Martial Study
Class Structure
The class structure (also see Class Schedule) is designed to develop eight critical aspects of Shaolin Hung Méi: BALANCE, COORDINATION, CONDITIONING, POWER, AWARENESS, APPLICATION, SKILL, and KNOWLEDGE. Each session begins with an intense set of basic exercises/drills in order to properly condition the student. He or she will have to achieve a high level of cardiovascular capacity, strength and power in order to effectively execute Shaolin techniques. The movements practiced during these exercises will be foreign to the beginner and require constant repetition in order to be made to feel natural. Over time the stances developed will provide a rigid foundation from which the student will be able to deliver powerful techniques.
The conditioning exercises start with sit-ups and push-ups, followed by a series of jumping exercises. Through these exercises, the student not only develops leg strength, but leg power. "Power", in this situation, can be defined as strength exhibited at high speeds of movement as is required in kicking techniques.
The students then go through various punching, stretching, kicking and blocking exercises. The blocking exercises are often practiced in pairs, one student punching and the other blocking. Although the movements are choreographed, the skills of timing and distancing will begin to be developed. In addition, these blocking exercises are effective in conditioning the forearms against impact.
Subsequently, the students engage in stance exercises. There is an old saying used by many Martial Arts instructors, "A building is only as strong as its foundation, and a technique is only as strong as the stance from which it is delivered". These exercises are meant not only to improve the strength of the pupils' stances but to also develop the skill of shifting from one stance to another.
There are many optional drills which are included in the warm ups at the discretion of the Shī Fù. These drills add variety to the workout and keep the students from becoming too accustomed to routine. Each is designed to enhance specific skills and is used by the Teacher to correct areas of deficiencies exhibited by the pupils.
After the basic exercises are concluded, the class participates in the series of patterns called Tai Zŭ Yīng Zhuă (太祖鷹爪) (Eagle Claw Form) and Shān Dōng Tán Tuĭ (山東譚腿) (see Empty Hand Sets). Each of these patterns has specific purposes and is used to cultivate different areas of competency.
The exercises used to teach and develop Shaolin techniques can take any of several forms and are practiced subsequent to the completion of the warm ups/basics. These exercises include but are not limited to: Empty Hand Sets, Traditional Weapon Sets, Two Man Empty Hand and Weapon Sets, Application Techniques, Free Sparring and Lion Dancing. Each of these will be discussed in greater detail. Lastly, several traditional means for ancillary conditioning (see Conditioning Tools) will be presented.
