"A good defense is a strong offense. Be aggressive in attacking, whether it is a feint or a direct attack. Keep in mind that a good fighter defeats his opponent in three to five moves. If this condition is not met, then your opponents abilities are either equal to or better than yours. Whenever possible, counterattack at angles by sidestepping toward the opponents weak side. The three components of combat are 1.) Speed 2.) Guts 3.) Techniques. All three components go hand and hand. One component cannot survive without the others... Attack like the waves of the ocean crashing against the beach."

-Wong Jack Man (Northern Shaolin Master)

The history of Northern Shaolin Kung Fu stretches back to the year 495AD, when the Shaolin Buddhist monastery was built in Honan province in Northern China. The temple was built, under the order of Su Wen, in adoration of the Buddhist master Badra. In order to defend the temple from attackers and thieves, the monks developed martial arts which combined combat techniques with the theories and practices of Buddhist meditation.

Today a general distinction of the kung fu styles in China is between "northern" and "southern" styles. This is not only a distinction of geography but also of the techniques and methods themselves. The southern styles of kung fu are characterized as having short fast hand strikes and low kicks. The southern styles are often referred to as "short fist" styles. Two examples of southern kung fu are "Wing Chun" and "Hung Gar". The northern styles of kung fu emphasize extension in striking, with deep stances and dynamic kicking methods. The northern styles develop flexibility, strength, coordination, balance and agility. The theory of northern style is that power is developed through the rigorous training of the extended postures which one can condense into shorter strikes when actually fighting. The training also instills a great amount of versatility in movement and technique.

"Shaolin martial arts are as steady as a nail; cocked like a bow while turning like a leaf. Heavy as iron yet moving like a wave. As quiet as a mountain."

-Chen Hsien Mon (Northern Shaolin Master)

At the EBM Academy, we teach the traditional Northern style of Shaolin (Sil Lum). This system is the largest of the lineages taught at EBM and is taught in a very systematic fashion. Tan Tui ("spring leg") is the system of basic forms which is the foundation of Northern Shaolin. Tan Tui consists of twelve linear forms which are done in repetition as solo practice, and then twenty four fighting forms which are done with a partner. Tan Tui provides an excellent foundation for the martial arts. Tan Tui develops strength, flexibility, proper body mechanics, cardiovascular endurance and hard bones.

Northern Shaolin Tan Tui 12 Row Series ( more information )

• Coherent Step
• Cross Kick
• Slash & Squash
• Uphold Fork
• Uphold & Shoot
• Double Unrolling
• Single Unrolling
• Stamp & Tread
• Lock & Stick
• Flying Kick
• Hook & Hang
• Advance Step & Cross

The heart of the Northern Shaolin system consists of the ten classic long forms of Shaolin. Presently these ten forms are the most commonly practiced forms in China because they are believed to contain all of the original techniques of Shaolin. These forms are not the performance oriented wu shu. The forms of Shaolin are aggressive fighting forms. Each move exhibits both attack and defense. The ten forms are very challenging and require a rigorous training regime. The ten sets are:

• Hoi Mun (entering the gate)
• Liang Po (following step)
• Cho Ma (riding horse)
• Ch'un Sum (penetrating heart)
• Mo Ngai (martial practice)
• Tun Ta (close fighting)
• Mui Fa (plum flower)
• Pat Po (eight steps)
• Lien Huan (connecting circles)
• Sik Fat (the method)

Aside from the Tan Tui and the ten core sets, EBM also teaches the following empty handed and two person fighting forms:

• Lim Po (continuous step)
• Sui Wan (small circles)
• Bang Po (seven star praying mantis)
• Lok Hop (six harmonies)
• Northern Shaolin Lohan (forms 1-4)
• Lohan two person fighting form
• Iron Lohan
• Ch'a Ch'uan
• Five Animal forms of Shaolin
  • dragon
  • tiger
  • crane
  • snake
  • leopard
• Traditional ten row Tan Tui

Weapons training is an essential part of the Northern Shaolin training. Weapons are used to develop strength, maneuverability, and energy extension. The basic five weapon sets which are taught at EBM as part of the Kung Fu curriculum are the following:

• Tei Lung Kwan (earth demon staff)
• Tei Lung Kwan (two person staff fighting form)
• T'ai Lan (rising block spear)
• Lung Fon Kim (dragon phoenix double-edge sword)
• Pa Kua Do (eight trigrams sabre)

Though there are a great number of forms in the Northern Shaolin system, at EBM we always teach the forms slowly with attention to detail and understanding. Kung Fu forms are only one aspect of the training, one must also practice applications, free fighting, conditioning and ch'i kung to fully understand the art.

"Learning martial arts is like tempering a sword, it must be heated and sharpened again and again in order to make it a powerful weapon."

--Wan Li Sheng (Northern Shaolin, Tzu Jan Master)