Intro
Wushu (武術 or 武术; pinyin: wǔshù) literally means "martial art". It is the correct term for the more commonly known but misused term kung fu, which roughly translates to “skill” and refers specifically to the energy, feeling and effort expended in doing or making something. Used as generic name for literally hundreds of individual Chinese fighting arts.
History
Although there are a multitude of different Wushu styles which originate from a multitude of different sources, it is generally accepted that one of the earliest forms of Wushu can be traced to the Loyang Shaolin temple in Henan province. According to legend, the monk Bodhidharma, also called Damo, (who also brought Zen buddhism to China) stayed there to teach the monks self-defence and bodily exercise techniques, which he apparently invented by meditating in a nearby cave for a long period of time. Later on, the basic exercises were complemented by more complicated routines, and the style spread eastwards and south, evolving eventually into hundreds of different styles and routines - amongst them the Korean Taekwondo and the Okinawan Karate.
Description
Styles of Gongfu encompass both soft and hard, internal and external
techniques. They include grappling, striking, nerve-attack and much
weapons training.
The Shaolin styles encompass both Northern and Southern styles, and
therefore are the basis of the following outline.
Shaolin Wushu styles
A. External Styles (Hard, Physical)
1. Northern
a. Northern Shaolin
b. Chang Quan (Long Fist)
c. Praying Mantis
d. Eagle Claw
e. Monkey
f. Drunken, et al
2. Southern
a. Southern Shaolin
b. Wing Chun
c. Five Animal System (Dragon, Snake, Tiger, Leopard, Crane)
d. Tiger and Crane Systems, et al
B. Internal Styles (Soft, Mental/Spiritual)
1. Taijiquan
2. Others (Bagua, Xingyi, et al)
Training
Shaolin Wushu Training
A. Hard or External Styles
1. Stresses training and strengthening of the joints, bones,
and muscles
2. Requires rigorous body conditioning
3. Consists of positioning and movement of the limbs and body,
correct technique, muscular strength, speed, etc.
B. Soft or Internal Styles
1. Stresses development of internal organs where "Qi" is
produced
2. Allows one to develop mental capability to call upon this
"Qi"
3. Concerned with breathing, poise, and tone of the core body
structures
C. Long or Northern Styles
1. Stresses Flexibility, quickness, agility, and balance
similar to the attributes of a trained and well-conditioned
gymnast
2. Uses many kicks along with hand techniques
3. Legs specialize in long-range tactics
D. Short or Southern
1. Stresses close-range tactics, power, and stability
2. Uses mostly hand techniques
Gongfu almost always seems to incorporate forms and routines. They
emphasize solo practice as well as group practice. (They even have
forms for two or more people). They train in multiple types of
weapons. There is also a great emphasis on sparring in the harder
styles, and sensitivity training in the soft styles.
Sub-Styles
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