Kung Fu

Kung fu (or gongfu) is a Chinese term used in the West to designate Chinese martial arts. The original meaning, which is different than today's, referred to a person's ability in any skill, not only martial arts. Many people consider wushu to be a better term, because it tranlates directly into "martial art." Kung fu translates into a phrase meaning "effort" or "hard work." Thus, the term can be applied to excellence achieved through long practice in any endeavor.

Prior to the 1690's, the term kung fu was not well known in the mainstream English language; it became popular due to the exporting of Hong Kong films and the American television series of the same name. Before that, Chinese martial arts were commonly referred to as "Chinese boxing." Currently, when a person says they are training in kung fu, it usually means they are learning one of the many styles of Chinese martial arts.

Shaolin kung fu is a subset of kung fu that is widely popular. Shaolin kung fu was originally taught and practiced by monks at Shaolin temples, who at first used the techniques more for exercising than defense. Over the centuries, however, as the temples came under frequent attack from the reigning Imperials and regional leaders who feared the monks because they wouldn't declare allegience to any government, the monks began to use their techniques to fend off the attackers.

The Shaolin philosophy is a combination of Taoism and Buddhism. The primary philosophical aim is to follow the Tao, which is the way of nature, and to be in harmony with the Universive. Under the umbrella term Shaolin, there are several styles, including Black Crane, White Crane, Tiger, Dragon, Snake, Leopard, and many others.

Kung fu requires the practitioner to follow a strict code of physical and mental discipline. Each style has a large variety of kicks, punches, throws, grappling holds, weapons use, and stances that must be performed correctly. The standards which must be met to attain proficiency are so high that the Chinese refer to a master as "a disciple of the way of the tiger and the sign of the dragon."