Southern Shao Lin (Sao Lim) Quan 南少林拳
Southern Shao Lin boxing or martial arts (Nan Pai Shao Lin Wu Shu, 南派少林武术) can also be divided into the clergy system (Fo Jia Pai, 佛家派) and the layman system (Su Jia Pai, 俗家派).
The system practiced here is from the Second Chamber of Southern Shao Lin Clergy system (佛家南派少林第二房). A person in this school starts with basic exercises (基本功), which consist of stretching (柔体), stances (马步), strengthening exercises (强化训练), toughening exercises (硬功), striking methods (打法), kicks (踢法), movements / stepping (趋动法), forms or sets (套路) and methods of showing respect (礼貌). These exercises are not restricted to beginners only. They are a must for beginners and in fact, continue doing them throughout their lifetime or as long as they practice the art.
The system practiced here is from the Second Chamber of Southern Shao Lin Clergy system (佛家南派少林第二房). A person in this school starts with basic exercises (基本功), which consist of stretching (柔体), stances (马步), strengthening exercises (强化训练), toughening exercises (硬功), striking methods (打法), kicks (踢法), movements / stepping (趋动法), forms or sets (套路) and methods of showing respect (礼貌). These exercises are not restricted to beginners only. They are a must for beginners and in fact, continue doing them throughout their lifetime or as long as they practice the art.
Recent history of one of the laic Luo Han martial arts can be traced back to the end of 19th century and the beginning of 20th century. Masters in the art were merchandise security guards, called Biao Shi in Chinese (镖师). The late master Shi Ko Sum (Shi Gao Shen in Mandarin; 释高参) (photo above) had started his apprenticeship in martial arts with Cao Biao, a martial arts master working as merchandise security guard, at the age of thirteen (A.D. 1899). It is possible that the Late Master Shi Ko Sum learnt Luo Han martial arts from his early master Cao Biao, and later passes on to his disciples the art as part of his southern Shao Lin martial arts system.
The late Master Png learnt Shao Lin martial arts from the Late Master Sik Ko Sum in Penang, Malaysia, when he was young. He held the position of chief instructor of Penang Sao Lim Athletic Association for more than 40 years. The association was first founded by the Late Master Sik Ko Sum at Siang Kheng temple (双庆寺), which is located at Perak Road of Penang, Malaysia, in A.D. 1955. The association was then relocated to the actual address at Muntri Street in Penang during the mid-seventies. Being a well-known martial arts master of high caliber, the late Master Png was also a Chinese Physician and Acupuncturist by profession. |
The school consists of several training sections as mentioned below:
The practice can be literally separated into several sections, but in reality, it is impossible to trace the boundary among these sections clearly for all of the sections are interdependent. |