How to Learn the Eagle Claw Form of Kung Fu

The Eagle Claw form of kung fu is a method formed by combining three other disciplines of kung fu. The training is broken up into different aspects, focusing on the different parts of the body and techniques needed for the Eagle Claw forms. You will be trained to use your fingers, hands, feet and the trunk of your body to perform swift and powerful movements. Learning Eagle Claw takes years of patience and discipline to become skilled in all the aspects.

Things You'll Need

  • Containers
  • Stones
  • Pouches
  • Gravel
  • Partner
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Instructions

  1. Kuen Faat/Sau Faat (Fist and Hand)

    • 1

      Build up the strength and dexterity in your hands by grabbing containers filled with stones. Use only your fingertips to lift the container to work all of the muscles and tendons in your hand.

    • 2

      Hold your arm straight and fling gravel-filled pouches in the air. Catch the pouch as it falls without moving your arm. This strengthens your arms, fingers and hands and also sharpens your reaction time.

    • 3

      Develop the use of your hands as tools with Diu Cow Fing Lau. This principle trains you to use your hands to push, pull and manipulate your opponent.

    • 4

      Round out your hand training with Dim Yut Bye Hei, which will teach you how to use your hands to incapacitate the opponent. You will learn how to locate and assault the pressure points and interrupt the flow of breathing.

    Ma Faat/Bo Faat (Stance and Step)

    • 5

      Control your breathing with Hey Gung exercises. These exercises will regulate your breathing, which allows you to work harder and increase your stamina when standing or moving around. Controlled breathing is necessary for learning the intricate forms of Eagle Claw.

    • 6

      Center yourself with energy training called Chi Gung. You will train yourself to work with your internal energies to allow you to achieve and hold complicated stances for an extended period of time.

    • 7

      Work progressively through each of the three main forms of Eagle Claw. These forms are Hun Kune Sup Loh, Lin Kune Ng Sup Loh and Yat Ling Bhat Cum La Sau and are the building blocks of all of the techniques in Eagle Claw kung fu.

    Teui Faat (Kick/Leg)

    • 8

      Loosen up the movement of your legs and waist. You employ the movements of these body parts with the principal of Noi Sup Chung Dit, which will allow you to fall and use your waist in a controlled manner.

    • 9

      Work with a partner through the stances until you can gauge where an opponent would stand without the person actually being there.

    • 10

      Learn to take down and get away from an opponent with the principal of Sim Jim Tong Na. This principal will teach you more elaborate ways of jumping, twisting and hitting the floor on command in a very effective manner.