Online Martial Arts Lessons: Kung Fu Flowery Fists and Embroidery Kicks

This article of the online martial arts lessons points out that over the ages, Chinese kung fu masters have coined a phrase “flowery fists and embroidery kicks”.

The phrase was insulting. It referred to a kung fu practitioner whose decorative movements lacked any effective purpose. His form lacked force. His prowess was superficial and devoid of substance. The form, while visually pleasing and graceful, lacked any fighting function. In short, the kung fu practitioner had lost or had sacrificed a vital ingredient of his kung fu training in his quest for the art form. His technique had become flowery and embroided.

The phrase which the master coined is significant to the practice of modern kung fu for two reasons. First, it highlights the need for a student to remain focused on the thing or things which the student wishes to gain from kung fu training. Knowledge of technique is important. But unless the student is conversant with the application of that technique in a combat environment, the technique becomes merely ornamental.

The second reason why the phrase “flowery fists and embroidery kicks” is significant lies with the kung fu master. A master who is unwilling to put his or her skills to the test or a master who cannot impart the philosophy and spiritual aspect of kung fu is a teacher whose skill has degenerated to martial force, or violence, and not martial art.

In this article, we endeavour to highlight the objectives which a student of kung fu should keep in mind in his or her training. We also provide a “shopping list” to enable a student to choose his or her Sifu wisely so that the student can get the most out of his or her kung fu training.

People take up the learning of kung fu for any number of reasons. Some seek the art in its purest form. Others seek skills in self defence. Others still seek health and fitness. Some recognise the way in which kung fu builds character. The more cerebral look to their kung fu masters for spiritual enlightenment. Unlike many other martial arts, kung fu answers all of those desires. Teaching the hung kuen style of kung fu, a southern Shaolin style of hung fut and hung gar, our comments are based with that style in mind. It is important to also keep in mind that modern kung fu evolved from the Shaolin monks whose lives were dedicated to spiritual and contemplative pursuits. Thus, kung fu as a fighting art was crafted as a system of self defence techniques.

When setting out to learn kung fu, some people give themselves unrealistic timeframes within which to learn the art. Learning the art takes time. No student can hope to gain a solid foundation of the fundamentals from a Sifu who promises a black belt in two years. The masters repeatedly quote “to be skilled you must practise one thousand times”. How true. The age old proverb applies as much today as ever before. Dedication to your study, the discipline to attend classes for sustained periods and the willingness to practise for seemingly endless periods out of class are the hallmarks of the making of a good student.

What goal or objectives to set? Everyone has a different agenda and a different timeframe within which to learn. But once the student realises that the journey is not one of instant gratification and once a sensible timeframe for progression is set, progress itself begins. In the hung kuen style, the style with which we are most familiar, the progression is gradual and demanding. At an early stage, the student learns the fundamentals of breathing, stretching, posture and some basic stances such as the cat, the horse and the dragon stances. A little further into his or her training, the student learns more advanced stances such as cross stepping, side stepping, crouching and one legged stances. As for blocks, at an early stage, the student learns the basics: outside, lower, mid section and upper blocks. Later on, the blocking progresses to tiger claw, crane’s beak, cross block, gate block, scissor block and double palm forearm (in resistance of a roundhouse kick for example).

Being a southern style, hand work is critical in the hung kuen style of kung fu and the expression “northern feet, southern hands” applies with full vigour. Thus a novice student of hung kuen kung fu will learn basic punches such as the straight, square and hook punch all of which are executed in both a static position and when moving. The more experienced student will learn the back fist, crane’s beak, butterfly palms, scrape punch, hammer punch, reverse punch, elbow strikes, short and long uppercuts, snake, leopard and dragon punches, tiger claw, palm strikes and square fist.

Kicking is also of the highest importance. Novices learn front, side and roundhouse kicks. More advanced students learn crescent kicks, spinning kicks, moving kicks, sweeps, butterfly kicks, axe kicks and a variety of jumping kicks.

Hung kuen kung fu also includes an armoury of weapons ranging from swords to spears, cudgels, double sticks, three sectional staves and others. But in all cases and at all levels, the student must demonstrate a command of the application of stances, kicks, punches or blocks in a fighting context. We require students at the Golden Lion Academy to spar during each class. Not only does this help overcome any fear of physical conflict which a student may first have, but it consolidates and reinforces the proper use of each stance or kick or punch or block. After all, kung fu even in a self defence context is for fighting. We ensure that no student exhibits flowery fists and embroidery kicks.

So what of the teacher? A teacher to whom the expression “flowery fists and embroidery kicks” applies is one who gives the impression of knowing more than the teacher actually does. Such a teacher will be unable to answer complex (or for that matter basic) questions on the fighting application of kung fu. Such a teacher will not be drawn on philosophical debates which call for a deeper understanding of the history, ideologies and spiritual aspects of kung fu. Such a teacher may have no combat experience at all. Such a teacher will insist that the student does no more than practice the form. Insodoing, the teacher shields the substance by the form. Avoid these teachers.

Here are some tips to ensure you will train with the right Sifu:

- Ensure the school or master is not some fly-by-night operation.

- Make sure the master will not take a year’s fees in advance then vanish.

- Ensure the master has some pedigree. Anyone can become a self proclaimed Sifu, then start up some splinter organisation or create a so-called “new style” of kung fu.

- Make sure your Sifu himself or herself earns the title of Sifu from a master who in turn earned the title from some other master or grandmaster. Self proclaimed masters lack a deep understanding of the art and sometimes they are just plain martial thugs.

- Make sure the school is properly equipped to teach you all you need to know. Basics, like sparing bags and focus mitts should be available. Ensure the kwoon itself is large enough and preferably is situated to ensure the most favourable feng shui.

- Look for a course or training regime which is well organised, well considered and logical. There is no point training with a Sifu who will teach you a butterfly kick in your first class but forego basic breathing, stretching and stance work.

- Look for signs of the philosophical side of kung fu. We do not suggest you need to study with a Shaolin monk or some Taoist scholar but when the student seeks information on searching issues, he or she must be given an adequate answer.

- If the martial arts master is also a healing arts master, so much the better.

- Make sure your progress is comparable with your training. If you are still waiting for your first belt, stripe or grading after years of constant, diligent application, look for another Sifu.

Above all, make sure your journey through your training experience is pleasurable. We no longer need martial arts skills to save our loved ones and villages from invading Manchurians. True, martial arts skills are very much life skills nowadays but the learning of them should give you as much joy as the knowledge which you gain. As is self evident, all martial artists are trustees of the knowledge.

If you would like to attend regular classes, please call us on our central telephone number 9796-1066 for class times and fees or email us through our contact-us form.

Contributions by Joshua D Wilson and Grandmaster Dr Pier Tsui-Po

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