What is Kung Fu?
Kung Fu is the popular name for Chinese martial arts. The term 'Kung Fu' in Chinese literally translates to "a set of skills" or 'person with a set of skills'. Using Kung Fu to refer to Chinese martial arts was popularized by Bruce Lee and Hollywood when Kung Fu hit the big screen and took the box office by storm. Geographically, it is outside mainland China that the term Kung Fu is used to refer to Chinese martial arts.
In Chinese language, the formal name for Chinese martial arts is Wushu. Wushu literally translates to mean martial arts. Geographically, it is more common within mainland China to use the term Wushu to refer to Chinese martial arts.
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| (CHAINA)Chu Chi Ling with SIFU Prabhakar Reddy.P(INDIA) |
The history of Chinese martial arts is long and colorful. Over time, history and geography have influenced Chinese martial arts to develop into different styles, branches or schools. Chinese martial arts inside mainland China developed differently to that outside of mainland China. Therefore, the term Kung Fu typically refers to Chinese martial arts which developed outside of mainland China, whilst Wushu typically refers to the styles which developed inside mainland China.
The most well known styles of Chinese martial arts are: Wing Chun, Shaolin, Wushu (standardised), Tai Chi, Wudang, and the Lion Dance. Each style has its own unique characteristics. Different styles of Chinese martial arts are suited to different types of people based on personality, physical condition, ability, age and purpose of wanting to learn Chinese martial arts. Read about each of the major styles to find the most suitable one for you.
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