| The first time I saw Shaolin Kung fu techniques | | | | Each one of these has a purpose behind it |
| was while watching a martial arts movie. I loved | | | | attached to the meanings of the animals, not to |
| the style of martial arts so much, that I watched | | | | mention that the types of Shaolin have really cool |
| the second movie and fell totally in love. There | | | | names like 'Jiao long nu kong', which means the |
| was something so riveting about watching the | | | | coiling dragon growls in wrath', or 'Qian jintui' the |
| punches, kicks and jumps. Even though it was | | | | 'leg weighing one thousand jins'. compare that to |
| Hong Kong Hollywood, it looked so much more | | | | boxing. Jab. Cross. How dull! |
| real than most martial arts you see. I've watched | | | | You can't help but admire the training and |
| a lot of martial arts movies in my day. In fact, | | | | dedication, the grace, and fluidity of movement |
| they're actually my favorite type of movie. | | | | that accompanies this martial art. Out of all of the |
| Recently I saw Jet Li in Fearless. Though his style | | | | ones I've read, seen or done research on, I keep |
| in that movie was wing chun. | | | | coming back to this one. Warrior monks even |
| Why is kung fu my favorite form of martial art? | | | | won battles and were honored using these |
| Probably because of the exotic origin. It's a style | | | | techniques. It boggles my mind when I think of it. |
| practiced by monks. You wouldn't think monks | | | | Weapon use, boxing, spins, kicks - all of it at |
| would know a fighting style, especially when they | | | | lightening fast speeds and almost inhuman |
| stand for peace and nonviolence but they do | | | | precision. I find myself sitting on the edge of my |
| practice it every day, for the entirety of their | | | | seat waiting eagerly for the next bad guy to |
| lives. It's like their way of finding enlightenment | | | | come along or the next move in the exhibition. |
| and it's a viable combat art. Most kung fu you see | | | | It's amazing how they can do all those moves - |
| in movies or during shows, or exhibitions are | | | | flying through various forms, blocks, kicks, jumps, |
| stylized sport martial arts. But not the shaolin. | | | | punches - and then stop give their bow and not |
| There are historical references of it being used in | | | | even be breathing hard. They don't just use any |
| defensive battle as far back as 728 B.C. Normally, | | | | weapon, either. A popular one is the long spear. |
| when you see a martial artist, it's usually big | | | | I've held one before. They aren't light and they're |
| muscles, lots of noise, a show, right? Not this one. | | | | long. To use one takes a lot of skill, and they |
| This art trains practitioners with the purpose of | | | | make it seem so easy. |
| nature. I'm sure you've heard references to it in | | | | It doesn't matter what form or practice of |
| the movies, where someone engaged in kung fu | | | | Shaolin Kung fu techniques are being used, I love |
| took a tiger stance or that of the crane. | | | | it! |