Kung Fu collection
Chang Quan
长拳 • Long Fist
Chang Quan ("long boxing") is a traditional martial art from northern China, known for its expansive movements, great expressiveness and dynamic footwork at medium and long range.
Chang Quan (长拳), or "long boxing", is a general name for many styles originating in northern China, also known as Bei Quan or "northern boxing". Ancient texts associate its origins with Taizu, the first emperor of the Song dynasty, who is said to have studied and classified 32 long-range combat forms.
Under the Qing dynasty, the style was classified more precisely, while during the Ming dynasty General Qi Jiguang and Kung Fu teacher Cheng Chong Dou analysed existing long-boxing methods and established the foundations of a structured school.
They created warm-ups and specific exercises to develop the flexibility and tone required for its practice. The style is generally practised in a straight line, with a very large range of movement, and develops power at medium and long distance.
Rich in content, rational in attack and defence, and varied in its movements, Chang Quan favours practical and direct sequences. It is said that Chang Quan is long-range combat, and that long-range combat is Chang Quan.