Kung Fu San Soo

Kung fu is not a sport, but an effective and efficient fighting system utilizing a combination of punches, kicks, strikes, blocks, throws and leverages, done in perfect rhythm, and directed to vital points of the human body.  These techniques can be changed instantly to suit the situation and do not necessarily follow a set pattern.

The utilization of highly scientific principles of physics involving movement and leverage as well as intense concentration and controlled breathing gives a fighter extreme power. Agility, balance, coordination, humility, and respect for one’s fellow man are also emphasized.

Kung Fu San Soo does not attempt to emulate the motions of animals with elaborate forms. The basic premise of San Soo is there are no rules in a fight, so the style is techniques oriented to remove a threat as quickly as possible through seizing the initiative and keeping the opponent off balance. Like many martial arts, San Soo can be used by smaller or weaker persons against larger or stronger assailants by utilizing technique and knowledge of reaction to make up for a lack of strength.

Techniques in San Soo are made up of Chin Na leverages, throwing, choking, joint-locking, strangling, strikes, and quick takedowns. Targets include the eyes, nose, throat, the base of the skull, neck, liver, spleen, kidneys, testicles, and knees, and for this reason, most San Soo practitioners do not engage in full contact competition/sport fighting. Techniques are commonly practiced in unrehearsed ‘freestyle workout’ sessions with carefully controlled contact. San Soo practitioners claim this method of training builds an automatic and flexible response in much the same way we learn a language a few words at a time until we have full and versatile vocabularies. Training methods, historic interpretations, and modifications exist from school to school among the modern descendants of San Soo.

San Soo also incorporates training with the use of many traditional Chinese weapons. These include the staff (5′, 7′ and 9′), broadsword, hooking or ripping swords, baat cham do (butterfly swords), three-section staff, tai-chi sword, knife, spear, kwon do, chas and chain. The baton, although not a traditional Chinese weapon, was a weapon that Jimmy Woo specialized in and incorporated into the art.

 

 

 

 

Kung Fu San Soo

Kung fu is not a sport, but an effective and efficient fighting system utilizing a combination of punches, kicks, strikes, blocks, throws and leverages, done in perfect rhythm, and directed to vital points of the human body.  These techniques can be changed instantly to suit the situation and do not necessarily follow a set pattern.

The utilization of highly scientific principles of physics involving movement and leverage as well as intense concentration and controlled breathing gives a fighter extreme power. Agility, balance, coordination, humility, and respect for one’s fellow man are also emphasized.

Kung Fu San Soo does not attempt to emulate the motions of animals with elaborate forms. The basic premise of San Soo is there are no rules in a fight, so the style is techniques oriented to remove a threat as quickly as possible through seizing the initiative and keeping the opponent off balance. Like many martial arts, San Soo can be used by smaller or weaker persons against larger or stronger assailants by utilizing technique and knowledge of reaction to make up for a lack of strength.

Techniques in San Soo are made up of Chin Na leverages, throwing, choking, joint-locking, strangling, strikes, and quick takedowns. Targets include the eyes, nose, throat, the base of the skull, neck, liver, spleen, kidneys, testicles, and knees, and for this reason, most San Soo practitioners do not engage in full contact competition/sport fighting. Techniques are commonly practiced in unrehearsed ‘freestyle workout’ sessions with carefully controlled contact. San Soo practitioners claim this method of training builds an automatic and flexible response in much the same way we learn a language a few words at a time until we have full and versatile vocabularies. Training methods, historic interpretations, and modifications exist from school to school among the modern descendants of San Soo.

San Soo also incorporates training with the use of many traditional Chinese weapons. These include the staff (5′, 7′ and 9′), broadsword, hooking or ripping swords, baat cham do (butterfly swords), three-section staff, tai-chi sword, knife, spear, kwon do, chas and chain. The baton, although not a traditional Chinese weapon, was a weapon that Jimmy Woo specialized in and incorporated into the art.

 

Kung Fu San Soo Series We Offer

Fundamentals of Kung Fu San Soo 

By Master Lee Merrill

Throughout this series, Lee Merrill addresses the core fundamentals of Kung Fu San Soo with an in-depth explanation of key San Soo concepts. The techniques included in this series are techniques required for a yellow belt at Master Lee’s Kung Fu San Soo

  • Lee-Merrill-Kung-Fu-San-Soo

    Warm Ups

    $3.99
    Episode 1 begins with warm-ups including more advanced stretches. This video also introduces the eight basic foot movements
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    Body Alignment

    FREE
    Episode 2 teaches you the importance of body alignment beginning with the basics of punching.
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    Cross Block

    $3.99
    This video clearly details how the cross block was designed to be not only a block but a strike as well. Also addressed in this video is the inverted cross block and using the cross block to block a kick.
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    Outer Block

    $3.99
    Episode 4 covers the basics of blocking by addressing footwork, body position, and body movement with an emphasis on the out block.
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    8 Basic Elbows

    $3.99
    Episode 5 covers the first 8 basic elbows used in Kung Fu San Soo. Master Lee Merrill begins with a shoulder warm up and then proceeds with the details of the elbow strikes.
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    8 Basic Knees

    $3.99
    Episode 6 covers the first 8 basic knees used in Kung Fu San Soo. This video demonstrates how to apply the knees in addition to how to practice and develop them.
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    Hammer Strikes

    FREE
    Episode 7 covers the first 8 basic hammer strikes used in Kung Fu San Soo. This video demonstrates how to apply the hammer strikes in addition to how to practice and develop them.

About Lee Merrill