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Northern
Chinese Kung Fu - Cha Quan
'Cha
Quan' is one of the
major northern Chinese styles of kung fu. During the Tang dynasty
(618-907) an expedition went on a crusade to the east of China. When
they reached 'Guan Xian' county in today's 'Shandong'
province, a general, named 'Hua Zong Qi' was wounded and had to
stay behind. When he recovered, thanks to the local residents of the
village, he taught the local people 'Jiazi Quan' (Frame Boxing),
to thank them. Because of his high level of kung fu, he had many
followers, too many to handle on his own.That's why he invited one of
his students to help him teach them. The student's name was 'Cha
Yuan Yi', and he was especially proficient in the 'body posture
boxing'.
Together
they became well known kung fu teachers. 'Jiazi Quan' had fully
extended body movements, and was called 'Da Jia Quan' (big
frame boxing). The body posture boxing is compact and fast, and was
called 'Xiao Jia Quan' (small frame boxing).
After
'Cha Yuan Yi' and 'Hua Zong Qi' died, the followers
called the two styles of 'Jiazi Quan' after their masters. The
body posture boxing, passed down by 'Cha Yuan Yi' was called 'Cha
Quan', and the 'Da Jia Quan' was called 'Hua Quan',
after 'Hua Zong Qi'. Later on the two styles were known as one
style. Therefore the style is also often referred to as the 'Cha-Hua'
style.
The
'Cha Quan' kung fu style has 10 routines.During the Qing dynasty the 'Cha
Quan' was divided into three different schools. The 'Zhang'
style of 'Cha Quan', which is fast and compact, the 'Yang'
style of 'Cha Quan', which is very graceful, and the 'Li'
style of 'Cha Quan', which is powerful and continious.
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