Ch'a Ch'uan Kung Fu
To learn Ch'a Ch'uan Kung Fu is to go to the ends of the Earth and back to a lifestyle centuries old. The place is Mongolia, birthplace of the Genghis Khan and the Mongols. Sandwiched and landlocked between the U.S.S.R. and the People's Republic of China, it is about as remote from contemporary Western civilization as anywhere in the world. In this northern desert there are still nomads who pass on a secret martial art form to any who would come and learn. Invented by Muslims in northern China sometime in the 15th Century, Ch'a Ch'uan is designed for long-distance combat, and is punctuated by tremendous leaps and back flips. Attacking is started with a leap attack or flying jump kick, and is followed by as many strikes as possible, then by a leaping or back flip retreat. In a single combat round, one can leap in, fire off all but one action, and then leap out, to return at the beginning of the next melee round. The student must live the life of a Mongolian, Islamic nomad to learn Ch'a Ch'uan. That includes learning to ride and fight from horseback, and desert survival skills, as well as, learning about herding horses, sheep and goats. It also involves participating in the Moslem daily rituals of prayer, and fasting. However, this is the Sufi version of Islam, and is not to be confused with the fanatical sects of Islam usually found in the Middle East. So what is Sufism? Ask that question of a Sufi Teacher and he'd probably tell you that you're not ready to know. Much of Sufi teaching involves telling humorous and startling stories without any kind of explanation. A typical example, "As the slow train stopped for the hundredth time, a man got out of his car and ran up to the driver. 'Can't you go any faster?' he asked. The driver answered, 'Yes, but I'm not permitted to leave the train." In general, treat Sufi thought as Zen-like, with the addition of love and a generous sense of humor. Costume: Loose pullover shirt, loose pants, soft boots and turban. Usually all a faded white or ivory color. Stance: A natural, loose, standing position with arms at waist level.
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