The martial art known as Kung Fu is very old, but it is still powerful. There are several different forms involved with kung fu, which only add to the power and mystique of this discipline. Below, we will go over most of the different styles and forms that make up Kung Fu.
Surely you know the animal kung fu styles . The movements are usually named after animals . For example, there are Panda and Monkey kung fu moves . Different, but all equally effective. Learn about the deadliest kung with us.
Kung Fu, origin: is it Chinese or Japanese?
The origin of kung fu is Chinese , not Japanese. However, although its origins were the kung fu styles of northern China , this martial art was brought to the country by a Buddhist monk from India . According to legend, his name was Bodhidharma .
Is it the origin of Shaolin kung fu? The monk Bodhidharma first came to the Saholin temple , in the Henan area, located in northern China . There, according to legend, he taught the monks of the temple a series of spiritual techniques so that they would have a healthy body and mind. At first, there were 18 techniques. However, then 24 more kung fu movements were added and, little by little, these meditation practices became fighting tactics .
We could say, then, that kung fu, at least in its origin, was more of a philosophical and spiritual discipline than a fighting or military discipline. The first styles of kung fu were called, in Chinese, 羅漢拳, meaning "Lohan Fighting." Chinese kung fu was probably born in the year 527.
Kung fu move names
White Crane Kung Fu Style
The spirit of the White Crane has led to what many martial artists consider the most elegant system of Kung Fu. The pattern for the White Crane style was based on a crane bird often found in swamps and open plains. The White Crane's defense forms and kung fu strikes are nothing short of astonishing, often referred to as "deadly beauty" .
Although White Crane style kung fu techniques can take years to master, they are simple and direct. White Crane stylists are masters of self-defense, although they are taught to avoid confrontations. Although a stylist can handle himself in any situation, he will avoid a fight at all costs and will only react with physical action when he has no other option.
Images of kung fu movements : the White Crane.
Wing Chun
From the Chinese point of view, Wing Chun is the essence that the opponent will attack , absorb and then neutralize the attack. The opponent or attacker will then retreat, chase, and then counter the restraint of him from the arms, and finally retaliate with deadly, penetrating force.
This philosophy will take years to fully understand, and years of practice to master. Technically speaking, Wing Chun uses a constant and endless forward flow of energy that is based on the principle that a straight line is the shortest distance between two points.
Offensively, Wing Chun is a combination of straight lines with deflecting arcs. Generally, it is an aggressive close quarter style that pushes offensive attacks and takes the fight directly to the attacker . In other words, in Wing Chun the more traditional blocking and counterattacking routines are not important or spent much time.
Hung Gar
The Hung Gar is more or less an adaptation of the Shaolin Tiger system, which emphasizes closed-quarter techniques. The Hung Gar does not rely much on ranged fighting, although it is very effective in close combat situations, such as in alleys and small rooms. It is a very strong system, which teaches stylists to properly handle themselves in areas where other martial arts seem to fail.
Praying Mantis
One of the most effective kung fu styles . Almost 400 years ago, a man named Wang had a vision. Using a praying mantis that he was able to capture, Wang studied his movements. Based on what he saw, he created and founded the praying mantis style . Wang perfected his own style of martial art by continuing to observe the offensive and defensive movements of the praying mantis, and adapted them to his own kung fu style.
Monkey kung fu moves
Although this is thought to be a comedic approach to martial arts, the Monkey style is actually one of the deadliest martial arts systems in the world. This style dates back to the 1840s, when missionaries were first allowed to travel to China.
The history of Mono kung fu movements is very curious . The Monkey style began when a peaceful man named See resisted arrest after accidentally killing a law enforcement officer. See was sentenced to prison for his crime, where he spent all his time observing the prison apes. He found them incredible, and watched them from his cell, which also helped him pass the time.
During his ten-year prison sentence, he studied the way apes moved , paying close attention to how they defended and fought each other. Later, when he was released from prison, he adapted his style, and became known as Master Monkey . Many people joined him along the way, and he began to learn his Monkey system, which is still very effective today.
Images of kung fu movements: the Monkey.
Want an extra treat?: Here are dragon-style kung fu moves!
Before you leave, let us explain the deadliest kung fu style to you . We are referring to dragon style kung fu movements .
The dragon is revered and respected in the east, but is not necessarily seen as an evil being. It is not uncommon for the dragon to be portrayed as a happy and peaceful entity in Chinese culture. It is believed that the dragon can instantly change from a powerful beast to a pacifist being.
Like the mystical dragon , dragon style Kung Fu is full of contrasts. The practitioner is expected to move smoothly and fluidly, and in an instant become aggressive and throw kung fu strikes . It is a very adaptable style of martial arts, because you become the opposite of your opponent.
In fighting terms, Dragon Style Kung Fu martial artists would be considered counterattackers, who wait for their opponent to strike first and then react by attacking their weakest point.
There are two types of Dragon style Kung Fu, one is known as the Northern Dragon Style and the other is the Southern Dragon Style. In Northern Dragon Style, your goal is to be rooted to the ground so you can draw energy from it for strikes and blocks.
Southern style focuses more on flow. The techniques involve rapid flurries of kicks, punches and blocks along with spinning evasion techniques. Southern Dragon Style fighters focus more on evading and confusing their opponents, and Northern Style fighters stand their ground much more firmly.
One thing is certain, kung fu is effective . In this reading you have learned what 5 kung fu styles consist of plus dragon style kung fu movements. Is kung fu Chinese or Japanese? It is Chinese, and in addition to being a deadly martial art, it is a philosophy of life. Get started in its practice and your mind will change.
