Adult Five Ancestors Kung Fu classes are currently offered by private appointment only.
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The term Kung Fu, which literally means “achieved skill through time and effort”, is a fairly recent and generic term used to refer to all styles of Chinese Martial Arts. More traditionally called Kok Su̍t in Chinese (Min Nan), the hundreds of different fighting systems that developed in China are thousands of years old, and are believed to have directly influenced the development of other martial arts styles throughout Asia. The word kung fu more accurately refers to a region of fighting arts rather than specific characteristics or principals, since different styles of Chinese martial arts styles are vast and have many different focuses, strengths, and weaknesses.
At Kong Han we practice and teach a system called Five Ancestors, or Ngo Cho Kun. Though primarily a striking style, Ngo Cho Kun is what is often described as a “complete” martial arts system, meaning it includes a full arsenal of hand and arm strikes, kicks, elbows, knees, throws, sweeps, takedowns, joint-locking, stand up grappling, and clinch fighting. Our training adheres to a vigorous tradition of conditioning that includes functional and specialized strength training, conditioning of the bones and body to withstand blows, as well as pad and bag work to develop the full body power that Ngo Cho Kun is known for.
The basic foundation of our program, and the start of our training progression, is built by practicing a series of dynamic and static drills, and prearranged sets of techniques, sometimes called forms, that teach the core principles of the system. Ngo Cho Kun relies on two different types of drills or prearranged sets: tension sets and fighting sets. Tension sets (chiàn lō͘) introduce proper breathing methods and utilizes isometric tension paired with relaxation to build external strength and internal energy, and fighting Sets (kûnthò) which serve to develop basic body mechanics, power generation, stamina, speed, and intent. Ngo Cho forms are relatively short in length compared to other styles, and contain fewer and often more simplified techniques. This lets students focus on realistic usage and fighting application rather than exhausting training efforts of memorizing lengthy routines and complicated movements.
After being introduced to the style's tension and fighting sets, proper usage is developed by progressing to sparring sets (tùiliān). These are cooperative partner drills that help students develop the personal use of range, sensitivity, reaction time, and physical conditioning. Finally, free sparring is introduced, which consists of unscripted dynamic drills against one or multiple resisting and reacting opponents. Additional progression includes traditional Chinese weapon training (khì-hâi) which helps build specialized strength and power, full-body power generation, and force through proper alignment. Kong Han includes a complete curriculum of weapons which are trained and used as an extension of one's own body. This teaches students how to adapt to their surroundings and how to use what is available to them for protection. Weapons training follows the same training progression as our open-hand training: prearranged sets, sparring sets, and free sparring.
