LONGFIST KUNG FU

Chang Quan or 'longfist' style Chinese boxing is the general term for various schools of Chinese extended boxing styles.

Some of these include Cha, Hua, Pao, and Hong.

The basics in hand skills, footwork, maneuvering skills, posture, balance, jumping and leaping, are standardized and choreographed in accordance with Changquan principles.

Different training routines vary in difficulty, depending on skill levels of the practitioner.

Long-fist is characterized by extended and graceful postures combined with speed and agility.

Long-style boxers fight to the extreme of their arms' length.

The routines have a rhythm that adds poise and intent.

Modern Changquan is particularly popular in forms competition.

The addition of acrobatic elements such as free-cartwheels, whirlwind kicks, butterfly leap etc, has made the style difficult to perform, but amongst the most impressive to watch.

In actual combat, long fist uses every part of the body to deliver a multitude of different blocks and attacks.

Emphasis is not placed on a particular technique or method.

Many other styles of kung-fu were developed using long fist as a base.

Long fist is like a mother to northern Chinese martial arts: all of her children carry characteristics inherited from the mother, yet each has its own personality, interests, and abilities.

Each picked a certain area or perhaps several techniques from long fist and developed them fully, in many cases pushing them to a high level.

Long fist is known for its proud and courageous spirit which clearly can be seen in its forms.

the postures are dramatic and expansive; the movements are complex and elegant.

When performed by a high-level practitioner, an additional depth and power shine through.

Long fist's well rounded training makes it an excellent choice to start out one's kung fu training.

It gives a solid, basic foundation in kung fu—the building blocks necessary for the highest martial art levels.