It takes decades of study to become truly proficient in a martial art. However, students often find that they make significant progress even after only a few weeks of dedicated training. Although each martial art has its own ethos, style and...
Learning kung fu, or any other martial art, requires years of dedicated practice. No matter how hard you try, you won't wake up one morning and say "I know kung fu" like Neo in "The Matrix." However, you can begin to grasp enough basics to...
Kung fu is an extremely disciplined form of martial arts that uses the student's physical power for defense. Some kung fu blocks are so powerful they can break an opponent's arm. Kung fu has several forms, but Shaolin kempo is the original style....
Starting out in any hobby can be challenging. Often, a true beginner doesn't know enough about a subject to ask the right questions. Starting out in a martial art like kung fu can be not only challenging but downright intimidating. Although...
The United States faces an epidemic of obesity. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported in 2008 that 34 percent of Americans are obese, while another 34 percent are overweight. Unhealthy diets and sedentary lifestyles have helped...
Martial arts are both forms of exercise and self-defense. Some of the martial arts developed thousands of years ago as methods of conditioning, both for the mind and the body. Although Kung Fu and Tai Chi are both forms of martial arts and contain...
Originally known as "ch'uan fa," or "fist way," Chinese martial arts are now referred to under the umbrella term of kung fu. Kung fu offers a number of different stylistic variations, owing to the geographic disparity of styles practiced in China....
Kung fu practitioners demand a lot of their body, performing exercises and physical feats beyond the abilities of untrained people. Much of the power behind those techniques derives from a strong and flexible waist, which kung fu students build...
Traditional martial arts like kung fu often incorporate an intricate system of ranks and titles to help students build respect and personal discipline. Many insiders value this system for the structure it provides and the quality it builds....
Although white belts are given to any student who begins training, a yellow is the first belt a martial arts student earns, an important step on a lifelong journey of training and self-improvement. Shaolin kung fu, like most martial arts styles,...
Shaolin kung fu is an ancient form of self-defense originating in Buddhist monasteries. According to legend, the style was created by Bodhidharma, the founder of Zen Buddhism, as a way for monks to defend themselves. You don't have to register for...
Muay Thai and kung fu are both forms of martial arts, but there are vast differences between the two. Both are thousands of years old. Kung fu, roughly translated as "work hard" may be practiced in a hard or soft style, each employing kicks,...
Kung fu is a Chinese martial art that encompasses different fighting styles. These include Shaolin, Wing Chun, Qi Gong and Wushu. Kung fu combines upper and lower body strikes with swift movement, and some forms use traditional Chinese weapons...
Northern Xiaolin Kung Fu developed in China during the Tang Dynasty and became popular with monks as a way to train. The fighting method has gone through many changes and adaptations and has come to be known by the name Northern Shaolin Kung Fu....
The kung fu style known as "crane" is famous for its elegance. The most recognizable technique may be the crane stance, where you stand on one leg and open your arms like a crane spreading its wings. This is a commonly used stance in kung fu and...
Pai lum tao is a branch of kung fu, originating in the Henan province of central China. Like many kung fu disciplines, it derives much of its technique from mimicking animals as they move and fight in the wild. In the United States, pai lum tao...
Kung fu classes can teach children how to do a lot of traditional strikes, kicks and choreographed martial arts routines. If you want to make your kids classes more fun and interesting, try playing some kung fu games. These games can excite your...
Shaolin kung fu is an animal kung fu system, one that derives many of its motions from imitating animals as they move and fight in the wild. These challenging positions require an impressive level of physical conditioning. To achieve this,...
Praying Mantis kung fu, or Tanglangquan, is derived from Shaolin kung fu. Praying Mantis uses Lohan kung fu as its base, but is made up of 18 components from different styles, including Monkey style, wrestling and Taiju Long Fist, according to the...
Tai chi chuan comes from the Chinese meaning "supreme fist." It is one of the more gentle martial arts and is often practiced to increase fitness and agility rather than as a martial sport. It is gentle enough to be practiced by pregnant women in...
Although different shaolin kung fu programs have varying belt requirements, the traditional art follows a progression of five animals. Each style is based on the motions and aspects of that animal, leading to specific kinds of stances, strikes and...
Atlanta and the surrounding areas of Georgia have a multitude of activities for kids of all ages to do during the summer. It is important to keep children busy during the summer months, as it keeps their brains engaged and their energy levels up,...
Hung gar is a form of kung fu martial arts, which combines hard external fighting practice with internal energy training, according to Hung Kuen Net. Hung gar is practiced worldwide, and the art has been encouraged by celebrity fighters, such as...
The leading practitioners of iron body kung fu techniques are known to break spears on their throats and block weapons and strikes on their body with little lasting effect. Iron body training is the process of gradually strengthening your body...
Wushu and kung fu are generic terms for the Chinese martial arts. Though some people use them interchangeably, wushu and kung fu have different histories and meanings. In modern times, both can refer to all Chinese arts or two very different...
Snake style kung fu can refer to dozens of martial arts styles, some of which aren't even called kung fu, says martial arts historian Dave Coffman. Traditional kung fu derived from watching animals move, hunt and fight in the wild. Snake...
Kung fu is a martial art also known as Shaolin, which encompasses over 1,000 recognized styles of martial arts, all requiring physical and mental discipline, a strong commitment to practice and ambition to learn. Basic techniques include kicks,...
Any variation of kung fu that traces its origin back to the sixth-century Shaolin Temple in China's Henan Province may be called Shaolin kung fu. Fighting styles that rely on combinations of hand and foot techniques are found among northern-style...
Kung fu is a Chinese martial art with thousands of years of history. Although beginning techniques can seem relatively simple, kung fu tricks require strength, agility and practice. The essence of learning kung fu tricks is the same as learning...
