Natural Chinese Martial Arts & Qigong School of NJ
Home Contact Qigong Program KF Articles Instructor

 !  NATURAL CHINESE MARTIAL ARTS PROGRAM

What is Natural Chinese Martial Arts?


Chinese Martial Arts are sometimes known as Wushu or as Kung Fu or Gung Fu.

The definition of Natural Chinese Martial Arts is techniques, postures, and movements done for health and self-defense while efficiently and effectively using correct body mechanics originating from ancient Chinese martial arts methods. Efficiently and effectively means it will be done intelligently and quickly without wasted energy or efforts by using brute force.

Also, the martial art philosophy and strategy practiced in ancient Chinese manuals and styles is included, from Taoist, Buddhist, and other sources, such as Sun Tzu and Sun Bin's Art of War, and so on. It is based on traditional Chinese martial arts or wushu, but not Modern Sports Wushu.

Natural Chinese martial arts use the idea of NOT fighting (a hand to hand struggle or trading of strikes / blows) to deal with an opponent. Instead the idea is to stop a fight from ever developing.

An incoming attack is seen as an ambush. Swift self defense methods are used that allow one to calmly evade the incoming attack and lead the incoming energy towards another direction. Then, the attack is neutralized so the opponent is trapped into being defeated by its own actions.

An incoming attack from an opponent is treated much like a bull fighter deals with a raging bull. A matador does not attempt to stop or kill the powerful bull with his own brute force but instead continues to evade and lead the bull's reactions until the bull is exhausted and near collapse, only then does the matador approach to apply the coup de grace. A bull fighter avoids the bull with each movement he makes. The bull traps itself in this way. A matador executes various formal moves with grace and confidence, while remaining masterful over the bull itself.

Circular self defense movements are done always at a 45 degree angle, with the body lowered as if balancing a book on the head. No punching or kicking is used, only various types of sophisticated takedowns. Natural Chinese Martial Arts are internal based systems from either Taoist or Shaolin Buddhist sources.

For information on the relationship between Qigong and Neigong with Chinese Martial Art styles click here.


Natural Martial Arts Program material:

Advanced concepts are explained in everyday language, augmented with practice drills, and demonstrated through practical applications that can apply to both the internal and external martial arts. This is the ONLY prgram available that teaches the self defense aspects of not only the martial arts but also Qigong (which is often done only for health enhancement).

Most importantly, instruction will be given in HOW to feel the movements by using the deeper muscles, correct body mechanics, correct body alignment, and correct rooting. Information is also given on WHY movements are done so.

Important material is taught from the original root styles that the internal martial arts were developed from and lays the proper foundation for a deeper understanding of the internal styles of Tai Ji Quan, Xinyi Quan / Xing Yi Quan, and Ba Gua Zhang. The material is very efficient and effective for learning practical self-defense and furthering one's current knowledge and training in the various internal martial arts. Without this true learning of the most ancient methods and body mechanics, one can attempt to practice internal martial arts for many decades but will never be able to generate any internal energy for healing and self defense.

Fundamentals, applications, and routines taught from Shaolin Quan, Taizu Quan, Shuai Jiao, Tongbei Quan, Cha Quan, Wah Quan, Yue Shi Ba Fan Shou, Sun Bin Quan, and other systems. Over 30 years of research and experience has been done to develop the course materials for this program!

(Videos are shown below from YouTube ONLY to give an idea of what the routines look like.)


Introduction Material & Applications Level:

The introduction classes are the MOST IMPORTANT ones. Without them, the student cannot progress to the next level.

The purpose of these introductory classes is for the student to learn New Body Skills. To develop a strong foundation, such things as basic training methods, core concepts and strategy, core body mechanics, body alignment, stepping methods, and correct postures and techniques are taught, via conditioning drills for developing control, strength, timing, precision, focus, and more.

Important concepts are taught, such as:

  • Awareness - the key to mastering movement through feeling; increasing sensitivity to use the body more effectively; understanding sensations; reading the environment; coodinate different feelings to produce balance; and more.
  • Evasiveness - Evasive manuevering and strategy is taught.
  • Leading - how to "bullfight" an opponent's incoming attack.
  • Physical Power Generation - Strength building, endurance, and balance.
  • Energy Generation - how to move efficiently, with no waste.
  • Applications - how and why to use postures and movements for self defense are emphasized as well.

Techniques taught are taken from American Boxing, Kicking Boxing, Kenpo Karate, and Shaolin and Taoist Boxing.

Once the student is able to master the foundamental concepts and exhibit correct body mechanics and body alignment, then he or she is allowed to enter the next level. A certificate will be awarded upon mastery and after each level is achieved.

Click here to see videos with examples of Introductory Material.

Level One - Shaolin Basics & Applications:

  1. Shaolin Wubu Quan 少林 五步拳 (Five Step Boxing) - short routine for reinforcing the five basic fundamental martial arts postures.

  2. Shaolin Dan Shi 少林 單式 (Single Postures) - straight rows of single posture movements used for learning basic self defense ideas and applications.

  3. Shaolin Jingang Bashi 少林 金剛八式 (Diamond Warrior Eight Postures) - more advanced rows of eight different movements.

  4. Shaolin Lianhuan Quan 少林 连环拳 (Linked Boxing) - foundational routine that used for learning how to link different movements to form a routine efficiently and effectively.

  5. Shaolin Wuxing Lianhuan Quan 少林 五行连环拳 (Five Elements Linked Boxing) - very rare foundational routine teaching the Shaolin version of the Five Elements (Metal, Water, Wood, Fire, and Earth).

Level Two - Shuai Jiao Basics & Applications:

  1. Shuai Jiao 摔跤 (Takedowns) - special set of 10 foundational movements and countless combination movements for immediate takedown of opponents, contains roots movements to all Chinese martial arts. From Chang

Level Three - Shaolin Rou Quan (Soft Boxing) Basics & Applications:

  1. Chan Yuan Quan 少林 禅圆拳 (Zen Circular Boxing) - first special and rare foundational Shaolin soft boxing routine, contains roots movements to all internal martial arts.

  2. Luohan Shi San Shi Quan 少林 罗汉十三式 拳 (Arhat 13 Postures Boxing) - second special and rare foundational Shaolin soft boxing routine, contains roots movements to all internal martial arts.

  3. Rou Xing Chui 少林 柔形捶 (Soft or Supple Shaped Hammer Strikes) - very rare routine of soft and hard movements and strikes.

Level Four - Non-Shaolin Basics & Applications:

  1. Shi Lu Tantoi 十路潭腿 (10 Road Spring Kick Boxing) - foundational Chinese Muslim martial arts routine from Shandong Cha Quan system used for building leg strength and strong self defense skills.

  2. Yue Shi Ba Fan Shou - 岳氏八翻手 (General Yue Fei's Eight Flashing Hands) - series of 24 rows of special military techniques used for simultaneous self defense and attacking.

  3. Tongbei Quan 通背拳 (Penetrating or Through the Back Boxing) Basics and Qi Xing Hua Pao Chui 奇形花炮捶 (Strange Changing Flower Cannon Hammer Strikes) - foundational material from important Tongbei system. Routine is from Five Elements Tongbei Quan and has similar elements to Chen Taiji Quan (but much faster).

  4. Luohan Shiba Shou 罗汉十八手 (Arhat 18 Hands) - first routine originally from the Shandong province Wah Quan system, before Shaolin adopted the set into its system. Elements similar to the Five Elements and Twelve Animals of Xingyi Quan system.

  5. Babu Lianhuan Quan 八步连环拳 (Eight Step Linking Boxing) - second routine originally from the Wah Quan system of Shandong province, before Shaolin adopted the set into its system.

Level Five - Shaolin Internal System & Applications:

  1. Shaolin Yuan Hou Quan 少林 猿猴拳 (Ape-Monkey Boxing) - important set teaching beginning ideas of flexible boxing.

  2. Shaolin Rou Quan Yi Lu 少林 柔拳 一路 (Supple or Soft Boxing First Road) - first 36 postures routine that is a root forerunner of Taiji Quan.

  3. Shaolin Rou Quan Er Lu 少林柔拳 二路 (Supple or Soft Boxing Second Road) - second 36 postures routine that is forerunner of Taiji Quan.

  4. Shaolin Rou Quan 少林柔拳 (Soft or Supple Boxing) - long 108 posture, 365 movements routine teaching the whole Rou Quan techniques.

  5. Shaolin Xinyi Ba 少林 心意把 (Heart Mind Holds) - series of special ancient movements from Shaolin internal boxing system.

Level Six - Folk & Shaolin Chang Quan (Long Fist) system & Applications:

  1. Da Hong Quan Liubu Jia 大鸿拳 六步架 (Big Swan / Vast Fist Six Step Frame) - foundational set for establishing the postures and techniques of Long Fist Boxing. Root of Shaolin Lao Hong Quan system.

  2. Shaolin Lao Hong Quan 少林 老洪拳 1-4 路 (Ancient Flowing Boxing, 4 Routines) - foundational Shaolin set of four routines that merge Shaolin Rou Quan and Hong Quan from General Zhao Kuangyin (later first emperor of Song Dynasty).

  3. Shaolin Taizu Chang Quan 少林 太祖長拳 (Grand Ancestor Long Boxing) - important internal Shaolin routine that supports all Shaolin long fist boxing routines.

  4. Shaolin Xiao Hong Quan Yi Lu 少林 小洪拳 一路 (Small Flowing Boxing First Road) - important and famous Shaolin long fist routine, derived from the previous routines. Two versions taught: standard and Lao Jia 少林老架洪拳 (ancient frame).

  5. Shaolin Xiao Hong Quan Er Lu 少林 小洪拳 二路 (Small Flowing Boxing Second Road) - very rare second road to the previous routine.

  6. Shaolin Da Hong Quan 少林 大洪拳 1-3路 (Big Flowing Boxing) - routines consisting of at least three roads of Shaolin Long Fist boxing.

Level Seven - Shaolin Luohan System:

  1. Shaolin Luohan Siba Shou 1-8 Lu 少林 罗汉十八手 1-8路 (8 Roads of Luohan 18 Hands) - eight special advanced Shaolin routines with elements related to Bagua Zhang.

  2. Shaolin Xiao Luohan Quan 少林 小罗汉拳 (Small Luohan Boxing) - short 27 postures routine outlining foundational postures of Luohan Boxing.

  3. Shaolin Da Luohan Quan 少林 大罗汉拳 (Big Luohan Boxing) - long routine of 108 postures that contains all the ideas of Luohan Quan. The first 36 postures of the routine are known as the Lao (old) Luohan set (also known as the 3 Section set), as shown in first video; second video shows second half.

  4. Shaolin Luohan Quan Yi Lu 少林 罗汉拳 一路 (First Road of Luohan Boxing) - important first routine from the Shi Degen lineage. Video shows first 60 postures of 83 total.

  5. Shaolin Luohan Quan 少林 Er Lu 罗汉拳 二路 (Second Road of Luohan Boxing) - important second routine from the Shi Degen lineage.

  6. Shaolin Luohan Quan San Lu 少林 罗汉拳 三路 (Third Road of Luohan Boxing) - important third routine from the Shi Degen lineage. Video has different title.

Level Eight - advanced training:

To be announced. Fundamentals, routines, and applications from Sun Bin Quan, Cha Quan, Wah Quan, Ba Fan Quan, Chuo Jiao, Tang Lang Quan, Mizong Quan, Xingyi Quan, and other systems.

Level Nine - Weapons training:

To be announced (Staff, Spear, Sword, and Knife fundamentals, routines, and applications.)

 !   News

What the Chinese characters for Martial Arts really mean:

When you look at the Chinese characters for wushu, it is actually two characters or words, Wu meaning 'martial' and Shu meaning 'art'. Upon further examination of the Chinese character for Wu, it too is two characters, Zhi meaning ' do not do' and Ge meaning 'Fight'. Thus the characters translate to 'Do not Fight'. Therefore, the word Wushu really means the 'Art of not fighting'.

My articles on CMA:
Articles archive site.
More >>

(Photos below from seminars taught in Valencia, Spain at the Shen Yi School - 2009.)

(Photos below are from class room applications)

Instructor Sal Canzonieri is a researcher and practitioner of Chinese martial arts (Shaolin, Shuai Jiao, Taizu, and others) and Qigong for over 30 years. He currently teaches seminars and classes in Shaolin Neigong for Health and Self Defense around the world. He also is a writer for Kung Fu Qigong Magazine, USA since 1991.


©2010-2019 Natural Chinese Martial Arts & Qigong School of NJ HomeContactQigong ProgramMartial Art Program KF Articles Instructor