Lai Tong Pai (Poon Kuen - Encircle Fist Style) Kung Fu is an art dating back to the beginning of the Ching Dynasty in China.
It later moved south from the Sil Lum (Shaolin) Temple in Hunan to the Kwantong Province where it acquired the name of Lai Tong Pai. Lai Tong which we think means "dig a hole or in a
hole" and Pai which means "family." The style being named after the village that did so much for the Sil Lum monk of Poon Kuen. He honored the town by changing the name from Poon
Kuen to Lai Tong Pai. Centuries later, the style was taught to Kong Ki and later by Kong Hoi in Hong Kong where it became available to the public. This art eventually passed on to us by our
Grandmaster Kong Hoi of the Kong Hoi Kung Fu Association - Hong Kong through Sifu Li Chi Keung. For more on Lai Tong Pai history, please refer to the History page.
Lai Tong Pai is an art
concentrating on internal power, as well as, external power, and incorporates the one and three inch punch, along with, long, medium, and short range techniques. It's kicks are consider to be a
northern style kick. Lai Tong Pai has sometimes been compared to Wing Chun, due to its sometimes linear nature, when seen demonstrated. However, to the trained eye, one would see that it is a
much older and broader style incorporating circular footwork along with the linear footwork. It possibly has a connection with the earliest days of Ng Mui and Wing Chun, but we currently cannot
verify that through our historical documents. Maybe one would find that information at the Shaolin temple in Hunan?Lai Tong Pai uses Long Fist as well as Short Fist techniques. What
makes it unique is the fact that it not only uses long fist/long stances and short fist/short stances but that it also uses long fist with short stances and short fist with long stances. Luk Sao
(Sticky Hands) is also included in the style. Below is a brief overview.
- Lai Tong Pai uses various forms to teach students to blend from short to long fist applications or vice versa.
- Unique to Lai Tong Pai, is the fact that it uses long fist techniques with short stances and short fist technique with long stances as well as the traditional fist-stance combinations.
There are 16 empty hand forms being taught in the US.
- Lai Tong Pai holds true to its Sil Lum (Shaolin) traditions by teaching the original weapons of Kung Fu. There are roughly 13 weapon forms taught in the US. The two sectional spear being
its most unique and prestigious. The Mook Jong (wooden man) is also taught. There are eight different Mook Jongs in this style.
- Lai Tong Pai also includes the teaching of Chinese Medicine and Chi Building exercises.
- Lai Tong Pai includes
Lion Dancing as part of its system. This is integrated in the training by using the Lion to mimic the footwork of the style.
- Lai Tong Pai uses many different training aids handed down from the Sil Lum Temple. These include Mook Jong training, 18 Lo Han Sow and other ancient kung training exercises to develop
strength and stamina in the student.
For more on Lai Tong Pai, call us at our Kwoon or email us at sifuanthony@bellsouth.net |
