Kung Fu

The popular term Kung Fu (Gung Fu / Gong Fu) is a generic term used to identify Chinese martial arts, and then is it usually associated with harder, external styles. Properly speaking the term refers to ones skill in any activity that has been developed through consistent practice. That skill may or may not be martial. For example, someone could have good kung fu in speaking a second language, implying that they had good skill acquired after dedicated practice (as opposed to natural ability). A more correct term for Chinese fighting arts then is Wushu, which in the sense used here is still equally generic as it describes all arts rather than one in particular. However, to confuse the issue further, there is a modern sport / martial art which also calls itself Wushu and was developed recently in Communist China. This approach is particularly famous for its gymnastic like movements at the expense of combat efficacy, though its syllabus is more extensive than forms practice.

Undoubtedly martial arts existed in China for centuries but it wasn't until the 16th century that reference is made to the kind of organized schools and systems that we think of today as being normal. The earliest known mention of fighting is from the 5th century BCE where an unarmed combat theory is mentioned in the Spring and Autumn Annals. A complete system, called Jueli, existed in the 1st century BCE and this incorporated strikes, throws, locks and pressure point attacks. Over the centuries this art developed into a wrestling sport which was distinct from battlefield and no-holds barred fighting.

Kung Fu and the Shaolin Temple

China is of course most famous for the Shaolin Temple, from which various styles seek to claim their ancestry and therefore greater legitimacy. Legend tells that Bodhidharma, the founder of Ch'an / Zen Buddhism, taught a series of calisthenics to the monks at the temple which had a fighting application. There is no current evidence to support this, though it is recorded that the Shaolin monks twice participated in small skirmishes: in 610 CE to defend against bandits and in 621 CE at the Battle of Hulao. For the next several centuries the monks appear to have lived in peace but from the 16th to 17th centuries numerous records indicate that they were once again engaged in the practice of fighting arts. It is from this period that the legend concerning Bodhidharma was created and the text attributed to him - the Muscle Change Classic - was written (1624).

The greatest period in the expansion and popular participation in Kung Fu came in the first half of the twentieth century. Arts such as Bagua, Eagle Claw,Xing I, Praying Mantis, Tai Chi, White Crane and Wing Chun rose to prominence and were supported by a wealth of training manuals. This growth, at least in China, was short lived and came to be stifled under Communist rule through concern the schools may encourage subversive behavior. It was the masters who escaped the mainland and began a new life in places like Taiwan and Hong Kong who would bring the arts to a Western student body.

Training in Kung Fu tends to be less regimented that in Japanese and Korean arts with classes being more informal. Basic techniques and stances are practiced repetitively and a fundamental aspect is the focus on developing chi / qi, whether the school is internal or external. Chinese martial arts are also heavy on weapons practice and a diverse range of sometimes odd-looking weapons may be studied.

How to Do Martial Arts

How to do Martial Arts

Currently the fighting arts are undergoing a resurgence in popularity owing to the success of the UFC and Mixed Martial Arts (MMA). There is much discussion over what is the 'best' style but with so much variation in approaches from different arts from around the world, such discussion tends to be redundant and a better question to ask is what style is best for you. Even then, the quality of instruction and the rapport you enjoy with your teacher will in all likelihood contribute more to your enjoyment and advancement that the particulars of the art you study.

Much of your practice will focus on repetition of basic techniques and forms - series of pre-arranged movements done in a strict sequence. Once your are comfortable with some basic techniques they may be applied against pads or punching bags to increase your power and speed. Your timing will be improved through sparring with training partners. Sparring in the early stages will be pre-arranged with participants agreeing to limit and control their techniques. Eventually you will build up to free sparring which allows you to exchange techniques with a partner in an unrehearsed (but safe and controlled) manner. Depending on the art you study, advanced students may also cover weapons practice.

Ultimately how you train will depend on the art you study and the approach taken by your instructor. Broadly speaking the arts can be divided in Western and Asian martial arts. The most popular Western arts are Boxing and Wrestling, both of which have become more popular with the rise in the study of MMA. The most popular Asian arts are Chinese (Kung Fu), Japanese (Karate and Judo) and Korean (TaeKwonDo) but you can find online guides to the history, philosophy and technique of many more diverse methods on this site.

Train Hard, Live Easy!

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Hung Ga

Hung Ga Kung Fu - History, Philosophy and Technique.

While numerous styles of martial art claim origins in the prestigious training grounds of the Shaolin temple, including arts that have spread as far as Okinawa and Japan and which are essentially non-Chinese in character, one art that does appear to be able to legitimately claim such an honor is Hung Ga. Hung Ga is said to have been developed in the second Shaolin temple, or the Fukien Shaolin temple. The first temple has been attacked several times by government troops owing to suspicions of anti-government behavior before being finally moved southward).

Hung Ga kung fu was founded by Hung Hei Gune (Hung Hei-Gun) who learned from Jee Sin, a Shaolin monk instrumental in teaching the founders of other external arts including Choy Gar, Mok Gar, Li Gar and Lau Gar. Hung Hei Gune seems to have been as assumed name owing its selection to the character 'Hung' which comprised part of the name of the Emperor that overthrew the Mongols. Thus it was a popular choice to rally anti-Manchu / Qing sentiment

The art has grown to be one of the most popular styles of kung fu around the world, helped by its most famous student, the legendary Wong Fei Hong, whose adventures have been dramatized in over one hundred movies (such as Jet Li’s Once Upon a Time in China). It is normally labeled an external art (as opposed to internal Chinese arts such as Tai Chi), and promotes muscular strength and physical force in the execution of techniques combined with correct breath control to generate further force. Such strength is developed by body conditioning, maintaining low stances that put enormous strain on leg muscles and by placing heavy iron rings around the wrists of a practitioner. The arms are then held out or basic thrusting techniques or forms are performed. Placed around the extremity of the wrist, the athlete can quickly tire but with patience and repetitive practice a great deal of tensile strength is developed.

The movements of Hung Ga as seen in the more famous Wong Fei Hong lineage, simulate the attacks and postures of animals, the dragon, snake, tiger, leopard and the crane (the famous Five Animals that are often represented in Chinese kung fu). These attitudes are further reflected in the psychology or ‘fighting spirit’ of the Hung Gar expert. The tiger, for example, is aggressive and dangerous, while the crane is aloof and disarming. There is also the Five Elements forms of Earth, Water, Fire, Metal and Wood. Other branches of Hung Kuen are varied in syllabus and approach but all pay attention to deep, strong stances and generating power from the stance.

In combat, the Hung Ga master is comfortable using powerful striking techniques at any range. When he has closed with his opponent he resorts to locks and sweeps to win victory.

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