| The martial art known as Kung Fu is very old, yet | | | | towards the more traditional block and counter |
| very powerful. There are several different forms | | | | routines. |
| involved with Kung Fu, that only add to the power | | | | Hung Gar |
| and mystique. Below, we will go over a majority | | | | Hung Gar is more or less an adaptation of the |
| of the different styles and forms that make up | | | | Tiger system of Shaolin that emphasizes close |
| Kung Fu. | | | | quarter techniques. Hung Gar isn't much on |
| White Crane style | | | | distance fighting, although it is very effective in |
| The spirit of the White Crane has led to what | | | | close quarter situations, such as alleys and in small |
| many martial artists consider to be the most | | | | rooms. It is a very strong system, teaching |
| graceful system of Kung Fu. The pattern for the | | | | stylists to handle themselves properly in areas |
| White Crane style was patterned after a crane | | | | where other martial arts seem to fail. |
| bird often found in marshes and open plains. The | | | | Praying Mantis |
| White Crane defense forms and attacks are | | | | Nearly 400 years ago, a man named Wang had a |
| nothing short of amazing, often known as "deadly | | | | vision. Using a praying mantis that he was able to |
| beauty". | | | | capture, Wang studied it's movements. By using |
| Although the techniques within the White Crane | | | | what he saw, he created and founded the style |
| style can take years to properly master, they | | | | of Praying Mantis. Wang perfected his own martial |
| simple and to the point. White Crane stylists are | | | | art style by continuing to observe both the |
| masters of self defense, although they are taught | | | | offensive and defensive movements of the |
| to avoid confrontations. Even though a stylist can | | | | praying mantis, and using them with his style. |
| handle himself in any situation, he will avoid a fight | | | | The Monkey style |
| at all costs and only react with physical action | | | | Even though it is thought of a comical approach |
| when he is left with no choice. | | | | to martial arts, the Monkey style is actually one |
| Wing Chun | | | | of the deadliest martial arts systems in the world. |
| From a Chinese standpoint, Wing Chun is the | | | | This style dates back to the 1840s, when |
| essence that the opponent will attack, absorb, and | | | | missionaries were first allowed passage into China. |
| then neutralize the attack. Then, the opponent or | | | | The Monkey style all began when a peaceful |
| attacker will back off, pursue, then counter - | | | | maned named See resisted arrested after |
| disengage his restriction from arms, and then | | | | accidentally killing an officer of the law. See was |
| retaliate with a deadly and penetrating force. | | | | sentenced to prison for his crime, where he spent |
| This philosophy will take years to fully understand, | | | | all of his time watching the prison apes. He found |
| and years of practice to master. Technically | | | | them amazing, and would watch them from his |
| speaking, Wing Chun uses a steady and never | | | | cell, which his also helped to pass the time. |
| ending forward flow of energy that's based on | | | | Over his ten year prison sentence, he studied the |
| the principle that a straight line is the shortest | | | | way the apes moved, paying very close attention |
| distance between two points. | | | | to how they defended themselves and fought |
| Offensively, Wing Chun is all about a combination | | | | each other. Then, when he was released from |
| of intercepting and straight lines with deflecting | | | | prison, he adapted his style, becoming known as |
| arcs. In general, it is an aggressive close quarter | | | | the Monkey Master. A lot of people joined him |
| style that pushes offensive attacks and takes the | | | | along the way, and began to learn his Monkey |
| fight right to the attacker. In other words - Wing | | | | system which is still very effective today. |
| Chun doesn't care nor does it put a lot of time | | | | |