| Since kung fu is more than 1,000 years | | | | mixture of these two styles. |
| old, there are hundreds of styles of | | | | Then there are distinctions of styles, |
| kung fu. Old styles are mixed to create | | | | like internal and external styles. Here, |
| new styles. Then there are many families | | | | internal styles emphasize the |
| of styles. Kung fu styles also change | | | | non-tangible elements like meditation, |
| from region to region, as kung fu | | | | body control, perception and mind |
| reflects a way of living. | | | | control. These styles are also known as |
| The kung fu styles can be divided into | | | | mystical styles. Internal styles are |
| soft and hard styles. Soft styles mean | | | | part of soft styles. External styles use |
| diverting momentum to unbalance an | | | | body mechanics and force. Weight, |
| opponent. They are used to bring | | | | strength and positioning are used to |
| opponents into striking range. These | | | | gain the advantage. External styles are |
| styles use less physical force and more | | | | hard styles. |
| internal energy and skills. Hard styles | | | | As a kung fu master learns from his |
| direct the energy outward. These are | | | | surroundings, there are many styles |
| used to strike with the force. | | | | which are adopted from the behavior of |
| Kung fu can also be divided by the form | | | | the animals. The famous example of this |
| of movements. This subtle distinction | | | | is monkey style, which is adopted from |
| classifies kung fu styles as circular | | | | the behavior of monkeys. |
| and linear. As the name depicts, | | | | Finally there is no end to the |
| circular styles use around and aside | | | | discussion on kung fu styles. A kung fu |
| movements in relation to the opponents. | | | | master learns from the environment and |
| Linear styles use direct, straight-line | | | | himself, or makes his own style. |
| movements. Most kung fu masters use a | | | | |