Hi all,
As a CLF student I have head about the various brances of Choy Li/Lay/Lee Fut. What are the main differences between Hung Sing, Bak Sing, and Chan styles in CLF? Perhaps all of you excellent sifus of CLF can answer this question accurately? I have heard that Chan emphasizes internal forms. What does this mean? Thanks!
The Chan family branch doesn’t specially emphasize the internal forms, but they’re there. The internal sets are part of Lohan qigong system derived from Shaolin and integrated into CLF.
I don’t know anything about the other branches so I won’t comment on them or the differences.
Bak Hsing is relentless and aggressive. The fight is always taken to the opponent. We drive forward constantly with a flurry of strikes that generally nullifies kicks and lends the upper hand as your opponent tends to become overwhelmed and turns their back - bingo.
nospam.
The small amount of Hung Sing I studied was also relentless and agressive, so I think that would be a similarity rather than a difference. From what I have been told, Bak Sing has more of a northern influence, and more emphasis on kicking than its Hung Sing brother. Yes? No?
branches of CLF
I did some reading on CLF history and basically it splits into the two main branches of Chan style and Hung Sing (from Jeong Yim I think). Some forms are unique to each like Hung Sing Long Fist from Hung Sing branch, etc.
Bak Hsing does not prescribe to the use of 20+ forms. This is one distinct difference. Although it is my opinion that this difference has lessened in today’s MA business world.
I have heard and read that many practitioners tried or studied Bak Hsing because of the emphasis on actual fighting.
nospam.
Hung Sing Long Fist
Cool
I am learning the Hung Sing long fist form in CLF right now. Its challenging and quite a workout as well as excellent form for self defense and training. It stretches the shoulders, arms quite well to get the qi flowing.