Kung Fu, what is it and what is Shaolin Kung Fu


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What is Shaolin Kung Fu

Why Kung Fu

Although Mandarin and Cantonese are the dominant dialects in spoken Chinese they are only two of the some 400 variations in the Chinese Language developed over 5000 years. As you can imagine, there are/were many different terms for Martial Arts in Chinese depending on Dialect, location and even martial art style. This was all very confusing for westerners until the 70's US serial "Kung Fu" with David Carradine popularized the term Kung Fu. When, around the same time, the Hong Kong Cinema, wanting to break into the US & English speaking market, also started using the term, Kung Fu as the generic name for Chinese Martial Arts, it stuck.

National Treasure

When in the 80's the Chinese started being more amicable to western ways, they identified both Chinese Martial Arts and Chinese Traditional Medicine (TCM) as National Treasures of internationally marketable quality. They now sought to reclaim ownership of both and bring them under Chinese Government control. Several Institutes were founded in this time including the Beijing Wushu Institute (possibly now renamed to Beijing Martial Arts Institute [Beijing Municipal Martial Arts Administration Center}) and a Traditional Chinese Medicine University (now possibly China Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine [CATCM]).

Yet, the Chinese neglected these two 'treasures' for quite some time. Mao Tse tung suppressed TCM and forbade it's use. Martial arts were forbidden since the 17th century, by immediate imprisonment or death. Because of this, many/most Chinese Masters either went bush (secretly away from large city's), followed another profession or left the country. This, over time saw a great influx of Chinese Martial Art and TCM practitioners and masters into many countries. Australia, for example, only had Chinese practitioners for much of it's short history until the 2nd World War, when the US army brought with it trained doctors as part of it's support. Also around this time many of the oriental countries had an upsurge of martial art styles possibly due to Chinese martial artists leaving their country.

Wushu

Today, the world is being introduced to Wushu as a replacement term for current Chinese Martial Arts. China is also wanting to 'unite' all Kung Fu under this banner. There are a lot of schools and a lot of masters, that despite all adversity have managed to keep some of the old styles alive and even thriving outside of China. Many of these do not wish to be managed by China. Amongst these styles are even some that were lost to Chinese Martial Arts and are now being re-constructed. One such style that was actively sought to be eliminated was a style that was never really meant to be a tool of war; Shaolin Kung Fu.

Shaolin

For a detailed history of Shaolin and Shaolin Kung Fu, click on this line!

Shaolin was founded as a Buddhist Monetary/Temple. Buddhists believe that all harm they cause or do will reflect on them 10 fold. It will also interferer with their ability to find inner peace, to reflect, meditate and reach enlightenment. This latter is almost the sole purpose of a Buddhist and anything that will hinder in achieving this must be avoided. Considering the above, many feel that practicing kung fu as their way to reach the physical and mental fitness they need; to become tough, strong and enduring may be going against Buddhist principles! Exactly the opposite is actually the case. It is a matter of motivation and usage!

When you take a fighting style that also focuses on meditation, breathing, posture and even balance, they do this to improve their martial skills. Everything is built around becoming a superior, better, stronger martial artist. Shaolin kung fu works the opposite way; it is a tool for health and fitness to keep the body well, the mind clear to enable superior and enduring meditation which leads to Enlightenment.

Shaolin Kung Fu

Shaolin Physical exercise started as a hard Yoga originally and slowly developed to meet the needs of Buddhist monks, in a remote and sometimes hostile environment. They needed to be able to protect themselves, their Temple and the people under their charge. And they needed to do this without causing unnecessary hurt to the people who were attacking them; even with Weapons! This meant a high degree of control, ability and skill

Shaolin 5 Animal Kung Fu

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. Although originally more than 100 styles, Shaolin Masters developed a system of 5 Animals that covered all the previous into a single system. It is a beautiful style based on the character of the practitioner; based on the most successful team composition of all time, the family.

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!