Chan Family Choy Lee Fut

Chan Family Choy Lee Fut, which comes from the province of Canton in South China , is one of the most widely-practiced styles of Kung Fu, with deep roots in the traditional martial arts of the Shaolin temple.

Chan Heung combined the knowledge imparted to him by his three masters (Chan Yeun Wu, Lee Yau Shan and the monk Choy Fook) into a complete and coherent system: the Choy Lee Fut style, named in memory of his mentors and Fut (Buddha in Cantonese) to indicate the art's Buddhist origins.

Chan Family Choy Lee Fut, which has been perfected and refined through use in numerous wars and conflicts, is well-known for its speed and power, its soft circular body movements and its flexible leg work. It combines the powerful hand techniques, characteristic of southern styles, with the versatile leg techniques of the north. It emphasizes the intelligent use of external force combined with will (inner force).

Chinese militia preferred this system for fighting against the Ching dynasty and this instruction was used afterwards in other military conflicts, leaving Chan Family Choy Lee Fut with the indelible stamp of popularity.

The power and speed of its blows and movements (straight and circular blows with the fist, palms, fingers, kicks, elbows, knees in every angle and direction), its own technical and strategic characteristics, its mastery of technique, its broad arsenal of war weapons (lances, swords, horseman's sword) and instruments adapted for fighting (fan, hoe), the use of Jongs (a kind of “robot” constructed with pulleys, levers, counterweights, etc.) to improve fighting aptitudes and attributes, Lion Dances, Feng Shui, traditional Chinese medicine, and Lohan Qigong, one of the most complete Qigong systems ever created, all combine to make Chan Family Choy Lee Fut one of the most complete, complex and well-known martial arts in existence.

The complete body of theoretical and practical knowledge for this system is conveniently deposited in the Guardian of the System, the Great Master, Jerng Mun Yun Chen Yong Fa.

The different forms of Chan Family Choy Lee Fut are divided into three levels of mastery: First Level, Second Level and Third Level.

First Level

In the first level, we find an important arsenal of combat techniques in which the student learns the basis of the system until reaching a significant mastery of its principles. Weapons used are: Dan Dho (saber), Gim (double-edged sword), Ying Cheung (lance) and Kwan (staff). Also, some basic figures are used, such as Ching Jong, Sao Bao Jong or Chuin Lung Jong, and some forms with two men...

Sub Bak Lohan Sau (The 18 Hands of Buddha) is the Qigong system for a student on this level.

Second Level

On the second level, we enter into a more refined handling of our techniques. We are introduced to the Pa Kwa´s and to other empty hand forms whose execution requires greater complexity and a deeper understanding of the system. The weapons on this level (jointed weapons, fan, etc.) also require more complicated training as do the Jongs, whose operation demands a good level of mastery in order to use them with certainty (for example, the Soi Sao Jong or the Ma Jong figures could be dangerous for an under-prepared student).

Understanding and application of the “doors” acquires greater importance at this stage.

At this level, we find the main body of the Chan Family Choy Lee Fut subsystems.

The Qigong system corresponding to this level is the Siu Lohan (Small Lohan).

Third Level

The most advanced forms of the system are found on the third level. Only a few masters have reached this level. This level includes the animal forms, among others.

Tai Luo Han and Wu Chi Kuen are the Chan Family Choy Lee Fut Qigong forms corresponding to this level.

This is Chan Family Choy Lee Fut: a Kung Fu system with a broad technical repertory, profound content in terms of knowledge, and an environment where work continues within the observance of a tradition and its values.