Forms and Weapons

Forms are probably the most important aspect of training, as it is from these forms that all our fighting and our self defense applications are taken from.

Forms are sets or sequences of movements that hold all the applications for a certain style to teach practitioners or students the essence of their art. At the Academy we teach forms with basic history and theory of each set as a whole. This provides the student with an in depth knowledge and understanding of the art.

Forms are also an excellent way to get fit and increase body strength. Forms training will increase your coordination, stamina, and over all body strength. It also helps to build good over all physique, as it provides for a good work out that will use every major muscle group in your body. Forms training will also prepare the student's body for fighting, and other aspects of Chinese Martial Arts.

Choy Lay Fut Forms are fast moving, fluid and very powerful, combining the flowery-ness of Northern Style Shaolin fighting and legs, and the relaxed power and effectiveness of Southern Boxing. The famous Competition-style Wushu Form, Nan Cheun (or Laam Keun) was created using movements from Choy Lay Fut as well as from other Southern Styles.

Weapons

The Choy Lay Fut Chinese Martial Arts Academy offer training in various traditional Chinese weaponry. Weapon training are divided into 4 major categories:

• Long Weapons: staff, spear, kwon dao, and monk spade.
• Short Weapons: broadsword, double edge sword, and the fighting fan.
• Flexible Weapons: Three-sectional Staff and Nine Section Chain Whip.
• Double Weapons: includes double butterfly swords, double broadswords, and double tigerhooks.

Self Defense

Self defense techniques normally arise from our forms and are then practiced in real life sparring sets. Also, more contemporary defense techniques, similar to Western boxing, are used very often in sparring.

San Shou, or full-contact fighting, is another aspect of sparring. It involves take-downs, sweeps, and other, more intense, techniques.

Tai Chi Chaun The styles taught at the Academy are Fu and Yang style Tai Chi. Tai Chi Chuan, or Grand Ultimate Boxing, is an ancient Chinese martial art, originating from a Taoist priest, Chang San Feng, during the Yuan Dynasty.

Unlike other martial arts, Tai Chi can be practiced by anyone, regardless of sex, age, or physical condition. This makes it ideal for those who wish to engage in a less-strenuous form of exercise.