Nangfang     Quantou

Why learn Nanfang Quantou? Gung fu is a great form of exercise that has many benefits to offer.

•Self Defense Practical and designed for realistic confrontations. Learning this way will give you the ability to handle yourself should the need ever arise.

 

•Confidence Not only in the knowledge that you can now successfully defend yourself and others, but that you can now tackle any problem presented to you with a clear and determined mind.

 

•Control Your own mental attitude towards day-to-day occurrences will become enhanced. This allows you to develop a healthy and rational perspective of life itself and your relationship with others around you. You will learn that it is always better to avoid violence where possible.

 

•Discipline To maintain the required level of performance, you will become involved in constant and regular practise. To be able to do this successfully involves an above average effort of self-discipline and self-denial which in turn helps to strengthen your character.

 

•Fitness The rigorous training methods and exercises utilised in Nanfang Quan tou provide an excellent means of improving one's strength, flexibility, co-ordination, circulation and general fitness.

 

In Nanfang Quantou we go back to basics with training. You learn medicine and how to use it because when you damage your self or someone else whilst training, you will have knowledge of which remedy to use. You will learn meditation not as a means of praying or as a religion, but to learn about yourself and gain insight. Meditation will nurture a peaceful mind so you can focus on what you are learning and help you cope with pressure.

 

You will learn basic, intimate and technical moves. The applications and benefits of these moves will be taught and also how to apply some of these movements to liondance. The principle behind the best offence is also the best defence. There are few techniques dedicated to blocking because most techniques focus on attack. Any blocks used are designed to redirect an opponent's force against them. The source of the problem should be dealt with, not the symptom.

 

All techniques are designed for maximum speed. This is achieved by starting the technique from a relaxed state before finishing it with a quick contraction of the tendons. Fast footwork is also essential for close distances. What you learn is to minimise your opponent's attack to one punch or kick before bearing the full assault.

A lot of techniques are designed so that they can be seamlessly strung together in a fast and rapid assault. You will learn to attack until the opponent is down, by utilising maximum power output. This is achieved by using external power (ging), which is triggered by the movement of the legs, waist, elbows, wrists and fingers.

Internal power (chi) is also harnessed through breathing techniques.

 

Accuracy favours striking at an opponent's 'pressure points'. These are points within the body typically located near major arteries or nerves. Attacking these areas can be debilitating to an opponent, often causing that part of the body to be numbed or paralysed for a short period of time. Striking certain pressure points may also cause death as they can temporarily halt blood flow in an artery. Such strikes are known as dim mak techniques and are only taught at advanced level. using close range attacks is done in order to crowd the opponent's space, upset their balance and to minimise the time it takes for a technique to strike the target. It is also more difficult for an opponent to strike vital points with accuracy at such close range. Employing medium-range techniques relies more on quick footwork to close the distance.

In this system, low kicks are used for effectiveness and for speed, there are no high kicks.These kicks are aimed low and are designed to strike the opponent's legs and lower body.

Weapons you will learn are the double end pole and sword form.

 

Chi Kung At advanced levels, chi kung forms are taught to students. Chi kung is a traditional Chinese exercise which helps students breath correctly, develop inner power (chi) and improve dynamic muscular strength.

 

Forms A series of techniques strung together and designed to improve one's concentration, co-ordination, breathing, stability, and internal strength. Forms can be performed unarmed or with weapons.