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Tan Tui is composed
of a series of forms, which emphasize blocking, stances, footwork, and most
of all, kicks. Tan Tui exists as a style on its own, but is commonly used as
a basic form for styles like Chāquán.
Today Tan Tui forms the basis for the Bei Chang Quan/Northern Long Fist
systems. It improves your fighting skills, balance, strength, and focus,
thus, Tan Tui contains the basic skills and flexibility drills required in
advanced forms.
In some Schools, Tan Tui is taught as the first form to build the skills
necessary to advance in the system. It has been stated that if a new student
doesn't find the Tan Tui form challenging that he or she will not like the
Long Fist style of Kung Fu.
Tan Tui is deep rooted in China’s Hui Muslim community. One such reference
to the Islamic influence is the posture of holding one punch out in front of
body as a punch is thrown to the rear with the other hand. The Body is
turned sideways so that both the front and the rear punches reach maximum
range. Besides being a good exercise to train the fighter to get full
shoulder and body trust behind each punch, like a good Boxer, it also is a
giveaway that the form has a Muslim history. Kung fu forms that use this
posture came from China's Muslim community. |
