American Hung Gar - South Jersey Martial Arts & Self Defense

American Hung Gar Concepts

There are several concepts and philosophies related to the American Hung Gar martial arts system, including 5 Animals, 5 Elements, and 12 Bridges.


5 ANIMALS

American Hung Gar - South Jersey Martial Arts & Self Defense

The theory of the 5 animals began when Shaolin monks observed animals in the wild and developed martial techniques from those movements.

For American Hung Gar students, the five animals are utilized to teach the "spirit" of various techniques and strategies in an understandable and memorable format.

TIGER: Tigers are aggressive yet cunning. Known for great external strength and agility, tiger training helps develop strength in the bones, joints and tendons, and strengthen the back and spine.

CRANE: The crane is a very patient animal. Its ability to stand on one leg for many hours is testament to its concentration and focus. Its ability to defeat an opponent arises from the dexterity to avoid and/or divert the opponent's blows while striking.

LEOPARD: The leopard is mobile yet powerful, combining speed and agile footwork to overcome its opponents. The leopard's footwork will develop good balance and quick reaction time.

SNAKE: The snake is relaxed and ready. Snakes strike with great speed from a relaxed state using their soft internal power.

DRAGON: The legendary dragon symbolizes grace, beauty and power. The dragon utilizes fluid-like and circular movements. Dragon training will develop internal strength as well as smooth fluid-like movements.


5 ELEMENTS

American Hung Gar - South Jersey Martial Arts & Self Defense

Five Elements Theory is a philosophy used to describe interactions and relationships between things. The five elements — wood, fire, earth, metal, and water — are believed to be the fundamental elements of everything in the universe between which interactions occur.

For American Hung Gar students, the Five Elements Theory is used as a training tool. The elements theory is intertwined into our exercises to help students understand which techniques are designed to counter/overwhelm others.

Interactions Between the Five Elements

Five Elements Theory asserts that the world changes according to the five elements' generating or overcoming relationships. Generating and overcoming are the complementary processes — the yin and yang — of Five Elements Theory.

Generating processes promote development, while overcoming processes control development. By promoting and restraining, systems are harmonized and balance is maintained.

Generating Interactions:

The generating interactions of the five elements are like the conception, gestation, birth, and nurture relationship between a mother and a baby. Such element pairs are deeply attached, and together imply success and luck.

The five generating interactions are fueling, forming, containing, carrying, and feeding:

Overcoming Interactions:

The overcoming interactions of the five elements are like the acts of hostility between two sides in a war. The five overcoming interactions are melting, penetrating, separating, absorbing, and quenching:


12 BRIDGES

American Hung Gar - South Jersey Martial Arts & Self Defense

The 12 Bridges of American Hung Gar is both a basic and advanced concept in this system. Essentially, the bridge concept explains the various types of contact (bridge) between yourself and your opponent(s). More than just moves/techniques, just about every technique could form each of the different bridges.

The 12 Bridges originated from the Fukien Southern (Shaolin) temple. They were derived from the Tid Sin Kuen (Iron Wire or Iron Thread Set of American Hung Gar).

The 12 Bridges of American Hung Gar are:

© American Hung Gar
Serving South Jersey