The usual teaching order of NSL sets is:
The Southern Shaolin Schools that I have been exposed to, tend to have external based systems, with strikes and blocks using muscle tension. Likewise their Chi Kung methods are based primarily for toning msucles and building muscle bulk. An exception to hthis is Iron Thread, but even within it's hosting system of Hung Gar, it is given out sparringly to very few, with very little training. Since the southern schools, tend to be closer to ports, they are more affected by western assimilation. Since they are likewise in larger population areas, they are more geared to group training, and regimented, either public civilian, or military. Most southern schools are primarily Cantonese based The Northern Shaolin Schools, tend to be more individualized, with smaller units, and tend to be by invitation only. The military influence is more covert. Northern schools tend to have more internal strikes and blows, as well as Chi Kung. Northern schools tend to be more Mandarin based. Since many northern schools are remoteley based, there is more of a tendancy to bye monastic and meditative based. My peresonal experience with Northern Shaolin, is that it has more of a practical Buddhist influence. |