Imperial Dragon Kung Fu classes are set up to give a good grounding in the fundamentals of the Martial Arts. When studying with us you will be taught numerous traditional elements such as stances, punches, strikes, kicks and blocks. You will also be taught how to defend yourself against grabs, punch, kicks, baton, knife and other attacks. The IDKF’s syllabus also consist of weapons use and forms (kata), traditional five animal style Kung Fu, Tiger, Crane, Leopard, Snake and Dragon, all of which form the basis for most of IDKF’s syllabus and techniques.

Basic technique...

The most basic techniques like punches, kicks, stances and blocks form the building blocks for everything that is to follow. Blocks are one of the most important techniques because if an attacker cannot hit you they cannot harm you. At that same time if you do not have a good punch or kick you cannot stop an attacker. That is why punches, kicks and blocks are the beginnings of Self defence, also these techniques are the basis of forms (a set series of movements).

Self defence...

Self defence is, for some people, one of the main purposes of the Martial Arts, this is why self defence is a large part of what you will be taught at IDKF, starting to learn the fundamentals of defence within the first few weeks of joining. Starting with learning how to fall safely and then self defence against grabs. As you learn and increase in rank you will go on to learn self defence from punch and kick, and then from weapons and contest (multiple people attacking at the same time), you will also learn animal self defence (self defence using animal characteristics).

The Five animal styles in Kung Fu...

The Tiger personifies strength and aggression, fighting with courage and ferocity never backing down. The Tiger is well suited to bigger, stronger people, the Tiger is characterized by dynamic techniques like Tiger palms, rips and strong overpowering locks that are preformed under tension to show the power and the aggression of the Tiger. The movements of the Tiger will strengthen your bones and help to develop "natural" strength

The Crane embodies speed and fluidity using fast graceful techniques to overcome stronger adversaries. Using swift flowing footwork and excellent balance to avoid and deflect attacks, employing pecking, kicking and the use of leverage in its own attacks. Smaller faster agile people are suited to perform Crane. The graceful movements of the Crane will develop your balance & harmonize your hands & your feet. Tranquillity and awareness are some of the virtues of the crane

The Leopard is a combination of speed and power, using stealth and cunning to take the attacker unaware, by the use of quick footwork and blocks, The Leopard moves round the attack and counters to the most vulnerable area of the attacker. The Leopard always strikes multiple times during its attack. Leopard palms and Leopard strikes and evasive movements are how the Leopard is emulated. The movements of the Leopard concentrate on the development of strength with speed & agility.

The Snake uses fast focused strikes to soft, vital points of the body, like the neck, windpipe or the groin. The Snake style is based on fast striking Snakes like the viper or cobra. The Snake also tends to get in close and coil round the attacker then employing speed and leverage to perform locks and get round attacks.  The Snake's energy flows through it's body which remains supple. The snake appears to be soft yet is strong, flexible yet firm, until the moment is strikes

The Dragon is a supernatural creature and is the pure representation of wisdom and strength, the Dragon is the combination of the other four animals, but with a spiritual element that the others do not possess, the power of the Dragon is the bringing together of the internal power of the body and the focus of the mind and spirit, when achieved will produce great power and purpose of movement. The movements of the Dragon will cultivate your spirit and develop your internal energy, and is the culmination of all we teach ... and the beginning of the journey once more.

Forms (kata)...

Forms are sets of movement put together to show the ability to perform the techniques that have been learnt, forms are a part of most Martial Arts and are a good way to prefect the different styles, the basic forms help to demonstrate a good understanding of punches, kicks Stances and blocks. The more advance forms are based on the 5 animals, when performing these it is important to have a good understanding of the characteristics of the animals. Forms also help to learn and prefect, fast, fluid movement.