Kung Fu Moves

The amazing cinematic portrayal of martial arts notwithstanding, Kung fu is one of the most popular and innovative martial arts in the world. With focus on a combination of mind as well as matter, there are a number of styles and moves involved in it. Originally a Mandarin-Chinese word called 'Wushu', kung fu is the popular name given to a cluster of fighting styles, developed over centuries. Its most well-known style is Shaolin.

How to Do Kung Fu

Backfist
Backfist refers to a movement of the leopard style and it is a traditional move. If learned and delivered properly, it can be really 'fistful' and damaging. Let's check out how to do this -

• Take a right guard fighting stance with your right foot forward and left behind in a cross step.
• The rear hand should be in a guard position.
• With the right hand, make a loose fist and focus on the selected target.
• When you punch, the point of contact is made with the first 2 knuckles.
• Finally, the striking fist is taken back cleanly and completely with a whip like action.

For an impact this has to be delivered quickly and effectively.

Front Kick
Front kick is one of the most versatile and fastest kicks in kung fu. In fact, this kick is used in all the martial arts, may be with a slight difference. It is used for both, offense as well as defense. This kick has been inspired from the stance and characteristics of a crane. Most importantly, the elusiveness and the ability of the crane to strike with one leg, balancing on the other, violently. This kick is performed by lifting the knee straight forward and keeping the foot and shin hanging freely or pulled at the hip. The leg then has to be straightened in front of the person performing the kick, striking the target. One very important thing here is to take back the kick immediately after the delivery as the opponent can grab your leg. A narrow, penetrating strike is facilitated by this kick which demands a lot of body control.

Shadow Less Kick
This is a real 'helluva' kick. It is something like you didn't know when it hit you. It is swift and non telegraphic and the person hit by it will not even know when the opponent hit him. In these kicks, there is a grapple or a distraction along with a low kick and hand movements. The trick here is that the upper body movement is good enough for distracting the opponent, drawing his attention away from the feet. That is the time when the person lashes out with his feet, between the opponent's stomach and knee.

This was just a hint of what all is there. Currently, there are around 70 moves and skills taught and practiced as a part of Shaolin Kung fu in the Shaolin temple. Some of the styles are -

• Xiao Hong Quan - Little Red Fist
• Da Hong Quan - Big flood fist
• Tong Bei Quan - Through the back fist
• Liu He Quan - Six harmonies fist
• Taizu Chang Quan - Emperor Taizu's long fist
• Qixing Quan - Seven star fist
• Da Pao Quan - Big cannon fist
• Xiao Pao Quan - Small cannon fist
• Chang Hu Xin Yi Men - Forever preserve the heart-mind link/door
• Meihuaquan - Plum flower fist

In any kung fu training you are taught the moves step by step and are told their names. Mind you, the list is not a short one! Agility, flexibility, strength and endurance and a mental calm are extremely important factors in learning any martial arts. So it is not just about being clear as to where to hit and whom to hit, it is also about being uncannily objective and perfect in it, within. If you think this might be difficult, just picturize the master, Bruce Lee unleashing his deadly kicks with a poker face! This is where you enter the dragon fellas!s