You will find information about martial arts, Kung Fu in general and more specific Shaolin Kung Fu; considered to be the finest martial art in the world.
What is Kung Fu
It is one of the many names used to generically name Chinese Martial Arts. In western society the term is the most popular although the Chinese Government want's to replace it with the term Wushu. It can also mean (and this is the term Shaolin Kung Fu Academy uses), "an individual accomplishment or skill cultivated through long and hard work", ie you have good kung fu. We use the capitalised version (Kung Fu) to depict the art and the lower case version (kung fu) to depict the meaning. But there are many different styles and types of Kung Fu that developed over the millennia of Chinas and pre Chinas history
Why is it called Kung Fu
The name was popularised through the 70's series with David Carradine called "Kung Fu". Rumoured to be the brain child of Bruce Lee, who was declined in favour of David Carradine, who made the role his own over a period of 4 seasons from 1972 to 1975. The series was very influential in the forming of western opinion about Chinese martial arts showing the wisdom (see video clip ---->), grace, beauty, justice and power of the art. Hong Kong cinema took up the subject in the 70's too but chose to focus on the blood, gore, death and fighting aspect of Chinese martial arts and history. This had a significant impact on the view of Chinese martial arts even to the point where it was rumoured that the Olympic Committee would not allow a Kung Fu (Wushu) demonstration at the opening of the Olympic games due to this violent depiction of kung fu. It was deemed inappropriate for popularization. Tai chi was chosen although the crafty organisers slipped in some aspects of Kung Fu/Wushu.
Chinese have many names for the martial arts and much as were influenced by public media. In china you may hear the term wushu, gongfu, kungfu, karate and box, used to term martial arts in general and Chinese martial arts in particular. The official term of Chinese Martial Arts (in an effort to unify Chinese thinking and differentiate from the western term of kung fu is Wu Shu or "War Art".
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Although Mandarin and Cantonese are the dominant dialects in spoken Chinese they are only two of the some 400 variations in the Chinese Language and 85,000 characters developed over more than 5 millennia. China was not always being the one country; most of it was unified under Emperor Chin around 2nd Century BCE (much like the EU is doing now or how the United Stated become United). I has/had many different races and religions with many different languages most of which though had similar base, had many unique sounds and meanings. There are/were many characters representing the concept of martial arts in each language and often with both the same (Homonym) and different meanings (synonym), many had it's own unique and slightly different meaning, much the same as in the English language. For example the word Bow;
a violin is played with a bow
an arrow is shoot from a bow
a ships front is a bow
a birthday gift may have a ribbon around it with a bow
a tree may have to bow in the wind so as not to break
to bow someone is to exercise a controlling and powerful influence on someone
bough is found in a tree
bo is the term for a Chinese Staff.....
Thus when China become one (more or less, ie. Tibet and Taiwan) many different terms rolled in with this; many that sounded the same (ie. kung fu, gung fu ) and many different including war art, fighting art and such.
Shaolin Academy uses the traditional Shaolin term which is also pronounced (more of less) Kung Fu meaning "Perfection through hard work" or "Hard work with the aim of leading to perfection". The Shaolin character and spirit of Kung Fu is that of working towards internal perfection rather than external dominance.
Shaolin Academy version of Kung Fu, "Attaining Perfection Through Hard Work".
The new unified term for Chinese martial arts Wu Shu, "War Art".
A traditional way of referring to martial arts as "Military Skills"
Quanfa meaning "Weaponless Martial Art Skills" used by Japanese for Kempo
Shaolin Kung Fu?
Although not unique to the Shaolin Temple the principles of Eastern philosophy linked to the effective form of self defence combat made quite an impression. After the freedom of thinking movement of the 60's, the west was ready to embrace different concepts. The introduction of the Dao - Yin and Yan, The principles of Buddhism and the three treasures and even the application of these made the series very 'life changing' to many of that generation. The linkage of all this eastern philosophy to the Shaolin temple fairly immediately placed the Shaolin and principles at the fore front. The relatively unique and effective fighting style of the main character made a lasting impression.
The another bench-mark movie came out just before the 1st screening of Kung Fu the Series, Bruce Lee's Big Boss (71). Public media was really ready for this and Bruce Lee became a cult hero with the following 3½ films. Although Lee's films had nothing to do with Shaolin, it added to the mystique and fascination of Chinese Kung Fu.
It was the 1982 movie Shaolin Temple starring Jet Li in his debut role that really excited the martial art world (at least) thus cementing Shaolin Temple, it's philosophies and martial arts in Western and Eastern society.
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With the success of this Shaolin Movie, Hong Kong cinema refocused it's direction from Slash and Crash movies to movies somewhat based in historical fact. These included the 36th Chamber of Shaolin, Shaolin Wooden Men (with Jacky Chan), New Legend of Shaolin, Ten Tigers of Shaolin and some very dubious titles such as Shaolin grandma.
The usage of the term Shaolin continued in yet another arena. Full stage production of the live show Shaolin Temple Warrior Monks started touring with great success around the world demonstrating the skills of Chinese Wushu Actors sometimes performing incredible feats of skill, speed and strength, live on stage. This was so successful that even now almost 20 years later there are still Shaolin temple Warrior Monks Shows continually being put together and making world tours. And it doesn't end there
US cinema has made good use of recasting old movies also that the original Shaolin Temple Movie was recast and remade in 2010, again with Jet Li and Jacky chan and a host of contemporary Chinese stars..
Shaolin Temple 2010 movie trailer.......
some additional notes.......
Shaolin Kung Fu is the termed used for the Kung Fu style that derive from the Shaolin Temple and is training and practiced in accordance with the Principles of the Shaolin Temple. Shaolin Kung Fu is a Health and Fitness style that uses Kung Fu movements, exercises and principles to help Shaolin Monks and other practitioners to find their true inner self and thus seek the path to Enlightenment.
The spirit (non tangible aspects) of Shaolin Kung Fu are covered @The Spirit of Shaolin
For an overview of the 20 year history of the Shaolin Academy look @ Shaolin Academy
For a listing of our training venues in Mordialloc, Glenhuntly/Caulfield and Camberwell, please go to our Training Venue page.
What types of Kung Fu are there?
Many! There are those that focus mainly on hands, some mainly on kicks, some on capturing and throwing, others on taking down, one strike knock out, open hand techniques and many more. Currently there are some major 'types' of Kung Fu commonly available including;
Wushu, the Official Chinese Government supported martial art. Very athletic and energetic.
5 Animal Kung Fu; the best of the Shaolin Kung Fu Styles
Wing Chung; a style developed for smaller person focusing on quick action and speedy learning
Neo Traditional Styles; those that developed after the fall of Ming Dynasty and are very fighting focused (Hung Gar, Choy Lee Fut, etc)
High Stance Styles such as Praying Mantis, Bagwa, Hsing-I.
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Chinese like the concept of Yin and Yang and often like to categorise martial arts into these. There are a number of these classifications including;
Northern and Southern Styles, often referring to either North and South of the Yangtze or Yellow River
Long Fist and Short Fist often meaning wide circular and strong movements for Long Fist and Short sharp rapid movements for Short of Quick Fist
Internal and External; often really referring to Slow or Quick Moving styles; correct meaning being where the focus of the style is, Mastering yourself (Internal Focus) or Mastering Others (Winning, External Focus)
Slow and Fast; often referring to gliding gentle footwork movements and fast, sudden and jumping movements based styles.
Hard and Soft; is possibly the most misunderstood concept often referring to slow or round movements as soft and straight and fast movements as hard. In reality it has more to do with how you defend; do you move like Water flowing or a Tree bending or do you act as a Stone unmoving or as Metal unyielding.
Original depiction of Ying Yang was using the Dragon and Phoenix images
but the symbolism has caught on with some startengly interesting and beautiful renditions.
There is also another way of looking at different styles of Kung Fu (and considering that they may be over 700+, no wonder); based on Origins;
Temple Styles; Shaolin Kung Fu Academy bases it's style on that historically practiced by Shaolin Monks during the Ming Dynasty around 12th to 17th Century CE. But there are many other temples many of which developed a style for defence and or fitness. The most famous of these (other than Shaolin of course) was the Wudang Mountain Style. But there are many others, less know in the western world.
Military Styles; such as the almost forgotten Imperial Eagle Claw that was believed to be a style used only by Imperial Special Guards assigned to protect the Emperor (Ming Dynasty). Not much is know or said of Kung Fu styles originating so.
Village and Family Styles; there have been some significant martial art family's in Chinas history. One of the more famous and recent is the 5 Family Style descending from escaped Shaolin Monks after the 17th century burning. Village styles are also family styles, but when a master hands down to a non-family member it is more likely to be a Village Style.
Champion based Styles; are a tribute to person who had the skill and charisma to have his students continue to honour that person as the founder. One of the most famous is the White Eyebrow Style; a tribute to the founder who had long white eyebrows. Another example of a personality based style was Jeet Kun Do the style founded by Bruce Lee.
Assassin and Killing Styles; obviously not so well know in the general world of martial arts and so it should be.
So which is the best style
Well, we have to say Shaolin 5 Animal Kung Fu and many would agree...... but also many would disagree (there is that pesky yin and yang thing.) and both are right. It would now be the right time to define what criteria we are going to use for the term "Best"? So let's look at some of the possibilities for selection;
Fighting easy to use for smaller people for military
Self Defence Upper Body based for larger people for police
Multiple Attackers Feet Based for professionals for guards
Fitness for strength for older people for bouncers
Health for speed for younger people for gentle people
Safety quick to learn for women for children...
There are many criteria to choose from; the above are just examples. We can though narrow down the list to the top 5 reasons why people take up martial arts;
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Self Defence
Competitions/Winning
Fitness & Health
Discipline
Hand/Eye coordination
An additional problem to choosing the "best" martial art (for you) is change. The reason you start a martial art is not always the reason you stay with it past the honeymoon period (6 months or so) and neither of these is the reason you may continue past the 2/3 year point and then possibly even beyond. Which means that there are a lot of intangible reasons (for you) that would make one martial art or other the best. There are though some important considerations you should make when choosing a martial art for yourself and/or you family and children!
Before any consideration, a martial art should be safe not just accident free. Many, many martial arts that work on a specific speciality tend to damage that part of the body long term. Children sent to kicking style often end up with ankle and knee difficulties. Hard punching style practitioners often develop hand joint problems. Most grappling and falling style martial artists end up with back problems; yes they learn to fall but one fall in 100 that goes wrong and over a couple of years you have chronic back problems. Joint lock and arrest styles end up with joint problems too. Athletic styles tend to cause the usual athletic overuse problems. And fighting styles just send the wrong message! So how do you choose a martial art?
What is it for; self defence, confidence, fitness, interest, trying out.......define for yourself what you want out of your training. And even if you are not entirely sure there are some very important points to guide your decision;
Safety - is the style safe or will it cause you health and injury problems. Most free styles, fighting styles, tough styles, hard styles will cause some damage and may cause sporting injuries. So if you do not wish to walk into work with a Black Eye or have to go to the doctor for blood tests avoid those. Also avoid styles that push you into competitions. To win in competitions you have to put it on the line; and the 'it' is your health. Also, an Academy or Studio is more likely to be safe if it has been around and no-one has sued it out of business for injury or malpractice! An industry accreditation and government recognitions are also a benefit as are a professional locations (other than garage, park or back yard).
Variety - is the key to avoid repetitious strain injuries and chronic conditions; it is also the key for keeping you interested for longer if there is a wide variety of choice of forms, technique and movement.
Benefits - it needs to provide those benefits you are looking for; focus, fitness, self defence, breathing and meditation exercises and such. This list you need to develop; what is most important to you!
Style - It needs to be a style that suits you; who you are, what your outlook in life is, your body shape and your spirit. Rather than making an aggressive bully out of you a good style will allow you to discover and develop the style, way, method that is best for you. Remember, the reason you start a martial art is not always the reason you continue and continue. If the 'style' is not adaptable you may have to start all over again.
The Three Tests
Would you have the instructor over to meet your friends, parents or work colleagues? If yes, he then represents the type of person you can respect and are happy to be influenced by.
Would you hold your next family, friends or work colleagues celebration at the venue where you will be training? If yes, the place is probably not dingy, smelly and unsuitable for long term usage.
Has the instructor the professional and/or educational level suitable to your needs? Or will you be developing some new habits and interesting vocabulary? THIS is especially important when choosing a martial art for your children; for this person will have a lot of influence on your offspring. If he is a strong language red-neck, don't be surprised if your children start browsing guns sights on the internet.
Yes but; which is the best style
Seems like a self serving question but it is one often asked. So first let's look at the criteria that make Shaolin 5 Animal Kung Fu the best of all styles (for some).
Some 600 years of Shaolin Kung Fu training saw the development of Shaolin 5 Animal Kung Fu. A very advanced from of Health and Fitness Kung Fu training based on the movements, character and spirit of Animals using martial art techniques and principles. Although originally more than 100 styles, Shaolin Masters developed a system of 5 Animals that covered all the previous into a single system incorporating most if not all the aspects of human nature.
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Shaolin 5 Animal Kung Fu recognises that there is a great variation of personalities, body types and attitudes within humans. No one style could fulfill the needs of the diversity of human nature, kind and way. It allows each person to find their own way, based on who they are and what they wish to become. In a three stage process Shaolin Kung Ku practitioners are first taught the Physical aspect of the styles, than the mental and finally they are encouraged to discover the spiritual after which they can decide if they wish to specialise in one, all or a different unique style.
a short description about the Shaolin Animal Style....
The Tiger -
is for strong, big and powerful people, the directness, energy and force of the Tiger. The pure power and dominance of the King of the Animals, the leader, main provider and dominant force. This stylist usually relies on the strength of character, force of will and power of the body! They can be a bit of a Bull in a China Shop.
The Panther -
is for people who like to use their Mind Powers, prefer indirect confrontations and like to put things in their own order. Usually quiet, Panther style people usually are physically well endowed although not large; they are usually quite adaptive but prefer their own ways. This stylist usually relies on their mind, perseverance, cunning and Minimalism. Sometimes, these people tend towards ultimate minimalist and do nothing. The Consummate Minimalist gets everything doing whilst seeming to do nothing themselves.
The Crane -
is for people who are very social, consider the herd/family to be more important than the individual. Usually very social, amicable and pleasant in nature, they often disregard their own needs for the needs of others. This stylist usually relies on Patience, Timing, Speed & Coordination and Elegance. They will never seek conflict and usually, if offered to them will not fight. their skill is in overcoming the invincible, toppling the mighty and teaching the willful; "Like Water Wearing Away Rock". The elegant Crane stylist can loose their being doing for others.
The Snake -
is for people who like wisdom, tried and true ways; means and methods of proven value and result. They consider that taking risks is for young pigheaded fools who do what they do due to ignorance and lack of guidance. Snakes prefer the moment, the well proven based in wisdom devoid of trial and error. They are the Law Givers, the Wise, the keepers of the faith and path. Snakes hate change and will be highly resistant.
There is of course more to the 5 Animal Style than just the above few statements, but this is enough to understand that Shaolin 5 Animal Kung Fu has anything to do with 'imitating' animal movements and looking like a monkey. it is about developing yourself, identifying your strengths and strengthening what you need strengthened. It is a single style that allows a great degree of customization to suite the individual not to make the individual become a soldier ant. For more information on the Animal Style please click on this line).
Shaolin Kung Fu Academy
At the Shaolin Kung Fu Academy we continue in style and spirit of Shaolin. Teaching 5 Animal Kung Fu in a responsible, effective and personal way that allows students to customize their training to their needs. Those who are interested in the physical aspect to focus on this, on the strength and flow of the techniques, or on the timing and precision, the beauty and grace, function and effectiveness or all of these. Those who need kung Fu as an intelligent form of self defence can focus on this learning how to manage confrontations (physical, verbal and at work) not just win them. If you are interested in the mental aspects, like strategy, usage, application, than this is also given. And if it is for health and fitness, for stress relief and balance; with almost 20 years injury free history the Shaolin Academy is the right place. And, if you seek the spiritual side of Shaolin Kung Fu, train with Sijo, Master of Martial Arts, professional Mentor (life-coach), former Executive Manager, Engineer and practicing 5 Animal Kung Fu Master. You will learn about yourself, your possibilities and how to get the most from what you want!
Give us a call
Call us! We give you the first three session of training for free, no tricks, no problems. Our number is 1800 SHAOLIN which is 1800 742 654 between 11am to 5pm Tuesdays to Fridays and all day Sunday!
Shaolin Academy Instructors and Masters (top left to bottom right); Sibok Dagmar, Sihing Daniel, DiSifu John, Sijo, Sihing Jamr R,, Sihing Martyn and Sihing Robin; Sihing Jams S is the mascot in the middle.
Shaolin Academy Instructors and Masters (top left to bottom right); Sibok Dagmar, Sihing Daniel, DiSifu John, Sijo, Sihing Jamr R,, Sihing Martyn and Sihing Robin; Sihing Jams S is the mascot in the middle.