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Northern Shaolin |
This system stresses a balance of large, fast-flowing hand strikes and kicks. Practitioners control their bodies so that they stay relaxed and fluid as they move yet are able to deliver powerful blows by coordinating and focusing their movements. Northern Shaolin's earliest roots are generally associated with Tamo, the Indian Bodhidarma master, who came to China in the 6th century A.D. and taught healthful exercise as well as Buddhist theory. The Shaolin martial arts have evolved into many styles since the 6th century. The Northern Shaolin style is one of the oldest complete systems of kung fu.
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| Ku Ju-chang | Demonstrating C'hi Kung skill | |
 Lung Tze-hsiang |
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 Lai Hung |
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The forms taught include:
- Empty hand sets 1-10
- Sparring moves
- Plum blossom saber moves
- Plum blossom double saber moves
- Plum blossom spear moves
- Three-section staff moves
- Nine-jointed whip moves
- Dragon sword moves
- Various combinations of weapons in two-person sparring forms
Master Lai Hung is co-author of a book on this style entitled The Secrets of Northern Shaolin Kung-Fu.