When Less is More

I was recently asked how one is supposed to excel in Hung Gar given that there are so many forms out there? Furthermore, if one is to specialise in say only some of those forms, then which one’s are best to focus on?

The answer to this depends on what the teacher and student intend to get out of their training. Forms are ultimately, a collection of techniques unified by an established sequence and infused with principles.

If the purpose of learning kung fu is just to fight, then forms practice would not be a key focus of your training*. Certainly, you could break down techniques and ideas in those forms for the purpose of training to fight, but then why learn the forms in the first place, why not just learn paired drills instead?

Indeed, beyond a hundred or so years ago, forms training was rare. Forms are a relatively modern phenomena that have evolved over the last few generations. I believe that the reason the Hung Gar style has so many forms is partly because of it’s popularity, and in particular, the vast number of people that the art has passed down through over recent generations; naturally with each generation of teachers; new forms are added. Choy Lei Fut is another good example of this phenomena where there are a countless number of forms.

Back to the question of how one is suppose to excel in all of Hung Gar’s forms, the simple answer is that one is not. The key is to identify those forms which match your training goals. While there is definitely an over-lap between forms, it is fair to say that each has it’s specialty. In the Hung Gar that I am familiar with we begin with, two basic Four Directional forms (Sei Mun Kuen and Lau Gar Kuen). Next is Wu Deep Jeung, Fu Hok Sheung Ying Kuen, Tiet Sin Kuen and Sup Saam Cheung Gwun. That’s six forms in total which are spread out over the course of between 8-10 years depending on the student’s commitment. The selection of forms that we study is also a function of the other lead style we train, Hap Gar Kuen. I have no doubt that if we only trained Hung Gar, then our Sifu would have taught us more forms from this style, however, as our system aims to develop both styles concurrently, having too many forms in any one style would upset the balance that our Sifu sets out to achieve.

Forms training is an interesting and rewarding way to teach and learn Chinese martial arts. It provides a medium to communicate techniques and principles in a pre-defined, codified manner that then enables students to take-away drill and study in-depth.

There are people who ‘collect forms’, training them ‘superficially’ where little thought is given to what the techniques mean and the ideas contained within the set. I don’t begrudge people who do this as there are many who see forms as exercise or enjoyable past time. I do hope however that these people understand that they are only training the ‘skin and bones’ of the form, and that without a deeper understanding, should not teach those forms under the guise of martial arts; lest the end result will be nothing short of a performance dance routine and a watered down martial art.

* The exception to this would be forms that seek to develop the internal energies required for efficient fighting. For example the Hung Gar form- Tiet Sin Kuen or Wuzuquan - Saam Jin Kuen form.