Reverse Riding of Donkey

[Nick Jones]

Dear Family,

I recently noticed that Sigung has posted a question on www.shaolin.org regarding how to counter the pattern Immortal Zhang Gua Lau Riding on a Donkey in a Reverse Way.

For convenience i have copied the post here :

Who says there is no ground-fighting in kungfu? Here is the latest technique taught by Grandmaster Wong.

How would you counter when you have been spread-eagle on the floor with your opponent sitting on you and attempting to dislocate your angle, in a pattern known as "Immortal Zhang Gua Lau Riding on a Donkey in a Reverse Way"?

If you don't know but wish to, ask those who have attended the recent "Taijiquan against Other Martial Arts" course in Ireland. If you wish to work out your own answer, a clue is "Iron Bull Ploughs Earth". Both the attack and the counter patterns are found in the "Drunken Eight Immortals" Set.

I thought it would be interesting to discuss the possibilities. The clue that Sigung has given is one of the 18 Lohan Arts a list of which can be found here : http://www.shaolin.org/general-2/eig...lohan-art.html

Perhaps those who attended the recent Taijiquan against other Martial Arts course could refrain from posting an answer until we've had some fun working out the answer ourselves.

Best Wishes,
Nick

[Robin]

Hi Nick,

Yes, very interesting

I wonder what type of Kung Fu 'Reverse riding of the Donkey' comes from?

It looks very interesting,

Also, I would be very interested to know some of the counters.

Robin

[Mark Blohm]

I wonder what type of Kung Fu 'Reverse riding of the Donkey' comes from?

Oh oh oh. It's getting near that time.....

Hmm. One of the 18 Lohan Arts.

[Joan]

Dear Shaolin Wahnam Family,

Just to raise Nick's post here

I thought it would be interesting to discuss the possibilities. The clue that Sigung has given is one of the 18 Lohan Arts a list of which can be found here : http://www.shaolin.org/general-2/eig...lohan-art.html

Perhaps those who attended the recent Taijiquan against other Martial Arts course could refrain from posting an answer until we've had some fun working out the answer ourselves.

Best Wishes,
Nick

The Wahnam Tai Chi Chuan group in Ireland are chomping at the bit (although I think that is more for a horse than a donkey!!) to let you know

Smile from the Heart,
Joan

[Nick Jones]

Dear Siguma,

Thank you for your input and humour

I will post my Ideas this weekend, after I've had a chance to test them with a partner.. Unfortunately my wife wasn't interested in letting me test them out on her..

Hopefully, before then some some others might also like to make a couple of suggestions ?

[Mark Blohm]

Hey Brother,

"Shake Head Wag Tail"?

[Nick Jones]

Hello dear brother

Thanks for your suggestion, I hope you're good !

In the original question Sigung suggested 'Iron Bull Ploughs Earth' as the clue, So I think the counter would involve a similar movement.

I've unfortunately missed my opportunity to test out my idea, however I'll post it here nonetheless.

From the prone position, I would try to plant my hands down and use a similar movement to 'Iron Bull Ploughs Earth' to push up the opponent then pull my body forward and roll to the side. As I did this I would slide the leg that was not being gripped from under the person sitting on me. I would then kick the back or the head of the attacker using the pattern 'Reverse Kicking of the Purple Bell' whilst withdrawing the held leg.

This should work against an opponent of equal or smaller size but I'm not convinced it would work against a much bigger and heavier opponent.

I will try this out on Thursday against the much heavier Laughing Buddha.

Any more ideas ?

[Nick Jones]

So no ideas? ah well

I tested out the counter I mentioned in the previous post, which worked, though it needed some refinement.

Perhaps it's time for someone who has been taught the counter by Sigung to share it with us ?

Otherwise, I think those of us in London will have to wait till summer to find out...

Best wishes,
Nick

[Peter Clayton]

Dear Family,

I had great fun with this counter on the course! It worked the same for me regardless of the size of my oppenent.

Being face down with my ankle about to be snapped I quickly raised myself up and kicked out with the trapped leg at the same time. The result flipped my opponent on their back and allowed me to regain control.

[SimonR]

Dear Family,

I would like to join Peter in his comment, we also had so much fun in the last Wing Choon course at The Blue Mountain with Sigung. The first time when he showed us Reverse riding if the donkey we were shocked, as it looked quite difficult to release form it, my shock was even worst as I was doing the practice at that moment with Piti Sisook, for those of you who now him could tell that he is probably twice my size, plus a big amount of internal force.

When he sat down on top of me and sinked his chi, it was even hard to breath, and my first thought was "this is going to be difficult", but as soon as I tried Iron bull ploughs earth I was amazed on how easy Piti flew away, we tried it several times and every time it worked perfectly fine, even the mechanics of the movement without internal force is enough.

I found some pictures of the practice wich I would like to share with you, you can see how Piti Sisook ends up in a position of disadvantage, as his balance and center of gravity is absolutely lost. You can also see some pictures of Miriam, a thin, small and gentle mexican lady, she could throw Sean (form Canada) quite easy too. I don't have pictures of Piti Sisook throwing me, but I can tel you that I flew meters away, it actually felt so nice, it was nicer than jumping on a trampoline

It is amazing to see and enjoy the several benefits of the 18 Lohan Arts, not only for developing internal force and all the Chi Kung benefits, but also they are a wonderful way to deepen in the esence of body movement and explosive force. I am practicing them every day and it's been great for my Tai Chi Chuan and for my body.

Thank you Sigung!!!!

Best regards,

Simon