Shuai Chiao
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Shuai Chiao uses powerful throws and strikes, but little ground fighting. Modern Shuai Chiao is often called "the practical application of Tai Chi Chuan", with the same evasive techniques : blending with, then overcoming, an attacker's force. |
While the emphasis for beginning student is on the throwing methods, Shuai Chiao
students also practice punching and kicking. Most of the classic throws are
demonstrated from a punching, kicking, or grabbing attack, and use "chin-na" joint grasping or locking techniques instead of depending on a grip on a jacket. These characteristics make this ancient art a very effective form of self-defense in modern times.
Shuai Chiao emerged around 2,000 years ago. It was originally taught only to
the military elite. Starting in the Ch'in Dynasty, Shuai-Chiao was demonstrated
in tournaments for the Imperial court. During the Ching Dynasty, China
maintained a camp of 300 full time fighters who trained for competition with
China's allies.
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Today, Shuai Chiao is still taught primarily to the military and
police in China and Taiwan. It is a Northern Chinese martial art that was not
well known in the south until the 1930's. Shuai Chiao was introduced to the
United States in 1978 by Dr. Chi-Hsiu Daniel Weng.
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