No comments about Hung Gar Kung Fu - Power Training & Stances - Tape #1.

2 comments about Hung Gar Kung Fu Vol 01 [VHS].

1. BUCKSAM KONG WAS A STUDENT OF SIFU LUM JO, ONE OF THE BEST HUNG GAR EXPERTS. THE TIGER CRANE SET IS THE MOST VALUABLE SET IN THE HUNG GAR STYLE.THIS STYLE IS WELL KNOWN FOR ITS SOLID STANCES AND POWERFUL PUNCHES.ITS FORM IS AS BEAUTIFUL TO WATCH AS SUPERBLY EFFECTIVE. I HAVE PRACTICE THIS SET FOR ABOUT 2 YEARS AND YOU CAN'T IMAGINE HOW STRONG AND FAST YOU CAN BE. IT IS BELIEVED THAT THIS SET WAS CREATED BY HUNG HEE GUNG DURING THE ERA OF THE CHING DYNASTY



2. Sifu Bucksom Kong needs no introduction, and he and Wing Lam are probably the two most famous Hung Gar instructors in the U.S. There is no-one better qualified to present Hung Gar than these two sifus, and I have videos by both masters. In this tape, master Kong goes through the basics of some of the five animals movements--the snake, tiger, crane, dragon, and monkey--showing the movements clearly and precisely, along with their applications. My only complaint is that the pacing is sometimes a little slow, but that's okay, as it's probably just right for beginners since I've been doing martial arts myself for many years.

   The Hung Gar style is perhaps not as fast as some styles because of the low stances, but makes up for that in its powerful and strong techniques, postures, footwork, and stances. The Tiger/Crane set, which Sifu Kong presents in another video, although 150 moves long, really isn't that difficult and can be learned by most martial arts students. It is primarily hand techniques and there are no high or fancy kicks, so it can be practiced by older martial artists without a problem. Most high kicks in kung-fu forms are only for training and conditioning purposes, anyway, as the kicks would be delivered low in an actual fight. If someone were just to master the Tiger/Crane set and some of its many applications, they'd still be formidable.

   A brief note about Hung Gar--out of the 300 or more extant styles of kung fu, many authorities consider the Hung Gar style to be the closest to the original Shaolin Temple boxing. The 150 move Tiger/Crane of Hung Gar is one of the great martial arts kung fu forms, and I think even karate guys should learn it if for no other reason than its historical importance (I teach a couple of black tiger forms to my karate students just for variety, myself). In fact, if you took that form and a few other top karate forms, such as the 108-move Goju-ryu Suparinpei form, the 65-movement Kwanku Dai form from Shotokan, and maybe Gae Baek from Chang Do Kwan taekwondo, or something similar, you could put together quite a style just with that. I might include another notable kung-fu form or two also--such as a Shantung black tiger form or a Mayflower Mantis form, as well as some Jurus and Lankhas from Pentjak-Silat. That would be quite an effective, if not eclectic and interesting style, pulling the best from a number of systems.

   Well, I didn't mean to ramble on, just a few thoughts from an old martial artist who's been around the block in a number of styles. But getting back to the present video, this is an excellent tape by a top master which provides a good introduction to this important kung-fu style.

1 comments about Hung Gar Kung Fu Vol 02 [VHS].

1. Please note that this review is on volume 1 in this set.
   
   Sifu Bucksom Kong needs no introduction, and he and Wing Lam are probably the two most famous Hung Gar instructors in the U.S. There is no-one better qualified to present Hung Gar than these two sifus, and I have videos by both masters. In this tape, master Kong goes through the basics of some of the five animals movements--the snake, tiger, crane, dragon, and monkey--showing the movements clearly and precisely, along with their applications. My only complaint is that the pacing is sometimes a little slow, but that's okay, as it's probably just right for beginners since I've been doing martial arts myself for many years.
   
   The Hung Gar style is perhaps not as fast as some styles because of the low stances, but makes up for that in its powerful and strong techniques, postures, footwork, and stances. The Tiger/Crane set, which Sifu Kong presents in another video, although 150 moves long, really isn't that difficult and can be learned by most martial arts students. It is primarily hand techniques and there are no high or fancy kicks, so it can be practiced by older martial artists without a problem. Most high kicks in kung-fu forms are only for training and conditioning purposes, anyway, as the kicks would be delivered low in an actual fight. If someone were just to master the Tiger/Crane set and some of its many applications, they'd still be formidable.
   
   A brief note about Hung Gar--out of the 300 or more extant styles of kung fu, many authorities consider the Hung Gar style to be the closest to the original Shaolin Temple boxing. The 150 move Tiger/Crane of Hung Gar is one of the great martial arts kung fu forms, and I think even karate guys should learn it if for no other reason than its historical importance (I teach a couple of black tiger forms to my karate students just for variety, myself). In fact, if you took that form and a few other top karate forms, such as the 108-move Goju-ryu Suparinpei form, the 65-movement Kwanku Dai form from Shotokan, and maybe Gae Baek from Chang Do Kwan taekwondo, or something similar, you could put together quite a style just with that. I might include another notable kung-fu form or two also--such as a Shantung black tiger form or a Mayflower Mantis form, as well as some Jurus and Lankhas from Pentjak-Silat. That would be quite an effective, if not eclectic and interesting style, pulling the best from a number of systems.
   
   Well, I didn't mean to ramble on, just a few thoughts from an old martial artist who's been around the block in a number of styles. But getting back to the present video, this is an excellent tape by a top master which provides a good introduction to this important kung-fu style.

2 comments about Hung Gar Kung Fu by Bucksam Kong Volume 3.

1. The content on this DVD is good. The problem is the DVD itself. No chapters. Looked like it was burned just in time to ship. Spotty quality. Didn't play on my PC. Played fairly well, but far from perfect, on my DVD player. Overall, a real disappointment.



2. I loved the content, or what I could see of it on this DVD, the problem is I could only get halfway through the DVD, I did and exchange and the replacement was worse than the first one I received, It really had good content, if it's ever re-released, or Amazon finds some good discs I will re-order it

No comments about Hung Gar Kung Fu, Vol. 2.

No comments about Hung Gar Kung Fu, Vol. 1.

1 comments about Hung Gar Kung Fu by Bucksam Kong Volume 2.

1. This the sequel to Hung Gar kung Fu volume 1. In order to continue your Beginner's lesson. This volume 2 teaches you about a few blocks and evasion, kicking etc. Only if you cannot find a Hung Gar school at your neighborhood,it should be a good investment to your video library.
   Although it is DVD format,it more likely a VHS conversion.There no Menu to begin with nor selection mode chose from. The usual stuffs that come with those DVD you bought.

No comments about Hung Gar Kung Fu by Bucksam Kong Volume 4.

1 comments about Hung Gar Kung Fu by Bucksam Kong Volume 5.

1. "Chinese boxing is full of paradoxes and contrasts: short and long hand, soft and hard hand, straight and circling hand." Bucksham book explains and illustrates the different methods of Hung Gar Kung fu. Hung Gar Kung Fu looks like a hard style but many consider it to be an internal power style. Conditioning exercises help cultivate internal strength. A small and agile Hung har fighter can be a formible opponent. "It is the correct usage of Gin that gives its user the appearance of extraordinary power. Gin is generated from within the lower abdominal region and flows through the torso, arms and hands, then manifests itself in the fingertips. The boxer appears soft, yet his blocks and strikes are filled with great strength." "Whenever one blocks or strikes, his force, or Gin, should be released instinctively from the lower abdominal region. This spontenous reaction is developed through Tan Tein training and is very significant." What does Tan Tien breathing mean? "It means that one sees and feels a distinct movement of the lower diaphragmatic muscles rather than those of the upper chest. Tan Tien breathing exercises the internal organs within the abdominal region." "Tan Tien breathing has a great effect on the body and spirit, allowing the practitioner to gain a certain amount of control over his emotions and mind". "While inhaling through the nostrils, picture the air circulating to the back of your head, down to the spine and submerging in your Tan Tien before flowing up through the front part of your body and out of the mouth."
   
   Lines and Circles: Circular movement is favored; the circular movements are in harmony with the smooth flow of chi; Tiger and Crane school blend both the linear and circular movements; a skilled boxer is able to circle his hands freely and continuously in all directions; once a student masters the circle motion technique, he will be able to advert any attack;
   
   Soft and Hard: "Meeting your opponent's force with force means hard against hard. Soft against hard, on the hand, means giving way to your opponent's force, then taking advantage of his momentum. If your opponent attacks your head with a right hand roundhouse, rathar than blocking his blow, lean back, simultaneously using your lef hand to push your opponent's right hand downward, causing him to lose his balance. Then step forward with your left foot and counter with an open hand palm strike to your opponent's head".
   
   Building a foundation: Bow and arrow stance, cat stance, scissors stance, hanging horse stance, and horse riding stance.
   
   Basic exercises 1: Horse stance, left and right corkscrew punches.
   
   BE2: Horse stance, L outward block, pivot to a Left cover, R punch; reverse pattern.
   
   BE3: Horse stance, L outward block, pivot to a Left cover, R palm strike; reverse pattern.
   
   BE4: Horse stance, R downward knuckle to the left, pivot into a L cover, R punch
   
   BE5: Horse stance, R downward knuckle to the left, pivot into a L cover, R punch, L chop palm down.
   
   BE6: horse stance, R knife hand block to the left, pivot to a l cover, L chinese fist to the eyes; R cat stance, R chinese to the groin.
   
   BE7: R cover, L downward knuckle block, R circular punch down, R outward block while step 90 degrees to the right, L upper cut, L down block, L outward block, R punch while pivoting to the left into a L cover.
   
   BE8: Tigers tail
   
   BE9: (R punch) R 45, R inward block, L grab to the opponents R punch, step to the left, R side to the groin and without planting down, R side thrust away.
   
   Circular blocking method: From a horse stance. Raise your left hand, simultaneously dropping yur right hand with the right palm facing toward you. Keep your fingers open through out the block. Push your left hand toward the right shoulder and circle your right hand upward, the right palm facing towards you. Execute a semi circle with the right hand. R out and the L guards the solar plexus.
   
   Blocking: Strike without blocking, block once then attack, and block twice then attack.
   
   Tiger techniques: Double tiger claw attack to center line, evade and claw attack, tigers claw to the Jaw (Tai chi left brush knee), crane opens his wings (Tai chi movement), reincarnaton of hungry crane, pecking attack, cranes beak retracts then strikes, open wing and leopards attack, strike of the lunging leopard, dragons claw and back fist, dragon's mouth strikes out, and snake searches perls.

1 comments about Hung Gar Kung Fu by Bucksam Kong Volume 1.

1. For beginners of Hung Gar Kung Fu it should be a good Video to starts with when you can not find a Hung Gar school near by. I have bought all the 5 Volumes as references.