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Kung Fu Martial Arts

Kung Fu martial arts is often used to refer to all martial arts practiced in China, but there many distinct styles and there is a difference between traditional Kung Fu and the contemporary style of Wushu being practiced today. Not all martial arts were invented by the Shaolin monks, but it was in their five largest temples where they bloom the most. Ideas and techniques were exchanged as the monks learned martial arts to protect themselves from warlords and bandits. In southern China the hand striking techniques dominate the styles there while in the north more complicated leg strikes and aerobic movements are used. Northern Praying Mantis style Kung Fu looks nothing like the style of the same name in the south and was developed by two separate groups. Today the Shaolin monks who taught so many are kept on a short leash by the Chinese government that dreads the idea of having a population that can fight back.

Today kung fu martial arts in China are called Wushu which literally means "martial art" in Chinese, and is most often used to refer to the style created by officials of the People's Republic of China. Prior to the communist take over the country there were many martial arts being practiced freely in China, but the communist government that took over after World War two changed the face of the nation along with its martial arts. Wushu was created in 1949 it was the communist government's attempt to give the people a national sport, and disregarded any self defense applications. The new style was much like the northern style of Kung Fu, but it was devoid of any spiritual or self defense aspects. It was a show martial art that displayed athletic ability and sports combat.

The new style has two disciplines Taulo and Sanda. Taulo is more like gymnastics than any martial art, and includes routines that are performed with and without weapons. They aren't in competition though and light weight versions of Chinese weapons like swords, butterfly knives, and staffs are used. Practitioners will perform many impressive jumps and flips in the air, and should look familiar to anyone who has seen a Jet-Li movie. Sanda is based off of Chinese boxing and wrestling styles and is more combat oriented and has been called Muay Thai kickboxing, but with grappling. Though it is derived from several combat styles it is still a combat sport.