Kung Fu To'a
| Date founded | 1968–1973 |
|---|---|
| Country of origin | Iran |
| Founder | Ibrahim Mirzaei |
| Ancestor schools | Northern and Southern Shaolin Kung fu, Gojuryu, Taekwondo |
Kung Fu To'a ([] error: {{lang-xx}}: no text (help)کونگ فو توآ) is a modern Iranian martial art, developed by Ibrahim Mirzaei in the 1960s. It is a unique style of Kung Fu with Yoga influences focused on a healthier mind and body. It is composed of a combination of Northern and Southern styles of Shaolin Kung fu.[1] To'a training essentially depends on mastering combative forms (khat), which are unarmed as well as armed, with particular emphasis on physical and mental health and meditation practices. Today, Kung Fu To'a is the most popular martial art in Iran after Kyokushin kaikan and Kickboxing, with about 200,000 practitioners.[2]
Kung Fu To'a consists of about 73,000 techniques, combinations, and reactions.[3] Dynamic, wavelike movements and strong accentuation of techniques (called shock), frequently finished by a twist, are characteristic of this martial art.
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History
Kung Fu To'a was developed by the Iranian martial artist, Ibrahim Mirzaei, from the 1950s to the 1970s. Mirzaei developed and created his style aimed at allowing all body energy to be used to its best advantage.
Financially supported by Iran's then-Shah, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, Mirzaei embarked on a journey through Asia to learn different martial arts and to create a unique style with Iranian characteristics. His journey laid the foundation of Kung Fu To'a.
Mirzaei had an intricate knowledge of Tae Kwon Do/Karate/Southern Shaolin Kung Fu and Yoga, with some Tai Chi. Mirzaei held a 7th Dan in Okinawan Gojuryu.[4] These were combined to create the Kung Fu To'a style. The mental and physical training of Kung Fu To'a renders the body lean, flexible, fast, and very powerful, able to unleash an enormous amount of power within a split second. It took Mirzaei about 25 years to compile his unique style.
During the 1978/1979 Iranian Revolution, the Shah was overthrown. After the Iranian Revolution, To'a was banned (though many Kung Fu To'a schools exist in Iran today). Mirzaei faced hostility from Islamic authorities, particularly for the spiritual aspects of his teaching. He was shot in his legs a few years after the Revolution. Mirzaei first fled to Turkey, then to Europe, but his whereabouts remain unknown.[5]
After the prohibition in Iran and the disappearance of Mirzaei, trainers in the Iranian diaspora continued to spread To'a. Today, it is organized in at least ten countries in Europe, Americas, and the Middle East.[6] A couple of years ago, this style was legalized as a sport again in Iran, not as a philosophy, and is now one of the most popular martial arts there. Nevertheless, To'a is still a relatively unknown Kung Fu style in other countries. Several films about e.g., Shaolin Kung Fu have made those styles more famous than To'a.
The seven Forms
There are mainly seven forms in Kung Fu To'a. Instead of "form," terms like khat or line are also commonly used. A form is a fixed motion sequence composed of many different techniques that serve as self-defense and attacks or follow energetic aspects. Each of these forms is examined by at least one master. If a practitioner passes an examination, they receive a stripe on the right chest of their training jacket.
Beyond the physical education, each of the seven forms (Persian = "khat"—English = "line") deals with a given philosophical topic.
1. Anato'A
2. Atado
3. Soto
4. Samsamae
5. Mayane
6. Kuanne & Vest Mayane
6.: The sixth grade of Kung Fu To'A consists of two forms: Kuanne and Vest Mayane
7. Vaymabato
8. Kogoy muo (Anato'A sabz)
9. Sai
10. Rey kimma
11–21. (are unknown)
Officially, a green belt is awarded to To'a students after they pass the examination of the seventh form. When a student passes the master-grade examination, a red jacket is awarded. Originally, further weaponless forms were planned, based on the existing forms. Because of historical events (prohibition of Kung Fu To'a, attack on Mirzaei), only "Anato'A sabz" (also called green or brown Anato'a) was officially passed on. Since these additions to the Kung Fu To'a system, starting with Anato'a sabz, have not been completed, Vaymabato can be considered the final form. Thus, several schools now award the black belt after the seventh form instead of the green belt.
There are also two additional weapon forms that have been passed on: Sai and Rokeyma (sword).
Belt
The belt is made of red fabric and has a broad colored stripe in its middle. The color of the middle stripe (white, green, brown, or black) indicates the student's level. The red belt is to be worn only by Grandmaster Mirzaei.
A folded belt has three folds of different sizes representing "Think well. Talk well. Act well."
Philosophy
Kung Fu is the world of motion—motion of power, motion of beauty, motion of justice and humanity, motion toward a healthy society. Kung Fu is motion toward pure thought, where its secret lies in the language of the soul. This means the path of the heart, the (re)discovery of pure knowledge that we already possess. Kung Fu To'a practices use the body as a "portal" to this path. Through powerful motion, Kung Fu teaches strength and courage to let go of the known, to re-experience who you are, and to realize the whole spectrum of your soul.
Another way to achieve self-awareness is through meditation. It is used for cleansing the mind, freeing it from thoughts to enhance presence and to confront your ego.
An analogue to the path of the pure heart and to the teachings of the seven forms of Kung Fu To'a can be found in Persian literature: "The Conference of the Birds" by Fariduddin Attar.
Phoenix - the Simorgh
"Phoenix" ("Manteq-ot-teir") by Fariduddin Attar is a Persian story about thousands of birds embarking on a journey through seven valleys to find Simorgh—king of the birds. The seven valleys are the valley of desire (letting go of possessions), the valley of love (letting go of learned moral concepts like "good" and "bad" and feeling the pure emotion of love), the valley of knowledge (breaking out from familiarity and realizing the connection between body and mind), the valley of self-sufficiency (abandonment of knowledge and heart and the quest for new), the valley of unity (realizing that everything in our world is connected), the valley of confusion (establishing different perspectives on being and not-being; realizing your mortality and immortality simultaneously), and finally the valley of death (achieving immortality by accepting to become part of the whole). Each of the seven valleys is an obstacle and represents an attribute the birds must let go of to reach the Simorgh. The birds learn more and more about who they truly are.
Of all the birds, only 30 achieve their goal, and upon arriving, they realize that they are the Simorgh. The term "Simorgh" is composed of the Persian words for "thirty" (si) and "birds" (murgh).
Symbolism
One of the most common symbols of Kung Fu To'a is a falcon with spread wings. This may originate in a tale about the Simorgh, where with one flap of its wings, it spreads the seeds of the tree of life all over the world. Furthermore, falcons are considered to be extremely keen-eyed and sharp-sighted. Their eyesight, hunting abilities, grace, and power in flight are outstanding characteristics. "The falcon teaches us control of speed and motion, as well as patience. It represents recognizing opportunities and acting at the right time. It teaches us that great efforts are necessary to achieve great success. It represents leadership, prudence, and caution. It stands for a fast, graceful mind and how to use our mental capabilities more effectively to 'catch' what we need and want most by being more patient." [7]
- The following pictures show the most common symbols in Kung Fu To'A.
-
A falcon with spread wings. Commonly globes or Yin and Yang are shown in its claws. -
Union of the mind and the body -
Circular arranged Persian writing meaning "world of body and mind".
Techniques
A characteristic technique of this Kung Fu style is the so-called shock. The shock is a strong accentuation at the end of a movement. Being fast and precise is more important than pure physical strength when using this technique. Many techniques are finished with a (small) rotation to transfer maximum force to the imaginary opponent.
Furthermore, the energy of the last applied technique (your own or your opponent's) should be used for the next technique. This is necessary for higher forms since they are very long and can only be mastered by applying dynamic techniques and a good breathing technique.
References
- ↑ Kung Fu Masters, Ibrahim Mirzaei International Kung Fu Federation
- ↑ "The History of the Iranian Martial Art Kung Fu To'a". Archived from the original on 2012-03-07. Retrieved 2010-09-14.
- ↑ "Kung Fu To'a Germany". Retrieved 2011-01-13.
- ↑ "Biography of Mirzaei (in Persian)". Archived from the original on 2013-07-17. Retrieved 2016-06-02.
- ↑ "Ibrahim Mirzaei Biography". Archived from the original on 2013-03-18. Retrieved 2016-06-02.
- ↑ "Kung Fu To'a International". Archived from the original on 2012-04-09. Retrieved 2016-06-02.
- ↑ "Kung Fu To'A - The falcon". Archived from the original on 2011-07-19. Retrieved 2010-10-08.
External links
- kung fu To'a Italia Mirzaei Style
- Kung Fu To'a Italia
- Kung Fu To'a International
- Kung Fu To'a Bulgaria
- Kung Fu To'a
- International Netherland Kung Fu To'a - SIMORGH Organization
- Kung Fu To'a Archived 2012-03-17 at the Wayback Machine
- Photos of the opening ceremony of World TO'a Championship 2011 in Shiraz, Iran
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