The Relationship Between Martial Arts Can Often Be Seen In Their Structure
As many practitioners of San Soo may tell you, the history of Kung Fu San Soo can be difficult to trace. We know that Grandmaster Jimmy H. Woo brought the art to the United States, and we know that he taught at Cousin's Clubs to other Chinese immigrants before teaching the art to Americans of non-Chinese descent. This is how the history of San Soo started in the United States. What is not always so clear to many practitioners is how San Soo developed in China.
Again, most San Soo practitioners are aware of the history that San Soo developed in China over hundreds of years through the efforts of the monks of the Quan Yin Monastery in Southern China. The monks traveled around and gathered the most effective aspects of several styles of Kung Fu and incorporated them into a single fighting system out of a need for self-defense. Recently, however, this history has been questioned, and unfortunately the precise details of this history, just as with many styles of Kung Fu, have not been so easy to prove.
Nevertheless, my goal in this entry is to highlight some of the structural similarities seen in Kung Fu San Soo and other Southern Styles of Kung Fu (Nanquan), namely Choy Li Fut and Hung Gar to show how these arts are indeed related, as they are all related to the famed five-families of Southern Kung Fu.
Most of this comparison will focus on the footwork and strikes of these arts.
One of the most obvious differences noticed between the stances of Kung Fu San Soo is the "Half Horse," Which is generally similar to the Bow Stance found in most styles of Kung Fu. However, the front foot in most styles is held facing straight forward, the "Half Horse Stance" in San Soo has the front foot and back foot held parallel to each other at about a 30 to 45 degree angle. Many have seen this as something that San Soo "does wrong" but it is in fact part of the Southern Kung Fu tradition. Both Choy Li Fut and Hung Gar employ a similar forward stance as San Soo in having the forward foot turned in. The reasoning behind the forward foot's positioning is that it protects the groin from low kicks. Kung Fu San Soo, known as Tsoi Li Ho Fut Hung Ga, definitely seems to display a relationship to Choy Li Fut and Hung Gar through their stances. Though the stances alone, one can find evidence of a common origin (as if the name itself wasn't evidence enough).
Another clear similarity between San Soo and Choy Li Fut and Hung Gar is in their strikes. From Choy Li Fut, San Soo shares the ample use of broad and sweeping strikes, from broad hooking punches to forearm hammer strikes to back fist strikes. Also, Choy Li Fut employs similar defensive arm movements that are very similar to the "Windmills" in San Soo, which not only intercept or strike at an attacking limb but also serve to redirect it.
Hung Gar seems to share with San Soo its impressive use of Tiger Claws, Crane Strikes, Leopard Strikes, and One-Knuckle Strikes. While it has been stated that San Soo is not an "animal" style, it does employ a variety of strikes that come from so called "animal" styles, Hung Gar's influence of Tiger and Crane being one of those.
Please enjoy these linked videos for Choy Li Fut and Hung Gar.
They will help display the similarities between Choy Li Fut, Hung Gar, and San Soo.
Choy Li Fut
Hung Gar
Kung Fu San Soo
Nevertheless, my goal in this entry is to highlight some of the structural similarities seen in Kung Fu San Soo and other Southern Styles of Kung Fu (Nanquan), namely Choy Li Fut and Hung Gar to show how these arts are indeed related, as they are all related to the famed five-families of Southern Kung Fu.
Most of this comparison will focus on the footwork and strikes of these arts.
One of the most obvious differences noticed between the stances of Kung Fu San Soo is the "Half Horse," Which is generally similar to the Bow Stance found in most styles of Kung Fu. However, the front foot in most styles is held facing straight forward, the "Half Horse Stance" in San Soo has the front foot and back foot held parallel to each other at about a 30 to 45 degree angle. Many have seen this as something that San Soo "does wrong" but it is in fact part of the Southern Kung Fu tradition. Both Choy Li Fut and Hung Gar employ a similar forward stance as San Soo in having the forward foot turned in. The reasoning behind the forward foot's positioning is that it protects the groin from low kicks. Kung Fu San Soo, known as Tsoi Li Ho Fut Hung Ga, definitely seems to display a relationship to Choy Li Fut and Hung Gar through their stances. Though the stances alone, one can find evidence of a common origin (as if the name itself wasn't evidence enough).
Another clear similarity between San Soo and Choy Li Fut and Hung Gar is in their strikes. From Choy Li Fut, San Soo shares the ample use of broad and sweeping strikes, from broad hooking punches to forearm hammer strikes to back fist strikes. Also, Choy Li Fut employs similar defensive arm movements that are very similar to the "Windmills" in San Soo, which not only intercept or strike at an attacking limb but also serve to redirect it.
Hung Gar seems to share with San Soo its impressive use of Tiger Claws, Crane Strikes, Leopard Strikes, and One-Knuckle Strikes. While it has been stated that San Soo is not an "animal" style, it does employ a variety of strikes that come from so called "animal" styles, Hung Gar's influence of Tiger and Crane being one of those.
Please enjoy these linked videos for Choy Li Fut and Hung Gar.
They will help display the similarities between Choy Li Fut, Hung Gar, and San Soo.
Choy Li Fut
Hung Gar
Kung Fu San Soo
