Kung Fu, literally translated to mean "energy time", includes any study, learning, or practice which requires a lot of patience, energy and time to complete. Since practicing Chinese martial arts requires a great deal of time and energy, Chinese martial arts are commonly called Kung Fu. A name for Chinese martial arts that is less popular, but more accurate in description is the term Wu Shu or "war arts".
In China, martial arts have been practiced for thousands of years. There have been many styles and systems created and used by people of all ages, sexes, body types and skill levels. Most common are the martial arts created and practiced by the Buddhist Monks of the Shao Lin Temples. The Shao Lin monks produced many types of movements with emphasis being placed on emulating animal's behavior. The monks are known for their balance between the tranquility of Buddhism and the intensity of martial arts.
The Wu Shu styles taught to beginners are a balance between hard style, Nan Chuan (Tiger & Crane) and soft / circular style, Chang Chuan (Long Fist). Nan Chuan, being a southern Chinese style consists of the five animals of the Shao Lin. Dragon, Tiger, Crane, Snake and Panther movements are represented in the standard course set. The set starts a student with poison hands/iron body training which develops strength and conditions the body for martial arts. The entire form helps a practitioner to learn basic coordination, speed, power and self defense skills. Later a student might wish to further their knowledge of this style by learning a longer Five Animal course which would increase their understanding of this style.
Concurrently, the beginning student will start to learn the Northern Shao Lin Chang Chuan (Long Fist) - Numbered Fighting Methods 1-10. The entire set consists of ten forms which link together to form a 108 movement routine. Each set teaches the practitioner a concept cregarding martial arts skumbered sets increase in difficulty with the first two forms combined creating the 18 Northern Fist method. Many schools use this as their basic training because it focuses on how to develop basic skills such as punching, kicking and blocking in a straight / linear fashion. By the time a student has learned all ten forms they have the body mechanics for skills such as trapping, sweeping and tripping, Chin Na (joint locks and breaks), ground work (falling, rolls, etc.), kicks and jump kicks, blocking and evading.
Advanced Northern Long Fist training consists of the Eagle Claw which utilizes the 1 - 10 forms, Hsing Yi (an internal style of martial art) and the movements of an eagle grasping its prey (Chin Na). General Yueh Fei of the Northern Song dynasty is credited with creating Eagle Claw in the 12th century A.D.
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Kung, which can be interpreted as a highly focused and potent concentration of effort, is the mental foundation behind all hand and leg techniques. Physical movement is always stronger when aided by Kung. Kung is expressed through the physical, but directed by the mind. There are two types of Kung training. The external, such as conditioning the arms by blocking and striking a wooden dummy or tree, and internal Kung, which emphasizes meditation for directing chi flow. To achieve any level of proficiency in Kung Fu training takes hard work. Action produces results while idleness produces nothing.
