ArticlesBase.com - Free Articles Directory
Free Online Articles Directory
13.10.2008 Sign In Register Hello Guest
Email:
Password:
Remember Me 
forgot your password?


The Fluid Motion Of The Snake Lends Itself To Kung Fu.

Author: Yoshi Kundagawa Author Ranking Bronze | Posted: 19-03-2007 | Comments: 0 | Views: 29 | Rating:  (53) Article Popularity - Blue (?) Got a Question? Ask.
Related Videos
How to Make Snake Bite. Art of the Drink 17#

Anthony and Kat get ready for the premiere of "Snakes On A...

Using a Drain Snake

Learn how to use a drain snake so you can get clogged...

Pilot Black Snake Suffocates Its Prey

The Pilot Black Snake's nest is sometimes located near water where small...

Sign Up Now!

If you've been reading my articles, you know I have two loves: Learning Kung Fu styles and seeing them used in movies.

I've been doing snake style Kung Fu for going on 8 years now. Once I moved into Kung Fu styles, snake was the first one I picked up, because of its similarities to jiu jutsu. Like jiu jutsu, snake style kung fu is all about transmitting core body strength from the abdomen to the arms, and uses a lot of joint locks and grapples. Unlike jiu jutsu, it uses a more open stance, and tries for greater fluidity in motion, with more arm strikes and kicks. In particular, it incorporates several weapon elements, including techniques applicable to using a sword. It contrasts with a lot of contemporary styles from ancient China, in the focus on blocks, throws and hitting from strange angles.

Now, martial arts are needed. Martial arts with applicability to swords are seriously cool. Before we get to the sharp pointy things, let's talk about snakes. The reasoning behind snake style kung fu, as I learned early on, is that from the fluid motions of snakes, you can learn a lot about balance, body motions and striking power. Some practitioners focus on the cobra strikes, trying to emulate the fast bite of a cobra with an open palmed strike. Others focus on the nature of the python, which, as you might suspect, draws into joint locks and throws and immobilizations. All of them focus on feints - you learn not just the strikes, but the techniques to mask which strike you're throwing, or which joint lock you're throwing. Snake style is sort of like a cross between chess and poker. Not that you're going slow enough to actually think while you're doing it - it's all learned at the muscle memory level, but that you've got moves, counter moves and bluffs, all running at several moves per second.

Snake style isn't the greatest on defensive blocks. The blocks, parries and lateral motions are basic at best. It's a more offensive style, in the Northern version, which is what I learned. (Northern snake style is largely what got used for the cinematography for Sir Te's style in Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon.) Indeed, Wudang Mountain, the great school in that movie, is renowned for producing great Snake Style Kung Fu practitioners.

Southern snake style is a much more recent innovation, and dates back to the late 1800s. It's a blend of classic Shao Lin styles, with harder, direct punches mixed with Wing Chun movements for a bit of fluidity. You can tell the practitioner apart, because the Southern stylists have a more open and upright stance, and focus more on a variety of punches rather than a balanced template of punches and joint locks and holds. I'm not gonna get into the argument about which one is better, since I'm obviously biased having gone for the more traditional form of the art. Both styles are a lot of fun and can teach you practical martial arts techniques.

Rate this Article: Current: 0 / 5 stars - 0 vote(s).

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/advice-articles/the-fluid-motion-of-the-snake-lends-itself-to-kung-fu-118198.html

Print this Article Print article   Email to a Friend Send to friend   Publish this Article on your Website Publish this Article   Send Author Feedback Author feedback  
About the Author:
Yoshi I Kundagawa is a freelance journalist. He covers the mixed martial arts industry. For a free report on snake kung fu visit his blog.
Submitting articles has become one of the most popular means of generating quality backlinks and targeted traffic to your website. Join us today - It's Free!

Article Comments

Comment on this article Comment on this article
Your Name
Your Email:
Comment Body
Enter Validation Code: Captcha


Got a Question? Ask.

Ask the community a question about this article:

Frequently Asked Questions

Can anyone refer me to Dim Mak training in new ...
By: CLH | 05-09-2008
Can anyone refer me to Dim Mak training in new york city?

Tongbei classes in NYC?
By: CLH | 05-09-2008
Can anyone direct me to Tongbei quan classes in Chinatown New York City?

The meaning of the colors on the tassels of a sword
By: Daughn B Thomas | 04-07-2008
Do the colors on the tassels of the tai chi sword have any meaning

What do i have to do to be a...
By: tynisha | 11-06-2008
 

Responsible Sports Journalism and MMA
By: zoneiac | 14-04-2008
So basically Michael David Smith wants every sports journalist to be a professional wrestler before covering an MMA event? Why stop there? There are many inaccuracies when covering other events as well...Isn't that taking it a little too far?  

How to choose a martial arts school
By: StevensTKD | 02-04-2008
How to choose a martial arts school

Q&A Powered by:
Powered by Yedda 

Latest Advice Articles

Get Your Golden Parachute
By: Carol Forsloff | 12/10/2008
Golden parachutes aren't just for rich people. Everyone can have one; it just takes a little planning and optimism. You need to know where they are in your life. After that you will have the soft landing you wanted to take care of you the rest of your life.

Self Defense and Self Protection 411
By: Mark Logan | 12/10/2008
What’s your self-defense IQ? Learn about ways to keep safe in your home, at work, and going through your daily routine with this easy-to-read guide.

Anandacharya's Predictions
By: Yuga Rishi Shriram Sharma Acharya | 11/10/2008
“Twenty four years before the 3rd World War and 24 years after it ends, will be full of turbulence for India. The preceding 24 years will see circumstances akin to those seen after Mahabharat war. The latter 24 years will be like dawn before the sunrise of a New Era. I will give up my body a few days after I see my motherland (India) attaining independence. Other people will see the extraordinary changes taking place in India after it gains political freedom. “

Shocking Tips To Get Your Ex Back That Work Like A Charm
By: Paula Snyder | 10/10/2008
A break up with a long time partner is a difficult time for anyone. However, there is still hope in getting your ex back if you know how. Shocking tips will reveal how and you will be amazed at the results.

Learn How Subliminal Message Software Can Re-Program Your Psyche
By: Kristi Ambrose | 10/10/2008
Most of the time we have grown to become so negative and critical of ourselves that even if we promise ourselves that we will try to do these affirmations, we fail. It's our mind saying things like "you can't do this, you can't do anything else, why would you be able to do something this easy?" or the ever annoying "this isn't going to help you, nothing will, you will always be a loser."

Should You Battle For Love?
By: Kristi Ambrose | 10/10/2008
First off, if you are engaged for several years that already should put a flag up, someone is afraid of commitment. Another flag should go up if you argue so much that you spend more time giving the silent treatment than actually conversing with your lover.

Behind the Language of Numbers
By: raphnix | 10/10/2008
Often associated with occult and astrology, numerology is any of the many systems, tradition, or beliefs in a mystical relationship between numbers and physical objects or living things.1 it is the study of numbers and letters significance.

Step-by-Step Love Guide Available!
By: Kristi Ambrose | 10/10/2008
If a bond such as marriage can be broken I would hate to even know the percentage rate for people just breaking up and being boyfriend/girlfriend! Break ups happen for all sorts of reasons but the most general reason is simple because the couple doesn't understand each other and this in turn causes a lot of unneeded fighting! So, what if you could fix this?

More from Yoshi Kundagawa

Successful Time Management In A Clock Free World.
By: Yoshi Kundagawa | 22/07/2007 | Self Help
So many people are jumping on the band wagon of having their own home bases business. Working from home is just about everybody's dream job. You get to set your own hours and work in your pajamas. You can be home with the kids and save money on daycare services....

New Martial Arts Drills To Keep Your Students From Getting Bored With Repetition.
By: Yoshi Kundagawa | 19/07/2007 | Sports and Fitness
I've known Helen for years and she's been in charge of a Kuk Sool Won class for the past two. Helen's great, she's tough, she's smart, and her school turns out responsible martial artists that can throw one of heck of a punch. I was in the area...

Do You Know What To Look For In A Network Marketing Business Opportunity?
By: Yoshi Kundagawa | 19/07/2007 | Business
I've been my own boss for years now and let me tell you, I have never looked back. It was pretty scary at the beginning and getting myself set up independently in marketing was pretty tough, but today, you have a lot of resources at your disposal. If...

What Can You Learn From Watching Kickboxing Dvds?
By: Yoshi Kundagawa | 11/07/2007 | Sports and Fitness
Kickboxing refers to the martial art of using kicks, punches and throws; this art can be practiced as a sport or for fitness purposes. Kickboxing entails a set of rules and guides following which you can participate in a kickboxing competition. There are different forms of kickboxing including American kickboxing,...

There Is No Clear Path To Network Marketing Success. Or Is There?
By: Yoshi Kundagawa | 11/07/2007 | Marketing
Network Marketing is a relatively recent marketing concept which has the end purpose of increasing profits and returns. Network Marketing is also addressed by the term Multi-level Marketing (or MLM); this idea initiates its marketing campaign by identifying people who would be interested in the business and would like to...

How To Find Help Starting Your Work From Home Business, Without Spending Your Start-up Capital.
By: Yoshi Kundagawa | 03/07/2007 | Home Business
Whenever you start something new, you're usually scared out of your pants, and I was no exception. Oh sure, I'm a self-assured, totally confident freelancer now, but when I got started working for myself, I was sweating bullets. There's no one to catch you if you fall, and there's no...

Using The Internet At Home Is Becoming One Of The Best Ways To Earn An Extra Income.
By: Yoshi Kundagawa | 27/06/2007 | Business
Everyone could use some extra cash these days. Have you ever thought about ways to make money at home online? We're not talking garage sale or lemonade stand here. There are definitely some tried and true ways to make money at home online. This is ideal...

Five Tips To Help You Be More Successful On The Phone When Speaking To An MLM Lead.
By: Yoshi Kundagawa | 27/06/2007 | Marketing
Alright, you're so anxious about this MLM lead that your heart is pounding out of your chest and you're gnawing on your pen cap like a dog on a bone. The big sale, this is one you don't want to lose. However, when the phone stops ringing and you hear...

Article Categories






Give Feedback

Sign up for our email newsletter

Receive updates, enter your email below