Kung Fu (or Gong Fu) refers to any study, learning, or practice that requires patience, energy, and time to complete. In the case of martial arts, it refers to Wushu (or Chinese Martial Arts). There are a number of fighting styles that have developed over the centuries in China. These fighting styles are often classified according to common traits, identified as "families" (jia), "sects" (pai) or "schools" (men) of martial arts. Examples of such traits include physical exercises involving animal mimicry, or training methods inspired by Chinese philosophies, religions and legends. Styles that focus on qi manipulation are called internal (neijia), while others that concentrate on improving muscle and cardiovascular fitness are called external (waijia). Geographical association, as in northern and southern styles, is another popular classification method.
In its broadest sense, Nothern Shaolin (or Bak Sil Lum in Cantonese) refers to the external martial arts of Northern China referring to those styles from the Shaolin Monstery in Henan. The Northern Shaolin style was made famous by Ku Yu Cheung and is one of the most prominent traditional northern styles of Chinese martial arts. The northern styles of kung-fu generally emphasize long range techniques, quick advances and retreats, wide stances, kicking and leaping techniques, whirling circular blocks, quickness, agility, and aggressive attacks.
The system teaches empty-hand techniques and weaponry through predetermined combinations, known as forms, routines, or movement of sets. The students learn the basics by practicing the routines until the movements in the routines can be executed naturally based on instinct. Then, two or multiple man sets are practiced to train responses and applications of techniques learned from the sets. The practice sets/routines are not only practical in applications but are also graceful and artistic in nature. The fluidness of the movements combined with acrobatic techniques are trademarks of the Northern Shaolin sets.
In contrast to the northern style of kung fu, the south is generally known for vigorous, athletic movements with very stable, low stances, extensive hand techniques and a vocal articulation called fasheng ("release shout") which is the predecessor of the Japanese and Korean martial arts "kiai. Power is driven from sharp waist movement with special emphasis on fast stance transition to generate power and speed in the arms. The southern styles typically refer to the five major family styles Hung Gar, Lau Gar, Choy Gar, Lei Gar, and Mok Gar with Hung Gar being the most commonly known along with Wing Chun and Choy Lei Fut.
Hung Gar, Wing Chun, and Choi Lei Fut also mimic certain animal movements such as the crane for all three, the tiger for both Hung Gar and Choy Lei Fut, and the snake for Wing Chun. The hallmarks of the Wong Fei-Hung lineage of Hung Ga are deep low stances, notably its "sei ping ma" horse stance, and strong hand techniques, notably the bridge hand and the versatile tiger claw. Wing Chun utilizes both striking and grappling while specializing in real world, close-range combat as it favors a high, narrow stance with the elbows kept close to the body, arms positioned across the vitals of the center-line, and all attacks and counter-attacks are initiated from this firm, stable base. The stances of Choy Lei Fut are similar in height to other martial arts styles, such as Hung Gar but not as high as those of Wing Chun, which allows the practitioner to move quickly during combat without sacrificing stability and power generation, but in contrast, Choy Lei Fut holds the torso at an angle to the opponent to reduce the target area exposed to him, and to allow the practitioner more reach.
Internal styles focus on the practice of such elements as awareness of the spirit, mind, qi (breath, or energy flow) and the use of relaxed leverage rather than unrefined muscular tension, tension that soft stylists call "brute force". Components of internal training includes stance training, stretching and strengthening of muscles, as well as on empty hand and weapon forms which can contain quite demanding coordination from posture to posture. A prominent characteristic of internal styles is that the forms are generally performed at a slow pace. This is thought to improve coordination and balance by increasing the work load, and to require the student to pay minute attention to their whole body and its weight as they perform a technique. At an advanced level, and in actual fighting, internal styles are performed quickly, but the goal is to learn to involve the entire body in every motion, to stay relaxed, with deep, controlled breathing, and to coordinate the motions of the body and the breathing accurately according to the dictates of the forms while maintaining perfect balance. Practitioners of internal styles usually practice Taijiquan (Tai Chi), Baguazhang (Pa Kua), and/or Xingyiquan (Hsing Yi) with Tai Chi being the most known of the three.
The study of Tai Chi involves three aspects: health, meditation, and martial art. An unhealthy or otherwise uncomfortable person may find it difficult to meditate to a state of calmness or to use Tai Chi as a martial art. Tai Chi health training, therefore, concentrates on relieving the physical effects of stress on the body and mind. The focus and calmness cultivated by the meditative aspect of Tai Chi is seen as necessary in maintaining optimum health. The ability to use Tai Chi as a form of self-defense in combat is the test of a student's understanding of the art. Tai Chi is the study of appropriate change in response to outside forces, the study of yielding and "sticking" to an incoming attack rather than attempting to meet it with opposing force. The use of Tai Chi as a martial art is quite challenging and requires a great deal of training just as Kung Fu defines it.
In its broadest sense, Nothern Shaolin (or Bak Sil Lum in Cantonese) refers to the external martial arts of Northern China referring to those styles from the Shaolin Monstery in Henan. The Northern Shaolin style was made famous by Ku Yu Cheung and is one of the most prominent traditional northern styles of Chinese martial arts. The northern styles of kung-fu generally emphasize long range techniques, quick advances and retreats, wide stances, kicking and leaping techniques, whirling circular blocks, quickness, agility, and aggressive attacks.
The system teaches empty-hand techniques and weaponry through predetermined combinations, known as forms, routines, or movement of sets. The students learn the basics by practicing the routines until the movements in the routines can be executed naturally based on instinct. Then, two or multiple man sets are practiced to train responses and applications of techniques learned from the sets. The practice sets/routines are not only practical in applications but are also graceful and artistic in nature. The fluidness of the movements combined with acrobatic techniques are trademarks of the Northern Shaolin sets.
In contrast to the northern style of kung fu, the south is generally known for vigorous, athletic movements with very stable, low stances, extensive hand techniques and a vocal articulation called fasheng ("release shout") which is the predecessor of the Japanese and Korean martial arts "kiai. Power is driven from sharp waist movement with special emphasis on fast stance transition to generate power and speed in the arms. The southern styles typically refer to the five major family styles Hung Gar, Lau Gar, Choy Gar, Lei Gar, and Mok Gar with Hung Gar being the most commonly known along with Wing Chun and Choy Lei Fut.
Hung Gar, Wing Chun, and Choi Lei Fut also mimic certain animal movements such as the crane for all three, the tiger for both Hung Gar and Choy Lei Fut, and the snake for Wing Chun. The hallmarks of the Wong Fei-Hung lineage of Hung Ga are deep low stances, notably its "sei ping ma" horse stance, and strong hand techniques, notably the bridge hand and the versatile tiger claw. Wing Chun utilizes both striking and grappling while specializing in real world, close-range combat as it favors a high, narrow stance with the elbows kept close to the body, arms positioned across the vitals of the center-line, and all attacks and counter-attacks are initiated from this firm, stable base. The stances of Choy Lei Fut are similar in height to other martial arts styles, such as Hung Gar but not as high as those of Wing Chun, which allows the practitioner to move quickly during combat without sacrificing stability and power generation, but in contrast, Choy Lei Fut holds the torso at an angle to the opponent to reduce the target area exposed to him, and to allow the practitioner more reach.
Internal styles focus on the practice of such elements as awareness of the spirit, mind, qi (breath, or energy flow) and the use of relaxed leverage rather than unrefined muscular tension, tension that soft stylists call "brute force". Components of internal training includes stance training, stretching and strengthening of muscles, as well as on empty hand and weapon forms which can contain quite demanding coordination from posture to posture. A prominent characteristic of internal styles is that the forms are generally performed at a slow pace. This is thought to improve coordination and balance by increasing the work load, and to require the student to pay minute attention to their whole body and its weight as they perform a technique. At an advanced level, and in actual fighting, internal styles are performed quickly, but the goal is to learn to involve the entire body in every motion, to stay relaxed, with deep, controlled breathing, and to coordinate the motions of the body and the breathing accurately according to the dictates of the forms while maintaining perfect balance. Practitioners of internal styles usually practice Taijiquan (Tai Chi), Baguazhang (Pa Kua), and/or Xingyiquan (Hsing Yi) with Tai Chi being the most known of the three.
The study of Tai Chi involves three aspects: health, meditation, and martial art. An unhealthy or otherwise uncomfortable person may find it difficult to meditate to a state of calmness or to use Tai Chi as a martial art. Tai Chi health training, therefore, concentrates on relieving the physical effects of stress on the body and mind. The focus and calmness cultivated by the meditative aspect of Tai Chi is seen as necessary in maintaining optimum health. The ability to use Tai Chi as a form of self-defense in combat is the test of a student's understanding of the art. Tai Chi is the study of appropriate change in response to outside forces, the study of yielding and "sticking" to an incoming attack rather than attempting to meet it with opposing force. The use of Tai Chi as a martial art is quite challenging and requires a great deal of training just as Kung Fu defines it.