The Forms of Hung Ga

Forms are traditional sets of movements used to practice the techniques of kung fu. After Level I students show an adequate understanding of the basic stances, footwork, and hand techniques, they begin learning forms. Our forms have been developed by our kung fu ancestors and have been passed down for generations. We teach both empty hand forms, which contain techniques that can be applied to combat situations, and traditional weapons forms. The following is a brief outline of the forms taught at Yee's Hung Ga:

Gung Ji Fuk Fu Kuen Subduing the Tiger in an "I" Pattern)

This is the first form we teach our Level I students and is designed to train the basic stances and hand techniques of Hung Ga. Along with these basic techniques, Gung Ji Fuk Fu Kuen develops wind and breath control and builds forearm and bridge strength through Kiu Sau training. Since this is also one of our longest forms, we break it into two more digestable halves for our new students.

Fu Hok Seung Ying Kuen (Tiger and Crane Double Form)

Developed by legendary master Wong Fei Hung, Fu Hok Seung Ying Kuen is the most famous form of the Hung Ga style and the core of the entire system. Whereas Gung Ji Fuk Fu Kuen is a basic training form, Fu Hok Seung Ying develops fighting technique and stresses the cultivation of the tiger and the crane forms. The crane develops bin ging (soft power), whereas the tiger develops fighting spirit and fierceness (hard power).

Hang Yuet Darn Do (Moon Flowing Single Broad Sword)

This is the first weapon taught in the Hung style and lays the foundation for the use of all short weapons. The broad sword develops strength, flexibility, evasiveness, and precision. In southern China (the birthplace of Hung Ga), the single-edged broad sword and the long staff are the most popular and most emphasized weapons.

Ng Ying Kuen (Five Animals Fist)

This advanced hand form teaches the techniques of the five animals: the dragon form develops the spirit, the correctness of breath, the use of the waist and the twisting of the stance; the tiger form instills fierceness of spirit, develops clawing techniques, and strengthens the bones and tendons; the crane form teaches grace, control, balance, and trains the sinews; the snake form trains the fingers, promotes chi circulation, control, and teaches strikes to the vital points of the body; the leopard form teaches the chop choy and the use of speed and strength.

Ng Lung Ba Gwa Gwan (Fifth Brother Eight Diagram Pole)

This form was created by a famous spear master of the Sung Dynasty, the fifth brother of the Yang family. After losing a major battle, this General joined a temple and became a monk where he adapted his spear techniques to the staff. Due to its spear influence, techniques in this form are delivered primarily with one end of the pole, thus it is called a single ended pole form. Ng Lung Ba Gwa Gwan lays the foundation for all long weapons in the Hung Ga system.

Ji Mo Seung Do (Mother/Son Twin Swords)

This form is named the 'Mother/Son Twin Swords' because both swords are used as a team, one following the other closely, like mother and son. In other kung fu styles, these swords are called butterfly swords. This form lays the foundation for the use of all double weapons.

Ng Lung Ba Gwa Cheung (Fifth Brother Eight Diagram Spear)

This spear form incorporates many techniques taught in Ng Lung Ba Gwa Gwan, but further developing thrusting and piercing techniques, speed, and flexibility.

Chun Choy Dai Do (Spring Autumn Great Knife)

Otherwise known as the kwan dao, the famous weapon of General Kwan, this long handled weapon concentrates on large strong movements while cutting and thrusting. Practicing this form strengthens the entire body.

Yu Ga Dai Pa (Yu Family Tiger Fork)

The tiger fork is a long handled trident originally used to hunt tigers. Practitioners of this weapon become unusually strong and quick, as this weapon is heavy and difficult to maneuver. This form is reserved for advanced practitioners only.

Tiet Sien Kuen (Iron Wire Fist)

Developed by Tiet Kiu Sam, a member of the Guangdung Sup Fu, Tiet Sing Kuen is the most advanced form in Hung Ga. The form trains the body to open and close, and float and sink. Most importantly, this form develops the twelve bridges and the correctness of breath.

Dat Mo Yit Gung Ging (Muscle Changing Classic)

This form was first taught by Dat Mo to the monks of the Shaolin Temple (Dat Mo brought Chan Buddhism to the Shaolin Temple). This form trains the entire body through fourteen Hei Gung and Paida exercises and is only taught to advanced pracitioners.

All of these forms were created by the Yee's family ancestors and developed through the many generations of masters in our lineage.

Read about our family history »