The styles of shaolin

[Tigerwarrior]

So been researching cma alot lately. Some martial arts encyclopedias and other sites say things like "wing chun comes from shaolin temple, it was devised by monks" "choy lay fut comes from shaolin temple" "southern shaolin temple" etc. I've heard people say that a southern shaolin temple may not of even existed. But anyways back to the topic. Alot of arts come from shaolin, how is it possible that wing chun and clf both come from shaolin? They are completely different arts with completely different methods. One is linear and one is circular. I also watched a shaolin demonstration on YouTube the other day and saw the same exact technique being used in a self defense demo as I had learned in san soo, it's from ah soo 1. The same exact technique used in the same exact way for the same situation. I've also heard there were like 72 different arts that came from that one temple. Is this even possible? Why train some monks in wing chun and some in choy lay fut and some in other styles. Wouldn't it be easier to train them all in the same thing? And then we have modern shaolin style which looks almost nothing like those 2 arts. What happened? Were they using different arts in different time periods? Were these arts not made in shaolin but based on shaolin and made by monks who left and created their own system? I'm just curious about this. The only logical explanation I can think of is none of these were created in shaolin but they were created by people who trained in shaolin and then created their own systems. Please don't flame me I'm a cma newbie who only had a small amount of kung fu training. But this topic does interest me, and I've seen techniques I've personally learned being used by shaolin.

 

[Kung Fu Wang]

The Shaolin MA came from outside.

- You kill someone.
- You shaved your head, became a monk, and hid yourself in Shaolin temple.
- You taught MA in Shaolin temple.
- The Shaolin temple MA system was created.

 

[Same Trick]

When the one Shaolin got famous, you bet other temples wanted be Shaolin too.

“Shaolin” means ‘small forest’, so if a temple situated in/near a small forest it’s in a way a Shaolin temple .

Trademark law is a fairly new thing in China.

 

[Fungus]

Seeking the understanding, logic and unification of various MA styles is very interesting indeed. While I do kyokushing I like enjoy CMA principle and how they exist in other styles.

So been researching cma alot lately. Some martial arts encyclopedias and other sites say things like "wing chun comes from shaolin temple, it was devised by monks" "choy lay fut comes from shaolin temple" "southern shaolin temple" etc. I've heard people say that a southern shaolin temple may not of even existed. But anyways back to the topic. Alot of arts come from shaolin, how is it possible that wing chun and clf both come from shaolin? They are completely different arts with completely different methods. One is linear and one is circular. I also watched a shaolin demonstration on YouTube the other day and saw the same exact technique being used in a self defense demo as I had learned in san soo, it's from ah soo 1. The same exact technique used in the same exact way for the same situation. I've also heard there were like 72 different arts that came from that one temple. Is this even possible? Why train some monks in wing chun and some in choy lay fut and some in other styles. Wouldn't it be easier to train them all in the same thing? And then we have modern shaolin style which looks almost nothing like those 2 arts. What happened? Were they using different arts in different time periods? Were these arts not made in shaolin but based on shaolin and made by monks who left and created their own system? I'm just curious about this. The only logical explanation I can think of is none of these were created in shaolin but they were created by people who trained in shaolin and then created their own systems. Please don't flame me I'm a cma newbie who only had a small amount of kung fu training. But this topic does interest me, and I've seen techniques I've personally learned being used by shaolin.

I have not thought alot about this and don't have alot of historical knowledge, but my impression is that wing chun kung fu distinguishes itself from many other kung fu styles in that seems to be explicitly for close range combat. And I wonder if this makes the preference for more linear techniques, over circular.

So if you "scale" the fighting distance of ANY MA system, from preferred long range to closer range - what happens? If you are really close, and allow eye poking, then keeping your default guard at eye level seems critial. This is not important at longer range for example. And at very close distance, fastest path (ie linear) may get priority over circular (energy conservation) methods? Also any technicques are probalby constructed from the defauly guard, so wing chun vertical striking kind of makes sense to me in the context.

 

[windwalker099]

I have not thought alot about this and don't have alot of historical knowledge, but my impression is that wing chun kung fu distinguishes itself from many other kung fu styles in that seems to be explicitly for close range combat. And I wonder if this makes the preference for more linear techniques, over circular.

Chinese Martial Arts (CMA) styles often have interesting founding stories inspired by nature, such as insects, animals, and elements, as well as philosophy and the practical needs of people at the time.
Sometimes, all three aspects come together.

Chat GP:

The Nun: Ng Mui, one of the legendary Five Elders who survived the destruction of the Shaolin Temple by Qing forces, is often credited with founding Wing Chun. She was a Buddhist nun and a highly skilled martial artist.

Ng Mui is said to have developed Wing Chun by observing a fight between a crane and a snake, noting the crane's defensive and offensive techniques, and the snake's swift and precise movements.

Yim Wing Chun

The Student: Ng Mui passed on her knowledge to a young woman named Yim Wing Chun. According to the legend, Yim Wing Chun was being forced into marriage by a local warlord. Ng Mui taught her the martial art to defend herself.
The Name: The system was named Wing Chun in honor of Yim Wing Chun, which translates to "Eternal Spring."

Quite interesting should one follow the founding story. Style created for a woman.
with many famous "Wing Chun" male practitioners showing their power.

Yip Man / Ip Man, credited with helping to spread the style,
noted for his softness and sensitivity.
One of his famous students Bruce Lee.

 

[windwalker099]

Why train some monks in wing chun and some in choy lay fut and some in other styles. Wouldn't it be easier to train them all in the same thing?

People were trained according to their nature..
In most cases there is a base style like Tán Tuǐ" (潭腿) "springy leg"
first taught before introduction to a formal style based on the student.

Kung Fu Wang​

often mentions the practice he went through, might share some of his insights on it.

Singapore Chin Woo Athletic Association also. follows this method.
teaching base style before a formal style based on the student.

 

[Fungus]

People were trained according to their nature.

You mean training or style was chosen to suite the nature of the student? Like wether you are as as personal more similar to a crane, dragon, tiger or stork?

 

[windwalker099]

You mean training or style was chosen to suite the nature of the student? Like wether you are as as personal more similar to a crane, dragon, tiger or stork?

Like in boxing,, the style chosen by the coach, developed based on the student.

In CMA some styles are better suited for those with the physical and emotional attributes of their nature matching the style. Not one size fits all.

In villages and rural areas, those there were taught the traditions of the area they lived in.
A little bit different than an organization like the "Chin Woo" or a temple environment..

 

[Fungus]

Made me wonder... what "animal style" that would suit me... I am not fast, the first thing that comes to my mind is slow but strong animal, and googled and found the bear inspired Xiong Quan.

Anyone know if that? I would be interested to learn about it's stances, defense and attacks.

 

[Kung Fu Wang]

My Kung Fu school was called "Peishaolin Kung Fu Institute". My long fist brother published a book "Shaolin Long Fist". We both give too much credit to the Shaolin system. I think the proper name should be called "Muslim Long Fist 教门长拳".

 

[Pooja Gulati]

So been researching cma alot lately. Some martial arts encyclopedias and other sites say things like "wing chun comes from shaolin temple, it was devised by monks" "choy lay fut comes from shaolin temple" "southern shaolin temple" etc. I've heard people say that a southern shaolin temple may not of even existed. But anyways back to the topic. Alot of arts come from shaolin, how is it possible that wing chun and clf both come from shaolin? They are completely different arts with completely different methods. One is linear and one is circular. I also watched a shaolin demonstration on YouTube the other day and saw the same exact technique being used in a self defense demo as I had learned in san soo, it's from ah soo 1. The same exact technique used in the same exact way for the same situation. I've also heard there were like 72 different arts that came from that one temple. Is this even possible? Why train some monks in wing chun and some in choy lay fut and some in other styles. Wouldn't it be easier to train them all in the same thing? And then we have modern shaolin style which looks almost nothing like those 2 arts. What happened? Were they using different arts in different time periods? Were these arts not made in shaolin but based on shaolin and made by monks who left and created their own system? I'm just curious about this. The only logical explanation I can think of is none of these were created in shaolin but they were created by people who trained in shaolin and then created their own systems. Please don't flame me I'm a cma newbie who only had a small amount of kung fu training. But this topic does interest me, and I've seen techniques I've personally learned being used by shaolin.

I’ve heard when a shaolin disciple is taken into the learning space if they don’t already play an instrument they are given a bamboo flute to master!

 

[Pooja Gulati]

The Shaolin MA came from outside.

- You kill someone.
- You shaved your head, became a monk, and hid yourself in Shaolin temple.
- You taught MA in Shaolin temple.
- The Shaolin temple MA system was created.

Most children in Hinduism go through shaving their hair as a birthright from what I’ve experience and know

 

[Pooja Gulati]

When the one Shaolin got famous, you bet other temples wanted be Shaolin too.

“Shaolin” means ‘small forest’, so if a temple situated in/near a small forest it’s in a way a Shaolin temple .

Trademark law is a fairly new thing in China.

Like Yaksha?

 

[Pooja Gulati]

You mean training or style was chosen to suite the nature of the student? Like whether you are as as personal more similar to a crane, dragon, tiger or stork?

Perhaps even the year of your first breath?!

 

[Pooja Gulati]

Made me wonder... what "animal style" that would suit me... I am not fast, the first thing that comes to my mind is slow but strong animal, and googled and found the bear inspired Xiong Quan.

Anyone know if that? I would be interested to learn about it's stances, defense and attacks.

Bagua has a horse/bear stance yes?