The Hands of Tai Liu Chuan Fa
NOTE: In Tai Liu Chuan Fa, both eastern (chi, meridians) and western (anatomy, physiology, kinesiology) terminology are used throughout the system. This is to respect and accommodate the diversity of belief systems, and the intellectual integrity of our students/family. Adhering to the dual system of terminology demonstrates our desire to maintain tradition as well as the ability to provide quality instruction for those more familiar with western terminology.
Master Hand
79 total techniques plus finishes are the foundation of the system and makes up the majority of Tai Liu Chuan Fa techniques. They are designed to blend, redirect, and control the aggressor, giving them a moment to re-assess their intentions and stop their attack. If they do not reconsider their aggression, then by blending and controlling the attacker, one continues to disable and capitalize on the attacker’s movement. Coordination of Mind and Body Mechanics (intent) is emphasized here.
Poison Hand
50 techniques that enable you to damage the nervous system by obstructing, or stopping, the flow of chi*(energy), while applying a barrage of strikes (hand swords, fingers, elbows, knees, and feet) to the numerous pressure points (meridians) throughout the body. Accuracy and Speed is the emphasis here. *This can also be interpreted as obstructing, or stopping the flow of air or blood.
Quickie Hand
Instant, spontaneous or “blending hand,” response to an attack, using your opponents’ reactions to feed your actions in their defeat. As the name states, Speed and Spontaneity are the focus of this training. True, external (physical) power, is developed as the student learns to relax while delivering their blocks and strikes.
Survival Hand
Designed to result in critical damage to the opponent. Whole or parts of techniques are utilized. This is where the practitioner demonstrates their own “style” (or expression), within the style, or parameters of Tai Liu Chuan Fa. At this stage of training the martial art has become internalized. The Tai Liu Chuan Fa practitioner is able to defend themselves under extreme mental and physical stress (i.e. adrenal dump-type situation), which is the ultimate goal of hours, days, and years of training! Effective Improvisation while utilizing Economy of Motion is the goal here.
As seen in the above descriptions, many of these techniques are interrelated and are slight variations of each other but the emphasis is on application during training. This built in redundancy of the system is intended to act as an aid for student’s development of their muscle memory, or ultimate goal, of internalizing the art.