Kung Fu Styles

Kung Fu Styles

Due to the rich and long history of Chinese martial arts, Chinese Kung Fu is a series of fighting styles which has developed over the centuries in China. Although being fighting styles, Kung Fu advocates virtue and peace, not aggression or violence. This has been the common value upheld by martial artists from generation to generation. With a number of movement sets, boxing styles, weapon skills and some fighting stunts, Kung Fu keeps its original function of self-defense. Now its value in body-building and fitness is also highly appreciated. there are over 400 substyles of kung fu. The northern styles, such as Shaolin Kung Fu, tend to put a level of importance on kicks and wide stances. The southern styles are more about the utilization of the hands and narrower stances.

The Historical Origins of Kung Fu

Kung Fu’s roots can be traced deep into the past, so deep that its very contours are barely hinted at in myth, legends and available historiography. Perhaps, only one thing can be said with certainty: that Kung Fu is as ancient as China itself.

Literature indicates that in those early days, aside of specific techniques that may have originated as part of hunting efforts and rudimentary hand to hand self-defence techniques, combat systems were likely developed for military training purposes, but were not solely exclusive to warriors, as some military martial art elements, like archery and charioteering, were included in the six arts of ancient China. The first recorded mention of Kung Fu -albeit somewhat fragmented- can be found in the Spring and Autumn Annals of the State of Lu which were written up during the reign of the Zhou dynasty.

About Chinese Kung Fu Styles list

Shaolin Kung Fu

kung fu styles

Shaolin kung fu is a symbol of Chinese martial arts. Shaolin Kung Fu (Chinese: 少林功夫 ), also called Shaolin Wushu (少林武術 ), is among the oldest institutionalized styles of Chinese martial arts. Known in Chinese as Shaolinquan (Chinese: 少林拳) , it originated and was developed in the Buddhist Shaolin temple in Henan province, China. , also known as Shaolin martial arts, is one of the famous martial arts . It has a long history and profound influence, is an important part of the traditional martial arts China. Began about Northern Wei. Chronicles continue some development, spur widespread throughout the country, modern and gradually spread overseas .The most prominent feature of Shaolin Kungfu is "chan wu he yi", namely the chan wu he yi, practicing meditation, so there are "Zen martial arts".

Zen Shaolin boxing alike due to the known world. "Fist to temple name, temple to boxing display." After generation of monks long practical experience and historical evolution of the formation of the unique martial arts system, which in plain hardness and softness, moves varied combat style spread so far.

China Shaolin kung fu is one of the greatest forms of martial arts that has gained a lot of popularity in the recent past. It's movements are rapid, quick and forceful. This martial art demands energy, rapid and forceful actions.For one, it has produced great masters in the history of China and also boasts a variety of techniques and philosophies that increase the spiritual growth in both young children and adults.

External/Hard: Meets force with force, using techniques that require strength for successful execution.

Internal/Soft techniques: Deflects an attacker’s force to his or her disadvantage while using minimal power and requiring minimum strength.

Light Kung Fu: The focus on agility and movement.

Qigong: The practice and maintenance of Qi.

Shaolin Kung fu can also include hand-to-hand defense as well as the use of weapons. Weapons such as a staff, spear, broadsword, straight sword, and various other weapons are standard in combat, performance sparring, and daily training in Shaolin Kung fu.

Tai Chi

chinese kung fu

Tai chi Is to China traditional philosophy of Confucianism and Taoism in Tai Chi, yin and Yang dialectical philosophy as the core idea, the functions of maintenance of temperament, physical fitness, martial arts Sanda etc. as a whole, with the changes of yin and Yang and the five elements of learning, meridian, guidance and tonalide operation to form a Neiwaijianxiu, soft, slow and flexible and the traditional arts of ancient China move among force and soft.

tai chi roughly translates as: “supreme boxing,” “the root of all motion,” and “optimal fist fighting.” While it is still considered a martial art, it is unlike any of the other combative styles. Tai chi is based on fluidity, and circular movements and mastery of this art take “the flexibility of a child, the strength of a lumberjack and, eventually, the wisdom of a sage.”

Tai chi embodies the Chinese philosophy that all life is based on life energy or qi. The ultimate purpose of tai chi is to focus on the qi energy force and cultivate its power so it can grow flow smoothly and powerfully throughout the body. Where other Kung Fu Styles are fast and abrupt, tai chi forms incorporate slow movement of the arms and legs that look as if you are gently moving a giant beach ball. These movements are intended to integrate the mind and the body through the control of movements and breathing, focus, and mindfulness.

Research from many fields including medicine, physics, chemistry, anatomy, psychology etc. have shown that practicing Tai Chi plays a beneficial role in the prevention and cure of chronic diseases, such as high blood pressure, heart disease, pulmonary disease, hepatitis, naturopathy, intestines and neurasthenia etc. Often called “meditation in motion,” Tai chi is a slow and gentle art, but it addresses many critical components of mind and body, making it a great Kung fu style to offer you peace and tranquility.

The benefits of tai chi may include, Determine the health benefits of tai chi. Some evidence indicates that tai chi may also help:

  • Decreased stress, anxiety and depression
  • Improved mood
  • Improved aerobic capacity
  • Increased energy and stamina
  • Improved flexibility, balance and agility
  • Improved muscle strength and definition
  • Enhance quality of sleep
  • Enhance the immune system
  • Help lower blood pressure
  • Improve joint pain
  • Improve symptoms of congestive heart failure
  • Improve overall well-being
  • Reduce risk of falls in older adults

QiGong

Qigong is a traditional Chinese method of health care, health preservation and disease elimination. It is a physical and mental exercise method for the purpose of strengthening the body, preventing and treating diseases, keeping fit and prolonging life and developing potential by means of breathing adjustment, physical activity adjustment and consciousness adjustment (regulating breath, body and heart).

Understanding “Qi” is a fundamental part of studying Qi Gong martial arts. While there are many forms of Qi Gong, they are all focused on the importance of “Qi.” Traditional Chinese culture emphasizes that the most basic “Qi” is “Yuan Qi,” which is the origin of all living things. Yuan Qi is an engine for personal growth, metabolism, and physical development. The Yuan Qi is also thought to play an important role in fighting off illnesses and balance, and much of Chinese medicine teaches that life all depends on the proper circulation of Yuan Qi. When you begin to practice this form of martial art, it is vital to focus on the following forms:

Adjust your mind in peace;

Adjust your body into its best condition;

Adjust your breath in balance.

With regular training and persistence, your overall health and form will improve greatly. The persistent practice of Qigong is thought to improve your overall quality of life, and naturally transmute and develop a deeper awareness of your subtle energies.

Wing Chun

Wing Chun Kung Fu as a kind of traditional martial arts of southern China, Is a kind of technique to defend the invasion and a kind of Chinese boxing with positive, that focuses on eliminating opponents as fast and as efficiently as possible. To do this, the attacks are aimed at the centerline of the opponent, which is a vertical line from the crown of the head straight down to the crotch.

Wing Chun was created in China during the seventeenth century, and it was the last Kung Fu art ever developed in China. It was the only Kung Fu art ever created by a woman.Wing Chun is an in-close combative system based on not fighting “Force against Force,” using the principles of Yin/Yang. The system’s movements are based on looking at and implementing the movements of certain animals. Those animals are the white crane, snake, tiger and fox. However, its effectiveness and uniqueness is its ability to utilize “chi”, one’s internal energy.The Wing Chun approach results in a no-nonsense defense system characterized by simplicity, directness, speed and techniques rather than physical strength to respond to the attack. Thus, Wing Chun becomes especially useful when applied to a larger, stronger, faster, more aggressive adversary.In addition, Wing Chun was designed to capitalize on each individual’s body mechanics. Therefore, people with varying abilities can quickly become adept in defending themselves and at the same time developing self-confidence.

Wing Chun characteristics and strengths

Wing Chun is very scientific, practical and fast with intensive defending. The stances of is flexible and could be changed fast. Its attacking and defending could be done at the same time. It emphasizes the combination of hardness and tenderness and wastes the least energy. Wing Chun uses the explosive power to attack and defend. In theory and mind, the middle line, hips, chasing shapes towards face, the consideration of both sides, holding and chasing, swing hands are emphasized. It’s strength is sparring in the shortest distance.

The middle line theory refers to the line from the top to caudal vertebrae of human body. In attacking, Winchun command that the trainers should attack toward the middle line of the opponent from the middle line of themselves. This is the shortest distance between two persons who have the same speed of punching. The one with the shorter routine of punching would hit firstly. If the middle line is attacked, the person will feel heavy power, and this one part of the most practical theory in Chinese martial arts system.
In Winchun, the power depends on the middle line of human body, because of this, the Winchun trainers should have powerful gross motor on the back. This power using method is quite different from those martial arts which need the power from the muscle from waist and arms.
In November of 2014, Winchun was listed into the fourth batch of national intangible cultural heritage representative martial arts items.

Siu Nim Tao 小念头; means “little idea” or “little imagination.”

Chum Kiu 寻桥; means “seeking the bridge.” Alternately “sinking bridge.”

Biu Tze 镖指; means “darting fingers.”

Muk Yan Jong 木人桩; means “wooden dummy.”

Baat Jaam Do 八斩刀; means “Eight Chopping/Slashing Knives.”

Luk Dim Boon Gwun 六点半棍; means “Six and A Half Point Pole.”

To learn more about Wing Chun or to actively practice this martial art – you are welcome to train at our academy!

Emei martial art

Emei martial art has a history of nearly 3,000 years, with more than 80 schools and hundreds of styles and styles, and is one of the three major schools of Chinese martial arts. Emei Wushu is one of the traditional Chinese martial arts schools, with the famous Chinese mountain Emei as its birthplace. It is one of the three major schools of Chinese martial arts. It emphasizes both rigidity and flexibility, and both internal and external training, with movements that seem fast but slow, fast but slow, soft but rigid, and rigid but soft. At present, there are 68 schools of Emei martial arts and 2,638 types of hand-to-hand, equipment, sparring, routines, methods of practice and techniques.

The Emei School is one of the three most famous martial arts schools in China, along with the Shaolin School and the Wudang School. The Emei school of martial arts is between Shaolin's masculine and Wudang's feminine, and is also soft and rigid, with both internal and external emphasis, and both long and short. Attack and defense are both into the boxing scripture says: "The fist does not take over, the gun does not go in a circle, the sword does not move the tail, only then is the Emei." "Transformation of ten thousand methods into one method, with one method to break ten thousand methods." In short, it is to win with weakness, true and false reality, standing in the position of a woman merging the strengths of Wudang, Shaolin and other schools.

In addition to the universality of the Chinese martial arts, the Emei school is also unique in its fine techniques, multifarious methods, the use of both palms and fingers, the flexibility of the body and steps, the wind in the fists and feet, the flexibility and rigidity, and the internal and external training. These characteristics are the special attributes of the Omei School's boxing techniques. During the development of the Emei School, the masters of the school have continuously absorbed the essence of techniques and strikes from various schools of arts, giving full play to the Sichuanese spirit of resourcefulness, dexterity, tenacity and courage, and the characteristics of rolling in from the side, attacking and defending from one side, controlling with ingenuity, and controlling with smallness, so that their techniques have been constantly innovated and developed. Based on the inheritance of Chinese martial arts' inherent nesting and defensive techniques and forms of movement, the Emei School gives full play to the unique fighting style of Sichuanese boxing skills, making full use of their strengths and avoiding their weaknesses, thus making the Emei School's boxing skills have both the universal attributes of Chinese martial arts and the special attributes of Sichuan's local boxing arts.

The Emei single knife technique is based on chopping, stabbing, swinging, sweeping, head wrapping, brain wrapping, hanging, teasing, clouding, chopping and knife flowering, and its movement is characterized by: "single knife depends on the matching hand, head wrapping must hide the elbow, wind speed is fast, brave and fierce like a tiger, knife chopping a line, flipping through the clouds and drilling, breaking the fog method is hard to see." Emei knife method in the exercise skills and difficult new technology has unique features. Such as the night line knife to light soft live into its art style, the action of soft in the rigid, fast in the ribbon, high and low combination, highlighting the night in the dark by watching, listening, touching, killing, so that the attack knife when Ling calendar, defense impermeable, so the night line also has a local Sichuan boxing flavor, in the national martial arts observation competition conference, by the martial arts colleagues unanimously praised. Sichuan martial arts athlete Li Dianfang, on the basis of inheriting the essence of traditional knife techniques, has developed some difficult new knife techniques and won the national martial arts competition championship with his excellent single knife skills, which has played a positive role in promoting the development of the Emei knife.

The general characteristics of the Emei stick art are: its potential splitting is like a tarzan crushing the top, poking the stick like a million arrows piercing the heart, swinging like a boa turning over, sweeping like the autumn wind sweeping the falling leaves, dancing with wind and electricity, its strength hitting a large area, like overturning the sea, like a hungry tiger pouncing on a sheep, fast like a meteor and a humongous moon, there is ingenuity in the rush, rigid but not rigid, alive but not chaotic, unique moves, so it can become the essence of Chinese martial arts.

SanDa Boxing

It is an important form of competition in Chinese martial arts. It is a fighting event in which two people fight against each other with their bare hands according to certain rules and using traditional martial arts techniques such as kicking, punching and wrestling. It is an important form of competition in Chinese martial arts. It is divided into Ancient Sanshou and Modern Sanshou. As the earliest development of Sanshou, it is a form of fighting in which a single person, a weapon, or multiple people are confronted with the head, fingers, palms, fists, elbows, shoulders, knees, legs, hips, arms, etc. The main techniques are hitting, kicking, taking, falling, wrestling, etc. Among them, there are elbows and knees, etc. In fighting, the focus is on surprise, not on the flower method, but on the practicality of winning. Modern sparring is a combination of kicking, punching and wrestling techniques, such as straight fist, swinging fist, copying fist, whip fist, whip leg, stomp, kick and wrestling. There is no routine in sparring, only single moves and combinations, see the move and dismantle the move.

Sanda movements are considered a fighting sport as much as a martial art. However, there are distinct differences that make it stand apart from other styles. Sanda fighting has strict rules to ensure the safety of the two fighters. Sanda training rules state that attacking the back of the head, neck, and crotch of an opponent is prohibited.

Sanda masters will have very fast defensive and offensive reflexes if suddenly attacked. In comparison to an ordinary person, a Sanda athlete has a much higher ability to resist and very quick defensive reactions. Sanda not only improves physical qualities such as strength, endurance, flexibility, and sensitivity but also develops a person’s physical body and improves mental awareness.