Hung Leng Kuen is a martial art that maintains the use of Forms and many other traditional training techniques whilst remaining a Martial Art in its truest sense. (See the Kung Fu / Wu Shu page.)
Forms
Forms in Hung Leng Kuen Kung Fu (also known as Katas or Patterns in other martial art styles) are graceful, flowing inventories of our defending, attacking and counter-attacking movements which display the characteristics of their origin (Tiger, Mantis, Ba Gwa Chang, etc.).
Forms enhance stances, cadence, balance, focus, agility, muscle tone, speed and power from the cultivation and focus of inner energy or chi.
Self-Defence applications are the basis for all movements with the Hung Leng Kuen forms. Without this intent, Forms become purely for demonstration - see the Kung Fu / Wu Shu page to learn of the importance this makes to the style you choose to study.
Hung Leng forms are largely based around the eight animal styles but also contain influences from Shaolin Long Fist, Choy Lee Fut, Pa Qua/Ba Gwa Chang, Drunken Boxing and T'ai Chi. Techniques used from both internal and external systems of Kung Fu blend together to make beautiful yet lethal combinations.
An aim of their use is to put movements and combinations into each student's mind and body so that, when required, they are instinctive. Students, therefore, should work to toward feeling rather than thinking through each form - becoming absorbed within both the form's content and their own personal performance of it.
Mastery of the applications displayed within forms are of paramount importance, in order to obtain complete understanding of each form and Hung Leng Kuen as a whole. Therefore, Form should be practiced in combination with good Self-Defence practices.
Sets
Hung Leng Kuen has a variety of Sets which are also catalogues of movements but that differ in several ways from Forms. They are generally performed in a more stationary position and are intended to definitively cover such things as possible hand strikes, kicks, stances and chi cultivation via external or internal means.
Chi Kung & Internal Power
The Hung Leng Kuen syllabus begins with fundamental striking and self-defence technique, refining and building on the natural human instinct to fight in an external manner so that you don't need many lessons before students can defend themselves. However, as students progress through the syllabus, they are introduced to internal methods of training which, when applied to the basics, help increase power, sensitivity and longevity.
Many talented martial artists can stop training before even beginning to reach their potential. Students can burn out because they will not go beyond the superficial aspects of training, regardless of whether they practice Hung Leng Kuen or some other style.
On one hand, Chi Kung helps us understand how to develop Fa Jing (explosive power) for martial application, and on the other, opens the door to the self-cultivation aspect of Kung Fu and other related arts.
The role of Chi Kung in Kung Fu training can be misunderstood, as some students make the error of limiting it to certain specific exercises rather than experiencing the Chi cultivation throughout their training, including the fighting aspect. Having this experience is simply a matter of being relaxed and receptive, as you cannot force the Chi through effort of will. This requires a different kind of intent.
In Hung Leng Kuen there are specific Chi Kung exercises. These are concerned with harmonising movement with breath, stretching and toning the tendons and other connective tissue, and martial Chi Kung to develop power. Through all this, the role of the mind becomes progressively more important; this relates to the intent mentioned earlier.
