The training

You begin by building up your physique in a good way. Stamina, strength and flexibility workout is combined with stretching and basic techniques. Training is performed in a low stance (Chapma) to increase the leg strength. In the Choy style, strong legs are a necessity for performing the techniques in a correct manner. Lower body strength is the foundation of Choy.

Sifu instructs Tim

The basic techniques (punches, kicks and blocks) are put together into different form combinations. The first form consists of very basic techniques which you study the first months of your training. You will learn the form in two versions, to the sides and to the front and are required to execute it against the Sifu at a certain pace and without any stalls. This is the foundation of the first grading test along with five techniques you can choose by yourself.

Dean and Oskar fighting

Once you pass the first test you can learn two more advanced forms. Training forms is important if you wish to develop your skill in Choy Gar kungfu. Training is varied in order to always keep it interesting. Form training is alternated between one and one applications, hand techniques are alternated with leg techniques.

To pass the second test you have to first take the first test again and pass before taking the second test, consisting of the two new forms and six different kicks and three combinations. Good balance, intention, control and power are all important for passing the tests. Every test takes about a year of dedicated training to pass.

You also train light sparring to exercise defense and reaction. It is done in two forms: standing against a wall which forces you to come up with strategies because of the awkward position without having the option to back away. This increases reaction and is a test to see if the techniques you learned "really" were learned well. In this phase the mental training is of vital importance.

Mina (closest), Magnus and Adrienne in the intro to the dance "Choy"

As you progress you learn more and more forms. You must always work on applying the techniques from the forms, only doing forms by themselves will not enable you to defend yourself.

Additionally, two forms are learnt for the third test. Just as before you must first pass the first and second tests again before attempting the third. The forms have to be executed without moving around. The changes of position have to be done in the same spot, with firm and stable stances.

Choy Gar kungfu is based on short and rhythmic techniques which minimizes the area the opponent can attack which in turn becomes an effective self defense. The short and fast leg techniques, combined with the low stances, give the opponent a smaller area of attack and give you a more secure defense (this is very individual and relies upon each and every student's way of building up lower body strength). Like with everything else, you have to spend extra time outside training to develop your skills since the 3x1.5 hours the school has lessons every week is not sufficient.

Legtraining in Chapma

After approximately three years of training you start to create a form together with another student. The students are free to use any techniques they like. Control over techniques and one's temper is of the utmost importance, especially in sparring which is exercised with more power and speed as you develop. If you lose your temper or control you can get hurt or you can hurt the student you are training with. You must always evaluate your own training and by this gain insight into your own development. The Sifu is always there in case you wonder about anything.

The mental training is a vital aspect of Choy Gar kungfu since you are constantly being put in situations important to your physical and mental development. It is of great importance that you are constantly confronted primarily with yourself and not with others since every student's development is in relation to the amount of time the student spends on his/her own training.

Situps

With time you are taught staff and sword forms. These forms are part of the traditional kung fu training and are meant to heighten the feeling for the form of art you are practicing.

Created 2004-07-08
Last saved 2004-07-08 by Jonas