Drunken Style Kung Fu

Drunken Kung Fu is not a system in Chinese Martial

Arts, but a fighting form of Chinese Kung Fu. There
are many various Northern and Southern Drunken

Kung Fu forms. The description and movements of
this style symbolize a person who is under the

influence, and the movement’s as well as the
practitioner look clumsy and relaxed.

Legend has it that once a practitioner was involved in

combat, he would perform far better if he had a drink
between his countering and attacking. During the

form there is a lot of 'preparing for a toast' postures
asking for a refill. The hand and finger positioning

demonstrate as if the practitioner is holding a cup.

It is a very effective system when used as the
Drunken practitioner’s movements of attack and
defense constantly surprise your opponent. Our form

offers counter and attacking movements from all
ranges, from groundwork to head level strikes and

above. In Zui Quan or the drunkard boxing, boxer’s
falter, waddle, fall and sway just like drunkards. Zui

Quan can be used for both fighting and maintaining
health. However, the drunkard boxers go out of their

way to stress the combative side of their style. They

blend a series of movements, actions and skills of the

martial arts and try to confuse their opponents with
special skills, which often lead them to surprise

triumphs.

Execution of the drunkard boxing demands extreme
flexibility of the joints as well as suppleness, dexterity,

power and coordination all of which can be developed
in the course of practice. The main feature of the

drunkard boxing is to hide combative hits in
drunkard-like, unsteady movements and actions so s

to confuse the opponent. The secret of this style of
boxing is maintaining a clear mind while giving a

drunken appearance.

Drunkard boxers are required to be responsive with
good eyesight and fist plays. They move in

unconnected steps but with a flexible body combining
hardness and suppleness. They have to be fast to get

the better of their opponents but their main tactic is
to feign defense while trying to attack and aiming in

one direction but attacking in another. Different
ranges of movements and expressions in the eye

demonstrate various degrees of drunkenness.

Drunken Style is a general term. There are many
forms of Drunken Kung Fu, such as Drunken Monkey

of Monkey form and Eight Immortals. The principle
concept behind Drunken Kung Fu is to move as if one

were half drunk.

Probably the most famous style is named as Eight
Immortals. The style refers to the ancient Chinese

concept of eight immortals. Legends tell of how they
were invited to an undersea kingdom to a banquet,

but all of them became drunk and rowdy. All the

kingdoms guards attacked, their opponents seemingly

drunk, but the immortals created an impromptu style
on the spot and defeated the guardsmen. It is

supposedly this style, which is taught to people now.

Although there are numerous variations on Drunken
Techniques, some of the more famous ones are

fusions such as Five Drunken Animals based upon the
Five Animals techniques, and some of the drunken

weapon techniques, such as Drunken Staff
Techniques. The secret behind Drunken style kung fu

is the sudden release of power from awkward
positions. The footwork enables the exponent to

totter, sway and fall without harm, confusing his
opponent, rising up on the soles of his toes then

dropping down to crouched positions.

A common hand-form is the Cup-Form hand. I am not
sure if this translation is strictly correct, although it

is used as a hand-form, which represents the holding
of a small Chinese rice-wine cup or a jug. Even while

falling the exponent will strike quickly, feint then
counter-attack, or side-roll to safety.