Kung Fu

Kung Fu began when Shaolin monks in China needed to defend themselves from frequent attacks and develop a physical fitness discipline to achieve the inner peace they sought.  Many priests were retired soldiers, and along with an Indian monk named Ta Mo, they created Shaolin Temple Kung Fu.  The monks were so successful at defending themselves that they became recognized as highly-skilled warriors.

When Emperor T’ai Tsung’s son was in danger the monks were called upon to help.  It’s believed that just over 100 monks defeated an enemy force of 10,000 men, and the Emperor’s son was saved.  The Emperor was grateful and the Temple was given special treatment and flourished.  Over the years fearful rulers attempted to wipe out the teachings of Kung Fu and the Shaolin.  The Temples were burned numerous times over the millennia because leaders feared them as a threat.

The original training in Kung Fu consisted of 72 movements called the 72 fists.  Over the years the teachings of Pai Yu-feng were added and training grew to 170 skills or movements.  These consisted of grappling, throws, wrestling and pressure-point techniques.  Years later when Zhue Yuen joined the Temple, he felt that Kung Fu was an unbalanced art.  He had traveled and learned many martial arts.  Once he met Li Sou they developed the five animal styles of Kung Fu, which we know from the movies.

The styles consist of Tiger, Snake, Crane, Dragon and Leopard.  Unlike most think, the animals are not about fighting techniques derived from these animals, but they were more about attitude and interaction between people.  Today’s Kung Fu is mainly a display the Chinese government uses as a marketing tool.  Wu Shu is the replacement for Kung Fu and is an acrobatic art that uses Kung Fu moves during the display.  The animals Wu Shu practices today include: Monkey, Eagle, Crane, Snake and Mantis.

Today there are efforts to have Wu Shu in the Olympics and over a billion people are training in either Wu Shu, Kung Fu, Tai Chi or Chi Kung.  Some Kung Fu schools have over 8,000 students enrolled and the Chinese government is behind the redevelopment of the art completely.  We should see more about the lost art as time marches on and old techniques are shared again.