Advanced Form
Tai Jo KuenKing Fist
An intermediate-to-advanced empty-hand form in the Ying Jow Pai Eagle Claw system. Tai Jo Kuen, also called the Dynasty King Form, Great Emperor Form, or Song Dynasty First Emperor Fist, trains reach, strong stances, and committed strikes.
About the form
Tai Jo Kuen, the King Fist, teaches intermediate-to-advanced techniques in the Ying Jow Pai Eagle Claw Kung Fu system. It is also called the Dynasty King Form, Great Emperor Form, or Song Dynasty First Emperor Fist. The hands extend further than in the beginner sets, so the stances have to be stable and the body has to stay connected behind every technique. The form rewards relaxation first and speed later.
At Shadow Fist, Tai Jo Kuen is taught in class under your instructor’s guidance and supported by the training video below for practice at home. Work the form slowly until the sequence is clear, then add speed without losing the structure.
- Focus: Claw combinations, Jow Da, and Chin Na
- Type: Empty-hand fighting form
- Style: Ying Jow Pai Eagle Claw Kung Fu
- Taught: In class, with a video for home practice
Train it with us
Tai Jo Kuen is taught in our Eagle Claw classes in Windsor Heights. Practice the form at home with the training video below, then refine it with your instructor on the mat.
Core teachings and techniques
What the King Fist trains
Claw combinations
The form features signature opening claw sequences that drill single-claw strikes, switching claws, and double-claw combinations.
Jow Da and Chin Na
It integrates Eagle Claw’s core principles of Jow Da, grabbing and striking at the same time, and Chin Na, joint locking and seizing.
Dynamic footwork and stances
Low crouched postures, deep horse stances, arrow stances, and cat stances combine with high-reaching and low-sweeping changes in body position.
Striking and kicking
Rapid palm strikes, hammer fists, and cut palms flow into kicking sequences, including toe kicks, shadowless kicks, and spinning or tornado kicks.
Self-defense applications
It works as a practical combat routine: bridging closing distances, trapping an opponent’s limbs, and moving fluidly from a defensive block into an offensive counter.
Training Video
Practice with the video
The Tai Jo Kuen training video walks through the form section by section. It is available to current Shadow Fist students.
Student access only
Log in with your My Account username and password, then come back to watch the full training video.
Learn it in class
Videos support your practice, but forms are built in the studio.