How to Do the Shaolin Cross Block in Basic Southern Shaolin Kung Fu

Founded within the ancient walls of the Shaolin temple in Southern China, Shaolin kung fu is one of the most powerful forms of martial arts known today. Formed as a means of hand-to-hand combat, Shaolin kung fu utilizes a variety of continuous fighting techniques to confuse and dominate the opponent. The cross block is a basic yet extremely important move in Southern Shaolin kung fu.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Practice the Shaolin cross in the basic horse stance. Hold your fists to your waist with your elbows in tight to your body. Step your right foot forward and slightly to the left to make a clockwise circle before stepping out to the right. Move your left foot forward and slightly to the right before making a counter-clockwise circle and stepping out to the left. Your feet should end up about 3 feet apart with your knees slightly bent and your weight resting on your quads and hips.

2. Use the Shaolin cross technique to literally strike an incoming strike. While many forms of martial arts speak of blocking, Southern kung fu teaches students to strike an attack.

3. Extend your right hand out to your center with your palm open and your fingers tightly together pointing towards the ceiling. Often called the Shaolin monk, this position of the cross is used to stop a straight punch.

4. Lift your arm up level with your eyebrows as you make a crane's beak with your hand. Turn your fingertips forward and then down, holding them tightly together in the form of a beak as you lift. The crane's beak is used as part of the cross to stop punches to the head.

5. Lower your hand as you make a leopard's paw. Open your palm so that it is facing forward and curl your fingertips in. Your first knuckles, those closest to your hand, should point straight up while the lower knuckles curl. Draw your hand down to waist level to block a punch to the body.

6. Draw your hand up level with the center of your body as your form your hand into a crane's beak once again. Move your hand towards your right side in order to stop a hook punch coming from the right. Stop a hook punch coming from the left by forming your hand into a crane's wing and moving towards the center of your body. To make a crane's wing, simply open up the beak while keeping your fingers together, and point them up towards your shoulder.

7. Repeat the Southern Shaolin cross in this order to enhance your kung fu skills. The movement should be graceful yet powerful. While you will separate the movements during combat, in practice, they are always kept together as one motion.

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