Chi Lin Fist Way
Chi-Lin Boxing is a traditional martial art, passed down through family members until the late 1970's. Traditionally, one had to study another martial art, such as boxing, fencing, or grappling to what we would recognize as a black belt level before being allowed to study the Chi-Lin fighting sets. As a military art, Chi-Lin includes methods of traditional Chinese boxing (punching kicking blocking), Chin-Na (locking and throwing), and weapons (Sword, Knives, Staves, Spears, Halberds, and Short sticks). In Chi-Lin Chuan, we assume that we are outnumbered, surprised, or forced to defend ourselves under some other type of disadvantage. Weapons are taught, traditionally, at an early stage (usually the broadsword or staff); empty hand self-defense is considered soemthing reserved for emergency situations when a weapon is not available.
Chi Lin boxing has been influenced by both hard linear and soft circular forms of kung-fu; thus it includes both, favoring neither. The Chi Lin exponent prefers to strike the opponent before and after grappling. Unlike Shaolin arts, the Chi Lin exponent does not specialize in the technique of any one particular animal style or even combat range (striking, grappling, weapons), but prefers to remain flexible and as well rounded in practice as possible, responding according to the needs of the situation.
Chi Lin Chuan includes a small number of basic hand and foot techniques, the eight basic body movements, sticking and push hands exercises, five animal fighting sets (dragon, tiger, crane, monkey, and eagle), locks, throws, and weapons training. There are many, many advanced animal forms and weapons sets within the system, these are usually only taught after the black belt level.
Chi Lin remains a family in the extended sense, advanced students are screened by instructors based on personal integrity, diligence and perseverance. The Chi Lin exponent is always gentle and always defends the just. Back to > Kempo / Chi Lin OR Continue to Chi LIn Boxing
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