Temple i.e. its Secret Fighting Exercises or ‘Kungs’ produce two categories: Yin/Rou Soft Internal Energy Training and Yang/Gang Hard External Power Training, respectively, with the former considered superior overall.
To facilitate comparisons and contrasts between ‘Hard and ‘Soft’ Kung Fu and to help readers to appreciate differences between the two categories, an example from each follows.
Yin/Rou ‘The Vermillion Palm Technique’ exemplifies the prolonged, arduous, hidden intensities frequently found in Shaolin Internal Kung Fu training.
Further Examples of Yin/Rou Shaolin ‘Kungs’ include: Kuan Yin Palm; Iron Cloth Bag/Sack and Finger Pointing Arts Yang/Gang ‘Toad Exercise’, conversely, representing Shaolin External Kung Fu embodies training demands which, although prodigious, will, I am sure, be more familiar to most readers.
This second Shaolin Secret Art or ‘Kung’ is more typical of External Yang Kung Fu. Further Examples of Yang/Gang Shaolin Kungs include: Windlass or Bucket Lifting Arts; Iron Bullock Arts and Stone Pointing Arts Both Yin and Yang Kungs tend to have separate and distinct levels of progress and attainment which all students need to pass through to achieve their goals.
The full list of 72 Shaolin Temple Secret Fighting Exercises or Kungs also embodies a Yin/Yang balance reflecting this principle’s importance.
Internal and External External Kung Fu is extremely physical, its Internal counterpart is termed ‘spiritual’, as invisible, internal forces are involved moving ‘mysteriously’, unseen within us.
Kung Fu has been known and trusted for millennia in China and the Far East, where Teachings are instantly and unquestioningly followed, according to ‘the Way’.
To the uninitiated, Internal Kung Fu Qi-Training Theory is harder to understand and demonstrating Qi’s existence ‘scientifically’ to beginners harder still.
This may well be due to the West’s comparatively short acquaintance with Kung Fu. More prolonged exposure to traditional authentic Chinese Martial Arts Training should cause this ‘resistance’ to disappear over time.
The Vermillion Palm Technique This is perhaps the most deadly of all the 72 Consummate and Secret Arts of the Shaolin Temple aka its Secret Fighting Exercises or ‘Kungs’.
Kung Fu:Toad Exercise Toad Exercise aka ‘Hama Gong’ uses weights as apparatus.
This is the Shaolin Temple Secret Fighting Exercise or ‘Kung’ most compatible with Western Weight-Lifting and Weight-Training methods.
Next come the legs and thighs, requiring a Horse Stance instead. Previously, circular stone weights and bamboo ‘bars’ were used, the latter’s inbuilt flexibility encouraging development of the Kung.
Hama Gong/Toad Exercise in Application Late, lamented, Honourable ‘Longfist’ Grandmaster Leong Fu, Changquan ‘Si Jo’, from Ipoh, Malaysia, famously used huge natural stones of irregular size and weight to assist development of this and related ‘Kungs’.
An awesome testimony of such Kungs’ effectiveness, this is merely a partial picture of the strength, potency and versatility of Grandmaster Leong Fu and his teachings(2).
Such Kungs frequently lead to gains in physical power, strength and resilience.
The methodology involved in acquiring Yin/Rou Kungs is more sophisticated, the methods used sometimes more indirect and learning times much more extensive.
Internal Kung Fu, in general, similarly neglected, is rated superior overall in China, Kung Fu’s birth-place and the Far East.
In Dragon Year 2012 try to increase your Shaolin Internal Kung Fu knowledge and attainment levels, ‘awaken your Inner Dragon’ and help ensure balanced progress in your Martial Arts Training.
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