The Northern Shaolin originated in Kao Shan's Shaolin. Shaolin is divided into Northern Shaolin and Southern Shaolin. Apart from these, there are also Ngao Mei Shaolin, Wu Dong Shaolin, Fukien Shaolin, Canton Shaolin and Henan Shaolin. Henan Shaolin is Northern Shaolin.
Founding Master
Legend has it that the Founding Master of Shaolin was Grandmaster Tat Mo who came from India to China to preach Buddhism. When he visited Kao Shan Shaolin Monastery, he found that most monks were low-spirited and weak. Therefore he taught them movements called the 18 Buddha's Quan to strength their bodies. Then came Master Kuo Yuen who was also well-versed in combat fighting and he re-arranged the movements into 72 styles. Later, Pak Yuk-fung from Shenxi and Lee the Old Man were also invited to Shaolin for the study of Chinese Martial Arts. The result was the creation of five Quans, namely the Quan of the Dragon, the Quan of the Tiger, the Quan of the Leopard, the Quan of the Snake and the Quan of the Crane. Shaolin became the origin of most Chinese Martial Arts, hence the saying "Martial Arts of the world all from Shaolin."
Development
Grandmaster Koo Yu-cheung
Grandmaster Koo of Northern Shaolin learnt the Northern Shaolin Quan, Big Bell and Little Bell Qigong as well as Iron Fist from Yim Kai-wan. Besides, he also learnt Tai Chi Quan and Tai Chi Sword from General Lee King-lam; Cha Quan from Yu Chan-sing; Ying Yee Quan from Sun Luk-tong; and Tam Leg from his father. He kept on practicing various martial arts with great effort for over 12 years.
Founding Master Lung Tze-cheung
Grandmaster Koo and Grandmaster Tam Sam of Choi Lee Fah exchanged students in the course of teaching. As a student of Koo, Lung was sent to follow Tam Sam to learn Choi Lee Fah Quan. He was also taught by Koo on the essence of martial arts. Later, Lung came to Hong Kong where he set up the Chinese Health Institute to educate young talents.
Characteristics of Our Style
Practical, swift, flexible, more jumping movements, with grand and free styles to attack and defend. Leg style: rich in leg movements with great sweeping force, same as the martial arts from the North China.
Quan: called Character Day (日) Quan (fist), to attack with your body side facing your enemy, stretching your arm to the limit;
Combat with bare hand and weapons: Ten Way Shaolin Quan, Ten Way Tam Leg, Tai Chi Quan and Choi Lee Fah Ten Way Quan;
Ma Mun Knife, Six-combination Knife, Plum Double Knife, Spear and Lung Style Sword;
Combat with bare hand, knife vs. knife, Double knives vs. one spear, Three-section pole vs. spear and big knife vs. spear;
Qigong: Big and Little Bell Qigong and Iron Fist.
