Five Ancestor Fist (Ngo Cho Kun) (Wuzu Quan)
There is a distinct progression of learning within the Five Ancestor Fist Style. In the beginning the focus is on physical development and the use of external force. At this level the mechanics of technique lead to the power of the technique. By this we mean the proper use of the legs, hips, back, shoulder through to the hands. As the student progresses, the expression of power evolves into a more relaxed expression that generates greater speed as well as increased power. The ultimate goal is to create an internally energetic body that allows for the expression of maximum speed and power through the use of internal energy (Qi). We utilize a very specific process to develop this level of attainment. It includes the use of Qi Gong, Neigong and specifically teaching the internal Martial art of Xing Ie Chuan. This art dovetails beautifully with Five Ancestor Fist and we teach this early on once the student “enters through the door” at proficiency level 12. Because of this progression coupled with utilizing technique and attributes of Crane, Luohan. Taizuquan, Monkey and internal work, Five Ancestor Fist is one of the most devastating and comprehensive of ALL the Chinese Martial Arts.
In general, the forms of ngo cho kun are classified into two main groups: chien (“conflicts,” used for training) and kun (“fist,” used for fighting). While all forms begin with the eight-movement qi kun opening fist set, the chien forms close with the movement known as hi li po pai (child holding the tablet), while the kun forms close with the movement known as chiao yung chiu (enticing hand). The forms are generally shorter in duration than many other martial styles. This allows the practitioner to focus on, and develop the technique, qualities and temperament required in the form itself.
During the execution of chien form movements, tension and breath are combined to strengthen the body. If properly trained, this combination simultaneously develops the “iron vest body” (ti po sha), which enables the practitioner to withstand the receipt of powerful blows, while increasing one’s striking power by integrating the five parts power into the form. Other attributes developed through the practice of chien forms are: proper body structure, breath control, coordination, unity of mind-body-spirit, correct stance, enhancement of strength, body conditioning, relaxation within activity, tension and release, physical application of the art’s principles, discipline, power, patience, perseverance and stamina
The chien forms are the core of the system, and include:
san chien (three battles), Tai Cho
tian te lin chien(heaven, earth and man battle), Tai Cho 
pieng ma chien(level horse battle), Tai Cho 
cho chien wat(ancestor battle), Damo 
 ho chien wat(crane’s battle), Crane
tit kieng chien(straight bow battle),
 lieng tao chien(dragon’s head battle), Tai Cho
hong be chien(phoenix tail battle), Damo 
ngo ho chien(five tiger battle), Tai Cho 
swi hwa chien(elegant Crane battle). Crane
The kun (fist) forms number 36 and hold fighting techniques, combinations and applications as their main focus. It is said that the kun forms are useless to practitioners who have not yet sufficiently developed themselves within the chien forms. The most common kun form is known as li sip kun (20 punches), wherein students learn how to punch with coordination and power while utilizing turning steps
Kun forms are not performed with the tension of the chien forms, but with sharp, swift movements wherein the sound of the energy is heard through the vibration of the sinews. Tan Ka Hong used to say, “lien kun pi se.” Roughly translated, this implies that with proper chien form training power and force will generate with little effort in the kun forms. The attributes developed through prolonged practice of the kun forms include: proper use of force, short and long snapping power (jing), speed, agility in movement, proper application of technique, release of tension and force, cadence of movements, breath and movement timing, how to properly combine movements, correct timing, warrior spirit, focus, use of energy, and confidence.
The kun forms are: 
li sip kun(twenty punches), Tai Cho 
sang sau kun(double roundhouse punch), Tai Cho 
se mun pa kak(hitting the four corners), Lohan 
song sui kun(double banner fist), Lohan
san chien sip li kun(three wars cross pattern), Lohan  
se mun kwa sau(four direction sweep), Lohan  
chian li ta(chopping attack), Crane 
tui chongwat (pursuing fist), Damo
se mun cho tue(attacking the lower four directions), Lohan
se mun tiao cha(intercepting the four directions/Snapping Strike), Lohan 
cho be se mun kun(walking the four direction fist), Lohan 
sip li kun(cross punch), Tai Cho 
 lak hap kun(six harmonious fists), Tai Cho 
Tai Cho chiok Tang Lian Kuan (Single Tornado kick) Ngo Cho
in tin tat(entwining fist), Damo 
liong giwat (two segments), Lohan
sam chay wat (three segments), Ngo Cho
 se hong(fourth segments), Ngo Cho 
 Tai Cho Chiak Liam Kuan (double Tornado Kick) Ngo Cho
 wey ma yiao(turning stance rocking punch), Lohan
Pe Kao Po Pai (White Ape holding tablet) Ngo Cho
 Kuan Yin Che Lian Huat (goddess of mercy lotus method) Ngo Cho
 ngo to tim tao(five times hitting the head), Ngo Cho 
Saya Huan Shin(lion rolling body on ground), 
sang plan wat(double whip strike), Damo 
 Tang Ka Ho Huat(crane on one leg stance), Crane
lian kwan pa kua(linking the eight trigrams), Damo
 sang lieng po in(double dragon fist), Lohan
sai tze wan sin(lion body turning fist), Lohan
 hi li po pai kun(child-holding-the-tablet fist), Lohan
Lien Shi Wat (rotary wall method) Damo
hui ho sang liao(claws of the flying crane), Lohan 
 ko twi pi(drummer’s flog), Lohan
chieng hong wat(cool breeze method), Lohan
sa chap lak tian kong wat(36 steps of the monkey), Ngo Cho
chi chap li tije swat wat(72 steps comet fist). Ngo Cho

Level 1- White

• Li Sip Kun (twenty punches)
• San Zhan (Three Battles)
• Qi Kun (Opening Fist) Structure Testing
• Yi Jin Jing 49 postures- Postures 1-5
• Chin Na- Basic Concepts
• Ngo Cho Kun Fundamentals/Physical Prep

Level 2- Yellow

• Sang Sou Kun (Double Roundhouse Punch)
• Pieng Ma Chien (Even Stance Tension)
• Tian Te Lin Chien (Heaven, Earth, and Man Tension)
• Li Sip Kun Two-Man Form
• Basic Bo Staff
• Yi Jin Jing 49 postures- postures 6-10
• Ba Duan Jin (8 Brocades Qigong) 1-4
• Chin Na- Vs Open Hand attacks
• Ngo Cho Kun Fundamentals/Physical Prep

Level 3- Blue 1

• Si Men Da Jiao (Hitting the Four Corners)
• Ngo Ho Chien (Five Tiger Tension)
• Kong Ngo Ki- 2man practice
• Sea Dragon Cane Staff Form
• Ba Duan Jin (8 Brocades Qigong) 5-8
• Yi Jin Jing 49 postures- postures 11-15
• Chin Na- Vs Chopping Attacks
• Ngo Cho Kun Fundamentals/Physical Prep

Level 4- Blue 2

• Song Sui Kun (Double Banner Fist)
• Hong Be Chien (Phoenix Tail Tension)
• Sang Sau Kun Two-Man Form
• Ngo Cho Kun Staff
• Yi Jin Jing 49 postures- postures 16-20
• Introduction to Dao Yin Practice
• Chin Na- Vs Palm Strikes
• Ngo Cho Kun Fundamentals/Physical Prep

Level 5- Purple 1

• Sam Chien Sip Li Kun (Three Wars Cross Pattern)
• Hong Be Chien (Phoenix Tail Tension)
• Se Mun Pa Kak Two-Man Form
• Ngo Cho Kun 7’ Staff
• Yi Jin Jing 12 posture Qigong set (postures 1-6)
• Yi Jin Jing 49 postures- postures 21-25
• Chin Na- Vs Closed Fist attacks
• Ngo Cho Kun Fundamentals/Physical Prep

Level 6- Purple 2

• Tui Chong (Pursuing Fist)
• Tit Kieng Chien (Straight Bow Tension)
• Tan Tui 12 Roads (1-4)
• Song Sui Kun Two-Man Form
• Tsai Hong Song Hui (elegant double flying phoenix sai)
• Yi Jin Jing 12 posture Qigong set (postures 7-12)
• Yi Jin Jing 49 Postures- Postures 26-32
• Chin Na- Vs side blocks and upward blocks
• Ngo Cho Kun Fundamentals/Physical Prep

Level 7- Brown 1

• In Tin Tat (Entwining Kick)
• Cho Chien Wat (Ancestral Tension Method)
• Tan Tui 12 Roads (1-4)
• Sam Chien Sip Li Kun Two-Man Form
• 8 Direction Night Battle dao (broadsword)
• 13 Luohan Qigong set (postures 1-6)
• Yi Jin Jing 49- Postures 33-39
• Chin Na- Vs downward blocks
• Ngo Cho Kun Fundamentals/Physical Prep

Level 8- Brown 2

• Se Mun Kwa Sau (Four Direction Sweep)
• Lieng Tao Chien (Dragon’s Head Tension)
• Tan Tui 12 Roads (1-4)
• Tui Chong Two-Man Form
• Shaolin Ngo Cho Kun Double Dagger form
• (alt) Ngo Cho Kun Dagger (Purple Swallow Dagger)
• Yi Jin Jing 49- Postures 40-49
• 13 Luohan Qigong set (postures 7-13)
• San Ti Shi Practice
• Chin Na- Vs lower body kicks & firm stances
• Ngo Cho Kun Fundamentals/Physical Prep
• Body Hardening Basic Practice

1st Duan Black Sash Material

Level 9 -Black 1 (through the door) (approximately 4 years to reach)

• Hsing Ie Chuan (Five Element Fists & Composite Set)
• Tan Lien Kwan (Tornado Kick)
• Chian Li Ta (Chopping Attack)
• Sang Lien Kwan (Double Continuous Kick)
• Ho Chien Wat (Crane’s Tension Method)
• Sui Hua Chien (Elegant Tension)
• In Tin tat Two-Man Form
• Ngo Cho Kun Plum Flower Broadsword
• Ngo Cho Kun Plum Flower Spear
• Ngo Cho Kun Jian (straightsword)
• Ngo Cho Kun Six Harmony Double Broadsword
• Internal Work- Zhan Zhuang 1&2
• Neigong Foundations
  • Learning to sit/stand/Breath
  • Anchoring the Breath
  • Connecting the Hands/Lao Gong
  • Foundational Meditation- Dan Tian Gong
  • Reverse Abdominal Breathing
• White Crane Fa Jin Training
  • Elemental practice
  • Thunder Power Development
• Tid Sin Kuen (Iron Wire Training)
• Chin Na- Vs High Kicks and mid-section kicks
• Body hardening Basic Practice

So, let’s get one thing crystal clear… If you don’t fight, you are not a fighter. Too often in the Martial Arts world this idea gets completely lost. That’s why it’s important to understand what you want as you begin a journey into the world of Martial Arts. There is no question that if you practice Martial Arts you are going to develop skills that can be beneficial in a physical altercation. In fact, you will likely be able to handle many low level to mid-level situations that require martial skills. But unless you train specifically to fight, you will not be able to fight at a high level. It does not even serve you at the highest levels to train and to spar with a compliant partner. You must mix it up with an opponent that is dedicated to defeating you to adequately hone your fighting skills. This is simply reality.
At 60, I am no longer a fighter; those days are behind me now. My personal focus is more on cultivation at this stage of my life. I still practice martial arts daily because my practice has great benefit in terms of developing and maintaining optimal health, wellness, and longevity. In fact, traditional Chinese martial arts may well be the singular best exercise to promote longevity in existence. Keep an eye out for our upcoming video podcast on why Martial Arts practice may be the BEST singular exercise routine for optimal health, wellness and longevity. In it we will outline how this practice positively impacts 4 out of the Five Pillars of Longevity and how this practice will improve every aspect of your life. Or you can visit our website at www.synergcoaching.com and contact me personally.

We teach four primary weapons- Staff, Broadsword, Spear and straight sword. We begin weapons training at beginner level 3 because we believe training with weapons enhances all martial skills. 
Training with weapons in Chinese martial arts is important because it significantly enhances a practitioner’s overall skill by improving their coordination, balance, power, timing, and awareness of distance, all while adding depth and complexity to their movements, making them more effective in both armed and unarmed combat situations; additionally, it can serve as a way to maintain traditional practices and deepen the understanding of the martial art’s history and philosophy.
 (We also teach several other weapons such as the 9 section Chain Whip, Chinese Sai, Daggers and others. However, those will be taught outside of the core curriculum for those that wish to learn them.)

So, let’s get one thing crystal clear… If you don’t fight, you are not a fighter. Too often in the Martial Arts world this idea gets completely lost. That’s why it’s important to understand what you want as you begin a journey into the world of Martial Arts. There is no question that if you practice Martial Arts you are going to develop skills that can be beneficial in a physical altercation. In fact, you will likely be able to handle many low level to mid-level situations that require martial skills. But unless you train specifically to fight, you will not be able to fight at a high level. It does not even serve you at the highest levels to train and to spar only with a compliant partner. Every so often you must mix it up with an opponent that is dedicated to defeating you to adequately hone your fighting skills. This is simply reality. The trick is how to balance your sparring and self defense practice. We utilize Chin Na as a foundational piece of your self defense training, but we also spar to develop necessary qualities of fighting such as distance, timing, finding the open door, being calm in the face of an attack and so much more…
When you study with JDMAA we will train you to defend yourself… PERIOD!