History Of Martial Arts Article

The Different Fighting Styles of Kung-Fu

One of the oldest and most powerful forms of martial arts is Kung Fu. Kung Fu is made up of several different styles which adds power and a mystique that is very alluring and interesting. Listed below are several forms and styles that are a part of the martial arts known as Kung Fu.

White Crane Style: The style of Kung Fu considered to be the most graceful by many martial artists is known as the style of the White Crane. The crane which is often found in open plains or marshes is the bird that this style of Kung Fu was fashioned after. �Deadly Beauty� is the term referred to the White Crane style due to the attack and defense moves that are associated with this particular style.

The techniques of White Crane Kung Fu are simple and to the point attacks, but may still take many years to become a master of this style of Kung Fu. While studying the art of the White Crane form of Kung Fu, you are advised to avoid fighting confrontations. In doing this you can become a self defense master. Only fighting when there is no other choice is the way a master of the White Crane Kung Fu handles themselves.

Wing Chun: The method in which the opponent attacks, absorbs, and neutralizes the attack, and then the attacker will back off, pursue, and counter disengaging their restriction to arms and then start up again with deadly and penetrating attacks.

To master this style of Kung Fu takes years of practice in order to fully understand. Basing its� styling on the principle that the shortest distance between two points is a straight line. The rhythm of Wing Chun Kung Fu is that the stylist uses a never ending flow of energy.

Using a combination of interception and straight lines with deflecting arcs are what makes up the offense of Wing Chun kung Fu. Pushing offensive attacks and taking the fight to the attacker in an aggressive close quarter battle s how this style of Kung fu works.

Hung Gar: An adaptation of the Shaolin Kung Fu system is Hung Gar Kung Fu which involves techniques used in close quarter combat. This means that the effectiveness of this Kung Fu style is greater in close quarters than distance fighting. In areas where other styles of Kung Fu might fail is where the style teachings of Hung Gar become the most effective.

Praying Mantis: Studying the movements of an insect, the praying mantis was the vision of a man named Wang over 400 years ago. Taking the motions of the praying mantis both offensive and defensive, he created, practiced and became a master of the style known as Praying Mantis kung Fu.

Monkey Style: One of the most deadly styles of Kung Fu in the world of martial arts is also one that is thought to be the most comical. Monkey Style Kung Fu dates as far back as the days when missionaries were allowed passage into china back in the 1840�s.

The Monkey Style Kung Fu was created by a man named See. After killing a law officer, See was arrested and sentenced to prison. During his time in prison, See found a good way to past the time from his prison cell was watching the apes in the prison.

Studying the movements of the way the apes when they fought each other, the way they defended themselves and attacked each other over a 10 year period See created his Monkey Style Kung Fu. See became known as the Monkey Master upon release from his prison sentence. Over the years the Monkey Style Kung Fu is still very effective.