Uechi Ryu - My ASP.NET Application

Uechi-ryu (上地流 Uechi-ryū) is a traditional style of Okinawan karate. Uechi-ryū means "Style of Uechi" or "School of Uechi". Originally called Pangai-noon (traditional Chinese characters: 半硬軟), which translates to English as "half-hard, half-soft", the style was renamed Uechi-ryū after the founder of the style, Kanbun Uechi. The idea being to have a hard exterior that can take a blow and have strong defense, while at the same time having a soft interior that can move and breathe and is still flexible. This is a defining characteristic of Uechi-Ryu, something it still stands for today.

Uechi-Ryu is based on the movements of three animals, the tiger, the dragon, and the crane. From the tiger, we find strength, ferocity, and determination. From the dragon, we find speed, flexibility, and breathing. From the crane, we find balance, and our classic circular blocking motions. There are also particular strikes and techniques that come directly from the movements of a given animal. For example, the Kanushiken is also known as the crane beak strike, and the Hiraken Fist is also known as the tiger paw.

Balanced spirit, unpredictable variability and boundless energy of the Dragon. (龍尊拳 - Longzun Quán - Dragon Style)
Cold fury, prudent ferocity and flexible power of the Tiger. (虎尊拳 -Huzun Quán - Tiger Style)
The continued stability, concentrated essence and precise speed of the Crane. (白鶴拳 - Bái Hè Quán - White Crane Style)

The snake and the panther are removed from the style. These were removed because the techniques they brought to the style were so dangerous that many students were getting maimed from practicing them.

Dragon Style (Longzun Quán) style is based on dragon poses, each of which has its own set of fighting techniques. The entire technique of the style consists of two complexes: the “soft” one, called Zhishan Qingxi (“Direct Ascension to the Blue Valley”) and the “hard” one — Taizi Yulongmen (“Gate of the Wandering Dragon of the Crown Prince”). According to the instructions of the style, any action in a given situation can be used both for defense and for attack. The style is characterized by a reliance on long series of sharp and short punches and kicks to the legs, lower abdomen or genitals. The whole body is involved in violent and sudden movements. The movements must be fast and the stances must be stable. The technique is entirely focused on real combat.

Regulating the flow of qi is accomplished by proper use of the body and breathing. The key concepts here are “absorption”, “swallowing”, that is, inhalation and “emission”, “spitting”, that is, exhalation.

Tiger Style (Huzun Quán) style is based on tiger poses, each of which has its own set of fighting techniques. The style quite accurately copies the habits and fighting style of a tiger, which is characterized by sharp leaps forward and tearing powerful blows with its “claws”. The dominant techniques are sharp, powerful blows at a short distance, accompanied by a sharp exhalation. The principle of Husingquan says: “first defense, then attack”, so battle tactics are based on counterattacks.

In the technique of "leading qi" there is a distinction between "absorption" or "swallowing" (that is, inhalation) and "emitting" or "spitting" (that is, exhalation). Inhale through the mouth, and exhale through clenched teeth. When exhaling, the lips are stretched, the teeth are clenched together like a “tiger’s grin.” A strangled cry often accompanies the exhalation, as it is believed that “locking up” the chi can increase the force of the blow.

White Crane Style (Bái Hè Quán) style is based in form on crane poses, each of which has its own set of fighting techniques, movements are clearly divided according to the principle of “rest and movement”, there are “imaginary” and “real” movements, alternating tempo is used, transitions between the upper and lower floors are given importance the flow and circulation of “qi” energy through the channels and vessels of the body, there is an idea of “apparent hardness” and “apparent softness”, there is a mechanism for mobilizing forces due to the plasticity of movements, there are various ligaments and combinations, here lightness and dexterity harmoniously complement each other, form and internal state.

In the “white crane” one of the fundamental ideas is the idea of the unity of internal and external energy, hence the importance of mental control over the “dan tien”. There is a technique for mentally stimulating “qi”; activation of the mental energy “yi” generates “qi”, which in turn gives strength. “Qi” spurs strength, and the voice helps strength, “the surge of “chi” through the larynx gives power. Among other basic concepts, it should be noted the potential of attacking action in a defensive movement, the equivalence of attack and defense; smooth hand movement and rigid final fixation, acceleration of movement from the initial stage to the final stage; breathing technique with deep and shallow control of “qi”, unity of hardness and softness, mobilization of all senses. All movements are clearly structured, the relationship between defense and attack is always clearly visible, the series of combinations are well divided into component elements and are distinguished by their diversity, the footwork is distinguished by fast, flexible movements, and the power emphasis is subtly varied.