Loose the finger?

[Asmo]

OK... I know this has been discussed before, but I don't think I ever seen a poll before on this topic. Really curious what you guys think of this.

I think its safe to say that prior to the use of the bridgehand a tiger claw was used instead. In fact, I think there are still lineages using the claw instead of a bridgehand. If my memory does not fail me those are within non-WFH lineages such as those found in Malaysia. FrankyLau, maybe you can tell more about that?

I've seen vids before on YouTube and other locations showing claws instead of bridgehands.

As we're not fighting Chings anymore, and our goal(s) are different from restoring the Ming, do we still need the bridgehand? I've heard many respectable sifu say that in a fight, use a claw, and not the bridgehand. So why not train the correct way right away and a claw as a reflex instead of a reflex you need to change in a fight.

If you vote for the bridgehand because you say it makes a difference: yeah naturally you will feel a difference in your arm as you are using muscles differently. But does it really makes a difference structurally, building up strength, etc? I think bending the wrist ("as hard as you can" (TM PM)) is far more important then keeping a single finger straight. Please explain your pros for using the finger. Maybe its something I don't understand or see.

Heh, I have a handmade Ching dynasty flag in my livingroom I bought as a souvenir in China...

[PM]

tm PM

[Asmo]

Hehe I knew that would bring a smile somewhere in eastern Europe

But... What about the poll Pavel?

[Frank Bolte]

Yes we have a couple of forms from our malaysian lineage where all the dynamic tension parts are played with a claw or biu gee...

of course today we dont wanna restore the ming anymore,plus as we are not chinese ,not even live in china it wouldnt make much sense anyway..
but i see it a bit as a way of showing respect or as a tribute to the ancestors of our style ...
but no deeper meaning..

ah a ching flag eh ? Asmo ? My soldiers are already on the way,could it be that u also practise bak mei ?

[PM]

central Europe Asmo, central Europe, as Prague is a heart of our old continent

as for the poll... i did not vote, as frankly i do not know.

imho, there are much more "useless" things that we practice than raised finger in daan ji kiu sau, but they still have their "practical" value (and i ma not speaking necessarily of fighting application, ok)

in my opinion, TCMA are a) self-defence b) fitness (power, speed, flexibility, dexterity, fitness, good health, vitality... ) c) spiritual development (virtues, culture, history... ). telling a story behind the daan ji kiu sau and practicing it reminds us every day about something. with the simple tiger claw a) and b) might be the same, but...

Chinese sifus say: mou dak wai sin, the martial virtues are the most important thing (ie. - not the fighting prowess). the older i am and the longer i practice and teach, the more i understand this truth. we might fight New World Order or our own laziness instead overthrowing the Ching dynasty, but thing like this it remind us of loyality, honour, and friendship, qualities which are important irrespective of our race, nationality, religion etc.

[shuen]

there is missing a "g" in bridgehand in the poll-text[/u]

[Asmo]

Shuen, I cant change the text anymore, I think because people already voted...

But what about the poll Shuen?

PM, OK I understand what you mean. I do not know how realistic it is that the Hung brothers fight the NWO though Also I do not know whether a symbolic bridgehand in Hung Kuen is necessary to pass the spiritual aspects of the art. But opinions are opinions and everyone is entitled their own

Speaking of 'much more useless things', what kind of things are you thinking off then?

[I am]

Hmmmm,

Are you all sure that is all it is for? I am more than happy to practice it, and not for Chinese Cultural reasons. One clue potentially lays in the 4 fingers holding heaven practice.

[crazedjustice888]

Uuuuhhhhhhhh.....I have no idea. I actually enjoy reading this thread, I am learning something new. YAY!!!

[Asmo]

[I am]

[crazedjustice888]

[PM]

[I am]

[markt]