Tai Chi Chuan - Shadow Boxing

In mainland China, there are six main systems of tai chi: the chen, yang, wu, sun, fu and hua styles. The most famous of these is the yang system, as taught in the Ching dynasty by Yang Lu Sim, also known as "the invincible yang" after his numerous victories against masters of many different styles. This allowed him to teach the style to the ruling classes of the day.

Sifu Wong has studied the depths of both the big circle yang style tai chi as taught by Master K H Chu and the small circle tai chi as taught by Master Chen. Master Chu, the european representative of the Yang family personally instructed Sifu Wong in the health and relaxation aspects of his style as well as in the combat system. Initially Master Chen would not teach Sifu Wong the small circle tai chi as it is one of the most advanced fighting systems in the martial arts. However after many months of persuasion and with the help of Master Chen's wife, an old classmate of Sifu Wong's who vouched for his character, Master Chen finally accepted Sifu Wong as his student.

Taoism was the founder of tai chi chuan. It was through the study of such animals as the crane that a taoist monk named Cheung San Fung developed tai chi chuan at the end of the Sung dynasty. Its aim was to promote health and to protect the practitioner in combat situations. The style was designed to yield under force, like a reed bending in the wind, absorbing the force's potency and thereby using a lesser force to counteract the more aggressive force. Following this an unyeilding force of great power an magnitude would be used as a counterattack to inflict maximum damage on the aggressor. Through the use of the yin and yang theory, tai chi, in its philosophical sense, was used to explain the many cycles of the universe, represented by the natural phenomena of life which follows a pattern of constant repetitious cycles much like night and day. This is most certainly due to its deep rooted foundation in taoism.

Southern Praying Mantis Kung Fu

Sifu Wong has also studied the much renowned mantis systems of kung fu. These systems were founded and developed in both the north and south of china. The northern systems of mantis are by far the most famous and popular worldwide. They were founded by Wong Long near the end of the Ming dynasty, in the shaolin temple and have developed into a much renowned and widely accepted style of kung fu. However, many of their moves are over elaborate and easily counterattacked and therefore inappropriate. The southern mantis systems have more simple but more effective techniques which are designed to inflict maximum damage on the opponent. They have a strong stance from which to defend from aggressive attacks, the counterattack is targeted to the vital points of the body, destroying nerves and breaking bones and thereby rendering the opponent defenceless to further attack. In order to achieve such results the southern mantis system has the equivalent to tai chi's small circle style of kung fu. It involves the use of much advanced combat techniques with devastating effects. The southern mantis systems have only recently been taught outside china, and are four in number. They are Bamboo Forest Temple, Chu Family, Chow Family and Iron Ox.