Styles
Long Fist
There is a famous saying in China, "Nanjing dao Beijing tantui chuzhai jiaomenzhong" ("From Nanjing to Beijing, tantui is known throughout religious circles"). Tan tui is one of the most widely practice sets in wushu circles. It is most common to the long fist system. Many styles of long fist have adapted this set as an introductory level form. The set originally came from jiao men changquan, or Islamic Sect Long Fist. It is usually taught in 10 or 12 lines or roads, depending on what lineage it is from. Each line are a mixture of various strikes and postures that are done on both left and right sides. Stances are exagerated in order to develop leg strength and flexibility. In Oslo Wu-Tan, long fist is taught as a minor style to help introduce basic kung fu principles to those who are new to Chinese martial arts.
Praying Mantis
Tanglangquan, or praying mantis boxing, is charecterized by the ferocious hands of the praying mantis combined with the light nimble step of the monkey. The style was developed in Shandong Province, China. Shandong is known throughout China as being a academic and cultural province. Many famous people came from Shandong, such as Lao Tzu and Confucious. The province is also known to be a very dangerous place filled with bandits. That is why the martial arts of Shandong is considered to be very effective and intelligent.Praying mantis boxing can trace it's origins back to a man named Wang Lang, of Shandong province. Wang had trained in martial arts and was schooled in shaolin boxing. While in Laoshan mountain, Wang witnessed a fight between a praying mantis and cicada. At first, Wang believed that the cicada would defeat the mantis since it was much smaller; much to Wang's surprise, he was wrong. With one quick and precise attack, the mantis defeated the cicada. Inspired by the fight, Wang captured the mantis and began observing it's movements.
Wang combined 17 of the best techniques from General Qi Ji-Guang's military manual and combined it with the hand techniques of the mantis. Along with this, Wang included the footwork of the monkey to his system. This new system would be called tanglangquan, praying mantis boxing.
Originally there were no distinction between styles in the tanglang system.
Generations after Wang, his decendants would develop new sub-styles of tanglangquan.
Among the most well known systems of mantis are mei hua (plum blossom), qixing (seven star),
liu he (six harmony), babu (8 step), bi men (secret door), and chang chuan (long fist).
Taijiquan
Taijiquan (also spelled tai chi chuan), or grand ultimate fist, is considered one of the three major internal styles of wushu. Chen style taijiquan is the oldest version of taijiquan. The other major styles of taijiquan such as Yang, Wu, Sun, and Hao styles are derived from Chen taiji. Unlike the health oriented trend of other taijiquan styles, Chen taijiquan maintains it's original practice of combat usages.The origin's of taijiquan can be traced back to Chen Jia Gou, Chen family village. A general by the name of Chen Wang-Ting had just retired from military service under the Ming dynasty an returned home to Chen Jia Gou. It was reputed that Chen was an expert in Hongquan (Shaolin Red Fist) and his family style of Paocui (Cannon Fist). In his mature age, he gathered all he knew of martial arts and began devising a new style. Chen would combine his knowledge of his previous styles with new elements such as the Yin and Yang theories of opposite to create taijiquan.
Chen taijiquan as it was taught originally contained many difficult moves, even for the most accomplished martial artists. Several generations later, Chen Chang-Xin eliminated the more difficult movements and condensed the system into two forms, the lao jia, which contains 72 postures, and paocui.
In Oslo Wu-Tan, three levels of Chen taijiquan are taught. The first level is the 36 movement short form. This form was created by Adam Hsu to introduce beginners to the essence of Chen taijiquan. It's movements were borrowed from the lao jia. The form also introduces the practioners to low postures which helps in training the legs and sinking one's qi. The second stage is lao jia. The form contains 72 postures. The emphasis of lao jia is to develop internal energy and chan ssu jing, silk realing (spiraling) power, the trademark of Chen taijiquan. Although the form is played slow, there are moments where one issues fa jing (explosive energy). The final level is called paocui, or cannon fist. Unlike the previous two forms, the form is played fast with an emphasis on fa jing. At this level, one develops speed and power necessary for combat.