Nam Pai Chuan

Shaolin Nam Pai Chuan (Chinese: 少林南北拳; literally "Shaolin North and South Boxing") - also Nam Pai Chuan (Chinese: 南北拳) for short - is a style of Chinese martial arts. It is a relatively modern style, de jure established in 1978[1] that has mainly proliferated in the UK and from there, to Belgium, France, New Zealand,[3] Canada, Japan, Australia and Malaysia.[4]

Shaolin Nam Pai Chuan
少林南北拳
Also known asNam Pai Chuan, North-South Fist,
FocusStriking, Chin Na, Qigong, Dim mak, weapons training
Country of originUnited Kingdom or China
CreatorChristopher Lai Khee Choong[1][2][lower-alpha 1]
ParenthoodWuzuquan, Southern Shaolin Kung Fu (Fut Gar, Luohanquan, Nanquan), Taekwondo, Judo
Olympic sportNo

History and development

This style was brought to Malaysia by Cho-Si (ancestral master) Seh Koh San, who became abbot of the Siong Lim Temple in Singapore, and died in 1960 at the age of 74. When Seh Koh San was young he learned Wuzuquan from Cho Pew; and southern Shaolin Kung Fu (which has been referred to as Fut Gar, Luohanquan, Nanquan, Ng Ying Kungfu). from chief abbot Wei Jing.[5]

One of his students was Quek Hen Choon, who is famous for his demonstrations of Ying Qigong.[6]

The style was brought to international attention by Christopher Lai Khee Choong - often identified as "Sifu Lai".[1] Prior to Lai's travels to Europe, he studied Shaolin Kung Fu under Quek Heng Choon from 1967 onwards. At that time, Lai also practiced Taekwondo under Leow Cheng Koon, who was the head of the Malaysian Taekwondo Federation. Later, Lai would serve as Secretary General of Malaysian Taekwondo Association (WT) from 1974 until him leaving the country in 1979.[2]

Lai had emigrated to United Kingdom around 1977 and opening his martial arts school in 1979 at London. Under permission by Sifu Quek, Lai used the name "Shaolin Nam Pai Chuan" for his martial arts system, that combined Lai's expertise in Northern and Southern Shaolin Kung Fu, Taekwondo and other styles - such as Judo and Wado-Ryu Karate.[1] The style has since expanded to include many centres on the UK and other countries.

Features

According to author Chris Crudelli, the Nam Pai Chuan is a very broad style that includes kicking, punching, chin na locking, take-downs, throwing, pressure points (dim mak), weapons and many other techniques, as well as Chi Gung (breathing energy exercises). It also combines elements of Judo, Wadō-ryū and Taekwondo.[1]

Notes
  1. Style traces its earliest influences to a Fut Gar & Wuzuquan practitioner Seh Koh San (1886-1960). However, it is Christopher Lai Khee Choong who established the Nam Pai Chuan system in 1978 and is recognized the founder of the style. (see Crudelli)

References
  1. Chris Crudelli (2008). The Way of the Warrior. Dorling Kindersley Ltd. p. 121. ISBN 978-14-0533-750-2.
  2. "Nam Pai Chuan | Shaolin Kung Fu | System | Introduction and History". Deltapiwest.com. Retrieved 2022-04-24.
  3. Zaryd Wilson (22 August 2016). "Whanganui kung fu black belts return". Wanganui Chronicle. Retrieved 2016-10-07.
  4. "The Martial Arts Origins and Development of Shaolin Gao Can Mun Nam Pai Chuan - Simon Wang". simonwang.com. 2023-05-16. Retrieved 2023-07-04.
  5. "Cho-Si Seh Koh San". Nam Pai Chuan Kung Fu. 28 May 2015. Retrieved 2016-10-07.
  6. "The Martial Arts History of Master Quek Heng Choon". Shaolin Kung Fu Nam Pai Chuan. Retrieved 2016-10-07.
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