Jingjing Mahamat (Chinlung Mahamat) is also a popular form of martial arts exercise. It consists of holding both hands out. After one hand is out, the other one is then put on top and the arms extended until they are in the same straight posture. This “kicking forward” motion is a part of a Chinese martial art.

The “long and small kick”, a martial art called the “Long and Small Kick” is usually made from an underhand and overhand grip. However, I have just learned about an important form of the “large kick” or as we are call today the “Rising Kick” or “Ripping Kick”. This technique is made using one hand that is clenched and the other hand placed on the shoulder. To learn this move, you need to kneel down on both feet and grab both ankles. Pull the ankles back like a monkey would to the outside. Then, with both hands, pull out a large leg. As you keep doing so, your hand will rise up to the outside of your body. Keep pressing hard for several seconds to drive the bottom leg out in a 90 degree angle from the top. To maintain that position, you can repeat this exercise for several sets of 10 repetitions.

This same “Rising Kick” is in fact done in martial arts for kicks as well, and its only made from a clenched hand. This is a very effective way to kick something in or out of your feet while in the air. This is a form of martial arts exercise for a martial artist of any level. While this is not my favorite way (and many are very negative about this), it does require many hours of physical activity to develop these movements in your body.

But back to Kung Fu. What was the use of such physical exercises in ancient China?

The basic form, “Tiger Fist” or “Long Fist” for short, taught by famous Chinese martial artists like Sun Tzu, Chuan Jing, and Zhu Di, as well as traditional Taoist teachers, is also practiced today by Western martial artists in the martial art of Muay Thai. There are many methods to develop both kicking and punching power in Muay Thai.

The Tiger Fist is also a form of Muay Thai called the “Thai Bull,” which is also very effective as a fighting or self-defense skill. It involves throwing your fist forward and backwards