Learning Monkey Kung Fu
Learning Monkey Kung Fu is something many people wonder about during their journey as martial artists. But what does it take to actually learn Monkey Kung Fu. In this blog we will help you understand; what you’ll learn in Monkey Kung Fu, our 6 different types of Monkey Kung Fu, and lastly we will go over the levels in Monkey Kung Fu.
What You’ll Learn In Monkey Kung Fu
First, let’s go over what you’ll learn in Monkey Kung Fu. Our system is call Tai Shing Pek Kwar Kung Fu, this is a rare martial art style dating back to 1911. In this system our students begin with learning basic Monkey Kung Fu movements. This includes:
- Monkey Walks – Low squat with your butt near your heels.
- Monkey Hops – Low stance while using your fists to jump from one position to the next.
- Monkey Crawls – Crouched stance while using explosive leg power to push yourself into the next position.
- Monkey Rolls – Varies depending on monkey but this is essentially a jump roll.
Learning Monkey Kung Fu – Internal Harmonies
Next our students learn proper Monkey Kung Fu stances, basic striking & blocking. It is key that our students learn the harmonies of Monkey Kung Fu in order to build a solid foundation for future techniques. The external harmonies are what make every strike, block and movement extremely effective when learning Monkey Kung Fu. Our bodies in general have a preferred way to move. So here we start with the external harmonies.
- Hand & Foot Land together
- Elbow & Knee Sink/Float Together
- Hips & Shoulders Twist Together
When learning Monkey Kung Fu the student begins with Tai Tong form. This form is where you start to learn about the harmonies, we do not rush through forms for the sake of doing them. Every movement at first is done at Tai Chi speed (slow) so you can get the proper alignments and techniques. We teach that power and speed can be added later once proper technique is built.
Learning Monkey Kung Fu – External Harmonies
When all three of these external harmonies are combines, the Monkey Kung Fu practitioners has a great amount of power in their movements, strikes and blocking techniques. While this takes time to become proficient in, but doing the 5 empty hand forms and 2 staff forms help tremendously at mastering these concepts. Next, we look into the 3 internal harmonies, this is where most students struggle so we will try and break it down as much as possible.
- Heart alines with Intention
- Intention alines with Qi
- Qi alines with Movement
Essentially, these internal harmonies help the student be in the proper mindset when training, sparring and general practice. If you punch and kick with no pure intention then how can you expect that to be effective? Lastly, when learning Monkey Kung Fu we teach several meditation steps that help our students clear their minds. While this can be a difficult process for some, the rewards and enhanced skills speak for themselves.
Level 1 Tei Tong
Tei Tong is the very first form you learn in Monkey Kung Fu. Our grandmaster (who created Tai Shing) Kou Sze was a master of a rare art form known as Tai Tong. This unique style emphasized low to the ground techniques, training in this manner gave him tremendous leg strength & speed.
Kou Sze developed our current Tai Shing (Monkey Kung Fu) system while serving a prison sentence. So to honor our lineage, all students begin with Tei Tong form which was the masters form of that Tei Tong system.
In this level our students focus more on the harmonies we mentioned earlier but also diving deeper into the mindsets of our system. Next, our students practice their Tei Tong form with an Earth mindset. An Earth mindset in this context is simple, strikes strong like earth, movements fluid like water and breath lite as air. Combined, our students now have the proper intention behind their movements and are ready to move onto the next section.
Level 2 Tall Monkey Kung Fu
Tall Monkey is the first true Monkey form taught when learning Monkey Kung Fu. This form tends to be easier for new students because of its higher stances, wider footwork and more soft transitions. Next, the students learn how to maximize their harmonies in this form. Once that has been accomplished students move forward to Monkey Hands drill. This drill focuses on all the basics of fighting; reactivity, distance control and timing. Lastly, in this level in learning Monkey Kung Fu, you will learn the Tall Monkey specialty hands known as Snatching Hands. This technique teaches our students chin-na (join control) as well as some limb destruction maneuvers.
Level 3 Lost Monkey Kung Fu
Lost Monkey is our next series of lessons in learning Monkey Kung Fu. This Monkey Style focuses on a very defensive approach to martial arts. Lost Monkey Kung Fu mindset is an afraid and terrified approach. While this may seem silly, it allows the practitioners to embrace fear and use it to be quick and powerful. You will continue to develop your monkey hands drill but now we begin to dive into the different categories on how each monkey and monkey mindset varies this drill. This form teaches quick shuffling footwork while enhancing your block & simultaneous counter abilities. Lastly, you will learn dispersing hands which teaches the practitioner to block and strike without compromising.
Learning Monkey Kung Fu
Level 4 Stone Monkey Kung Fu
Level 4 in learning Monkey Kung Fu is where we enter Stone Monkey lessons. This style of Monkey Kung Fu is known for its fierce aggression and devastating striking abilities. While in this level our students learn to “root” in each strike, they also work on conditioning their bodies, forearms, and shins to maximize the amount of damage done with each strike.
Stone Monkey form focuses on the specialty hands which is known as Trapping Hands. This technique teaches you to knock down an opponents guard or compress them so you have a clear open strike. Finally, this Monkey Kung Fu style teaches an alpha mindset, overcoming who or whatever stands in front of you regardless of how intimidating it can be.
Level 5 Drunken Monkey Kung Fu
Drunken Monkey is probably one of the most sought after styles when learning Monkey Kung Fu. In this style of Monkey Kung Fu the practitioner learns a relaxed, fluid and soft style that focuses on the use of internal energy rather than brute strength. Then the practitioner learns how to empty out their thoughts to have a clear mind focusing only on what lays ahead. Also, in this Monkey Kung Fu style you learn various different pressure points and how to strike Qi channels to destroy someone quickly & efficiently.
Drunken Monkey is one of the more difficult forms when learning Monkey Kung Fu as it requires you to let loose of your muscular tension and flow with every technique. In addition to this, our students learn Drunken Monkey specialty hands known as Ghost Hands. These devastating techniques allow you to harness your Qi striking and deliver blows that go through your opponent all while deflecting strikes as if your opponent is trying to hit a ghost.
Level 6 Wood Monkey Kung Fu
Lastly we come to Wood Monkey Kung Fu. When learning Monkey Kung Fu, this style is almost always saved for last. The reason being is that it encompasses lessons from all other Monkey Kung Fu forms as well as adding to its own. Wood Monkey Kung Fu is a straight to the point, destructive, without remorse style. In this mindset you are the protector, you take out whatever comes in front of you by any means necessary. Finally, this Monkey Kung Fu form teaches Poison Hands, this series of techniques is all about sharpening your intention to make every strike as if it meant to end your opponent.
Learning Monkey Kung Fu
Level 7 Night Monkey Kung Fu
Final stage of learning Monkey Kung Fu is Night Monkey Kung Fu training, this style of Monkey Kung Fu has no form, no specialty hands and no particular mindset. Night Monkey is the encompassed for of balanced day monkey styles (Tall, Lost, Stone, Drunken & Wood Monkey Kung Fu styles).
In this training our students learn all pressure points, meridian channels, strike enhancers and most important how to use the day Monkey Kung Fu styles in perfect harmony. Most students who want to learn Monkey Kung Fu never make it to this point due to the intense training and amount of discipline it takes to master all elements of Tai Shing Kung Fu (Monkey Kung Fu).
Where to learn Monkey Kung Fu?
Unfortunately, many of todays practitioners and so called masters teach only forms and no fighting principles of Monkey Kung Fu. Not to mention there are several different types of Monkey Kung Fu like Shaolin, wushu, Hot Juan and several others. So how can you learn these amazing styles? Click here if you want to learn all styles of Monkey Kung Fu or click on the name of the style below that interests you the most. Monkey Kung Fu is by far one of the greatest styles of martial arts due to its unique fighting abilities and well rounded forms of training.
