Shaolin Kung Fu: 7-star form

Shaolin Kung Fu 7-star form (七星拳: qixing quan)
by monk Yong Zhi
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- combat strategy:

this style teaches turning defense into offense. its main tactics are:

tactic 5 - "turn from guest into host (反客为主)": normal logic is the attacker actively advances and attacks in advantage and the defender passively retreats and defends in disadvantage. reverse these, i.e., while in defensive guard, actively advance, gain advantage, and make defense act as offense.

tactic 6 - "fleeing is the best way out (走为上策)." when it gets hard or risky close to the opponent, dodge, retreat, or even flee back.

tactic 7 - "steal beams and replace pillars (偷梁换柱)": to make defense act as offense, intercept opponent's move by targeting his vulnerable parts. for example, when the opponent attacks with his arm or leg, instead of blocking or avoiding, suppress his move by hitting a sensitive part of his arm or leg, like his biceps or his shin, or another vital part like his stomach, or unbalance him when he kicks by targeting his other, supporting leg. when you've intercepted the opponent, seize the opportunity and do as many hits as you can.

tactic 8 - "befriend far enemies, attack the neighbor (远交近攻)": while in defensive guard, target closer points, because short-range attacks are quicker, safer, and have more chances of success. if the opponent puts part of his body close to you, target it.

these involve short-range cover and counter moves while advancing or retreating.
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- history:

Ming dynasty (1368-1644):
after the Yuan dynasty, some Daoist concepts, like astrological notions, were introduced into Shaolin temple via outsider visitors. one of these was the astrological notion of the 7 stars, that is, another name for the big dipper constellation, which in Chinese martial arts refers to any formation that resembles the shape of the big dipper, like the closed-guard formation of the arms in 'qixing quan' (7-star form). Shaolin monks developed qixing quan sometime before the early 1600s by combining Shaolin xinyi ba style, which imitates daily and farming activities by using harmonious arm movements in small-frame stances, with rooster-imitating gestures, postures, and moves, and this 7-star concept. these small-frame 7-star and rooster notions were also combined into the chang hu xinyi men form.
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- note: there are various other forms and styles named 'qixing quan' or 'xinyi quan' in Chinese kung fu, and they are historically and technically different from Shaolin quan. these are just different styles with similar names.
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Shaolin Kung Fu tutorial:
- bodybuilding: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLB9EB410ECABF43C8
- techniques: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL6fQ8a5mXbyMpvEXB9C4j_NoVWmhf5zsz
- styles: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL8F75C68BF1246C2B
- weapons: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLE48D537F756421A2

Видео Shaolin Kung Fu: 7-star form канала Shaolin Kung Fu