CREATING THE SIMA KUNTAO ARTS
After years of training I observed that in most situations there was a gulf between how techniques were ‘taught’ and in how the techniques were ‘applied’. Throughout the late 80’s to late 90’s I regularly took part in San Shou tournaments which is ‘full-contact Kung Fu’ competition fighting using striking and throwing.
I found San Shou was a chance to express martial methods in ways that were practical. Training in San Shou also freed me from having to limit technical flow to the confines of any particular style. I had black-sash degree grades in 5 arts by then and was proficient in at least 3 others. I wanted to maximise the efficiency of classical fighting techniques so on top of the traditional methods I incorporated modern training equipment and scientific
methods with a combat sport regimen. I also trained in boxing, wrestling, grappling, African and South East Asian fighting arts.
After much testing this regime proved effective as I held British, European and World San Shou championship titles. I also trained students in these methods and they achieved British titles too. So after fighting in the 8th world championships in Taiwan in 1996 I had wanted to condense my methods into a recognized martial system. Using various aspects of arts I had studied I formulated an adaptable and diverse martial art that could be used from light-contact (pushing hands etc) through to full-contact competition.
I had already had considerable exposure to Indonesian Pencak Silat, but from 2001 this approach dominated my training mind-set. The similarity of postures but difference in application of Shaolin Lohan and Silat principles provided the teaching framework for me. I used the base techniques that were commonly employed by the various systems that corresponded with realistic full-contact application. The mixing of traditional footwork with western boxing footwork and wrestling movement helped the system gel into a synergistic whole. Traditional sensitivity and reaction drills were adapted to fit modern scenarios. I decided to name this system ‘Sima Kuntao’.
The aim of the system is to get practitioners to ask the correct questions. Everyone can see the answers but the ability to see the questions will teach the students to understand for themselves. The WHEN and WHY is seen as more important then HOW TO? Looking at the martial arts first from the EFFECT then to the ROOT CAUSE and the ability to recreate the circumstances reveals principles.
Classical Chi Gung is taught for energy cultivation, traditional conditioning training is used for protecting the body and limbs, classical Kung-Fu and Yoga postures are used for stretching, Lohan Gung, Meditation and Breathing are taught for the mind and spirit and circuit training and callisthenics are used to increase cardiovascular endurance.
Sima Kuntao is a system that is continually developing and will become a
major method for the progression of martial arts in the 21st century…