Kung Fu developed in the Hunan province of China in
the 5th Century AD. A famous Buddhist monk, Da Mo, came from
India to China and spent many years teaching Buddhism at the
Shaolin Temple. During this period of his life he developed a
system of physical and breathing exercises which developed into
what is now known as Kung Fu. The physical exercises were devised
by watching and imitating the movements of different animals. Da
Mo took the best of what nature had to offer and combined it into
a system which mankind could use and understand. Breathing
exercises were developed to improve health and strength to the
bodies inner organs. Although physical exercise can strengthen
the body and limbs, Da Mo knew he needed to keep the inner organs
healthy since they provided the fuel to keep the body going. As a
persons breathing becomes better and his or her organs become
stronger, that person will begin to develop "Chi". Chi
is the ability to reach inside and draw power from within the
body itself. This powe comes directly from the "Dan
Tien" which is located in the lower abdomen. Da Mo developed
these breathing patterns which are still used today in Kung Fu,
Yoga and other Eastern forms of exercise and meditation.
By the 13th Century AD Shaolin Kung Fu had developed and expanded throughout Asia. In Japan it evolved into Karate, and in Korea it was known as Taekwando All Asian martial arts Evolved from Kung Fu. Kung Fu developed into many different styles. All current styles are off shoots of the original Shaolin Kung Fu from Southern China. The five popular systems are as follows.
The Praying Mantis Style was developed by Master Wang Lang. He lived during the Ming Dynasty 1368-1644 AD. One day the Wang Lang observed a battle between a praying mantis and a larger insect. The monk was amazed at the skill of the smaller insect, using its long limbs and small body to defeat a much larger enemy. He incorporated the moves of the praying mantis into his style of Shaolin Kung Fu and the Praying Mantis style was born. This style uses the hands and feet to develop great speed and agility to defeat an opponent.
The Southern Shaolin School was developed during the
Ching Dynasty 1644-1912A.D. During this time the Shaolin Temple
became known as a center for new ideas. As the monks of Shaolin
influence grew throughout China, the Emperor became worried that
the peaceful monks were a threat to his power. The Emperor
ordered the Shaolin Temple burned and all the Shaolin monks
killed. Most of the Shaolin monks were killed in battle to save
the Temple. Five of the monks were able to escape this
persecution by the Emperor's army and escaped to southern China.
One monk was named Chih Shan. He escaped to the south and began
to teach Shaolin Kung Fu under different names. The Southern
Shaolin style developed raw power and followed the tiger and the
crane. Since the southern people were shorter their Northern
countrymen, they developed their power from twisting their bodies
and using their low center of gravity. This style harnessed the
power of the Tiger with the softness of the Crane. In any style
of Kung Fu, the pinnacle of an artists ability is to be hard and
soft at the same time. Over the years the Tiger style was refined
and improved.
The Hung Gar School evolved during the Ching Dynasty. This style was taught by a student of Master Chih Shan, named Hoong Shee Kuan. This style is the closest style to the original Shaolin Style. This style was known for a very powerful fist and its solid horse and bow and arrow stance. Hung Gar specialized in inside fighting. Hung Gar students would let their opponent move to an inside position getting very close to their body, before they strike. Hung Gar takes some of its style from the Dragon, Snake, Leopard, Tiger and the Crane.
The Wing Chung School was developed by a women disciple of the Shaolin Temple. This style was developed at the end of the Ching Dynasty some time around 1830A.D. The disciple's name was Yen Yoong Choon. She softened this style to adapt for the difference in physical characteristics between men and women. Since women have powerful hips and legs and do not have great upper body strength, the Shaolin Style was modified to yeild and counter attack at the same time rather than pushing your opponent away and attacking head on. This style developed technique to give a small and less powerful opponent, an advantage over a strong an more powerful opponent.
The Choy Lei Fut School was founded by Master Chen Harng. Mater Chen learned from one of the disciples of Master Chih Shan This school evolved in the mid 1800's in Southern China. This style has incorporated wide stances and a series of sweeps and wide kicks, punches and Jabs. Master Chen created this style by combinding the styles from three different Kung Fu families into one school. The three families were the "Choy" family, the "Lei" family and the Buddha family which descended directly from one of the five original five Shaolin Monks. His family name was "Fut" which literally translated means monk.
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