Forms

Forms are set sequences of movements that train techniques of attack and
defense, improve physical attributes such as balance and coordination, and
help a student understand the proper use of strength. There are both
empty-hand forms and weapon forms. Hidden within the forms are not only
multiple levels of martial applications, but also the keys to the correct
generation of power. Mental focus is also sharpened through form practice
and one's movements can become more agile, powerful and controlled. Over
time, techniques become ingrained into a student's movements and
reactions become natural and instinctive.

The forms a student learns at first are not very complex. A primary focus is
on trying to move easily while remaining stable and grounded, these both
being dependent upon relaxation of the body – something not easy to
maintain while trying to produce power during strikes. Gradually, a student
is able to remove excess muscular tension from the body, attain fluidity by
initiating movements with the center (the dantien), and learn how to use a
relaxed power produced by the integration of the movements of all the
body's joints, which is faster and more effective than stiff, muscular power.
As students progress in their study, the forms studied become more
complex, demanding a higher degree of physical control and sensitivity as
well as a finer use of relaxed power.

Forms can train technique much more effectively than drills do. When
individual techniques are isolated and trained repetitively, as they are in
drills, a student can only gain a limited understanding of the movements. A
form is more than just a string of unrelated movements assembled into one
greater unit; they are comprised of small sets of zhao, which are short
sequences that each contain two or three movements. These help teach
timing, as well as the ability to switch quickly and smoothly from one short
sequence to the next.

Furthermore, forms can provide greater overall training than drills, as a
student must not only be conscious of upper-body technique, but
simultaneously train footwork and will gradually develop greater stability
and groundedness. Upper-body and lower-body techniques are often applied
together, challenging the student's coordination and ability to split the
mind's focus on different areas of the body. Finally, a greater sense of
space and distances can be gained as forms are not static, but dynamic in
both speed and movement.

The following are forms in the Chang Hong Kung Fu system:

EMPTY-HAND FORMS:

Chang Chuan and Northern Style
Lian Bu Chuan (Linked-steps Fist)
Gong Li Chuan (Power-training Fist)
Yi Lu Mai Fu (First Form of Ambush)
Er Lu Mai Fu (Second Form of Ambush)
Xiao Hong Chuan (Small Hong Fist)
Shi Zi Tang (Cross-fist Form)
Xiao Hu Yen (Small Tiger-Swallow)
Si Lu Cha Chuan (Fourth Form Cha Fist)
San Lu Pao (Third Form Cannon Fist)
Si Lu Ben Da (Four-way Running Strikes)
Tai Zhu Chang Chuan (Great Forefather's Chang Chuan)

Hong Chuan and Southern Style
Gong Zi Fu Hu Chuan ("I" Character Subduing-the-Tiger Fist)
Dan He Chao Zhi (Lone Crane Faces Branch)
Ling She Chu Dong (Clever Snake Emerges From the Cave)
Shi Ba Lohan Zhang (Eighteen Lohan Palm)
Wu Chin Chuan (Five Animals Fist - Tiger, Crane, Snake, Monkey, Dragon)
Wu Hsing Chuan (Five Shape Fist - Tiger, Crane, Snake, Leopard, Dragon)
Shi Hsing Chuan (Ten Shape Fist - Tiger, Crane, Snake, Leopard, Dragon)
Tie Xian Chuan (Iron Wire Form)
Hu He Shuang Hsing Chuan (Tiger Crane Double Form)
Tsai Li Fo Chuan

Training Forms
Shi Lu Tan Tui (Ten Springing Legworks)
Shi Ba Lohan Shen Shou (Eighteen Lohan Sacred Hands)

Yang Style Tai Chi Chuan

WEAPON FORMS

Gwun (Staff)
Pan Long Gwun (Coiling Dragon Staff)
Kun Wu Gwun (Kun Wu Staff)
Hong Men Gwun (Hong Family Staff)

Dao (Broadsword)
Liu Ye Dan Dao (Willow Leaf Single Broadsword)
Chi Hsing Dao (Seven Star Broadsword)
Ba Gua Dao (Eight Trigram Broadsword)
Si Men Dao (Four Gate Broadsword)
Hong Men Dao (Hong Family Broadsword)

Jian (Straightsword)
Hong Men Jian (Hong Family Sword)
San Tsai Jian (Three Powers Sword)
Kun Wu Jian (Kun Wu Sword)
Long Xing Jian (Dragon Form Sword)
Feng Yue Jian (Maple Moon Sword)
Chi Men Jian (Chi Family Sword)

Chiang (Spear)
Hong Men Chiang (Hong Family Spear)
Shaolin Chiang (Shaolin Spear)
Yang Jia Shi San Chiang (Yang Family Thirteen Spear)

Exotic Weapons
Pu Dao (Horse-chopping Blade)
Ye You Jiang He (Folded Fan Form)
Da Dao (Great Blade, also called the Kwan Dao)
Tie Chi (Twin Forks)
Three-section Staff
Umbrella
Guai Zi
Dong Hsiao (Long Flute)