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Kung Fu is a term which actually means the "mastery of a
difficult task to a standard of excellence." Although Kung Fu is more
popularly known as an art of self defense, there is much more beneath
its surface.
Kung Fu is the origin of the majority of Asian martial arts and includes
far more than street fighting and self defense techniques. It is also an
art which focusses on the development of the complete person. It is a
method of achieving and attaining the highest mental and physical
development of the individual.
The Shaolin Temple, located in northern China, is the birthplace of our
art and most other Asian martial arts. The Shaolin monks, prompted by
the need to stay fit during long periods of meditation, developed and
practiced sets of exercises for the purposes of physical and mental
development. The monks often needed to defend themselves from attacks by
bandits and such, so the training methods originally designed for
developing body strength, discipline and mental awareness, became a
forceful means of self protection. The development of human attributes
of humility, perseverance, self-control, respect and discipline are
still stressed in present day training.
The Northern Shaolin styles are characterized by the usage of the entire
body and limbs. Many of the movements, in contrast to Southern styles,
make use of various kicks, jumps and floor fighting techniques. A
Northern Kung Fu stylist constantly moves in on an opponent from all
directions with various combination of techniques, using both circular
and linear patterns. The movements of Kung Fu are not stiff or static,
but natural, alive and fluid. The emphasis on fluid motion and high and
low combination techniques characterize our system of Northern Shaolin,
known as Mi Zong Lo Han, lost track monk style.
Traditional training in Kung Fu makes use of classical Kung Fu forms.
Kung Fu forms combine proper offensive and defensive techniques, while
training the student to move from one position to various positions.
Individual movements or positions are blended together and executed with
balance and precision, while maintaining proper focus and power. A form
is a flowing picture of strength and grace when performed by a skilled
person. The forms taught in our system are centuries old, and when
practiced diligently, increase an individual's agility, balance, speed,
strength, flexibility and cardiovascular fitness.
Self defense training in Kung Fu makes use of punches, strikes, kicks,
joint locks and throws. Students of Kung Fu learn self defense as an
outcome of their training. The main objective of training is self
development and improvement.
Sparring, both pre-arranged and free style, is also taught in the kwoon
(training hall). However, sparring is encouraged at a time other than
the formal instructional period.
Kung Fu training begins with training the student to use their body and
limbs, and later progresses to weapons training. Weapons training in
Kung Fu makes use of particular forms for each traditional Chinese
weapon. By practicing the weapons forms, the student learns to use the
weapon as an extension of their natural body. The student also learns
body discipline by combining precision, control and grace while
performing the defensive and offensive movements with the weapon.
According to tradition, there are three types of Kung Fu practitioners:
the student, the disciple and the master. The student is concerned with
learning the fundamental physical movements of Kung Fu, while the
disciple has already demonstrated his/her physical ability and has
exhibited dedication and loyalty to the school's ideals. The disciple
also shows a willingness to perpetuate the art. The master not only has
become an expert in the art of Kung Fu, but has learned to integrate the
physical, mental and spiritual aspects of his/her art.
There is no belt ranking system in traditional Kung Fu. There are of
course, different levels of proficiency between students. However, to
establish arbitrary student classifications by using belt colors or a
similar ranking system is improper in keeping with the true philosophy
of Kung Fu. No student will be categorized but accepted and treated as
an individual.
Serious students of Kung Fu should supplement their class lessons with
daily home practice. There is no set length of time to become proficient
in Kung Fu. The time varies with each student's natural abilities and
devotion to the art. Hard work, determination and perseverance are the
keys to success in the art of Kung Fu. |
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