Kung Fu is a term that refers to the collection of Chinese martial arts. Kung Fu trainings require great concentration and, above all, regularity from the practitioners. This fighting style is divided into many schools. Both body and spirit are trained in them. A Kung Fu fighter should have honor, honesty, truthfulness and courage. Following the example of this martial art, another one was created - called karate.

Kung Fuarose out of the need to fight for food and protect against animals. Over time, it also took on the character of a fight between people, when tribes and camps with different views were formed. Initially, this term was used to describe units characterized by honor, persistence and courage in action, and which additionally trained regularly. Over time, it was decided to standardize the Kung Fu combat system to enable training of entire formations of warriors in this direction. The first exercises that are still the basis of Kung Fu, the so-called the forms were created based on the formerly existing types of weapons, knowledge of the human body and the tactics of fighting units with the addition of dance.

Style Kung Fu - basic division

So far, no one has found a suitable guideline for all Kung Fu schools and styles to be grouped. Currently, the most commonly used division is the division into southern styles (abundant in a multitude of hand forms, strong posture, keeping balance, covering the center of the body) and northern styles (high jumps, fast turns, sweeping hand movements, strong blows and kicks).

In the time of the Yellow Emperor, Kung Fu warriors fought attacking with horns attached to their heads. This martial art was called jiaodi.

Depending on the sources, you can learn that there are about 50-60 main styles, which are then divided into Kung Fu schools. Of these, about 500 are known, but the real number is about 1000 schools. More than half do not disclose their practices because they follow the old Kung Fu code - which requires them to train in secret.

Main Kung Fu styles

  1. Shaolin style- in this style, the most attention is paid to the strength and ability to attack and work on the outer shell of the body. The Shaolin style is characterized by jumps, pads and strong scraping movements.
  2. Wudang style-puts emphasis on agility and resistance to blows, on the inner sphere, which means the strengthening of 3 factors:jing- the essence of life,qi- internal energy andshen- spirit. It is characterized by gentle and fluid movements against the strong blows of the opponent.
  3. Emei style- is a combination of the above two. The technical basis of this style is the combination of movement and stillness, external and internal exercises. Dexterity and practical combat skills are of the greatest importance here.

It is from the three above schools of different fighting styles that all Kung Fu styles that are significant in China originate. Different Kung Fu martial arts schools were formed because of:

  • specificity of the area,
  • specificity of local communities,
  • individual abilities of school creators,
  • passions of rulers.

Kung Fu - fighting styles

  • Taiji Quan- ieGrand Peak Fist- the most delicate Kung Fu style. Fast and strong movements are rarely used.
  • Xingyi Quan / Hsing and / Lu hi Chuan- this style focuses on the unity of the body, ie thoughts and actions. It is characterized by: straight back and shoulders, relaxed hips, constantly clenched fists hitting forward and lowered tongue. It is a quick flick style.
  • Bagua Zhang / Bagua Pai- ieEight Trigrams Hand- each hand movement is preceded by a rotary movement of the lower limbs. The attack is performed with open hands. The tongue should then be lifted and touch the upper gum with its tip. The fighting movements are gentle but agile.
  • Pak Hok - ie the White Crane Style- is a popular martial arts style that originated in a broader style called Lama, which originated in Tibet. The technique is a special arrangement of the body and legs. It is calledkay men bo . It is related to the theory of straight and circular hand motion. When the hands move in a circle, the legs only follow straight lines (and vice versa). This style does not use kicks above the waist.
  • Shi He Quan- ieShaolin South White Crane Style . While the name sounds similar to the aforementioned, there is no overlap between the styles. This variety was initiated in the 17th century by Fang Ji Niang. It uses 21 manual forms and 2 forms of fighting with weapons. In this case, a high position with the weight of the body on the supporting leg is characteristic. During the attack, the warriors shout voiced and breathe specifically loudly.
  • Tang Lang Pai- iePraying Mantis Style .The mantis is one of the most inspiring insects in Kung fu. This style was created by master Wong Lang, because this animal became his muse during his stay in the mountains. The style of the mantis is based on mimicking the movements of the upper limbs of the praying mantis and the legs of monkeys. It also has an extensive elbow striking technique. There are 4 main schools of this style: Taiji, Meihua, Tsitsing and Kwong Pan. Currently, about 18 varieties of Tang Pai are known.
  • Hei Hu Pai- ieTiger (black) style- was created at the end of the 18th century, thanks to the artist whose name was Hung Kuen. The style is based on 10 hand forms (each with 30 moves) plus 2 stick forms and one sword form. This style has already been practiced on mannequins and wooden tripods to train yourself to always be ready to assume the right fighting stance.
Important

Kung Fu - moral science in this martial art:

  • Attachment to life is a mistake. A man is a prisoner of his length, because he can indulge himself in the process, and this will result in not being ready to die.
  • Justice should characterize every human being.
  • Courage is the most important character trait. He's far superior to bravado. Its physical and spiritual aspects are distinguished. It can only be reached through peace and harmony.
  • People who practice Kung Fu are kind enough to be courageous - leading the body into harmony with the mind.
  • Honor is a priority in life. They stand in opposition to cowardice and degrading life. A component of honor is, among others truthfulness.
  • Each fighter should follow the rules of his martial arts school and respect its tradition and heritage. Loy alty is understood here as devotion and sacrifice in the form of attachment to one's kung fu school until death.
  • The main motto of the combatants is also patience and persistence in their endeavors.

Kung fu - fighting styles continued.

  • Ving Tsun Kuen / Ving Chun / Pao Fa Lien- ieBeautiful Spring Fist- followers of this style use 3 hand forms and 2 forms of combat with the use of weapons. Characteristic for him are exercises involving the joining of hands and sticks. It is based on sensing the opponent's intentions.
  • Chow Gar- ieThe Style of the How- is based on the so-called tiger and leopard techniques. One of the schools of this style is still operating in Canada under the name Wu Du Kan.
  • Huo Long Pai- ieBlazing Dragon Style- has 160 moves. His main technique is lightning-quick work of the legs with turns and twists of the torso and hips.This style takes advantage of the opponent's shortcomings. Characteristic for him is hitting with fingers (index and middle).
  • Long Ying Pai- there are no twists and turns, but characteristic strong and measured blows. The style is based on the use of alternating techniques - soft and hard, while holding your breath during a fight.
  • Jian Pai- ieEmei Sword Style- the name directly refers to the specific arrangement of the hands. More precisely, the index and middle fingers of each hand are arranged in the shape of a sword. There are no spectacular somersaults or jumps in this style. Instead, it is full of unexpected forays towards the enemy.
  • Wu Dip Boon Hop Pai- ieButterfly Style- it is strong, but also soft in its movements. During the fight, the legs and forearms should be taut at all times, and the rest of the body - flexible and loose. This style has 13 hand forms and also uses many variations of gun fighting techniques. The most commonly used in the Butterfly Style are: stick, spear, sword, saber, chain, pitchfork, as well as a hook and a three-piece stick.
  • Fut Pai- ieBuddy Style- created by Wong Show. In this style, breathing, fast body turns and jumps are of particular importance. It is most effective at short and medium distances. It consists of 4 main forms, and the most characteristic feature is the fact that the right hand covers the attacking left hand. The right hand is called a tiger and the left hand is called a dragon.

Other, slightly less popular Kung Fu exterior styles include: Bazi, Ziwu Quan, Mei Hua Quan, Wu Hu Pai, Fan Tzi Quan, She Quan, Zui Quan, Hou Quan / Tai Shing Bagua, Didang Quan , Pigua, Quan, Baji Quan, Lianbu Quan, Sam Chin Kuen, Wu Dip Boon Hop Pai, Mi Zhong Quan / Yen Ching Quan, Lama, Shi He Quan, Shaolin Quan, Hung Gar / Hung Chia Pai, Choy Lee Fut, Pak Mei, Tang Lang Pai, Hung Kuen, Fut Pai, Hei Hu Pai, Tao.

Kung Fu a karate

Karate is one of the most popular types of martial arts in Europe. It is characteristic of Japanese culture. It was born on the occasion of the conquest by the Japanese of the Ryukyu archipelago connected with China. Karte is derived from the original form of hand-to-hand combat from Okinawa. Famous karate teachers include Chatan Yara, Xingyi quan or Sakugawa (they previously studied Kung Fu in China). This means that karate can be called a Kung Fu child. It draws its foundations from Chinese Southeast schools. Defenders of the thesis that karate is a completely separate martial art most often say that it is only a fight with bare hands. Well, weapons are also used in karate. Is itamong others :

  • sai
  • bo
  • tonfa .

Karate, like Kung Fu, are divided into different categories, depending on the techniques used, the place of origin of a specific style and the master treated as a prototype. The person who exerted the greatest influence on the formation of karate was Matsumura, who lived in the mid-19th century.

Karate comes from Kung Fu, and the argument for this thesis may also have a philological basis. When interpreted, the word "Karate" means "Chinese hands". It wasn't until Gichin Funakoshi began to make efforts for people to translate this nomenclature as "empty hands", not Chinese.

Worth knowing

Kung Fu - monk fight

Legendary are Kung Fu warriors who were monks or religious. The martial art in this social group was initiated when the order was attacked, in which the men living there were unable to deal with the thieves. The records of this fact date back to the Sui dynasty. Then, strict physical training was introduced in the monasteries.

Later, the monks fought a war for the rule of the country, winning the victory to Taizong, the second emperor of the Tang Dynasty. They were surprisingly good at fighting because their lifestyle allowed them to train very regularly and intensely. For a long time, the place of the Shaolins in the world of Kung Fu was unquestionable. The later restorer of their power in the 16th century was Jue Yuan.

The trainings used by the monks include learning to walk on crutches (about 2 cm in diameter) of a rosary scattered all over the floor. The monks then train patience by re-threading the crutches onto the rope. An equally interesting exercise iszou fo zhu kong , which involves putting yourself in a trance, which allows you to exercise a lot without sleeping or eating.

Bibliography:

J. Szymankiewicz, J. Śniegowski, "Kung Fu - Wu Shu. Chinese martial art", Szczecin 1987.

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ABC of exercises