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The movements of the Dragon style (Traditional Chinese: 龍形摩橋; Yale Cantonese: lung4 ying4 mo1 kiu4; literally "dragon shape rubbing bridges") of Chinese martial arts are based on the mythical Chinese dragon.
History Because the history of Dragon style has historically been transmitted orally rather than by text, its origins will probably never be known in its entirety. Modern Dragon style historians relate that one of the last members of the Shaolin Temple before its first destruction (1570) was Wu Mui, who is said to have originated the Dragon style (Chow & Spangler, 1982, p. 44). The Shaolin Kung Fu Institute of the Pacific Northwest agrees with a date of 1570 for a destruction of the temple and states explicitly that Dragon style was created at the Shaolin Temple in Henan c. 1565 but, in addition to the Wu Mui attribution, also offers an alternative origin that identifies Dragon with the related martial art Yau Gung Mun,[1] which it attributes to the monk Mui Fa San Yang in contradiction of Yau Kung Mun's own traditions. The Institute goes on to say that Dragon diverged into Northern and Southern variants. According to the Dragon teacher Steve Martin of the Sojourn Past Martial Arts Institute, Dragon style has roots in Hakka Kuen, a combination of the local styles of the Hakka heartland in inland eastern Guangdong with the style that the monk Gee Sim Sim See taught in Guangdong and the neighboring province of Fujian in the 1700s. North of the Dongjiang in the northwest of Bóluó (博羅) County in the prefecture of Huizhou in Guangdong Province is the sacred mountain Luófúshān. Luófúshān is the site of many temples, including Wa Sau Toi where, c. 1900, a Chan (Zen) master named Tai Yuk taught Dragon style to Lam Yiu-Kwai, who in turn passed the art on to the many students of his schools in Guangzhou. Because Lam Yiu-Kwai and Cheung Lai-Chuen were longtime training partners, Dragon style and Cheung's style of Bak Mei share many similarities. Good friends from their youth in the Dongjiang region of Huizhou and later cousins by marriage, Lam and Cheung would open several schools together. There may be other styles named after the dragon that other schools believe to be much older; however, the Dragon style of Lam Yiu-Kwai is the most widespread and best-known. Techniques Overview  The dragon stylist relies on a variety of fighting techniques that can be employed for a wide range of needs. The style uses techniques that can cripple or kill an opponent if the need arises or it can be used simply to control a minor street fighting situation. Basics The Dragon Kung Fu practitioner typically attacks with winding low yang powerful and quick movements. For example, when striking with the fist, more power can be exerted when the movement originates from the waist first, then flowing through the body, and finally into the fist. Foot Work In both the Northern and Southern Dragon Style systems, leg work is characterized by a zig-zag motion that mimics the imagined movement of the mythical Chinese dragon. In Southern style, smaller strides are emphasized to complement the system's short range combat style. In the Northern system, the strides are greater, utilizing the strength of the legs to move in and out of the opponent's range of attack with speed and force. Southern Dragon Style Motto "Control yourself, let others do what they will. - This does not mean you are weak.
- Control your heart, obey the principles of life.
- This does not mean others are stronger."
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