Learn the secrets of Kung Fu

• The history of Kung Fu
• A few of the Kung Fu...
• Training in Kung Fu
• Kung Fu as a sport

Training in Kung Fu The practise of Chinese martial arts can "watering down" the wushu competition be divided into two categories - Taolu training it promotes. Appearances have and Sanshou. Most styles of Chinese been important in many traditional forms martial arts contain practice of the as well, seen as a sign of balance but application of techniques (both as not the most important requirement of prepared drills and as free sparring), successful training. Some martial but also the practice of what is known artists have looked for supplementary as forms, or taolu in Chinese. Forms are income by performing on the streets or a pre-choreographed series of techniques in theaters, although in the most and movements, performed alone or with traditional schools such performance is one or more partners. forbidden. Another important part of the training, Another reason why the martial as in most other physical activities, is techniques might look different in forms what is referred to as basics , these is thought, by some, to come from a need basics condition the "beginner" for to "disguise" the actual functions of further training. the techniques from outsiders (from Basics rival schools or from the authorities as Basics are a vital part of the training, legend has it happened in Okinawa). The as a student cannot progress to the more intention was to leave the forms in such advanced stages without them; without a state that they could be performed in strong and flexible muscles, many front of others without revealing their movements of Chinese martial arts are actual martial functions, while simply impossible to perform correctly. retaining their original functionality Basics include such things as in a less obvious form. However some stretching, strengthening of muscles, forms were created for other reasons bones and tendons, stamina training, and other than combat and martial basic stances, kicks and punches. Some application, some forms were created to styles also consider jumping, jump-kicks help martial artists to develop certain and acrobatics basics. In addition, many qualities. For example acrobatics styles teach a few basic techniques as blended into martial arts helps martial well, before moving on to forms. These practitioners develop strength, balance techniques are normally the most common and flexibility as well as looking techniques of the specific style, found aesthetic. in many of the style's forms. As forms have grown in complexity and Chinese martial arts pay considerable quantity over the years, and many forms attention to stretching. Common alone could be practiced for a lifetime, stretching exercises include general styles of modern Chinese martial arts warm-up stretching, stretching in pairs, have developed that concentrate solely and various types of stretch kicks, on forms, and do not practice usually practiced with speed. As many application at all. These styles are Chinese martial arts are formed to suit primarily aimed at exhibition and children and higher-level students who competition, and often include more have been practicing since childhood, acrobatic jumps and movements added for they can include basic exercises that enhanced visual effect compared to the require very high flexibility in order traditional styles. Those who generally to be possible to perform at all. prefer to practice traditional styles, Forms focused less on exhibition, are often Forms or taolu are series of techniques referred to as traditionalists. Many put together after one another so they traditionalists consider the evolution can be practiced as one whole set of of today's Chinese martial arts as movements. Some say that forms resemble undesirable, saying that much of its a choreographed dance, though martial original value is lost. artists often argue that a general Application and Sparring difference is the speed and Application training or sparring refers explosiveness seen in most external to the training of putting the martial styles, and that the movements are techniques to use. When and how actual fighting techniques. applications are taught varies from These forms sought to incorporate both style to style, but in the beginning, the internal and external of kung fu. A most styles focus on certain drills kung fu form needs to be both practical, where each person knows what technique usable and applicable as well as is being practiced and what attack to promoting flow, meditation, flexibility, expect. Chinese martial arts usually balance and coordination. Often kung fu contain a large arsenal of techniques teachers are heard to say "train your and make use of the whole body, form as if you were sparring and spar as efficiency and effectiveness is what the if it were a form". techniques are based on. However many Types of forms chinese martial arts appear to be There are two types of forms in Chinese flowery and 'fancier' than other arts martial arts. Most common are the solo but the movements are very meaningful in forms, performed alone by one person, terms of application. Gradually, fewer but there are also "sparring" forms, and fewer rules are applied, and the which are a type of choreographed students learn how to react and feel fighting sets performed by two or more what technique to use, depending on the people. situation and the type of opponent. Many styles consider forms as one of the Nowadays, many Chinese martial arts most important practices, as they choose not to practice much application gradually build up the practitioner's at all, as the need for self-defense has strength and flexibility, speed and become less significant in the societies stamina, and teach balance and of today. The introduction of firearms coordination. They also function as a has made the traditional weapons and tool for both the students and the empty-handed martial arts lose much of teacher to remember the many techniques their power, as even a completely taught by the style, and sort them into untrained person can kill a master of various groups. any style by firing a gun from a safe A style can have many compartments, both distance. Before guns existed, however, empty-handed and with weapons. In most knowledge of martial arts could save styles, empty-handed techniques are the both your and your family's life. most common, but many styles also Because of this, the applications of the contain forms using a wide range of techniques were often considered sacred, weapons of various length and type, and were commonly kept secret from all utilizing one or two hands. There are but family and the closest friends. also styles that only practice a certain Today, the views on this tradition of weapon, containing only forms with the keeping things secret are very mixed, specific weapon. and some schools openly teach Forms are meant to work the body. Once a applications to anyone willing to learn. basic structure is able be maintained in Others still require the students to the body forms are then used to work show that they are worthy before that structure. Forms develop a teaching applications, "worthy" usually sensibility of moving from position to meaning that the students can be trusted position. This teaches the body to that they will not use their knowledge react. to a bad purpose. It must be pointed out Some forms focus specifically on in fairness that some of the masters punching and kicking, while others focus were in fact members of the criminal on joint manipulation, grappling, jump underworld (although they may have kicking, or weapons. Still other forms perceived themselves as righteous) and focus on different styles of movement, that some of the actual skill and or on using specific hand applications of the various systems were configurations. Often, forms will developed in real and extremely violent combine several of these attributes. confrontations both armed and unarmed. Appearance of forms This dichotomy did and still does exist. Even though forms of Chinese martial There are also modern styles that arts are based on martial techniques, practice application and even focus the movements might not always be solely on them. Aimed mostly at modern identical to how the techniques they competition, they are rarely found being symbolize would look when applied in practised and taught alone, and normally combat. This is due to the way many found alongside traditional Chinese forms have been elaborated, on the one martial arts. One such style that has hand to provide better combat grown quite popular is called Sanda (or preparedness and on the other hand to Sanshou). Many schools of Chinese look more beautiful. One easily martial arts schools teach sanshou and understood manifestation of this work to incorporate its movement, tendency toward elaborations that go characteristics and theory into beyond what most often might be used in sanshou's modern context. It is popular combat is the inclusion of lower stances as a competition event and allows and higher kicks. The regular practice martial practioners to both practise and of techniques while using lower stances put their skill to use in a friendly, both adds strength to the same non-hostile environment. It is similar techniques when used with higher to Muay Thai and is a type of sparring stances, and also facilitates using the competition where the competitors wear same techniques in the lower stances protection and gloves, and get points when the realities of combat make doing when scoring a hit on the opponent or so the most appropriate choice. performing a successful throw. Sanshou In recent years, as the perceived need involves both stand up striking and for self-defense has decreased, many grappling, and as a modern competition modern schools have replaced practical rules are limited for safety reasons, in defense or offense movements with turn limiting technique and other acrobatic feats that are more components of the martial arts. However, spectacular to watch, thereby gaining many of these skills and techniques are favor during exhibitions and still practised among many sanshou competitions. The mainland Chinese practioners, such as chin na and ground government has especially been fighting. criticized by traditionalists for 1 A B C D E F G 96 97 98 99 100 101 102 103 104 105 106 107 108 109 110 111 112 113 114 115 116 117 118 119 120 121 122 123 124 125 126 127 128 129 130 131 132 133 134 135 136 137