HISTORICAL CONTEXT

Shaolin Six Conformities Boxing (Liuhe Quan), also known as Six-round Boxing, is one of the most venerable and historically significant technical routines within the Songshan Shaolin Temple. Its origins can be traced to the end of the Yuan Dynasty and the beginning of the Ming Dynasty, with the legendary King Jinnaluo credited for its early transmission. Historically, Liuhe Quan served as an 'elementary' but high-level attacking skill for fighting monks. During the Qing Dynasty, the monarch's fear of Shaolin rebellion led to frequent bans on the practice, causing the art to decline. However, the lineage was secretly preserved by elite monks such as Zhan Ju, Ji Pan, and later by modern masters like Su Xi and De Gen. Master Li Tianren presents this comprehensive 4-DVD set to preserve the 'astounding' martial skills of this direct line of descent.

BIOMECHANICS OF THE Six Conformities

The 'Six Conformities' (Liuhe) refer to the three internal (Heart with Intent, Intent with Qi, Qi with Strength) and three external (Hands with Feet, Elbows with Knees, Shoulders with Hips) coordinations. Biomechanically, the routine emphasizes 'Powerful and Forceful' movements that utilize the body's entire mass. Power generation relies on the 'Kinetic Chain,' where explosive Fa-Jin (Explosive Power) is channeled from a rooted base through a flexible waist to the extremities. The routine is 'Simple and Unadorned,' focusing on 'Actual Effect' rather than decorative display. Master Li demonstrates how the 'Simple Step Method' allows for convenient 'Attack and Withdraw' cycles, ensuring the practitioner remains balanced and mobile throughout the 'Six Rounds' of combat.

Technical Routine AND COMBAT TACTICS

The Technical Routine of Liuhe Quan is characterized by 'Fierce Attacking and Successive Blows.' The combat philosophy is rooted in 'Wisdom and Skill,' utilizing deceptive strategies such as 'Look one way and row another' or 'Point above and beat below.' A unique feature of this style is the 'Approach to Tear and Coil' (Zhan Nian Lian Sui) method, where the practitioner enters the opponent's space to neutralize their force through grappling and redirection. The curriculum covers a rich array of attacking skills, teaching the practitioner how to transition between striking and 'tearing' with fluid agility. This 4-DVD set provides a meticulous breakdown of the 'Thorough Routine Structure,' showing how each movement is advantageous to practical fighting and self-protection.

LEGACY AND PEDAGOGY

Master Li Tianren's instruction is a masterclass in the 'Zen and Martial Unification' (Chan Wu He Yi) that defines the Shaolin tradition. He emphasizes that true mastery of Six Conformities Boxing requires a disciplined mind and a deep understanding of the 'Internal and External Unity.' In this series, he provides clear demonstrations of the forms, offering insights into the tactical objectives once reserved for the temple's elite protectors. He stresses that Liuhe Quan is not just a boxing style but a vehicle for cultivating 'Martial Intelligence' and physical longevity. This resource is an essential technical manual for any serious student of Shaolin, providing a rare look into one of the temple's most historically rich and combat-effective boxing systems, ensuring the legacy of King Jinnaluo continues to inspire future generations.