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Post by Zrem on Nov 17, 2005 7:57:29 GMT -5
Here's the highlights of what I've done on the Martial Arts of Avatar thus far.
1.) All the martial arts are based off of Sifu Kisu, (sifu, or shifu, is a Chinese title meaning "master", and is used commonly for upper level martial arts instructors) who is probably the most famous member (to an almost prolific level in the martial arts industry) of The Harmonious Fist Chinese Athletic Association. He's worked with the people at Avatar for over three years now, helping choreographing all the bending moves.
2.) Airbending is based off of Baguazhang, or Ba Gua Zhang. It's actually a lot of different moves, but it is primarily known for two very distinctive features. The first being that practitioners are known to circle their opponent and almost randomly change directions (and if you've seen Aang in a fight, you've seen him do this, probably multiple times). It's also known for the quickness of the movements, along with the agility and flexibility required for those moves. If you've seen Aang jump, then you can get a pretty good idea of what's going on there.
3.) Waterbending is based off of T'ai Chi Ch'uan, Taijiquan, or just Tai Chi. It's a very fluid martial arts, and practitioners typically practice focusing on three things, their movements remaining fluid, their balance being kept, and their movement being correct. At early levels, you really can't fight off anyone using this technique, but once you get to the higher levels, it becomes just as effective as any martial arts out there.
4.) Earthbending is based off of Hung Gar, or Hung Kuen. Of the four martial arts styles used for bending, this is the only style that is from southern China, the rest being from northern China. This is a style that is from Kung Fu, and is known for it's really low stances, really stable stances. It's an extremely powerful looking style. Beginners in this style focus just on brute force, where as you become more advanced, you focus more and more on indirect force (such as using an opponents movements against them) as you learn.
5.) Firebending is based off of the Northern Shaolin (or Shaolim) fighting style. It's also common to be referred to as Changquian, but that's misleading, as Changquan is a term for all the external (this is a more brute strength style, internal, like Bagua and Tai Chi, are focused on using opponents strength against themselves) styles of Northern China. This style has many, many acrobatics and stance shifts, and that's why it looks like Zuko is breakdancing when he fights. He's just good at the Northern Shaolim fighting style.
6.) The reason that Airbending, Waterbending, and Firebending are so flippy, or at least really swift, when compared to Earthbending is because Earthbending was developed in Southern China, whereas the other three were developed in Northern China. Southern China was typically more mountainous and the people tend to be of shorter stature, so there is a lot less movement. Northern China is very flat, and the people from there tend to have longer legs, so much more moevement exists in those styles of martial arts.
7.) Tai Chi is probably the oldest by a lot. The oldest record of it by this name was around the mid 1800's, but it probably dates back to thousands of years ago. Hung Gar is second oldest, being traced back to around the late 1800's, but Baguazhang and Northern Shaolim were both developed in the early 1900's.
8.) The people who do this animation for the bending have it pretty exact. Sifu Kisu is amazing at this, and it probably helped that Bryan Konietzko evidently took some time to learn martial arts used on the show from Sifu Kisu. I've seen stances in these martial arts before, and the moves look the same in the show when comapred to real life.
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Post by agentalice on Nov 30, 2005 1:17:38 GMT -5
I think I remember someone on LJ saying that the warriors of Kyoshi are martial artists using Akido. (sp?) Anyways, just thought I'd let you know.
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Post by Zrem on Nov 30, 2005 15:44:35 GMT -5
Hmm, the moves that they do, at least without the fan, are akin to a lot of things ranging from Judo to Aikido to Jujitsu, so it's hard to say what martial arts they use. I'm not familiar with any martial that uses a fan, and I don't believe that Aikido is one of them.
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Post by Mx7f on Jan 11, 2006 11:31:43 GMT -5
This threads just too good to let die. Well the style I take is Wah Lum Tam Tui Northern Praying Mantis Kung Fu, but its been infused with several styles, including Shaolin, Choy La Fut, Monkey Kung Fu, Drunken Kung Fu, Taichi, and innumerable others, as those who practiced other styles have come in and been part of our school. Plus my fighting style is further modified from my wrestling, and by my wrestling coach's experience in Judo. I have no idea what style its from, but a fan form is taught in our school. If I had to guess which style it was, I'd immediately eliminate any of the animal styles, drunken styles, Shaolin, and its more than likely not Wah Lum. Sounds like something I might research later. Well my fingers are tired, I'll stop typing, for now.  [/center][/font] |
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Post by Nightspade on May 22, 2006 18:01:47 GMT -5
Ty Lee uses a technic known as kyusho jitsu.
Kyusho jitsu is the art of fighting by attacking pressure points on the body. It is used in many fighting sports from karate to jujutsu to boxing. Kyusho jitsu is somewhat difficult to master because the pressure point must be hit at the correct angle and direction. Because it relies on angles and technique, it is possible to gain dramatic results with relatively little force.
The pressure points are essentially the same points as those used in acupuncture. Unlike many martial arts, kyusho can be adapted to be used with almost any martial art or on its own and can be used to heal as well as attack. The entire first level of kyusho training is, in fact, devoted to healing and revival by striking pressure points that correlate to nerves and organs throughout the body. It is important to hit or rub points correctly and at the correct angle so that it has the intended effect.
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Post by Annonimous on Jun 22, 2006 12:12:07 GMT -5
I don't meen to anger anyone by posting without joining but since some people take martial arts here i thought it ok to ask if anyone knows of any Xingyiquan schools? I no that the martial art school is what Hyuga Neji's juuken from Naruto is based off of and I thought it would be cool to take a similar martial art.
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Post by Kisu on Feb 23, 2007 8:09:51 GMT -5
Shedding light;
Sifu expresses connotations on the emotional level relating to a very respected and beloved father or teacher not master. Master is a term used by the peers of a high level practitioner. It is a term Masters use when speaking of someone they respect. A master would NEVER refer to himself as a Master.
The Harmonious Fist Chinese Athletic Association is a branch of the Northern Shaolim Gung Fu Association and is headed by me (Kisu).The various martial essences related to the bendings I selected from the practice ritual (strand based style) curriculum handed down by my Master Hui Ho Kwong of the Northern Shaolim Gung Fu Association. My specialty is the Northern Shaolim but I am intimately familiar with the other styles I demonstrate for our show. Bagua or pakua is based on the "book of change" the i-ching which is a taoist doctrine related to the essence of impermanence in our daily life. The martial aspect is based on 8 palm change practices adopting very regimented postures performed whilst walking a circle. I felt this captured the pure essence the shows creators were attempting to express with the Airbender characters. There is also a bit of Hsing Yi "mind heart boxing" (Xingyiquan) sprinkled in there for good measure. Most bagua practitioners are usually familiar with hsing yi. Bagua essence is related to spirals where as hsing yi dominates the straight line and has 12 animal postures. If Bagua is related to spirals and hsing yi to lines Tai Chi expresses it's essence as waves which I felt suited Water bending. It is very effective in close combat because of it's sudden, unexpected pulses of manifest energy. It also has a relatively simple construction based on the thirteen classic postures and their associated transitions. T'ai Chi Chuan is a healing Martial art that combines martial arts movements with chi (life force) energy circulation, breathing, and stretching techniques. The training of T'ai Chi includes the integration of mind, chi and body. The same techniques that were capable of developing internal power for combat have proved to be effective as life prolonging, healing and rejuvenating exercises. The movements are relaxing yet stimulating. T'ai Chi Ch'uan translates as "supreme ultimate fist." It is a rarely understood form of Chinese martial art. Renowned for its health benefits, T'ai Chi Ch'uan has spread throughout the world as a health creating exercise. It is recognized by the medical community as being helpful for stress, and has been used in therapy programs for patients with Multiple Sclerosis and other ailments. Hung ga is a powerful rooted martial art and was the first Shaolin art taught outside of the temple to common folk. It was made famous by the Great Master Hung Hei Gwoon, Wong Fei Hung, Lum Sai Wing etc. It's low stances seemed to me to make it the ideal art to associate with Earthbending. We also used Chu Ga Southern Preying Mantis to give Toph her unusual stylistic movements. Chu Ga is a close range style similar to Bak Mei (White Eyebrow). The Northern Shaolim style of kung fu is one of the most prominent traditional northern styles of Chinese martial arts. The northern styles of kung-fu generally emphasize long range techniques, quick advances and retreats, wide stances, kicking and leaping techniques, whirling circular blocks, quickness, agility, and aggressive attacks. Since the Firebenders are my favorite and Zuko borrowed my facial scar I selected NS for Firebending. Also I have been known as a bit of a “bad boy/ loose cannon” in our clan so the “bad guys” had to use my favorite style! The system teaches empty-hand techniques and weaponry through predetermined combinations, routines, or movement of sets. The students learn the basics by practicing the routines until the movements in the routines can be executed naturally based on instinct. Then, two or multiple man sets are practiced to train responses and applications of techniques learned from the sets. The practice sets/routines are not only practical in applications but are also graceful and artistic in nature. The fluidness of the movements combined with acrobatic techniques are trademarks of the Northern Shaolim Kung-Fu sets. The Northern Shaolim style of Kung-Fu was made famous by the late Grand Master Ku Yu Cheung. There are many legends about the master. According to some related by his close students, Master Ku's father was an accomplished exponent of the Tan Toi (Snapping Kicks) Kung-Fu style. When he was young, Master Ku traveled throughout Northern China to learn all the northern kung-fu systems. He was renowned for his Iron Palm techniques and the application of the long spear weapon. He organized all his learnings into what is the Northern Shaolim Kung Fu today. Master Ku (http://www.harmoniousfist.com/kuyucheung.html) was born in the late 1800s. He has been the head of a security guard company a policy official and head instructor of major martial arts institutes. Master Ku was recognized by the Chinese martial arts community as having the most devastating Iron Palm techniques in the history of Kung Fu. Master Ku taught many students, his eldest student is Yen Zan Wu. Other close students are Lone Gee Cheung and Lau Kam Tung. Master Yen Zan Wu was responsible for the wide spreading of the art in Hong Kong. His students traveled throughout the world including the United States. One of them, Master So Bin Yuen (Johnny So) taught the art to Master Ken Hui here in Los Angeles. Master Ken Hui in turn taught the art to Sifu Kisu who continues to pass on the tradition. Northern Shaolim is never referred to as Changquian, only Bak Siu Lum in Cantoness and Bei Shaolin in Manderin. Azula's technique comes from Cha Kuen (chuan) which is a northern style practiced by Islamic nomads of China. I noticed someone mentioned Tan Tui. Tan Tui is an Islamic style as well and is one of the root essences of Northern Shaolim (The ten road set not the twelve which is native to Chin Woo (the style from the movie Fearless and Fist of Legend). The Kyoshi warriors fan fighting is based on the Northern Shaolim Iron Fan not on Aikido. Ty Li pin point striking is based on the Northern Shaolim Chin Na/ Kum La Sao (in Cantoness) (seize and control) an interrelated subsystem of NS. All traditional Martial Art have some form of accupoint strike method. The highest levels know where, what time of day and with what intention to either kill on the spot, kill with a delayed reaction, or to simply incapacitate the ability to perform motor function temporarily or permanently. The highest level of this subsystem is called death touch or Dim Mak. Martial art is my life's work and passion. I practice and teach everyday like brushing the teeth it is something I just do as a personal necessity. I am so happy our little show has touched so many lives and stirred up a new interest in the study of martial art. Please feel free to view our website: www.harmoniousfist.comalso my personal web offerings on myspace: www.myspace.com/sifukisuas well as: www.myspace.com/harmonious_fistPeace Sifu Kisu The Harmonious Fist Chinese Athletic Association Beverly Hills, CA. USA
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Post by Kisu on Feb 23, 2007 8:20:15 GMT -5
Shedding light;
Sifu expresses connotations on the emotional level relating to a very respected and beloved father or teacher not master. Master is a term used by the peers of a high level practitioner. It is a term Masters use when speaking of someone they respect. A master would NEVER refer to himself as a Master.
The Harmonious Fist Chinese Athletic Association is a branch of the Northern Shaolim Gung Fu Association and is headed by me (Kisu).The various martial essences related to the bendings I selected from the practice ritual (strand based style) curriculum handed down by my Master Hui Ho Kwong of the Northern Shaolim Gung Fu Association. My specialty is the Northern Shaolim but I am intimately familiar with the other styles I demonstrate for our show.  Bagua or pakua is based on the "book of change" the i-ching which is a taoist doctrine related to the essence of impermanence in our daily life. The martial aspect is based on 8 palm change practices adopting very regimented postures performed whilst walking a circle. I felt this captured the pure essence the shows creators were attempting to express with the Airbender characters. There is also a bit of Hsing Yi "mind heart boxing" (Xingyiquan) sprinkled in there for good measure. Most bagua practitioners are usually familiar with hsing yi. Bagua essence is related to spirals where as hsing yi dominates the straight line and has 12 animal postures. If Bagua is related to spirals and hsing yi to lines Tai Chi expresses it's essence as waves which I felt suited Water bending. It is very effective in close combat because of it's sudden, unexpected pulses of manifest energy. It also has a relatively simple construction based on the thirteen classic postures and their associated transitions. T'ai Chi Chuan is a healing Martial art that combines martial arts movements with chi (life force) energy circulation, breathing, and stretching techniques. The training of T'ai Chi includes the integration of mind, chi and body. The same techniques that were capable of developing internal power for combat have proved to be effective as life prolonging, healing and rejuvenating exercises. The movements are relaxing yet stimulating. T'ai Chi Ch'uan translates as "supreme ultimate fist." It is a rarely understood form of Chinese martial art. Renowned for its health benefits, T'ai Chi Ch'uan has spread throughout the world as a health creating exercise. It is recognized by the medical community as being helpful for stress, and has been used in therapy programs for patients with Multiple Sclerosis and other ailments.  Hung ga is a powerful rooted martial art and was the first Shaolin art taught outside of the temple to common folk. It was made famous by the Great Master Hung Hei Gwoon, Wong Fei Hung, Lum Sai Wing etc. It's low stances seemed to me to make it the ideal art to associate with Earthbending. We also used Chu Ga Southern Preying Mantis to give Toph her unusual stylistic movements. Chu Ga is a close range style similar to Bak Mei (White Eyebrow). The Northern Shaolim style of kung fu is one of the most prominent traditional northern styles of Chinese martial arts. The northern styles of kung-fu generally emphasize long range techniques, quick advances and retreats, wide stances, kicking and leaping techniques, whirling circular blocks, quickness, agility, and aggressive attacks. Since the Firebenders are my favorite and Zuko borrowed my facial scar I selected NS for Firebending. Also I have been known as a bit of a “bad boy/ loose cannon” in our clan so the “bad guys” had to use my favorite style! The system teaches empty-hand techniques and weaponry through predetermined combinations, routines, or movement of sets. The students learn the basics by practicing the routines until the movements in the routines can be executed naturally based on instinct. Then, two or multiple man sets are practiced to train responses and applications of techniques learned from the sets. The practice sets/routines are not only practical in applications but are also graceful and artistic in nature. The fluidness of the movements combined with acrobatic techniques are trademarks of the Northern Shaolim Kung-Fu sets.  The Northern Shaolim style of Kung-Fu was made famous by the late Grand Master Ku Yu Cheung. There are many legends about the master. According to some related by his close students, Master Ku's father was an accomplished exponent of the Tan Toi (Snapping Kicks) Kung-Fu style. When he was young, Master Ku traveled throughout Northern China to learn all the northern kung-fu systems. He was renowned for his Iron Palm techniques and the application of the long spear weapon. He organized all his learnings into what is the Northern Shaolim Kung Fu today. Master Ku (http://www.harmoniousfist.com/kuyucheung.html) was born in the late 1800s. He has been the head of a security guard company a policy official and head instructor of major martial arts institutes. Master Ku was recognized by the Chinese martial arts community as having the most devastating Iron Palm techniques in the history of Kung Fu. Master Ku taught many students, his eldest student is Yen Zan Wu. Other close students are Lone Gee Cheung and Lau Kam Tung. Master Yen Zan Wu was responsible for the wide spreading of the art in Hong Kong. His students traveled throughout the world including the United States. One of them, Master So Bin Yuen (Johnny So) taught the art to Master Ken Hui here in Los Angeles. Master Ken Hui in turn taught the art to Sifu Kisu who continues to pass on the tradition.  Northern Shaolim is never referred to as Changquian, only Bak Siu Lum in Cantoness and Bei Shaolin in Manderin. Azula's technique comes from Cha Kuen (chuan)  which is a northern style practiced by Islamic nomads of China. I noticed someone mentioned Tan Tui. Tan Tui is an Islamic style as well and is one of the root essences of Northern Shaolim (The ten road set not the twelve which is native to Chin Woo (the style from the movie Fearless and Fist of Legend). The Kyoshi warriors fan fighting is based on the Northern Shaolim Iron Fan not on Aikido. Ty Li pin point striking is based on the Northern Shaolim Chin Na/ Kum La Sao (in Cantoness) (seize and control) an interrelated subsystem of NS. All traditional Martial Art have some form of accupoint strike method. The highest levels know where, what time of day and with what intention to either kill on the spot, kill with a delayed reaction, or to simply incapacitate the ability to perform motor function temporarily or permanently. The highest level of this subsystem is called death touch or Dim Mak. Martial art is my life's work and passion. I practice and teach everyday like brushing the teeth it is something I just do as a personal necessity. I am so happy our little show has touched so many lives and stirred up a new interest in the study of martial art. Please feel free to view our website: www.harmoniousfist.comalso my personal web offerings on myspace: www.myspace.com/sifukisuas well as: www.myspace.com/harmonious_fistPeace Sifu Kisu The Harmonious Fist Chinese Athletic Association Beverly Hills, CA. USA
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Post by wowposter on Sept 4, 2008 14:08:25 GMT -5
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