LUK HUP - BAH FAH

The Six Harmonies:

On the external level, these six stages describe the progress a student makes while learning Water Boxing, On the internal level, they describe a more, spiritual”, practice. This is one of the qualities of the system. The physical practice is the path to a persons internal evolution: these are the Internal Harmonies as they were taught to me.

It can never be emphasized enough that this is a extremely sophisticated system of martial arts, and extreme mental exercise that you can only find in bits and pieces any where else in any other style of martial art, whether that be in Tai Chi, Ba Gwa, Ying Yee, Sum Ye, Taoist Natural Way, it is with out doubt one of the most unique, and tremendously fulfilling martial art that one can be lucky enough to find, let along be able to  study with a good teacher.

The Body combines with the mind:

The very first level is kinetic awareness, learning to move the body through space with precision and control. As the motions are perfected, they can be directed by the mind at a very direct and pure level.

The Mind combines with the Intent:

Here the form becomes an exercise of intent and will. Every motion has a purpose and focus that stimulates one’s inner strength mentally and physically.

The Intent combines with the Chi:

At this level the practitioner learns to control his energies, or chi, and harnessing it as the force inside the movements and throughout the body.

The Chi combines with the Spirit:

In Taoist beliefs, a persons spirit, “or Shen”, is the intermediary between their soul and the Tao. As the life force of chi is united with the spirit, it becomes literally, “Inspired”, giving a feeling of revitalization, clarity and focus.

The Spirit combines with the Movements:

Here the practitioner’s spirit begins to be truly expressed through the physical movements. Every different person flavors the Water Boxing movements with their own spirit, and the form becomes an expression of their true self.

The Movements combines with Emptiness:

The Eight Methods:

The Eight methods are the tools for applying the six combinations. There are eight internal and eight external methods. They are not sequential and are used constantly throughout practice.

The external, physical methods are self defense techniques. They include:

1. Rising and falling
2. Moving and stillness
3. Advancing and retreating
4. Opening and closing
5. Yin and Yang
6. Empty and full
7. Jumping and bridging
8. Combining the six harmonies

The eight internal or esoteric methods are:

Chi , The mind leads the Chi. Where the mind directs, the chi will follow.

Bone, Bone energy is developed by directing the chi through the bones to harden and condition them. The added chi in the bone has significant health effects, possibly by stimulating white blood cell production in the bone marrow.

Shape: The shape and feeling of each movement has an impact on how the chi flows through your body.

Follow, the meaning is two fold. On one hand one must follow your opponents, movements, and on the other one must learn to follow your flow of energy.

Lift, Raise your head to lengthen the neck and spine. This will lift the chi from the Dan Tien and improve your posture and balance.

Return, The literal translation of this instruction is: Return”, to go and come, to reverse and to alternate.” It has many meanings, to return the chi to the Dan Tien, to deflect and return a partners energy through many forms of very unique push hands, continuous changing of movements and repeated practice of the forms are but a few of the applications.

Restrain, This is often interpreted as preserving physical and mental energy. It is also an instruction to avoid conflict in any part of one’s life, or if there is no choice to maintain calm and focused against an opponent.

Conceal:  To conceal is to control or to hide your energy until the moment you need it.

( Six Coordination’s ) - ( Eight Directions )

LUK HUP

Three internal harmonies and three external harmonies:

INTERNAL HARMONIES:

Mind + Will
Will + Chi
Chi + Strength

EXTERNAL HARMONIES:

Hands + Feet
Elbows + Knees
Shoulders + Hips

SIX COORDINATION'S:

Eye’s + Mind
Will + Chi
Strength + Skill

BAH FAH

Eight Methods:

Hands, Feet, Eye’s, Spirit, Chi, Strength, Trunk, Skill !!!!!!

Much more to come, Luk Hup Bah Fah, can be spelled many ways. It all depends on the Chinese dialect used when pronouncing it. Luk Hup Bah Fah, is a very rare unique system of Chinese Martial arts that has been kept very secret to this very day.

More about Luk Huk Bah Fah

"When fencing, though highly alert,

The appearance is as calm as a fair lady's

But when in action, a vicious Tiger emerges.

"Weak and exposed in appearance;

But powerful when unleashed.

One's reactions may start afterwards,

But the response arrives there first."

"The Way is so small and simple, but the meaning is timeless and profound.

The Way has an entrance; it also has a Yin and a Yang.

The entrance constantly opens and closes,

Yin and Yang weaken and flourish.

When the Way is battle, be full-spirited within,

But outwardly show calm and be relaxed;

Appear to be as gentle as a fair lady, but react like a vicious tiger.

Though hidden within, the spirit of the body moves;

Though obscured like a setting sun, the spirit moves like an unleashed rabbit,

Catching the body and outrunning shadow like a mirage.

Back and forth in one breath.

The spirit cannot be retained in form.

And, though ever moving, it cannot be heard."

THE "EIGHT QUALITIES"

During the performance of a form, there are "Eight Qualities" which are looked for and judged:

1. Hands.

2. Eyes.

3. Body Technique.

4. Steps.

5. Spirit.

6. Breath.

7. Strength.

8. Ability.

"Ability" is what "Kung Fu" means, i.e. the general ability which can be used to describe any skill. In martial arts, "Ability" refers to the composite strength, speed, endurance, agility, coordination, and technical skill. There are "Twelve Descriptions" which characterize the desired qualities of "Ability:"

1. In motion move like a thundering wave.

2. When still, be like a mountain.

3. Rising up, be like a monkey.

4. Land swiftly and lightly like a bird.

5. Be steady like a rooster on one leg.

6. One's stance is as firm as a pine tree, yet expresses motion.

7. Spin swiftly and circularly like a wheel.

8. Bend and flex like a bow.

9. Waft gracefully like a leaf in the wind.

10. Sink like a heavy piece of metal.

11. Prey like a watchful, gliding eagle.

12. Accelerate like a gusty wind.

Sifu Dee

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Last modified: 10/30/07