Form Over Substance?

By Sissi Liu
Sissi Liu is the Yoga instructor and a Level 5 (Green) student at Wu Dao

Many students of traditional martial arts either adore or despise the study and practice of forms (Tao-Lu in Chinese). There are also those who feel that forms are simply a part of traditional martial arts practice and are therefore resigned to learning them. The rationale for the learning forms is unclear to many. To make the matter worse, it seems that forms have been relegated to the status of a performing art, accompanied by flashy costuming, flimsy weapons, musical accompaniments, with acrobatic moves and sometimes even stage effects to entertain the audience. One is therefore forced to question, “Is there perhaps too much form over substance when it comes to forms training in traditional martial arts?”

To address this question, it is helpful to examine the origin of forms. Chinese martial arts extend greatly in terms of style. Each style was created with an embedded philosophy on gaining the advantage in a fight. Through hands-on practice and real-life battles, discoveries about body mechanics and strategies were made, and specializations were thus formed. Contrast Praying Mantis and Choy Lay Fut Kung Fu, which are both taught at Wu Dao: Praying Mantis exhibits quick strikes and hook grabs, with the intent to turn defense into offense; Choy Lay Fut features aggressive and powerful techniques that are better suited for continuous offensive attacks. Contrast these with Yang Style Tai Chi, which is founded on the idea of redirection of force and energy. Shui-jiao, or throwing, represents yet another ancient branch of Chinese martial arts that may be unfamiliar to most Americans. Expand this further, Chinese martial arts is also comprised of Chin-Na techniques, weapons use, internal styles, and beyond.

Forms most likely became a common way for creators and practitioners of each style to anthologize the essential techniques of their system for the ease of memorization, practice, and documentation. While many Shaolin forms were documented in text, in the absence of literacy, forms, transmitted as an oral tradition, became the means for passing down coveted martial arts knowledge. It was also a method for protecting intellectual property of a particular martial artist or lineage. For example, from Chinese mnemonic rhymes, we get vivid technique names such as "monkey grabs the peaches." These rhymes enabled generations of idea accumulation and refinement to survive through the millennia, carrying with them the wisdom of the teachers who came before us.

The process of learning through forms may therefore seem counter-intuitive. Traditional teaching methods put much of the burden on the student. Instead of being taught the applications of techniques within a form, one studies the form over a long period of time. Through many iterations of practice, combined with personal trials and analysis, one begins to appreciate the effectiveness and the variety of applications of each technique and combination as well as the overall structure of a form. Just as one gains profound insight through the rereading of a great classic, one's understanding of techniques and the advantages and disadvantages of a particular style may change and deepen with the knowledge and growth of the practitioner. The goal is to extract the essence of the style from a form and be able to comfortably and sometimes creatively apply the techniques in a physical conflict.

During his visit to Wu Dao last summer, I asked Shifu Shi De Cheng, a Shaolin Warrior Monk, how many forms his Shaolin master knew. He named a few but emphasized that his master was particularly skilled at two forms, one of which was Xiao Hong Quan (Little Hong Style Fist) a form typically taught to beginners but one that encompasses many fundamental Shaolin techniques and a plethora of applications.

Ultimately, forms training is a means to an end. It has an important place in traditional martial arts practice but its place must be well understood and not corrupted by an enthusiasm for its entertainment value. As a martial arts student, the objective of learning forms should not be to collect them, but to perfect and internalize the skills and techniques that they seek to teach. With this in mind, consistent training in forms can yield intellectual stimulation and personal growth.