Eagle Claw Kung Fu School UK

Eagle Claw Travels East to West and Back Again Pt23

In the mid/late 1990's I had the great pleasure to meet with SiBhak George San while in California USA one year. SiBhak was a member of the 1939 Da Dao Brigade in China under the guidance of GM Liu Fa Meng.

SiBhak George San was a warm and kind person who had also spent a number of years living in the Kensignton & Knightsbridge area of London.

Sibhak George San is pictured bottom row right hand side , above him to his left shoulder is SiBhak Ng Woon Ying who we have mentoned in an earlier post. (both are marked with a red dot)

It was a unique opprtunity for us to have known and met two people over the years from the famed Da Dao (Big Knife) Brigade

Bringing all 3 of our Qiang (Spears) together at once.

The traditional horse hair tassell really add a new feeling to the balance and weight at the spear tip.

White
Black
Red

Qiang - Spear - The King of Long Weapons in Chinese Martial Arts

Finally we have been able to bring Traditional Horse hair tassel to three of our Spears. White Horse Hair - Black Horse Hair - Red Horse Hair.

Some say these 3 colours represent the famed 3 Brothers Liu Bei - Gwan Yu and Zhang Fei. Other say they denote military rank

The work was completed by a craftsman who makes old English Long bows, archery and other traditional methods . Thanks to Nicola James who's father did the work for us.

The horse hair brings a unique feel to the spear and is a wonderfull additional to the many traditional weapons we have at our Wu Guan

Welcome visit by our good freind Kevin Steel Laoshi .

Kevin is visiting the UK for a short vacation over from Hong Kong where is has been living and working for many years .

He has an extenisive background of over 50 years in Chinese martial arts , initially starting with Wing chun in the UK with Alan lamb. Then furthering his learning in Hong Kong, Hung Sing Choy lee fut with master Chan Yuk Yui. Wu Style Tai chi master Wu Tai Sin and Fu Style Bagua with Master Liu Kwok Chuen.

Kevin is a Bai si lineage disciple in both his TaiChi family and Ba Gua Family in Hong Kong, he was kind enough to demonstrate some Taichi and Ba Gua at our school where Jan and Sue two of our Taichi Instructor teacm were attending accompanied by Da Shixiong Stuart Keating from the Eagle Claw system of our school.

We enjoyed good Bo Lay Cha (Pu Erh) Chinese tea, discussions on martial arts and many other topics during Kevins visit befoe he and ShiFu Dale went to enjoy a good Chinese lunch together there after Kevin returned to London.

In Wulin (Martial Forest) there are many branches yet we all stem from the same tree.

Looking forward to seeing you again in the future Kevin Steel Laoshi and thank you for your kind visit to our Kung Fu School

Photo - Shifu Dale (centre) Kevin Steel Lao Shi 1st on right, 2nd right Sue (TaiChi) - 1st Left Da Shi Xiong Stuart (Eagle Claw) - 2nd Left Da Shi Jie Jan (Taichi)

A very welcome visit by our good freind who is a Wing Chun Teacher Aidan Tierney Shifu and his Kung Fu Brother Mark Lane Shifu of Wing Chun.

We enjoyed drinking good Chinese tea, discussing martial arts, the current climate of Tradtional Chinese Martial arts and more over a good few hours together at the Wu Guan.

Look forward to seeing you again soon.

The journey of Traditional Chinese Martial Arts goes beyond just the fist, it permeates the hearts and minds of devoted practioners on the ancestral path of knowledge.

Our student Pavel Prucha from Prague has been learning from us for rmany years now, he travels to the UK twice a year for intenstive 8 hours a day training and learning, Pavel also travelled with Shifu Dale and the school to China in 2025 where we visited the head of our Eagle Claw Family, his Shi gong Chen junxin and spent time at the birth place of the Eagle Claw system at Gu Zhuangto cun village in Hebei.

In between Pavels visit to the UK he maintains regular zoom video calls and contact with ShiFu Dale such is the benefit of technology on todays learning environment.

There is no replacement for the direct hands on transmiion of the ancestral knowledge, Pavel spent another week at our Wuguan , in beteween the many hours of training hs also learned all the important aspects surrounding the heart of the Wu guan the ancestral table, it's symbolism, it's meaning, the many details of each part and items on setting up a correct ancestral table to honour the ancestors.

Pavel learned the cleaning rituals, arrangements, dates for cleaning and changing items. These processes are only performed by senior students in the school, primarily it is the Shifu who does this but when not around the seniors students who have been given the knowledge and permission to do so can act on behalf of the Wu Guan.

Each day we "Bai san" burn incense to respect the ancestors, we open our hearts and mind to those who have come before us, we respect the lineage, the histroy and sacrifice the past Masters have made to bring this knowledge forward to each generation.

Pavel is now fully equipped to set up his own ancestral tables in the near future as he walks further along the path of the Zuting Ying Zhao Fan Tzi Men

Often we share photos of our training, practice and learning, on this occasion we share just a simple image of a dedicated student who having performed all the ancestral table cleaning rituals simply stands in a moment of silence, energeticly connected heart and mind to the family, with a sense of calm, peacfull, haromnious energy that trancends time and space.

Eagle Claw students from Paris France return to the Wu Guan for intensive learning.

Erik aka (Jarek Gloniak) and his son Jan return to the Ying Zhao Wu Guan for intensive study of more than 8 phours per day over many days to continue thier learning and development of the Eagle Claw system.

During thier time learning focussed on refining the 鷹爪手法十路
Yīng Zhǎo shǒufǎ shí lù drills, 步法 Bu Fa – Stepping methods, 踢法 Ti Fa Kicking methods, Lin gung conditioning methods.

Time was also spent on learning the functionall skills and applications of practice within the system.

Each visit is progressive and systematically layerd so students develop a well rounded knowledge and understanding .

They achieved the goals set out durng thier visit, intensive, exhausting and happy as we all grow together on the ancestral path of the Eagle Claw system

Eagle Claw Travels East to West & Back Again Pt 22

My 2nd visit in 2009 to the ancestral village of the Eagle Claw system Gu ZhuangTo cun, accompanied by the late SiBhak (uncle) Liu Tzimin (rip) son of Liu Fameng from his first wife in China. Seated on the 2nd from right in grey short sleeved shirt

Here I am seated behind my Shifu Chen junxin in the red Tshirt and other family members and practitioners of Eagle Claw in the home village.

Time passes by, yet I feeling the calling to return home and be with my Shifu , thankfully we can spend time together each year and work further on the bringing the ancestral Eagle Claw family system out to the West for more people to find this unique method and practice.

We look so young in the photo from 17 years ago , yet we are still passionate and dedictaed to passing on the Zuting Ying ZHao Fan Tzi Quan . We continue our work, honour the ancestors, follow the path, uphold Wu de.

In Chinese kung fu, grinding a sword on a stone is a profound metaphor for cultivating gongfu (功夫) itself: the development of skill through rigorous, consistent, and long-term hard work. It represents the transformation of raw potential into a polished, effective, and sharp instrument, symbolizing the refinement of both technical skill and inner character.
Here is a breakdown of what this practice symbolizes and means:
1. The Metaphor for "Gongfu"
The term "gongfu" refers to mastery achieved through time and effort, often described as "hard work and strength, from day to night".

Constant Daily Training: Just as a blade must be sharpened regularly to prevent rust, a martial artist must train every day, according to Shaolin teachings.
The "Ten Years" Idiom: The famous idiom "Ten years sharpening a sword" (十年磨一剑, shínián mó yíjiàn)—from a Tang Dynasty poem—means to work patiently for years on a single task to achieve perfection. It is a metaphor for dedication, preparation, and mastering a craft before seeking recognition or engaging in battle.

2. Physical and Mental Refinement
Sharpening the sword is not merely about a sharp edge; it represents the internal process of a warrior.

Inner Alchemy: The grindstone acts as a tool of transformation, turning raw, untamed force (like raw iron) into refined, disciplined power.
Cultivation of Focus: It symbolizes training the mind to be sharp, focused, and free of impatience, anger, or ego.
Self-Correction: The action reflects self-reflection—measuring one’s progress, addressing weaknesses (dull spots), and making necessary improvements.

3. Philosophical & Ethical Significance (Daoism)
In Daoist internal martial arts (such as Wudang or Taiji sword), the sword is not a tool for wanton violence, but rather a symbol of righteousness and justice.

Cutting Away Excess: The grinding process represents slicing away attachment to the material world, ignorance, and reckless passions.
Yin and Yang Balance: It represents the harmony between the sharpener and the blade, requiring intense focus (intention/intent) to align the "spirit" with the movement of the blade.
Hide Sharpness: The practice teaches "hiding sharpness and maintaining simplicity" (韬光养晦), where the final, polished sword is often kept in the scabbard, showing humility, not reckless display.

4. Technical Application
Historically, the grinding process was crucial for maintaining a weapon’s efficacy.

The Process: Chinese martial artists historically used large, thick stones, either standing or sitting while guiding the blade, allowing for specialized sharpening that maintained the unique geometry of the Chinese sword (Jian or Dao).
Two Exhaustions: The process is sometimes described as the "double exhaustion" of both the stone and the metal, meaning that true refinement requires the total investment of oneself into the training.

Key Summary: The grinding stone represents suffering, discipline, and patience, turning a dull, untrained student into a master, and a piece of raw metal into a "frosty edge".

With my 3 teachers in TCMA Master Chen Junxin (Eagle Claw)- shown in the photo below) Master Ji Jiancheng (Taiji & Qi gong) Dr Kenneth Fish (Internal Arts) I have a deep sense of Zhōngchéng (忠诚)

When translated it means loyalty or devotion, but in the Chinese martial arts world it carries a much deeper, multi-layered meaning shaped by philosophy, lineage culture, and personal ethics.

1. Core Meaning of 忠诚
忠 (Zhōng) → inner loyalty, integrity, doing what is right from the heart
诚 (Chéng) → sincerity, honesty, authenticity

Together, 忠诚 is not blind obedience—it’s loyalty grounded in sincerity and moral alignment.

2. Philosophical Roots

Zhōngchéng is heavily influenced by Confucianism, where loyalty is part of a broader moral structure:

Loyalty to teacher (师父 / Shīfu)
Loyalty to family and ancestors
Loyalty to righteous principles (义 / Yì)
Loyalty to society and order

In this framework, loyalty is reciprocal:

A student must be loyal → but the teacher must be just and responsible

Loyalty without righteousness becomes corruption

3. In the Martial Arts Lineage System

In traditional Chinese martial arts (kung fu, wushu lineages), Zhōngchéng is essential to how knowledge is transmitted.

a. Loyalty to the Shīfu (师父)
Respecting instruction without arrogance
Not betring or publicly undermining the teacher
Representing the teacher’s reputation in public

But importantly:

True loyalty includes honoring the art properly, not just the person.

b. Loyalty to the Lineage (门派 / Ménpài)

Martial arts are seen as living traditions. Zhōngchéng means:

Preserving forms, principles, skills, methods and philosophy
Not diluting or misrepresenting the system
Acknowledging your lineage honestly

Breaking this can be seen as:

“stealing the art”
“losing face” (丢脸)
c. Loyalty to Training Brothers (师兄弟)
Supporting fellow students
Not exploiting internal knowledge against each other
Maintaining unity

4. Zhōngchéng vs Blind Loyalty

A key nuance: Zhōngchéng is not servitude.

In classical martial ethics, loyalty is balanced with:

Yi (righteousness) (doing what is right)
Li (ritual propriety) (proper conduct)

If a teacher is:

abusive
corrupt
dishonorable

Then remaining loyal in a blind sense is not considered true 忠诚—it becomes moral failure.

5. Internal Dimension
In deeper martial practice, Zhōngchéng also turns inward:

Loyalty to:
Your own training discipline
The truth of your skill (no self-deception)
The process, not just results