Shaolin

 "External" Chinese forms
of Shaolin temple tradition

Perth's premier martial academy with branches in Bayswater and Nedlands.

Introduction

The Wu-Wei Dao system of the Academy includes several forms from the "external" or hard arts of China (as distinct from the internal or "soft" arts of Xingyi, Bagua and Taiji).  These arts are all said to originate from the Shaolin monastic tradition.  Shaolin literally means "young forest" and is a reference to the location of the original Shaolin monastery.

Karate is said to derive principally from these Shaolin arts, although many argue that some of the Goju-ryu kata show internal arts (specifically Xingyi and Bagua) tendencies.

The Academy does not profess to teach a complete Shaolin system: it has karate as its principal external system.  Rather, various Shaolin forms are taught in addition to the karate syllabus in order to introduce techniques not otherwise found (or fully explored) in karate and, in the case of the "bridging" forms, to provide a gradual introduction to the internal arts.

Tang shou dao 
"Bridging" forms

The Wu-Wei Dao system includes drills and forms that are part internal and part Shaolin (external) from the Tang shou dao (ie. "karatedo") system of the late Hong Yi Xiang in Taibei, Taiwan.  These serve as a vital "bridge" to the internal arts, introducing techniques and a form of movement based on an entirely different set of principles in a paradigm that a senior external student can readily understand and apply... [read more]

Tou xing 
Throw forms (Nagegata)

The 2 Tou Xing (Nagegata in Japanese) are throw forms that have had a long period of evolution in the Academy.  In their present form they are used to teach the footwork and posture required to effectively apply a number of projections and throws derived from  southern Chinese White Crane, internal arts qin-na and jujutsu/aikido... (read more)

Other

Mu ren zhuang / Muk yan jong 
"Wooden man post"

This is a Wing Chun form as taught by the late grandmaster Yip Man.  It was taught to Nenad and Dan by Laoshi Bob Davies who in turn learned the art from Master Bill Newman.  It teaches useful close quarter deflections and parries.  The form is an elective from Shodan to Sandan... [read more]