Cuong Nhu Oriental Martial Arts Association Cuong (kung), adj. 1.Hard Nhu (new), adj. 1. Soft
TERMINOLOGY
• BO: A wooden staff that is approximately 6 feet long and used for kata and self defense practice. • CHAO (chow): Command for the Bow • DOJO: Training Hall (from do: the Way, and jo: the hall) • GANG (gahng): Effort, or "I will do my best." Shouted during the Bow in natural stance. • GI (gee): Uniform worn for martial arts. • KATA: A prearranged set of techniques in which you fight imaginary opponents. • KI (key): Inner strength, or spirit. The mental and spiritual power summoned through concentration and breathing. • KIAI (kee ai): "Spirit shout." A battle cry used by martial artists to focus inner strength and to stun the opponents. • MASTER: Rank title reserved for those above the rank of 6th dan. • NGHI (nee): Ready Command for Natural Stance • NGHIEM! CHAO! (nee-heem-chow): Command to come to Attention Stance, Bow and return to Natural Stance • O-SENSEI: Major teacher, or teacher of teachers. A title reserved for the founder of the style. • SEMPAI (sem-pie): Assistant teacher • SENSEI (sen-say): Teacher • TAMBO: A short wooden or rattan stick used for kata and self defense practice of close range striking and parrying. A tambos length is determined by measuring from the hip socket to the top of the ankle. Its length is much longer than the traditional arnis (escrima) weapon. Cuong Nhu blends the hard and soft styles of 7 martial arts, including... • Aikido... This modern Japanese soft style martial arts incorporates spinning foot movements, restraining techniques, and the use of inner strength, known as your "ki", to neutralize an opponent without inflicting harm. • Boxing ... is an American fighting hard style that makes excellent use of head, shoulder , and foot mobility while avoiding an opponent's assault. • Judo ... is modern Japanese soft style best suited for close combat. This fighting system teaches the student how to safely and painlessly fall and roll with the use of throwing, spinning, and hooking techniques. • Shotokan Karate... is a Japanese fighting system that helps develop power, speed, flexibility and endurance. This hard style martial arts helps the student to understand how to coordinate the entire body in the delivery of technique. • Tai Chi ... is ancient Chinese art, also incorporated in to the Cuong Nhu soft style, that uses breathing and stretching to facilitate development of inner strength, peace of mind, health, and longevity. • Vovinam ... is a Vietnamese style that employs the idea of 'recycling' your opponent while dealing with multiple simultaneous attackers. This hard/soft style teaches foot mobility to achieve this 'recycling' techniques. • Wing Chun Kung Fu... is an ancient Chinese system that introduces the concept of center line enabling student to defeat taller and stronger opponents. This style helps the student begin to understand the soft style aspects of Coung Nhu.