Overview

Walter Wong and Cat Bui doing a White Crane matching set

Shaolin White Crane: The root of Okinawan Karate
YMAA Boston – Boston, MA – July 19th and 20th, 2008

White Crane is one of the most famous martial styles developed in China, and from it hundreds of other styles have been derived, including Okinawan Karate and other Japanese martial arts. It is a soft-hard Southern style specializing in hand techniques and short-range fighting. White Crane is a very comprehensive martial arts system, including training in Hard and Soft Qigong as well as martial power (Jin). White Crane depends heavily on both mental and physical training. It is effective in strengthening the spine and torso, which can offer improved health and longevity. One of the most basic White Crane sequences, Qi Xing, will be taught in this seminar.

Seminar/Workshop Program

The focus of this seminar will be on White Crane fundamentals. As with any martial art, properly learning the fundamentals will determine the rest of your practice. It is important to build good habits early on in the training process instead of trying to break bad ones later on. Be sure to practice regularly. Topics reviewed will include:

1. Stances
   Building proper leg strength, form, and body structure are absolutely essential to any martial style. White Crane is a Southern style and has particular characteristics that should be properly trained to build a correct foundation.
2. Footwork
   While stances are for stationary training, footwork involves moving from stance to stance, comfortably and smoothly. It is important for adjusting distance to and from an opponent and will be a crucial element of sparring in the future.
3. Fundamental blocking
   There are 4 major corners for blocking. The 4 associated blocks will be taught: covering, repelling, elbow neutralizing, and low clear.
4. Selected hand strikes and kicks
   Because White Crane is a Southern style, its power is generated from the waist up. These concepts will be reviewed during the seminar. Hand forms will include punching, open hand strikes, and Jin. Kicks are, in general, mostly low kicks targeting the knee, shin, and groin areas.
5. Jin patterns
   Jin is the manifestation of power. It is common in many martial arts styles, including Taijiquan. White Crane is a soft-hard style. Developing a proper feeling for the movements is the only way to achieve a deep, powerful, and effective level of Jin.
6. 2-Person Drills
   It is always beneficial to train with a partner. Drills covered will include reaction training and 4-corners practice, with and without footwork. Fighting-forms, drills targeting movement of the body in coordination with blocks and strikes, will also be reviewed. If time permits, the basics to the matching set Shangxiazhi (Upper-Lower Limbs) will be taught.
7. Qi Xing
   Qi Xing (Seven Star) is one of the first sequences taught in the White Crane curriculum at YMAA. It emphasizes building a proper feel for the footwork, body movement, and Jin manifestation.

Throughout the seminar, White Crane theory and proper ways of practice will be emphasized.

Who's Teaching?

YMAA instructors Nicholas Yang, George Dominguez, Aaron Damus and Ben Warner have all studied White Crane with Dr. Yang for over 10 years and will be leading the seminar exercises.

Who Should Attend?

Everybody is welcome to attend this White Crane seminar. Previous martial arts experience is a plus, but not required. Attendance is limited, so register soon. This seminar will benefit:

• Martial artists interested in learning White Crane, one of the most popular Southern styles
• All who wish to augment their marital arts training with elements of White Crane practice, which specializes in short-range fighting
• All students who would like to refine their techniques and develop a deeper understanding of White Crane power and theory

What Should I Bring?

There are no special requirements for this seminar. We recommend wearing loose practice clothing (T-shirt and pants) and a pair of indoor shoes unless you prefer training barefoot. Street shoes are not permitted on the training floor.

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