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The Fluid Motion of the Snake Lends Itself to the Art of Kung Fu

By Expert Author: Yoshi Kundagawa
Word Count: 506 words | Views: 232 view(s)
If youve read my articles, you know I have two loves: Learning Kung Fu styles and seeing them used in the movies.

Ive been doing snake style Kung Fu for almost 8 years. Once I transitioned into Kung Fu styles, snake was the first one I studied, because of its similarities to jiu jitsu. Like jiu jitsu, snake style kung fu is all about transmitting core body strength from the abdomen to the arms, and uses a lot of joint locks and grapples. But Unlike jiu jitsu, it uses a more open stance, and looks for greater flow in motion, with more arm strikes and kicks. In particular, it incorporates several weapon basics, including techniques applicable to sword use. It contrasts with a lot of contemporary styles from China, in the focus on blocks, throws and hitting from weird angles.

Martial arts when practiced with swords are very awesome. Before we get to the sharp, pointy sticks, lets talk about snakes. The reasoning behind snake style kung fu, as I have learned, is that from the flowing motions of snakes, you can learn a lot about balance, body motions and striking power. Some practitioners focus on the cobra strikes, trying to emulate the lightning quick attack of a cobra with an open palmed strike. Others focus on the nature of the python, which draws in to joint locks and throws and immobilizations. All of them focus on feints you learn not just the strikes, but the techniques to mask which strike youre throwing, or which joint lock youre throwing. Snake style is sort of like a cross between a game of chess and poker. Not that youre moving slowly enough to actually think while youre doing it since its all learned at the muscle memory level, but that youve got moves, counter moves and bluffs, all running at once.

Snake style isnt the greatest on defensive blocks. The parries, blocks and lateral motions are basic at best. It is a more offensive style, in the Northern version, which is what I learned. (Northern snake style is largely what was done for the cinematography for Sir Tes style the movie Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon.) Wudang Mountain, the great school in that movie, is well-known for producing great Snake Style Kung Fu practitioners.

Southern snake style is a more recent variation, and dates back to the 1800s. Its a blend of classic Shao Lin styles, with harder, direct punches mixed with Wing Chun movements for some fluidity. You can tell the practitioners apart, because the Southern stylists have a more upright and open stance, and focus more on a variety of punches instead of a balanced routine of punches, joint locks and holds. I will not get into the debate about which one is superior, since Im biased having trained in the more traditional form of the art. Both styles are challenging and will train you in solid martial arts techniques.
Yoshi Kundagawa

About the Author:

Yoshi F Kundagawa is a freelance journalist. He covers the mixed martial arts industry. For a free report on Choy Li Fut Little Arhat Boxing and Free Sparring DVD: Focus Your Energy and Spar with Authority visit his blog.

Article Source: http://www.articlesphere.com/Article/The-Fluid-Motion-of-the-Snake-Lends-Itself-to-the-Art-of-Kung-Fu/78727

Article Tags: snake kung fu, discipline, martial arts, health, hobby, weight loss
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