Chow Gar Forms

As a student progresses through the different levels of Chow Gar Tong Long (Southern Praying Mantis) kung fu, the student will learn new forms. A form is a series of techniques strung together in a sequence. The form brings together all the techniques and knowledge that the student has learned at that particular level. When a student learns a new form, they are also learning the techniques (with and without weapons) associated with that form.

After a student has studied a form for a suitable amount of time (as determined by Si-fu), he/she will be permitted to attend a grading for that form. A grading is a special training session where the student is required to prove their prowess in the form to Si-fu. If the student passes the grading, they will be able to start learning the form at the next level.

At the Australian School of Kung Fu and Tai Chi, the form a student is currently studying is represented by a coloured patch on that student's belt.

New students of Chow Gar start with a black belt. When they pass a grading, they receive a new patch for their belt. The colour of the patch indicates which form that student is currently studying. There are 8 forms a student must successfully learn before being granted a red belt.

The red belt indicates a senior student. It typically takes at least 6 years of regular training for a student to receive a red belt. Following the initial red belt, there are then 7 degrees of red belt. When a student has completed the 7th degree, they would be awarded with a gold belt. This is the highest level a practitioner of Chow Gar can attain and would take at least 20 years of regular training.

The first 8 forms in Chow Gar Tong Long are listed below. The first form is represented by a black belt with no patch. Each subsequent form is represented by a patch, the colour of which is shown next to the form's name.

Tong Long One Basic hand techniques, footwork, stances, and guards Use of the palm and ginger fist
Tong Long Two   Introduction of elbow techniques and more advanced footwork Use of the phoenix eye fist First spear jong sequence
Tong Long Three   Introduction of basic kicking techniques and grappling Use of the tiger claw fist Second spear jong sequence
Sarm Bo Jin   Advanced hand techniques and footwork Introduction of double-movement techniques such as the spearing fist First use of chi kung to strengthen the body and to develop power Third and fourth spear jong sequences First spear form
Sarm Bo Yul Sau   Development of the bridge Introduction of the rocking stance Advanced striking, grappling, and footwork combinations Use of the mantis fist
Sarm Gung Bik Kiu   Introduction of the whipping hip motion Circular hitting motions Advanced kicking techniques Second spear form
Sarm Bo Pai Tarn   Emphasis on using short hip movements to generate hitting power Advanced attack combinations Butterfly knives form
Bo Sim Sau   Focus on condensing and intensifying energy into a smaller space Development of internal power through chi kung Multi-directional attack sequences First walking stick form

Upon successful completion of Bo Sim Sau, the student will be awarded their red belt.