Kung Fu Fighting Styles

Its origins can be traced back to more than three thousand years, back to ancient China where personal combat was considered to be a form of science. But it was only during the Han Dynasty that definite records of combat strategies and techniques (whether empty-handed or weapon-oriented) were printed. The earliest records that we have today, of martial arts schools in china date back to the era of the Six Dynasties. The next major contribution in the history of the Chinese martial arts can be traced back to the contributions made by the Ch’an Buddhism, which founded the Shaolin temple and of course Shaolin Kung Fu.

From here on, regular combat skills were elevated to more than just simple fighting techniques. Kung Fu was then considered to be a vehicle for spiritual transformation. Shaolin Kung Fu consists of both internal as well as external methods. As the reputation of Shaolin Kung Fu grew, martial artists from all over would travel great distances to become monks, and each would bring with him his own set of unique combat skills.

In the next 1500 years, the temple was burnt down at least 3 times, but each time it would be rebuilt and the surviving monks would continue to teach Kung Fu to the others. Consequently, the art became very widespread and many of the Kung Fu styles you find today can be traced back to the Shaolin temple.

The different types of Kung Fu Fighting Styles

Here are a few of the more common Kung Fu fighting styles you will find today:

• Northern Shaolin – With the temple being destroyed, many aspects of Shaolin Kung Fu spread all throughout China, while undergoing many adaptations and revisions. The present system however specializes in long-range fighting. Based entirely on the temple’s boxing heritage, this system still maintains that kicking is more effective than any hand movement since the legs are longer and more powerful than the hands.
• Dragon – The Chinese culture believed that the dragon was a fabulous creature – benevolent, kindly, and worthy of worship and reverence. The dragon was closely associated with male fertility. The dragon style encompasses a combination of hard as well as soft techniques. Its specialty is the floating and the sinking movements with the shoulders lowers and the elbows being bent. As a result of this, a powerful thrusting power will be released.
• White Crane – This considered to be the most beautiful of all the Kung Fu fighting styles. The White Crane self defense system contains a deadly beauty, while being especially devastating for the aggressive attacker. The four main principles of the white crane are: To Hurt, To Evade, To Penetrate, and To Intercept.
• Wing Chun – The essence of this style is that when the opponent attacks, you have to absorb and then neutralize the blow. When the opponent withdraws, you have to pursue him and then counter. Disengage restriction with the arms and then retaliate with a jarring thrust. Wing Chun artists generally use a combination of straight as well as intercepting lines along with deflecting arcs. This is primarily an aggressive close-quarter style of Kung Fu.
• Hung Gar – This is a sort of adaptation of the Shaolin Tiger style. It stresses more or less on close-quarter fighting methods. Very unlike the far-ranging jumping Kung Fu styles, this system is very effective during combat in confined paths and alleys.
• The Praying Mantis – This has been adapted from the offensive and defensive movements made by a praying mantis. There are different styles: Tai T’si (Yin-yang symbol), Mei Hua (Plum Blossom), Tsi T’sing (the seven stars), and Kwong P’an (the Bare style).
• The Monkey Style – This is a comical style but is considered to be one of the deadliest self-defense systems ever. Its unusual squatting and hopping self-defense system makes it a very deadly system.
• Choy Lee Fut – The power that originates from the waist can be utilized to release strong punches from less than a foot away from the target. It also uses throwing and grappling techniques, low and high kicks, snap kicks, sidekicks, turn kicks, and hook kicks. It also features turns and spins. Jamming and intercepting are favorite strategies that are used against opponents.

These are just a few of the Kung Fu fighting styles that have come down through the ages and still exist today.