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