| All types of martial arts that were developed | | | | martial arts became an integral part of the |
| by the Chinese are considered an art form, | | | | Chinese culture. Taiji is another form which |
| but are still considered by some to be a | | | | was influenced by the Ming Dynasty period in |
| sport that puts people in tune with their | | | | China. This martial art form incorporated the |
| body. A person might begin learning them for | | | | physical exercises found in boxing and |
| safety reasons because they feel they need | | | | various techniques were developed to serve as |
| some form of self defense to keep them save | | | | not only as a portal to receiving a certain |
| in the urban environment where they live. The | | | | amount of exercise, but to develop defensive |
| training for martial arts is most often | | | | techniques that could be used by each member |
| pursued because the person desires to train | | | | of a Chinese family. |
| their body and mind to be strong and alert. | | | | |
| | | | All martial arts in China are available to |
| The art of Kung Fu comes from China and it is | | | | all sexes but Chinese men study the art form |
| taught in various formats. The Chinese people | | | | for defense. Martial arts are practiced in |
| have a great respect for this particular art | | | | China for health benefits too. All martial |
| form because it is part of their heritage. | | | | arts students will train vigorously and learn |
| Kung Fu was developed from the standpoint | | | | to perform various breathing exercises that |
| that the body and mind can interact together | | | | are mean to promote a better circulatory |
| with peace and harmony and the result will be | | | | system. The breathing exercises are also used |
| a healthy individual who has a strong | | | | to clear the mind and allow the martial arts |
| character and is the epitome of what the | | | | connoisseurs the opportunity to fight |
| Chinese culture represents. Kung Fu | | | | sickness and gain better control over their |
| originated in China during the period 770-475 | | | | health. |
| BC. | | | | |
| | | | Martial arts also prepares the individual for |
| The art of martial arts incorporates the use | | | | enlightened thinking and allows them to reach |
| of many weapons. The most commonly used | | | | deep within their being to find an inner |
| weapons that were incorporated into training | | | | strength. Chinese martial arts incorporate |
| classes during the Yuan Dynasty during the | | | | the movements of kicking, punching, |
| period 1271-1368 were spears, axes, swords of | | | | thrusting, hitting, and controlling. The |
| all types, shapes and sizes. The Chinese | | | | martial arts student will learn to use all of |
| people would practice martial arts in front | | | | these movements in an orchestrated manner |
| of crowds in a stage setting and all of the | | | | that will provide the best defense tactics |
| people in the crowds were expected to learn | | | | possible. Some of these movements are |
| from what they observed. | | | | rendered with little speed but that reduction |
| | | | of speed will provide the highest impact. |
| The Chinese organized martial arts schools to | | | | Weapons are used to enhance the defense |
| develop this art form further and this is how | | | | capabilities of the student. |