PHANTOM KUNG-FU

PHANTOM KUNG-FU

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This rare Kung-fu style is known as the “Grand Ultimate Martial Art” and is the self-defense system of Tai-chi-Chuan. It uses the other person’s force against them and includes punching, kicking, grappling, ground-fighting and joint locks. You flow around the opponent’s force rather than meeting it head-on, as you deliver your own powerful internal energy strikes.

PHANTOM KUNG-FU includes techniques from snake, mantis, monkey, tiger, crane and “drunken” training. It is unorthodox, unexpected, unrelenting, powerful and evasive. This system is not only very effective in the street but also fun to practice. There is no “macho” attitude in the class. It is a serious study, based on proper body mechanics and the development and use of internal energy (“chi”). Your body twists and turns, as it moves like various animals.

You learn to “see” inside the opponent, knowing his intentions before they come out in physical techniques. You creatively adapt your fighting style to each opponent’s strengths and weaknesses. Phantom Kung-fu is at least as much about awareness and ability to respond instantly as it is about physical techniques.

There are two main systems of Kung-fu. The first is Shaolin, which is considered to be more based on “external energy” or muscle power. Phantom Kung-fu and Tai-chi-Chuan are based on “internal energy” which is not limited by your physical strength. Anyone can learn it.

The classes are carefully individualized for each person’s level of ability. You progress in a step-by-step manner. The class attitude is positive and supportive.

THE POWER OF EMPTINESS

Emptiness (“yin”) is considered to be a very powerful force in Phantom Kung-fu. You must concentrate as much on the spaces between the opponent’s body parts as on the parts themselves. Since you do not oppose the other person’s force, your power does not come from being able to knock his strike out of the way. Instead, your power depends on being able to move into the empty spaces. If you are the master of the spaces, then you control the fight.

When a strike lands on you, you do not resist the force but relax all the muscles, in sequence, from the point of impact, to the feet. In this way, the force is led into the ground and does not harm you. You are trained to do this in a fraction of a second. His force will also add to your coiling force so that when you return the strike, you add his force to yours.