Today’s Eagle Claw descends directly from three systems of Northern Kung Fu. The first was Chin’na (joint locking), developed by the famous General Yueh Fei (1103 – 41) of the Sung Dynasty. Although General Yueh Fei was not a product of the Shaolin Temple, he was extensively trained by the Shaolin Priest Jao Tung.
During the Ming Dynasty (1368 – 1644), one of the great periods of Chinese cultural history, a Shaolin martial monk Li Chun, was famous for his abilities in Faan Tzu (martial tumbling). Li Chun chanced upon a demonstration of General Yueh Feii’s Chin’na. Li Chun saw the power of Eagle Claw hand techniques and the beauty of the form and was determined to combine it with his own Faan Tzu. In time, the monk Li Chun combined the two systems, creating Northern Shaolin Ying Jow Faan Tzu. (Eagle Claw as we know it today.)
Eagle Claw moves must be quick, alive, and natural. If training is unnatural, arms and legs are stiff, and moves are wooden. This is what is called “dead” strength. If arms and legs are stiff, the blood and chi are in turmoil, and internal power cannot be generated. Without internal power when fighting, chances are, one will lose the fight. Eagle Claw develops natural, concentrated movements using circles and a half-clinched hand to grab, lock, and press vital points.
Eagle Claw exercises power like the bird that inspires the system—short, sharp, and fast. As illustrated further, the hand techniques are dominated by the claw and the seven principles. The movements must be light and hard together.
Eagle Claw’s wrists and fingers are special, and they should be developed to control an opponent without injury, causing damage only when unavoidable.
Eagle Claw comprises 7 principles for developing your self-defense and Kung Fu skills. Eagle Claw is considered the jewel of Kung Fu and is a complete system. The principles include:
- Jow Da, Cum Na uses the fingers to claw and grab and lock the opponent so they cannot move.
- Fun Gun, Chaw Quat to twist and separate muscles and tendons and break bones.
- Dim Yut, Bye Hei strikes the vital points with the fingers and uses the Eagle Claw to stop blood flow and breathing.
- Cow Wai, Saw Fung presses the arm to break, lock, and control the opponent with fast, smooth blocks.
- Sim Jim, Tong Na uses twisting body movements with blocks to avoid being hit and incorporates jumping kicks and sweeps.
- Diu Cow, Fing Law controls the opponent and uses soft power to keep your opponent off balance.
- Noi Sup, Chung Dit absorbs the opponent’s blow; use throwing and gymnastics.