Ta Mo Tao Kung Fu is a system of Kung Fu that initially is taught as a freestyle martial art to provide basic skills in all aspects of Kung Fu training. Following this, after approximately 12 months of training, students are taught their first style specific skills as forms. These come from the Tai Chi Chuan tradition. Tai Chi Chuan will build a strong body and develop real power but is also for self cultivation. In practice it is a philosophy (Yin/Yang) Way, expansion, contraction, unending, unbroken like reeling silk. You must know how to be soft to neutralize the enemy, but you must also know how to be hard to attack the enemy. Like iron wrapped in cotton. Hard and soft is blended harmoniously on one stove. If you have outer strength your base is stable and the body’s vitality is brimming with energy; then later Chi and strength are united; ultimate softness and ultimate hardness like water. Just internal without external cannot make good Kung Fu; just external without internal cannot make good art. If you want to soar to the heights and reach the depths of Kung Fu you must practice Chi Kung; if you want to soar to the heights and reach the depths of Chi Kung, you must practise meditation.

Complete Kung Fu systems are comprised of step by step progressive, balanced curriculum’s which combine all aspects of Martial Arts training. Any complete Chinese Martial Arts system will include an integrated training method which incorporates Wei Kung (External Training) Nei Kung (Internal Training), Chi Kung (Internal energy training) methods and meditation. Although beginning level training methods might isolate the various components of training, more advanced training will always contain all of these elements so that each component enhances the attainment of skill in other areas.

Wei Kung

Wei Kung is the external aspect of Martial Arts training which includes firm balance, flexibility, agility, proper body alignment, stance work, coordination and a physically strong body. These skills are practised in developing all aspects of the fighting arts such as foot and leg work which includes stepping, hooking, kicking, trapping and sweeping the legs, striking with all parts of the body, seizing and locking (chin na) and throwing (shuai jiao).

These basics form the foundation of practice and are emphasised heavily during the first few years. This is not to say that the basic skills training is not “internal”. This training does involve the development of internal principles. It is simply less refined than the more advanced training. One cannot start with a physically weak, uncoordinated, unbalanced, unconnected body and hope to develop internal strength through more advanced forms.

Nei Kung

Nei Kung is training which is designed specifically for the development of muscle groups, ligaments and tendons and internal energy (Chi). This involves refinement of basic Wei Kung skills and the use of relaxed movement, breathing and intention to unify the Yi (Intention) to cultivate the Jing (essence), Chi (energy) and Shen (spirit). Herein too you must “practice your form 1000 times and your body and hands will become coordinated and natural”.

Meditation – Jing Zuo

Meditation consists of mindfulness and deep relaxation for the mind, body and nervous system. Through meditation one can achieve greater happiness in everyday life and greater focus, awareness and precision in all aspects of your martial training. It is one of the main keys if one wishes to develop strong spiritual cultivation and connects all aspects of Kung Fu practice.

Chi Kung

The energy of the human body is the foundation of our health and vitality. The goal of Chi Kung is to cultivate this flow of internal energy (Chi) in the body so that it effectively rushes through and clears the entire network of channels or meridians.

Chi Kung training consists of coordinated breathing and body movements and stationary positions which are designed to build internal strength, increase mental focus, increase the circulation of chi and blood to the organs and extremities and increase vitality and whole body strength. In this way illness may be both treated and prevented. It also provides a mind-body connection that can be translated into all aspects of Kung Fu.

“The three treasures of vitality (Jing), energy (Chi) and spirit (Shen) experience a daily flourishing of life and fill the whole body, so that the great medicine can be expected to be produced naturally.”