“Tiger Claw System’s” Traditional Nine-Count Fingertip Push-ups [VIDEO]

"Tiger Claw System's" Traditional Nine-Count Fingertip Push-ups

“Hands are unique weapons in the Chinese martial arts”, says Grandmaster Wai Hong of Tiger Claw System – and his “Tiger Claws” are proof. We will reveal his unique push-up variation in the video below, but first some experience from my lineage and other Masters I met.


I remember my Sifu told me that his father – legendary Grandmaster Lam Jou – wasn’t really a fan of regular pushups; no surprise, he was very fond of fingertip pushups. Anybody who met him was a witness of his tremendous grip strength.

His eldest son, Grandmaster Lam Chun Wai, writes in Hung Kuen Training: Chin Cheung & Fuk Fu Kuen Deui Chak:

The movement is the same as normal push-ups, with both hands (using either fingers or fists) to support the body and stretch the legs out horizontally, thus using one’s hands and the toes/ balls of the feet to keep the body in position and maintain balance. When practicing finger push-ups, in the beginning, it is not necessary to do push-ups but merely maintain correct posture, remembering to keep every joint on the fingers bent. After keeping up daily practice over two weeks or so, one’s fingers should be strong enough to start finger push-ups. The ideal target is to do a hundred reps.

Wong Kiew Kit - fingertip pushups

Grandmaster Wong Kiew Kit, “Taming the Tiger” Pushups; courtesy Shaolin Wahnam Institute

 

Wong Kiew Kit Sifu, which I had the pleasure to meet years ago in Germany, recommends to start with regular pushups and proceed to fingertips pushups:

There are two parts. The first part involves pressing up. Support your body with both palms and toes. By bending the elbow, lower and raise the whole body. When you can press up 30 times comfortably, proceed to the second part.

The second part is the same as the first part except that you use your ten fingers instead of your two palms to support your body.

Our popular PHK Intro Kit: Beginner’s Guide to Chinese Martial Arts features “The Art of Taming the Tiger” (Fuk Fu Gung) – 3 progressions of Chinese pushups NOT ONLY for strength, as well as 2 different training methods.

The Fu Jaau Paai‘s “Nine-Count Fingertip Push-ups” is an excellent progression – check it below. The sample comes from an old VHS tape Tiger Claw Kung Fu by Grandmaster Tak Wah Eng.

“Tiger Claw System’s” Traditional Nine-Count Fingertip Push-ups 

Sifu Falko Kriel writes:

Those familiar with yoga will instantly find similarities with the sun salutation movements, integrating a dynamic series of strength and flexibility building postures to activate all parts of the body. We stretch the hamstrings and allow the lower back and spine to elongate, as well as to open up the acupuncture meridians along the back. We dip down to a pushup to activate the muscles in our core and learn to generate power from deep within. We cultivate mindful breathing to become more aware and fully present in our bodies. Finally, for those training the tiger claw technique, the entire sequence is down on the fingertips to strengthen the muscles and sinews of the hand to transform it into a tiger’s paw capable of extending extreme energy and momentum right into the fingers! 

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Kung Fu Talk, Vol. 1: Pavel Macek Sifu – Practical Hung Kyun [PODCAST]

Kung Fu Talk, Vol. 1: Pavel Macek Sifu - Practical Hung Kyun PODCAST

Please check out Frank Bolte Sifu’s (Hung Kuen Research Association) new podcast “Kung Fu Talk!! 

Frank Bolte Sifu is a long-time friend of mine, Hung Ga Kyun practitioner, teacher, enthusiast,  and researcher, sharing rare articles and videos for years, and relentlessly promoting our art.

It is my great honor to be featured as the very first guest. I wish you good luck with your new project, and I can’t wait to listen to the upcoming podcasts. Continue reading

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Wong Fei Hung’s “No-Shadow Kick”? “Under the Skirt Kick”!

Wong Fei Hung’s “No-Shadow Kick”? “Under the Skirt Kick”!

Disciple of Wong Fei Hung’s last wife, the “Tigress” Mok Gwai Laan, explains the true technique of the mysterious technique of “Shadowless Kick”!

Few years ago I had the honor to do an extensive interview with Grandmaster Li Chan Wo, a godson, direct disciple of Grandmaster Mok Gwai Laan and the 2nd generation sucessor of Wong Fei Hung’s lineage. 

Different lineages have different variations and explanations of “No-Shadow Kick” – check out Grandmaster’s Li rather pragmatical one.  Continue reading

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Late Grand Master Lam Jou Explains Lam Family Hung Kyun Techniques [RARE VIDEOS!]

Grand Master Lam Jou (Lam Cho)

The man, the the myth, the legend – Grand Master Lam Jou, late patriarch of the Lam Family Hung Kyun, nephew and heir of “Mr. Tiger & Crane” Lam Sai Wing’s lineage, explains Hung Kyun bridges, power generation and combat applications!

Please check out super rare videos of the legendary Grand Master Lam Jou (1910-2012) below!
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“The Five Animal, Five Element Boxing Set” of Hung Kyun Master Lam Sai Wing: Snake Section [Part 2 of 10]

“The Five Animal, Five Element Boxing Set” of Hung Kyun Master Lam Sai Wing: Snake Section [Part 2 of 10]

Whereas the dragon represents the spirit, the snake represents the Qi (氣), the breath, and circulation of energy within the human body. Sometimes referred to as a “little dragon,” the snake likewise speaks to the covert, and the unseen. 

The snake techniques are generally considered to be a bare-hand extrapolation of ancient spear technique, and as such exemplify the principle of, “defend with a circle; counter with a straight line.” The Hung Kyun maxim states, “hard counters the soft; soft controls the hard.” Thus, the snake’s hard bridging is manifest with rooted stance and iron force, heavy as a python’s coils, while it’s elusive twining, soft bridging action is unfelt until striking the vital points, venomous as a cobra’s touch. Continue reading

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[VIDEO] Dang Family Hung Kyun: “Smashing and Hitting Set” (Jong Da Kyun)

Dang Family Hung Kyun 鄧家洪拳: "Smashing and Hitting Set" (Jong Da Kyun 撞打拳) | Practical Hung Kyun

This is one of the original forms, and was the first form taught in the Dang Family Hung Ga curriculum. The form is much shorter than Gung Ji Fuk Fu Kyun, comprising of less than one hundred moves.

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“The Five Animal, Five Element Boxing Set” of Hung Kyun Master Lam Sai Wing: Intro & Dragon Section [Part 1 of 10]

“The Five Animal, Five Element” aka “Ten Forms“ Boxing Set of Hung Kyun Master Lam Sai Wing: Intro & Dragon Section [Part 1 of 10]

In the Wong Fei Hung curriculum, three famous sets, the “Gung 工 Character Tiger Subduing Set” (Gung Ji Fuk Fu Kyun 工字伏虎拳), the ““Tiger and Crane Twin Pattern Set”” (Fu Hok Seung Ying Kyun 虎鶴雙形拳), and the “Iron Thread Set” (Tit Sin Kyun 鐵線拳 ), are collectively known as “The Hung Kyun Three Treasures.” However, the “Ten Patterns Boxing Set” (Sap Ying Kyun 十形拳) was originally established by Lam Sai Wing, to revise and consolidate key portions of the curriculum as he had learned it from Wong Fei Hung.  Continue reading

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Interview with Donald Hamby Sifu, Tiger Crane School Los Angeles

Interview with Donald Hamby Sifu, Tiger Crane School Los Angeles

Donald Hamby Sifu started to train Hung Kyun in 1976 – the very same year I was born. Wow.

We always missed each other in Hong Kong – when I was there, Hamby Sifu wasn’t coming, when Hamby Sifu was going, I couldn’t. Damn.

My big brother Michael Goodwin kept telling me: “You need to meet Don, he is awesome, you need to me Don”.

And guess what – after all those years, we finally met! The legends didn’t lie – Don Hamby Sifu is BIG and STRONG – and in great shape. Continue reading

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We Are PRACTICAL Hung Kyun: Here is Why [VIDEO]

Practical Hung Kyun

One of the comments to our latest video – from our 18th (!) Summer PHK Camp says:

The way you train Hung Kyun puts the competition to shame.

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Hung Ga’s “Iron Thread Set” (Tit Sin Kyun) Combat Applications [VIDEO]

Hung Ga's "Iron Thread Set" (Tit Sin Kyun) Combat Applications

Tit Kiu Saam (“Iron Bridge” Three) was one of the best fighters of 19th century Southern China – one of the legendary “Ten Tigers of Gwong Dung”. He was famous for her “Bridges” (Kiu), firm stances (Ma)  and incredible strength, developed thanks to his “Iron Thread Set” (Tit Sin Kyun).

We don’t have much information about his other techniques, but if: Continue reading

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