This is extremely controversial. Most of what appears here is a summary of
what has been learned from Sifu Benny Meng.
There are vague references of a King in China some thousands of years ago who
trained his men in techniques of hand-to-hand combat to use in fighting against
invading barbarians.
The first real references of an organized system of martial arts came from
a man named General Chin Na. He taught a form of combat to his soldiers which
most people believe developed into what is modern day Chin-Na.
The first written record we have of Chinese martial arts is from a Taoist acupuncturist
from the 5th century. He describes combat designed along the lines of an animal's
movements and style.
Legend has it that a Bhuddist monk named Bohdiharma, also called Ta Mo, came
across the Tibetan Mountains to China. The Emperor of China at the time was much
impressed with the man, and gave him a temple located in Honan - the famed Sui
Lim Monastery (Shaolin Monastery). Ta Mo found that the monks there, while searching
for spiritual enlightenment, had neglected their physical bodies. He taught them
some exercises and drills that they adapted into fighting forms. This became the
famous Shaolin Kung Fu system.
"Kung Fu" means "skill and effort". It is used to describe anything that a
person nees to spend time training in and becoming skillful in. (A chef can have
good "kung fu".) The Chinese term that translates into "military art" is "Wu Shu".
As all martial arts, Wushu in its early stages of development was practiced
primarily for self-defense and for aquiring basic needs. As time progressed, innumerable
people tempered and processed Wushu in different ways. By China's Ming and Qing
dynasties (1368-1911), Wushu had formed its basic patterns.
Intense military conflicts served as catalysts for the development of Wushu.
During China's Xia, Shang, and Zhou periods (2000BC to 771BC), Wushu matured and
formed complete systems of offense and defense, with the emergence of bronze weapons
in quantity. During the period of Warring States (770BC to 221BC), the heads of
states and government advocated Wushu in their armies and kept Wushu masters for
their own puposes.
Military Wushu developed more systematically during the Tang and Song dynaties
(618 to 1279) and exhibitions of Wushu arts were held in the armies as morale
boosters and military exercises. In the Ming and Qing dynasties, the general development
of Wushu was at its height. Military Wushu became more practical and meticulous
and was systematically classified and summarized . General Qi Jiguang of the Ming
Dynasty delved into Wushu study and wrote "A New Essay on Wushu Arts", which became
an important book in China's military literature.
The latter half of the 20th century has seen a great upswing in the interest
of Kung Fu world wide. The introduction of Kung Fu to the Western world has seen
to it that its development and popularity will continue to grow.
Styles of Kung Fu encompass both soft and hard, internal and external techniques.
They include grappling, striking, nerve-attack and much weapons training.
The Shao-Lin styles encompass both Northern and Southern styles, and therefore
are the basis of the following outline.
Shaolin Wushu styles:
A. External Styles (Hard, Physical)
- Northern
- Northern Shaolin
- Chang Chuan (Long Fist)
- Praying Mantis
- Eagle Claw
- Monkey
- Drunken-style
- Drunken Eight Fairies
- Ba-ji
- et al
- Southern
- Southern Shaolin (Ermei Shaolin, Wudang Shaolin)
- Hung Gar
- Choy Li Fut
- Wing Chun
- Five Animal System (Dragon, Snake, Tiger, Leopard, Crane)
- White Eyebrow
- White Crane
- Lo Han
- et al
B. Internal Styles (Soft, Mental/Spiritual)
- Taijiquan
- Baguazhang
- Xingyiquan
- Liuhebafaquan
- et al
Shaolin Wushu Methods
A. Hard or External Styles
- Stresses training and strengthening of the joints, bones, and muscles
- Requires rigorous body conditioning
- Consists of positioning and movement of the limbs and body, correct technique,
muscular strength, speed, etc.
B. Soft or Internal Styles
- Stresses development of internal organs where "Chi" is produced
- Allows one to develop mental capability to call upon this "Chi"
- Concerned with breathing, poise, and tone of the core body structures
C. Long or Northern Styles
- Stresses Flexibility, quickness, agility, and balance similar to the attributes
of a trained and well-conditioned gymnast
- Uses many kicks along with hand techniques
- Legs specialize in long-range tactics
D. Short or Southern
- Stresses close-range tactics, power, and stability
- Uses mostly hand techniques
Kung Fu almost always seems to incorporate forms and routines. They emphasize
solo practice as well as group practice. (They even have forms for two or more
people). They train in multiple types of weapons. There is also a great emphasis
on sparring in the harder styles, and sensitivity training in the soft styles.
A - C