O Shin Chuen - Five Animal Style
O Shin Chuen®* - in Mandarin, Ngo Hien Gun in Fukienese - is a style from the Fukien Shaolin system and is based on studies of five animals - tiger, crane, dragon, snake and panther.
Sifu Louis Linn learned O Shin Chuen from his late uncle Master Lim Tsua (Lim is Fukienese for Linn) which has been taught within his family.
Through years of practice and experience with other martial arts, O Shin Chuen has proved itself to be effective for self-defence.
O Shin Chuen
Sifu Linn modified the style to be more suitable for western training environment when he introduced O Shin Chuen in Sweden. He choreographed the movements from the original forms to the five animal forms of dragon, tiger, crane, snake and panther that we practice today within Louis Linn O Shin Chuen Union.
The training of O Shin Chuen emphasises the physical and mental abilities to perform fast and complicated movements. Strength, flexibility, speed, stamina and precision are the five disciplines of the style. This implies the mastering of the animal forms and the different characters of the animals.
Long Shin - Dragon form
The dragon form is characterised by variable pace and the five fingers
for grabbing and striking techniques and the single finger for thrusting,
where the hand representing the claws of the imaginary dragon.
The movements of the form strive for development of the mind.
Ho Shin - Tiger form
The tiger form is characterised by low stances with the five fingers for
grabbing, catching and throwing and the palm for striking techniques,
where the hand representing the claws of the tiger. The movements of the
form strive for
strengthen
bones and
muscles.
Hê Shin - Crane form
The
crane form is characterised by high stances with blocking and striking
techniques, where the hand representing the beak of the crane.
The
movements
of the
form strive for development of balance and precision.
Sê Shin - Snake form
The snake form is characterised by the fast thrusting and cutting techniques,
where the hand representing the head of the snake. The movements of the
form strive for development of speed and timing.
Pao Shin - Panther form
The panther form is characterised by the agility of the panther with its
high strikes and low sweep techniques, where the hand representing
the paw of the panther. The movements of the form strive
for development of flexibility
in joints and tendons.
The Way of O Shin Chuen
Based on 五法 (wǔ fǎ), 五勁 (wǔ jìn), 五階 (wǔ jiē)
|
五 法 |
wǔ fǎ |
Five methods |
|
掛 |
guà |
to hang |
|
撈 |
lāo |
fish up |
|
搭 |
tā |
build, join |
|
穿 |
chuān |
penetrate |
|
擺 |
bǎe |
pendulum |
|
五 勁 |
wǔ jìn |
Five forces |
|
插 |
chā |
stick |
|
震 |
zhèn |
shock |
|
鑽 |
tsuān |
drill |
|
破 |
pò |
to break |
|
抖 |
tǒu |
tremble |
|
五 階 |
wǔ jiē |
Five levels |
|
活 |
huó |
lively |
|
順 |
shùn |
fluently, smoothly |
|
剛 |
kāng |
hard, firm, strong |
|
柔 |
róu |
soft |
|
化 |
huà |
to transform |
The Chinese Characters
Calligraphy written by Prof. Tien Lung.
O Shin Chuen®
Wu Hsing Chuan
can also be written Wu
Xing Quan
Wu - means five
Hsing - means shape
Chuan - means fist