This is one of my favorite forms as done by Zhou laoshi. This is xiaohuyan — little tiger swallow. What I like in this performance is his absolute command of the form. He has so made this form his. Whenever I think of someone who has an intense sense of “presence” in their form, I always think of this performance first.
This is Zhou laoshi’s mizongchuan — lost track style. I’ve always loved this form, and I’m hoping to learn it this year. The first third is a qigong section, the next section is a bit “internal” and the last section is the fighting bit. Look at the various moves here. Lots of bagua and taiji-like stuff going on here. Notice the palm strikes to each side. Very baguazhang-like. The taiji postures are there, too. Plus you get lots of stomping. I expect that there are many, many cool applications from this form.
11 responses so far ↓
1 kenneth fish // Jan 27, 2008 at 7:48 am
Gao Daosheng does a very nice version of Xiao Huyan - its on the old EF website. Also, He Tsongyuan, one of the better teachers of the younger generation (ok, he’s in his 40’s or so - thats young by me) does some nice versions of all three of the Huyan sets.
2 kenneth fish // Jan 27, 2008 at 9:54 am
Here is the link for Master Gao’s version of Xiao Huyan. I have no idea how he managed to do the form in jeans (I remember thinking “that’s gotta hurt)….
http://youtube.com/watch?v=R5rm9D1l1Uo
3 Edward // Jan 27, 2008 at 10:52 pm
All very nice videos! I am always wondering what to show people who are interesting in CMA… These here are all good choices (well, the first video had a bit too many camera angle changes, though - would have liked to see Zhou Laoshi’s form just from one vantage point).
4 Chris // Feb 20, 2008 at 11:33 am
Ken,
I am wondering about the three Huyan sets you mention. Ho Tsongyuan is my teacher’s teacher and I am somewhat familiar with two of these forms, Xiao Huyen and Da Huyen, though I don’t actually practice them myself, many of my brothers do and I’ve seen them many times. I’ve never heard of a third set, although I do know that there are mantis forms my teacher has not yet shown anyone.
Also, what is the EF website you refer to?
Thanks
5 Dave Chesser // Feb 20, 2008 at 12:52 pm
Chris,
He means Empty Flower. See the link under MA forums to the right.
6 Roger // Jul 9, 2008 at 2:26 am
Nice forms and great legs. The opening rope dart stuff reminded me of Kuo Lien Ying. Kuo used to play with the rope dart a lot. There used to be a film of Kuo doing Cha Chuan that was shown at parties. Kuo must have been about 76 when it was made. What was cool was the different rhythms and crispness of the techniques. First kinda slow and then really snapped into place. I haven’t seen that many styles where that is apparent. Kuo also used to teach a form called Er Long. Was thought to mean either 2 tigers or referring to a legendary hero. Ever heard of it? I haven’t see any reference to it on the net.
7 wayne hansen // Jul 9, 2008 at 6:09 am
er long sounds more like two dragons.
8 Roger // Jul 10, 2008 at 2:53 am
Hey Wayne.
You’re right. I don’t know why my teacher told me that. Then it would be ‘er lu’?
9 Chris // Jul 11, 2008 at 2:17 pm
I know of a form that sounds like what you are talking about, it is called Er Lu Cha Cha-Wei (I have no idea how it is spelled, but phonetically it is something like that). In the system I study, it is connected to the Xiao Hu Yen form, as well as Da Hu Yen and another long fist/mantis form called Si Lu Beng Da (a video of this form is also on this site somewhere). This form starts off with both hands dropping in downward mantis hooks with two jumping knee strikes, followed closely by a drop into left Pu Bu stance. If this sounds familair, it may well be the same form you mention. I wish I knew what the name translated to, but unfortunately I have no idea.
10 Ed // Jul 11, 2008 at 2:38 pm
Maybe it is Erlangquan (”Erlang” (2nd son) is sort of like old Chinese for “Joe” or maybe “Johann” (since noone uses such a name anymore)).
11 Roger // Jul 12, 2008 at 12:14 pm
Thanks for your input, folks.
The form I’m talking about actually starts with a squatting jump, then 2 punches to the front, 180 turn punch with the right and then a scorpion kick.
There’s a whole lot of one legged stances and jumps. Would be cool if someone could identify this style or if it’s just an isolated form. Er long, I believe, is a legendary hero who subdued the Monkey King in Heaven.
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