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What is Kung
Fu?
Kung Fu Video
Kung Fu means "skill and
effort" and can describe anything that one needs to
spend time training in and becoming skillful in. When it
means "martial art," Kung Fu refers to the hundreds of
styles of martial arts in China, all of which are
different. However, there is one thing that all Chinese
martial arts have in common and that is the idea that
Kung Fu itself is merely skill.
The real value
of Chinese martial arts goes beyond self defense. It
lies within the strong traditional training that all
Kung Fu styles emphasize: training that teaches the
student to respect the teacher and the teacher's advice;
to be respectful towards other Kung Fu styles and to
only use Kung Fu in a morally correct manner.
Entry level Kung Fu begins with the Nan Quan
(Southern Fist) style. Nan Quan has its roots in
Southern China and began its development during the Ming
Dynasty. Nan Quan is famous for its steady footwork,
combined with quick kicks and a variety of powerful
close combat hand techniques. Beginning with the
fundamental techniques and forms, practitioners will
develop strength flexibility and an understanding of its
traditional applications. This program is based on the
methods used to train professional martial artists in
China today.
 Kung Fu consists of a
number of martially inspired systems for fighting,
health development, and dance. As for the hundreds of
different styles, some are hard and linear, using
punches and kicks. Other styles are soft and circular
and do not appear useful for combat. Some schools
resemble Karate. Weapons are used in some Kung Fu
schools. Grappling methods are generally not used, so
Kung Fu arts are usually considered striking styles,
although not all styles use strikes.
The History of Kung
Fu
The history of Kung Fu is
extremely controversial as the exact date of its
development is not known. There are two main theories
about the beginnings of Kung Fu. A large number believe
that Bodhidharma, (also called Ta Mo), an Indian
Buddhist monk is the founder of Kung Fu. And some
believe that Kung Fu was already in existence long
before Bodhidharma arrived in China. Throughout history
credit has been given to Bodhidharma as a creator of Sil
Lum Kung Fu or the man responsible for introducing the
martial arts to China. Some historians date it as far
back as the Shang dynasty (16th century B.C.).
Others date
it back to the time of Huang Ti Emperor (475-221 B.C.).
The first written record we have of Chinese martial arts
is from a Taoist acupuncturist from the 5th century. He
describes combat designed along the lines of an animal's
movements and style. Written text about Kung Fu was
depicted in the early 17th Century by the Jesuit priest
Pere Amoit. He wrote of "peculiar" exercises, which he
called "Cong Fou," practiced by the Taoist priests of
his area.
The Chinese term that translates into
"military art" is "Wu Shu." As with all martial arts,
Wushu in its early stages of development was practiced
primarily for self-defense and for aquiring basic needs.
As time progressed, innumerable people tempered and
processed Wushu in different ways. By China's Ming and
Qing dynasties (1368-1911), Wushu had formed its basic
patterns.
Kung Fu's Popularity
Soars
Martial arts
spread throughout China during the Republic (1912 -
1948). Military tactics were taught in all schools and
fighting arts became very popular in China. Kung Fu made
its way to the United States in the days following the
gold rush of 1848. It was an integral part of the
lifestyle in Chinese labor camps and mining towns in
California.
Practice of Kung Fu increased
dramatically in 1863 with the importation of Chinese
laborers to work on the Central Pacific Railroad.
However, few people; even Chinese, were allowed to study
the art. Early Kung Fu schools in the states perpetuated
the secret society mystique. As time passed the strict
tenets eased and Kung Fu slowly came into the public
light. Throughout the U.S., Kung Fu gained popularity in
the 1960's and '70s because of Bruce Lee's movies and
the TV show, "Kung Fu."
Bruce Lee Tribute Video
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