| Martial arts have been created and developed for | | | | and internal components. This classification scheme |
| self-defense and survival throughout human | | | | is only a reminder of the initial emphasis of a |
| history. Chinese martial arts is generally called | | | | particular style and should not be considered an |
| Wushu, where Wu means military and shu means | | | | absolute division. Roughly speaking, the distinction |
| art, thus Wushu means the art of fighting. Proper | | | | between internal and external martial arts can |
| martial-arts training can improve physical ability, | | | | refer to whether the strength is from the torso |
| health, and willpower and mental discipline. The soul | | | | and legs (internal) or whether the strength is |
| of the martial art is to increase a person's inner | | | | derived from training of the more specific arm |
| quality, not setting fighting as the purpose. Martial | | | | and leg muscles (external). Internal styles focus on |
| arts have thousands of years' history. Over the | | | | the practice of such elements as awareness of |
| past two to four thousand years, many distinctive | | | | the spirit, mind, qi and the use of relaxed leverage |
| styles have been developed, each with its own | | | | rather than unrefined muscular tension, tension |
| set of techniques and ideas. | | | | that soft stylists call "brute force". External style |
| Since there are various styles, it is very difficult | | | | is characterized by fast and explosive |
| to classify Chinese martial arts. There are also | | | | movements and a focus on physical strength and |
| common themes to the different styles , which | | | | agility. External styles begin with a training focus |
| are often classified by "families" or "schools" of | | | | on muscular power, speed and application, and |
| martial art styles. Each style offers a different | | | | generally integrate their qigong aspects in |
| approach to the common problems of | | | | advanced training, after their desired "hard" |
| self-defense, health and self-cultivation. | | | | physical level has been reached. Example of |
| Traditionally, Chinese martial arts can be classified | | | | external styles is Shaolinquan. |
| by the following three main methods: | | | | According to geographical classification, the |
| (1) External and internal classification | | | | Chinese martial arts can be divided into northern |
| (2) Geographical classification | | | | and southern style, referring to which part of |
| (3) Religious classification | | | | China the styles originated from, separated by |
| Internal and external classifications only became | | | | the Yangtze River. The main perceived difference |
| popular during the Republican period. It was used | | | | about northern and southern styles is that the |
| to differentiate between two completing groups | | | | northern styles tend to emphasize fast and |
| within the Central Guoshu Academy. Regardless | | | | powerful kicks, high jumps and generally fluid and |
| of the origin of this classification scheme, the | | | | rapid movement, while the southern styles focus |
| distinction becomes less meaningful since all | | | | more on strong arm and hand techniques, and |
| complete Chinese martial art styles have external | | | | stable, immovable stances and fast footwork. |