TAl KIC KUNG FU AND INNER POTENTIALITY

BY SIFU CHENG TIN HUNG

Taoist Mo Don Cheung Sam Fung is a man of culture. He had apprehended the philosophy Yum-Yeung in Yi King and later he developed further internal school of thought with principles applicable to combat situations. This school of Kung Fu is now called Tai Kic Kung Fu School Tai Kic School stresses the search for tranquillity in boisterousness and the cultivation of the Potential from within into an internal trained strength.The reality of this inner Potential exists beyond the appearance of softness. Thus, health, culture and self-defence fuse into, one. This integrity is analogous to, the harmonious coexistence of Yum and Yeung in Yic King. Assume an offensive and a defensive to, be Yum-Yeung which coexist in a circle. Then half the circle is an offensive while the other half is the defensive. The latter semi circle nullifies the former semi circle into a periodic circular pattern which is Yum­Yeung itself. The whole structure is an equillibrium state.

Tai Kic Kung Fu puts forward five stages of training:­

1. Inner Potentiality, 2. Sets of Kung Fu movements, 3. Conditions Reflex Tui Sau, 4. Practical Application of Sarn Sau, 5. Supplementary Equipment Exercises. This way, Tai Kic Kuen is just item 2, a part of the complete Tai Kic System.

Therefore the proper initial measure in learning Tai Kic Kung Fu is to, practice acquiring Inner Potentiality. This cultivates a healthy stamina, permits graceful actions of both arms and legs, allows more freedom of movements like swiftness of the waist, stability of stance and established an equillibrium.

It is after undergoing the above training that one may start practicing Tai Kic Kuen. The movements are all intended for combat purposes and in practicing this series, one must move steadily in a slow and relaxed attitude in order to attain relaxation and reduce nervousness which in turn leads to surety, speed and stability. An old Kung Fu saying is: 'Kung Fu can easily be annulled but speed can never be.' In order to be faster than the quickest offensive, one must practice movements in this relaxed and retarded pace.

Pok Lin Sau i.e. Face-slapping, of Tai Kic Kuen.

Practical application of Pak Lin Sau.

Doe Nin Hull (means "send away") in Tai Kic Kuen.

Doe Nim Hull in practical application.

Sifu Cheng Tin Hung

Tai Kic Kung is a profoundly subtle course of study. It specialises in annulling the strong with flexibility and can produce a body that cannot be injured.

Having undergone the above stage of training one enters a stage in which one is trained to disregard natural response and reflexes by constant practice to attain conditioned-reflex and an alert response. That is to say in combat, after making physical contact, voidness and substantiality can be detected. Thus the direction of force from the opponent, must be noticed and decision to solve it be prompt. The above mentioned conditioned-reflex is to serve this purpose. Tui Sau in Tai Kic School is a definite stage to, attain this skill. This takes two partners to practice Tui Sau and many analytical ideas of force and methods are taught during the exercises.

Following this stage comes the stage of Sarn Sau in which the instructor explains, analyses and stresses the precautions prior to practice. Then each movement from the set of Tai Kic Kuen is practiced from a slow pace to a fast pace with an actual combat speed. These movements are practiced until each becomes a natural action.

Then one may boldly enter the stage of supplementary equipment exercises. The Tai Kic Sabre, Tai Kic Sword and Tai Kic Lance are weapons and may be regarded as just more extension of the arms. After one has undergone the hardship of all these training schedule one may adequately be regarded as a representative of the school of Kung Fu one has followed. Lacking any or part of any stage, the product is just a cripple.

The founder of Tai Kic School of Kung Fu, Cheung Sam Fung said 'No, Matter how ideal Kung Fu techniques are, in combat there are still many chances that the situation is out of hand.' One example is the case of a mass attack. A chinese Kung Fu saying:

Two, arms cannot handle four.' So, the probability of being injured in a mass attack is great. Therefore, stamina is the most important factor in a Kung Fu practitioner. To understand this, the beasts that are known to, have longevity have been closely studied, they are deers, cranes and Tortoises.

Tai Kic Kung Fu centres around two, forms of practices:- The Yum Division dealing with stamina and the Yeung Division dealing with trained strength. Deep breathing is a very important exercise for strengthening the diaphragm, for regulating respiration and circulation, increasing the oxygen content in blood and in general, physiology and metabolism are greatly improved.

Finally, there are three zones in practicing Tai Kic Kung Fu:- The Primary Zone is: 'the internal harmonises with external: Thus respiration and circulation are the Internal while the movements are the external. The Secondary zone is that the Mind and the Body must function in a synchronised way. In other words, the limbs must do, what the mind suggests. The Teritary Zone is the person must function in compliance with Nature.

Lao, Tze said: 'The Heavens, the Land and I exist while all things and I survive.' When one reaches an impersonal zone of life. One's life and Kung Fu must be superb.