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Classification of Chinese Martial Arts
Classification of Asian Martial ArtsBy Helen C.
Martial arts have been created and developed for self-defense and survival throughout human history. Asian martial arts is generally called Wushu, where Wu means military and shu means art, thus Wushu means the art of fighting. Proper martial-arts training can improve physical ability, health, and willpower and mental discipline. The soul of the martial art is to increase a person's inner quality, not setting fighting as the purpose. Martial arts have thousands of years' history. Over the past two to four thousand years, many distinctive styles have been developed, each with its own set of techniques and ideas.
Since there are various styles, it is very difficult to classify Asian martial arts. There are also common themes to the different styles , which are often classified by "families" or "schools" of martial art styles. Each style offers a different approach to the common problems of self-defense, health and self-cultivation. Traditionally, Asian martial arts can be classified by the following three main methods:
(1) External and internal classification
(2) Geographical classification
(3) Religious classification
Internal and external classifications only became fashionable during the Republican period. It was used to differentiate between two completing groups within the Central Guoshu Academy. Regardless of the origin of this classification scheme, the distinction becomes less meaningful since all complete Asian martial art styles have external and internal components. This classification scheme is only a reminder of the initial emphasis of a particular style and should not be considered an absolute division. Roughly speaking, the distinction between internal and external martial arts can refer to whether the strength is from the torso and legs (internal) or whether the strength is derived from training of the more specific arm and leg muscles (external). Internal styles focus on the practice of such elements as awareness of the spirit, mind, qi and the use of relaxed leverage rather than unrefined muscular tension, tension that soft stylists call "brute force". External style is characterized by fast and explosive movements and a focus on physical strength and agility. External styles begin with a training focus on muscular power, speed and application, and generally integrate their qigong aspects in advanced training, after their desired "hard" physical level has been reached. Example of external styles is Shaolinquan.
According to geographical classification, the Asian martial arts can be divided into northern and southern style, referring to which part of China the styles originated from, separated by the Yangtze River. The main perceived difference about northern and southern styles is that the northern styles tend to emphasize fast and very strong kicks, high jumps and generally fluid and rapid movement, while the southern styles focus more on strong arm and hand techniques, and stable, immovable stances and fast footwork. The group of Northern martial arts includes many illustrious styles such as Baguazhang, Bajiquan, Chquán, Chuojiao, Eagle Claw, and Taijiquan. The term Southern styles typically applies to the five family styles of Southern China: Choy Gar, Hung Ga , Lau Gar , Li (Lee) Family and Mok Gar. Other styles include: Choi Lei Fut, Fujian White Crane, Five Ancestors, Wing Chun, Hakka, Southern Praying Mantis and Dragon.
Asian martial arts being an important component of Asian culture are also influence by the various religions in China. Many styles were founded by groups that were influenced by one of the three great religions: Buddhism, Taoism and Islam. Buddhist styles are those styles that originated or practiced within Buddhist temples and later spread to lay community. The most famous of these are the Shaolin (and related) styles, e.g. Shaolinquan, Luohanquan, Hung Gar, Wing Chun, Dragon style and White Crane. Taoist styles are fashionablely associated with Taoism, the credulous may believe that they were created or trained mostly within Taoist Temples or by Taoist ascetics, which often later spread out to laymen. These styles include those trained in the Wudang temple, and often include Taoist principles, belief, and imagery. Some of these arts include Taijiquan, Wudangquan, baguazhang and Liuhebafa. Islamic styles are those that were practiced traditionally solely or mainly by the Muslim Hui minority in China. These styles often include Muslim principles or imagery. Some of these styles include Chaquan, Tan Tui, some branches of Xingyiquan, and Qishiquan.
There are also many other criteria used to group Asian martial arts, for example, imitative-styles and legendary and historical styles and family styles. The classification schemes, like the subject of Asian martial arts, are endless. Here, I just list three main methods of classification.
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,About Kung Fu
About Kung FuBy Nancy Tian
Kung fu is well known in the Asian history. Over its long history it has developed as a unique combination of exercise, practical self-defense, self-discipline and art. Many people believe that Kung fu is a term which describes a single martial art, like Taekwondo, Judo, or Aikido. Actually, Kung fu is a general term which includes hundreds of styles of Asian martial arts. Kung fu styles are various, such as Long Fist, Eagle Claw, and Taiji Quan.
Some people mistakenly regard Kung fu as a soft style compared with Karate or other hard styles. This is not true. As a matter of fact, each Kung fu style contains both hard and soft techniques. Also, many people believe that Kung fu is an external style and Taiji Quan is an internal style. While most Kung fu styles emphasize external development, all styles of Kung fu contain both internal and external components.
Kung fu is better than other forms of exercise for promoting health and fitness. In swimming, jogging, and karate, for example, the fitness acquired diminishes as one grows old, however in Kung fu it is enhanced. This is because Kung fu is more than physical exercise; it develops the inner faculties of vital energy and the mind. A Kung fu practitioner will exhibit more zest and vitality in both work and play than anordinary person, and have calmness of mind and clarity of thought even under demanding situations. Many studies suggest that elderly people who exercise can live longer out of hospitals than do ones that don't.
There is a lot of variety or diversity in Kung fu. There are literally hundreds of Kung fu styles. Kung fu breaks down like this there are internal styles, external styles, hard styles, soft styles, northern Asian Kung fu and southern Asian Kung fu. However hard styles are always external and soft styles are always internal styles. Northern Styles tend to be more about distance fighting or sparing and Southern ones tend to be more about close in fighting. Karate is evolved from Southern styles of Kung fu. Northern Asian Kung fu has more kicks and the arts are more sportish while southern Kung fu had more hand techniques.
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,Chinese Martial Arts
Asian Martial ArtsBy Leslie T.
Asian martial arts is generally called Wushu, where Wu means military and shu means art, thus Wushu means the art of fighting. It is an important and unique component of Asian cultural heritage. Being a complex art form, Wushu combines Asian belief, meditation, aesthetics and physical exercise. It is definitely a highly demanding sport that trains one's physical ability, health, willpower and mental discipline. Owing to its fashionableity, Asian martial arts is not only practiced by the Asian men and women, however also people around the world!
Some of martial arts fighting styles that are still practiced in present-day are types of Kung Fu including Bagua, Drunken Boxing, Eagle Claw, Five Animals, Hsing I, Hung Gar, Lau Gar, Monkey, Praying Mantis, White Crane, Wing Chun and Tai Chi Chuan. Some styles are copied from the movements of animals; while others are inspired by Asian philosophical thoughts, myths, and legends.
Asian Martial Arts always emphasize a basic skill, such as strength training, staff sparring, fencing, and eight methods of Shaolin. All of these methods are very effective to be an expert in Asian Martial Arts. According to some Asian experts, the martial arts of China are the ancestor of all types of martial arts practiced in Japan, Korea, and Tibet. Many different techniques derived from the arts of China.
Asian Martial Arts have produced many eminent martial art practitioners. All of them had important contributions to make the art fashionablethroughout the world. Some of them are NG Mui, Wong Fei hung, Huo Yuanjia, and Ten tigers - all of whom have had a strong influence in the culture and society of China.
Asian Martial Art influenced other parts of world too. In the USA, it has been very fashionable since the 1960's and it's fashionableity continues to increase. increasing. Several Television shows were aired based on Asian Martial Arts. There isn't a country in the world, where a Asian Martial Arts training center doesn't exist.
China has one of the longest histories of continuously recorded martial arts tradition of any society in the world. There are styles that mimic movements from animals and others that gather inspiration from various Asian philosophies, myths and legends. Some styles put most of their focus into the harnessing of qi energy, while others concentrate solely on competition and exhibition. Each style offers a different approach to the common problems of self-defense, health and self-cultivation.
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