Students interested in pursuing the study of a specific style are taught one on one via private instruction. Coach Jake feels these arts are best taught on an individual basis to ensure the up-most attention to detail, transmission of skill, and overall conveyance of knowledge to the next generation.
Continue reading on your right for more information on the following styles:
Northern Praying Mantis (Six Harmonies & Plum Blossom)
Sun Bagua
Sun Taiji
Xing Yi
Weapons
Qi Gong
Xing Yi Quan is the oldest of the three orthodox, internal systems of Chinese martial art (Xing Yi / Bagua / Taiji). 'Xing' means "Form" and 'Yi' refers to the mind or conscious intent. 'Quan' means "Fist" and denotes a method of unarmed combat. 'Wu Xing' or the "Five Elements" are the names of the five basic movements of the style.
"The Elements (Wu Xing) are used to represent all types of energy, and matter, and the way each manifestation interacts with all others in a never ending cycle of creation, destruction and transformation. Applied to the Xing Yi system of martial arts and body training, the Five Elements are simple movements that provide the foundation for all other movements." - Tim Cartmell
Students at the Three Harmonies Martial Arts are fortunate to have two very skilled and dedicated Xing Yi teachers sharing their knowledge of Li Gui Changs (1912-2000) system of Xing Yi. Both Tim Cartmell and Martin LaPlatney (Coach Jakes two Xing Yi teachers) have studied with Li and several of his top students in China. Based in the Hebei branch (though influenced by Song family Shanxi Xing Yi), Li Gui Chang studied under Dong Xiu Sheng (1882-1939) and his Xing Yi has many elements of Taiji as well (Li Gui Chang was one of Chinas premier push hands champions, training with Liu Dong Han who was in turn a student of the famous Yang Cheng Fu).
Li Gui Changs approach to Xing Yi is considered rather soft compared to many other approaches. Like steel wrapped in cotton, is an adage often applied to the Internal Arts, but with this branch of Xing Yi it could not be closer to the truth. All movements are done very slow and smooth in an effort to make the mind aware of every minute detail in each movement.
An old adage from China, "Xing Yi is the easiest martial art to learn, and the hardest to master."
For more info on Xing Yi Click Here
For more info on Li Gui Chang and his Xing Yi Click here
Sun Bagua & Taiji
"Sun's Taiji {and Bagua} emphasizes the importance of skill, sensitivity, and technique over the development of exceptional strength or speed." - Tim Cartmell
Sun family Taiji boxing is the most recently developed system of traditional Taiji practiced today. Created by the legendary boxer Sun Lu Tang (born Sun Fu Quan) during the golden years of Chinese pugilism, this martial art represents the culmination of over 50 years of combat experience compressed into one art form. Of all his accomplishments, teacher Sun considered Sun Taiji to be his crowning achievement.
Born into poverty in the year 1861 near Baoding in Hebei Province, Sun Lu Tang was a sick, weak child who discovered the arts of Baji Quan and Shaolin Quan, quickly progressing due to rigid practice sessions and hard work. As time progressed Sun dedicated himself to the arts of Xing Yi Quan and Bagua Zhang with the best teachers available. Guo Yu Shen and Li Kui Yuan taught him Xing Yi, while Cheng Ting Hua tutored Sun in Bagua.
While visiting Beijing in the summer of 1914, the famous Taiji teacher Hao Wei Zhen fell ill. Sun invited Hao to stay with him, helping the teacher recover his health.
When Hao recuperated, he taught Sun the Wu Yu Xiang Taiji Quan system as a token of gratitude (Wu Yu Xiang Taiji is a combination of "Small Frame" and "Old Frame" Chen Taiji). After several years of intensive study, Sun decided to create his own system of Taiji. He removed techniques he felt were useless and repetitive, and included many characteristics of Bagua and Xing Yi that he had mastered over decades of practice. Sun Jian Yun (Sun Lu Tang's daughter) explained, "Sun Taiji has Bagua Zhang's stepping method, Xing Yi Quan's leg and waist methods, and Taiji Quan's body softness."
All systems of Taiji are combative (80% of their techniques are based in grappling and counter-grappling techniques) with special emphasis placed on training with the intent to issue maximum force via minimal effort. The recent popularity of practicing Taiji as a meditative, Yoga-like exercise devoid of combative training was non-existent in Sun Lu Tang's lifetime. He trained to use the art in hand to hand combat, and the health aspects were just one aspect of the practice.
The Taiji taught at Three Harmonies Martial Arts can certainly be tailored to the needs of the student, but combative efficacy is unquestionably paramount in our approach to the arts.
For more info on Taiji theory, application, and practice click here.
Though Sun Lu Tang was small in stature, he accepted any and all challenges. He triumphed over Shuai Chiao (Chinese wrestling) players, and Judoka from Japan with his grappling and counter grappling skills learned from Taiji, Xing Yi, and especially the Bagua taught to him by Cheng Ting Hua (1848-1900). Cheng Ting Hua was a champion Shuai Chiao fighter prior to learning Bagua. When he attained a high level in Bagua, Cheng combined the footwork and striking skills found in Bagua with throws, sweeps, and takedowns of Shuai Chiao and subsequently left a legacy of able bodied fighters in his wake. Sun Lu Tang was one of Chengs top students.
Bagua is often described as having a guerilla warfare type approach to its combative strategy. A Bagua practitioner is constantly trying to attack their opponents back using elusive footwork, kinesthetic exploitation of weak angles, and devastating striking and throwing techniques. Bagua is also unique in its approach in that it has contingency plans. In other words the Bagua practitioner assumes he will fight an experienced opponent and will not always have the upper hand, and trains with these situations in mind.
Just like his Taiji, Sun trimmed all the unnecessary and low percentage techniques from the practice of his Bagua focusing on the core elements needed to succeed in hand to hand combat.
Of course there are a number of basics (ji ben gong) the student must learn prior to progressing to the forms, coupled with application based drilling, uncooperative sparring, study of basic postural and structural anatomy, and proper footwork.
For more information on Bagua theory, application, and practice click here.
Northern Praying Mantis
In recent research it has been found that Praying Mantis (Tanglang Quan) was mentioned as far back as the Zhou dynasty (1045-256 B.C.), where the personal guards of the emperor were referred to as Tanglang Wu Shu (Martello). The exact meaning of this is not 100% indicative that Northern Mantis was actually a style back then, only that the guards were called by this name. Regardless of this info almost every lineage of Northern Mantis holds Wang Lang as the creator of Mantis as we know it today. Again we have little proof that he is the individual responsible for the creation of the art, but certain documents form the Shaolin temple mention the Master Wang Lang and his formidable Mantis skills!
Wang Lang was born in Long Bao village, Ji Mo County, in Shan Dong province. There are many disputes regarding the exact dates where some say towards the end of the Ming dynasty (1368-1644 C.E.) but most likely around 1600, while other documents such as those from Shaolin indicate a date in the Northern Song (969-1126 C.E.). Wang Lang was interested in all the Taoist arts, but as a young child martial arts caught his attention. He studied several styles, and when he was old enough he went traveling around China seeking knowledge from anyone who would give it. He happened upon Shaolin Temple one day and began training and sparring with the other players. He quickly found that these men were worth training with and learning from, so he stayed.
During this time Wang Lang learned many styles and aspects of fighting and became a formidable opponent. Legend has it that one day after besting all of his fellow martial brothers; Wang Lang had to fight his senior most brother. Though Wang Lang gave it 100%, his martial brother beat him every time they touched hands. Wang Lang ran to the forest in frustration and relaxed in the shade of a large tree. It is there he witnessed a Mantis fighting a Cicada, and he observed the way in which the Mantis moved and the speed it used in its' attacks and feints. Wang Lang spent time analyzing what he had learned previously, and began to apply the strategy and technique based on the Mantis specific intrinsic nature in combat. When he felt he had mastered his movements he again fought his senior martial brother, only this time defeating him without question. He then left the temple and eventually spread the art to Shen Xiao Dao Ren before passing.
The following information (many thanks to my martial uncle Ilya Profatilov) was recorded in the late 1700's by an unknown author regarding the stylists' abbot Fu Ju invited to Shaolin temple. Mantis is a culmination of eighteen different styles. This is important not only for the history of the style, but it also illustrates an often argued point that martial artists were cross training hundreds of years ago. This is not something new to the seasoned martial artist.
Praying Mantis incorporates techniques and theories from the following styles into its curriculum:
1.Chang Chuan (Long Fist/Long Range) Boxing of Emperor Tai Tzu
2.Tongbei (Through the Back/White Ape) Boxing of Master Han Tong
3.Chan Feng (Wrap and Seal) hand techniques of Master Zhang En
4.Duan Da (Close Range Striking) of Master Ma Ji
5.Kao Shou (Close Range Hand Technique) of Master Huang You
6.Keshou Tongquan (Blocking Hands and Following Through Fist) or Master Jin Xiang
7.Gou Lou Cai Shou (Methods of Hooking, Scooping and Grabbing Hands) of Master Liu Xing
8.Zhanna Diefa (Methods of Sticking, Grabbing, and Falling) by Master Yan Qing
9.Duan Da (Short Boxing) of Master Wen Yuan
10.Hou Chuan(Monkey Boxing) of Master Sun Heng
11.Mien Chuan (Cotton Fist) of Master Mien Shen
12.Shuailue Yingbeng (Throwing, Grabbing and hard Crashing) style of Master Huai De
13.Gunlou Guaner (Ducking, Leaking, and Passing through the Ears) of Master Tan Fang
14.Yuanyang Jiao (Mandarin Duck Kicking) of Master Lin Chong
15.Qishi Lianchuan (Seven Postures of Continuous Striking) of Master Meng Su
16.Kunlu Zhenru (Hand Binding and Grabbing) of Master Yang Gun
17.Woli Paochui (Explosive Striking to Hollow Parts of the Body) by Master Cui Lian
18.Tanglang Chuan (Praying Mantis) of Wang Lang was said to have absorbed and equalized all prior techniques
A couple generations after Wang Lang, the art spread into several different branches. Though these branches outwardly are different, in essence they all contain the same principles and theories. Keep in mind, all Mantis systems are complete. This means they work in all ranges (long, medium, close). They encompass all four aspects of martial technique shuai, na, ti, da (throwing, locking, kicking, striking). And most have there own methods of qi gong, conditioning (including iron palm and body), and weapon techniques. Ground fighting is the one exception. No Chinese martial art has developed a comprehensive curriculum for ground fighting/grappling.
Coach Jake is a disciple of Hu Xi Lin, who in turn was a disciple in Plum Blossom (Meihua), and Six Harmonies (Liuhe) Praying Mantis Boxing with Ma Han Qin (1920 1997).
For more information on Ma Han Qin click here.
Hu Xi Lin has taken a most practical approach to his training and teaching of Northern Mantis by not only studying with some of the finest teachers in China, but also by constantly testing his skills in uncooperative sparring situations. Hu spent over 30 years with Ma Han Qin training Mantis, and spent 6+ years training with Pu En Fu (Pu Liu) in Shuai Chiao (Chinese wrestling). Over the past 50 years Hu has combined his understanding and experience of these wonderful arts, and now shares these arts with those who wish to learn. Hu is one of the first teachers to openly offer Six Harmonies Mantis to the general public, as it is typically a closed door system (meaning only disciples could learn the art).
The training in Northern Mantis with Coach Jake is comprehensive in its curriculum, studying Plum Blossom and Six Harmonies applied theory, forms, hand methods, stepping methods, and so forth. Technique drilling, pad work, and uncooperative sparring at various levels are all fundamental to your advancement in the art. All training is centered on the Four Methods of Attack (Si Ji Fa):
•Ti Kicking
•Da Striking
•Shuai Throwing
•Na Locking
Northern Praying Mantis Lineage Chart
Xing Yi Lineage Chart
Sun Bagua & Taiji Lineage Chart
Schedule a Lesson Today: Contact Jake Burroughs at 206-941-3232 / three_harmonies_hotmail.com
