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