i. Jik Bo (直步)

Jik Bo is a fundamental form in Pak Mei, which stresses the harmony of movement and breathing. There are four indispensable elements in Jik Bo, being the contraction, relaxation, rising and sinking of the body (吞、吐、浮、沉), coupled with the strength of several body parts, including the jaw, the neck, the waist, the shoulder, arms and legs. One also performs the movement of Bik Bo (迫步), which means stepping forcefully yet progressively towards the target in one direction, while carefully defending the centreline, thus reducing the space of movement occupied by the opponent.

ii. Sup Ji (十字)

The main features of Sup Ji, the second form in Pak Mei, are seizing the opponent by hands (kum lar sau 擒拿手) and attacking by maintaining physical contacts with the opponent in a close combat. Some of the basic techniques like kum sau (冚手) and yuen cheung (軟掌)involve the use of hands and fingers to manipulate the opponent.

iii. Ying Chau Lim Ku (鷹爪粘橋)

Ying Chau Lim Ku, the third form in Pak Mei, is known for its speed and flexibility. Except a number of typical techniques characterized by the use of hands and arms, this form also features the use of steps, including the triangular steps (三角步) , the advancing and retreating steps (進退馬). The key trick of this form is to stay as close to the opponent as possible so as to remove his capacity of defence.

iv. Gau Bo Tui (九步推)

The main feature of the form is the use of circular movement to remove the power of the opponent. Basic techniques include Dan Mo (單摩手) and Seung Mo (雙摩手). This form stresses the importance of winning a strong opponent by skills instead of physical strength.

v. Sup Bat Mo (十八摩橋)

This form is known for its aggressiveness and dexterity. It includes a wide range of techniques and principles that are already present in the forms mentioned above.

It features techniques like the phoenix’s eye (鳳眼拳), which means punching the target with the joint of the index finger, wrapping hands (絞手), and the soft hand (軟掌).

vi. Mang Fu Chut Lam (猛虎出林)

The last form of Pak Mei literally means a strong tiger leaving the forest. It takes its inspiration from the image of a tiger hunting for food. This form should be performed with the aggressiveness and explosive power that are seen only in mature practitioners.

Chi nian dui qiao (黐捻對橋)

This exercise aims at enhancing the sensibility of our forearms (“Kiu” in Chinese) to the movements of the opponent. It is a systematic practice in Pak Mei to train the way we attack and defend ourselves strategically, either by doing advancing or circular movements with one’s arms. Some of the common techniques we come across in this exercise are po da (迫打), kun da (綑打), la da (擸打), suo da (索打), chuan da (穿打), lan da (攬打), hua da (化打), etc.

The wooden dummy in Pak Mei

The wooden dummy is an instrument destined for training lateral attacking movements. As our Pak Mei masters said, “Approaching the target by sideways or forward attacks. Keep sticking to his hands and step forward forcefully.” These techniques are used to limit the movements of the opponent and undermine the effectiveness of his defenses.

(I) The intercepting pole of the five elements （五行中攔棍)

There are five attacking points when using this weapon : on top, at the bottom, on the left, on the right, and at the center of the target. The name of this weapon takes its inspiration from the ancient theory of the “five elements”, being water, fire, earth, metal and water, which advocates the principle of mutual generation and restriction. In other words, each of the five elements react with one another by either generating or restricting the growth of another element. As its name suggests, the pole can also intercept the attacks of the opponent and therefore increase the variability of attacking strategies of the player.

(II) The knives of discipline (戒律刀）

Traditionally, knives are weapons for killing, but the knives of discipline used by Pak Mei practitioners are different : the “discipline” mentioned here should be taken in a religious sense. It is the “discipline” that rules the Buddhist monks who all obey the commandment that forbids killing or murdering. It can also be interpreted as the moral discipline for kungfu practitioners. Knowing that knives can kill, the owner of the weapons must develop a strong capacity of self-constraint before the practices begin.