Shaolin Kung fu

Traditional Shaolin Kung Fu was developed over thousands of years. It is a collection of knowledge from the masters from the shaolin temple as well as masters of rural China. Over the years they combined their knowledge and insight to develop and improve Traditional Shaolin Kung Fu. Together they have developed the five animal fists of dragon, tiger, leopard, snake, and crane, and the twelve fists through imitating the animals flying, jumping and other movements. Some high level monks combined their knowledge of the internal arts with the medical knowledge of chi flow, and developed the method for combining chi and power for martial application.

Shaolin’s focus on actual combat makes it great for sparring. It uses a combination of attacks designed to strike the opponent as well as fake the opponent out. At times it can be angry and other times extremely calm by using stirring, waving, and smashing techniques. It coordinates its speed and power to move in close to the opponent. Shaolin is also hard and soft. It uses defensive actions when attacking, and attacks when in defense. It uses external power as well as internal power to strike the opponents internal organs, tendons, and bones; giving off electric shock with the attack.

The Shaolin’s hand techniques are also very fast and move within a small scope making it difficult for the opponent to reattack. Shaolin is famous for its focus on the short distance attack. It emphasizes fast and powerful movements that coordinate the hands, eyes, and spirit. It demands that the power be continuous and contains no unpractical movements that look pretty. The movements should be fast and powerful with a solid abdomen, relaxed chest, shoulders loose and elbows relaxed. There will be power like the tiger and the agility of the dragon.

In Traditional Shaolin Kung Fu the saying is that the kick does not go any higher than the shoulder

The hand is considered as important as the leg. Punch the upper body as well as the lower body and kick in different directions. Attack the middle line of the weaker opponent and attack the legs when retreating. Attack the arms and legs first when attacking the stronger opponent.

Traditional Shaolin combines both internal energy as well as external energy. It demands that the practitioner coordinate his/her consiousness with the breathing. There is a saying in Traditional Shaolin that goes like this “practice the internal before learning the external and you will get the external when your internal strength is good enough”.

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