Kung Fu To'a
Encyclopedia
Kung Fu To'a is a Persian martial art, developed by Ibrahim Mirzaii in the 1960s. It is a unique style of Kung Fu with Yoga
influences focused on a healthier mind and body. It is made up by combination of Northern and Southern styles of Shaolin Kung fu
. To'a training essentially depends on mastering combative form
s (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 with about 200.000 members.
Kung Fu To'A consists of about 73.000 techniques, combinations and reactions. Dynamic wavelike movements and strong accentuation of techniques (called shock), frequently finished by a twist are characteristic for this martial art.
ian martial artist, Ibrahim Mirzaii from the 1950s to 1970s. Mirzaii developed and created his style aimed at allowing all body energy to be used at its best.
Financially supported by shah Reza Pahlavi Mirzaii started a journey through Asia in order to learn different martial arts and to create a unique style, which should have Iranian characteristics. His journey laid the foundation of Kung Fu To'A.
Grand Master Mirzaii had an intricate knowledge of Tae Kwon Do / Karate / Southern Shaolin Kung Fu and Yoga with some Tai Chi. These were combined to create 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 Mirzai about 25 years to compile his unique style.
During the revolution in Iran in 1978/1979 the shah was overthrown. After the Iranian Revolution
, To'a was banned (though there are many Kung fu to'a schools in Iran
today). Mirzaii faced hostility from Islam
ic authorities, particularly for the spiritual aspects of his teaching. He was shot in his legs few years after the Revolution. Mirzaii first fled to Turkey
, then to Europe
but his whereabouts is still unknown.
After prohibition in Iran and disappearance of Mirzaii, trainers in the Iranian diaspora continued to spread To'a. Today, it is organised in at least ten countries in Europe
, Americas
and Middle East
.
A couple of years ago this style was legalised again in Iran and is nowadays one of the most popular martial arts there. Nevertheless To'A is in other countries still a quite unknown Kung Fu style. Several movies about e.g. Shaolin Kung Fu
made these styles more famous than To'A.
Beyond the physical education each of the seven forms deals with a given philosophical topic.
Officially a green belt is given for To'A students after they passed the examination of the seventh form. When a student passes the examination for the master grade, a red jacket is handed to him.
Originally further forms without weapons have been planned, based on the existing forms. Because of the given historical events (prohibition of Kung Fu To'A, attack on Mirzaii) only "Anato'A sabz" (also called green or brown Anato'A) was officially passed on.
Since these additions to the system of Kung Fu To'A starting with Anato'A sabz haven't been completed, Vaymabato can be considered as a close. Thus, several schools already pass the black belt after the seventh form instead of the green belt.
There are, though, two additional weapon forms, which have been passed on: Sai
and Rekeyma (Samurai sword
).
A folded belt has on one side three folds of different sizes representing "Think well. Talk well. Act well.".
Another way to achieve self-awareness is meditation. It is used for cleaning your mind, freeing from thoughts to enhance presence and to face your ego.
An analogue to the path of 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.
- king of the birds. The seven alleys are the alley of desire (let go of property), the alley of love (let go of learned moral concepts like "Good" and "Bad" and feeling the pure emotion of love), the alley of knowledge (breakout from familiarity and realizing the connection between body and mind), the alley of self-sufficiency (abandonment of knowledge and heart and to quest for new), the alley of unity (realize that everything in our world is connected to each other), the alley of confusion (establishes different perspectives on being and not-being, you realize your mortality and immortality at the same time) and at last the alley of death (achieving immortality by accepting to become part of the whole).
Each of the seven alleys is a hurdle and represents an attribute the birds have to let go of to reach the Simorgh. The birds learn more and more about who they really are.
Of all birds only 30 achieve their goal and being there they realize that they are the Simorgh.
The term "Simorgh" consists of the Persian words for "thirty" (si) and "birds" (murgh).
"The falcon teaches us control of speed and motion, as well as patience. He represents recognizing opportunities and to act at the right time. He teaches us that we have to make great efforts to achieve great success. He represents leadership, prudence and caution. He stands for a fast, graceful mind and for how to use our mental capabilities more effectively to "catch" what we need and want the most by being more patient."
Furthermore the energy of the last applied technique (of your own or by your opponent) shall be used for the next technique. This is necessary for higher forms since they take very long and can be mastered only by applying dynamic techniques and a good breathing technique.
Yoga
Yoga is a physical, mental, and spiritual discipline, originating in ancient India. The goal of yoga, or of the person practicing yoga, is the attainment of a state of perfect spiritual insight and tranquility while meditating on Supersoul...
influences focused on a healthier mind and body. It is made up by combination of Northern and Southern styles of Shaolin Kung fu
Shaolin kung fu
Shaolin Kung Fu refers to a collection of Chinese martial arts that claim affiliation with the Shaolin Monastery.Of the multitude styles of kung fu and wushu, only some are actually related to Shaolin...
. To'a training essentially depends on mastering combative form
Kata
is a Japanese word describing detailed choreographed patterns of movements practised either solo or in pairs. The term form is used for the corresponding concept in non-Japanese martial arts in general....
s (khat), which are unarmed as well as armed, with particular emphasis on physical and mental health and meditation
Meditation
Meditation is any form of a family of practices in which practitioners train their minds or self-induce a mode of consciousness to realize some benefit....
practices.
Today Kung Fu To'A is the most popular martial art in Iran with about 200.000 members.
Kung Fu To'A consists of about 73.000 techniques, combinations and reactions. Dynamic wavelike movements and strong accentuation of techniques (called shock), frequently finished by a twist are characteristic for this martial art.
History
Kung Fu To'a was developed by the IranIran
Iran , officially the Islamic Republic of Iran , is a country in Southern and Western Asia. The name "Iran" has been in use natively since the Sassanian era and came into use internationally in 1935, before which the country was known to the Western world as Persia...
ian martial artist, Ibrahim Mirzaii from the 1950s to 1970s. Mirzaii developed and created his style aimed at allowing all body energy to be used at its best.
Financially supported by shah Reza Pahlavi Mirzaii started a journey through Asia in order to learn different martial arts and to create a unique style, which should have Iranian characteristics. His journey laid the foundation of Kung Fu To'A.
Grand Master Mirzaii had an intricate knowledge of Tae Kwon Do / Karate / Southern Shaolin Kung Fu and Yoga with some Tai Chi. These were combined to create 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 Mirzai about 25 years to compile his unique style.
During the revolution in Iran in 1978/1979 the shah was overthrown. After the Iranian Revolution
Iranian Revolution
The Iranian Revolution refers to events involving the overthrow of Iran's monarchy under Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi and its replacement with an Islamic republic under Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, the leader of the...
, To'a was banned (though there are many Kung fu to'a schools in Iran
Iran
Iran , officially the Islamic Republic of Iran , is a country in Southern and Western Asia. The name "Iran" has been in use natively since the Sassanian era and came into use internationally in 1935, before which the country was known to the Western world as Persia...
today). Mirzaii faced hostility from Islam
Islam
Islam . The most common are and . : Arabic pronunciation varies regionally. The first vowel ranges from ~~. The second vowel ranges from ~~~...
ic authorities, particularly for the spiritual aspects of his teaching. He was shot in his legs few years after the Revolution. Mirzaii first fled to Turkey
Turkey
Turkey , known officially as the Republic of Turkey , is a Eurasian country located in Western Asia and in East Thrace in Southeastern Europe...
, then to Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
but his whereabouts is still unknown.
After prohibition in Iran and disappearance of Mirzaii, trainers in the Iranian diaspora continued to spread To'a. Today, it is organised in at least ten countries in Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
, Americas
Americas
The Americas, or America , are lands in the Western hemisphere, also known as the New World. In English, the plural form the Americas is often used to refer to the landmasses of North America and South America with their associated islands and regions, while the singular form America is primarily...
and Middle East
Middle East
The Middle East is a region that encompasses Western Asia and Northern Africa. It is often used as a synonym for Near East, in opposition to Far East...
.
A couple of years ago this style was legalised again in Iran and is nowadays one of the most popular martial arts there. Nevertheless To'A is in other countries still a quite unknown Kung Fu style. Several movies about e.g. Shaolin Kung Fu
Shaolin kung fu
Shaolin Kung Fu refers to a collection of Chinese martial arts that claim affiliation with the Shaolin Monastery.Of the multitude styles of kung fu and wushu, only some are actually related to Shaolin...
made these 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 in common usage as well. A form is a fix motion sequence composed of many different techniques, which serve as self-defence and attacks or follows energetic aspects. Each of these forms will be examined by at least one master. If a practitioner passes an examination he gets a stripe on his right chest of the training jacket.Beyond the physical education each of the seven forms deals with a given philosophical topic.
- Anato'A
- Atado
- Soto
- Samsamae
- Mayana
- Kuanna & Vest Mayana
- The sixth grade of Kung Fu To'A consists of two forms: Kuanna and Vest Mayana (Vest Mayana is also called "Vest Ai").
- Vaymabato
Officially a green belt is given for To'A students after they passed the examination of the seventh form. When a student passes the examination for the master grade, a red jacket is handed to him.
Originally further forms without weapons have been planned, based on the existing forms. Because of the given historical events (prohibition of Kung Fu To'A, attack on Mirzaii) only "Anato'A sabz" (also called green or brown Anato'A) was officially passed on.
Since these additions to the system of Kung Fu To'A starting with Anato'A sabz haven't been completed, Vaymabato can be considered as a close. Thus, several schools already pass the black belt after the seventh form instead of the green belt.
There are, though, two additional weapon forms, which have been passed on: Sai
Sai (weapon)
The sai is a traditional Okinawan martial arts weapon. The basic form of the weapon is that of a pointed, dagger-shaped metal truncheon, with two curved prongs called yoku projecting from the handle...
and Rekeyma (Samurai sword
Katana
A Japanese sword, or , is one of the traditional bladed weapons of Japan. There are several types of Japanese swords, according to size, field of application and method of manufacture.-Description:...
).
Belt
The belt is of red fabric and has a broad coloured stripe in its middle. According to the student's level the middle stripe can be white, green, brown or black. The red belt is supposed to be worn only by Grandmaster Mirzaii.A folded belt has on one side 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 to a healthy society. Kung Fu is motion to pure thought, where its secret lies in the language of the soul. This means the path of heart, the (re)discovery of pure knowledge, which we already have in us. Kung Fu To'A practices use the body as a "portal" to this path. By powerful motion Kung Fu teaches you strength and courage to let go of known, to reexperience who you are and to realize the whole spectrum of your soul.Another way to achieve self-awareness is meditation. It is used for cleaning your mind, freeing from thoughts to enhance presence and to face your ego.
An analogue to the path of 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
The Conference of the Birds
The Conference of the Birds is a book of poems in Persian by Farid ud-Din Attar of approximately 4500 lines. The poem's plot is as follows: the birds of the world gather to decide who is to be their king, as they have none. The hoopoe, the wisest of them all, suggests that they should find the...
" by Fariduddin Attar.
Conference of the Birds - the Simorgh
"Conference of the Birds" ("Manteq-ot-teir") by Fariduddin Attar is a Persian story about thousands of birds starting a journey through seven alleys to find SimorghSimurgh
Simurgh , also spelled simorgh, simurg, simoorg or simourv, also known as Angha , is the modern Persian name for a benevolent, mythical flying creature...
- king of the birds. The seven alleys are the alley of desire (let go of property), the alley of love (let go of learned moral concepts like "Good" and "Bad" and feeling the pure emotion of love), the alley of knowledge (breakout from familiarity and realizing the connection between body and mind), the alley of self-sufficiency (abandonment of knowledge and heart and to quest for new), the alley of unity (realize that everything in our world is connected to each other), the alley of confusion (establishes different perspectives on being and not-being, you realize your mortality and immortality at the same time) and at last the alley of death (achieving immortality by accepting to become part of the whole).
Each of the seven alleys is a hurdle and represents an attribute the birds have to let go of to reach the Simorgh. The birds learn more and more about who they really are.
Of all birds only 30 achieve their goal and being there they realize that they are the Simorgh.
The term "Simorgh" consists 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 could be originated in a tale about the Simorgh, where he spreads with one flap the seeds of the tree of life all over the world. Furthermore falcons are considered to be extremely beady-eyed and sharp-sighted. Their eyesight, hunting abilities, grace and force at flying are outstanding characteristics."The falcon teaches us control of speed and motion, as well as patience. He represents recognizing opportunities and to act at the right time. He teaches us that we have to make great efforts to achieve great success. He represents leadership, prudence and caution. He stands for a fast, graceful mind and for how to use our mental capabilities more effectively to "catch" what we need and want the most by being more patient."
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 motion. Being fast and precise is more important than pure physical strength for using this technique. Many techniques are finished by a (small) rotation to transfer maximum force to the imaginary opponent.Furthermore the energy of the last applied technique (of your own or by your opponent) shall be used for the next technique. This is necessary for higher forms since they take very long and can be mastered only by applying dynamic techniques and a good breathing technique.
Reference
- Article Kung-Fu ToA - Aus der Unendlichkeit des Universums (German), p.57 ff., Karate Budo Journal, edition unknown.
- Valentina Gambar, article Kung Fu Toa - Persisches Kung-Fu (German), p.16-20, Kampfkunst International, edition 05/03.