Tien Shan Pai is a Chinese form of martial arts characterized by an emphasis on rhythm, coordination, high kicks and throws. Footwork is essential, as it sets up the practitioner for counter attacks.

Tien Shan Pai is a northern style of Kung Fu originated in the Tien Shan Mountains in Northern China. The emphasis in Tien Shan Pai is in rhythm, the demonstration and emitting of power throughout the entire body, blocks and strikes with both hands and feet, and locking and throwing techniques; there are also empty hand and weapons forms included in the style. Self-defense relies on angular attacks combined with multiple blocks. It is a popular style of martial arts in Tawain.

The goal of Tien Shan Pai is to combine rhythmic attacks with self-defense to create an effective fighting style.

Tien Shan Pai originated in the Xinjiang province in Northwestern China, practiced by monks living in the Tien Shan Mountains. Legend tells of a young herdsman who came across a monk named Tien Shan Lao Ren. After initially refusing to teach the herdsman his style of martial arts, the monk reconsidered and taught the herdsman in his temple until he became a man. The young herdsman left and passed down the style to dedicated students.

Training involves learning forms and skills in a progressive manner building off one another. Paired boxing forms and exercises are emphasized for timing and accurate evaluation of distance in reference to a moving, responsive adversary. Today most practitioners of Tien Shan Pai, learn aspects of northern Shaolin kung fu, and Yang style Tai Chi Chuan and in some cases Xingyiquan and Baguazhang as well as traditional Tien Shan Pai.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tien_Shan_Pai