Talking about Chinese Martial Arts. There are two terms commonly used to imply Chinese Martial Arts: Kung Fu and Wushu. The meaning of the word Kung Fu in the Chinese language is: man who is devoted in practicing martial art or who executes any other kind of discipline which is asking a strong and intensive training. The meaning of Wushu in Chinese is: martial art methods. The term Kung Fu is commonly used by southern Chinese people. Some of them, with knowledge of Kung Fu, have immigrated to North America a long time ago. The term Wushu is commonly used by northern Chinese people from their country.

Chinese Martial Arts are unique in the emphasis placed on the study of animals habits and fighting tactics. Throughout the centuries, the nature of birds, snakes, land animals and insects have been faithfully imitated to recreate the particular individual essence that makes each an efficient fighter. These creatures were studied not only for their fighting abilities, but also for any health benefits they could contribute to their human counterparts.

There was no single source of study of animals forms in China. As the martial artists saw an opportunity to improve or change their Kung Fu systems, they quickly injected the techniques and spirit of the animal that inspired the change. Some styles were even given the name of the animal after which they were patterned: Praying Mantis and White Crane, for instance. However, they are distinct forms, which means varied movements adapted according to the various encountered situations.

In recent years, China promotes the Chinese Martial Arts and have national competitions in Chinese Martial Arts forms (series of movements). Thus, it will be quite natural that the most impresssive competitors will win. To make the forms impressive, arcobatics, difficult feats and artistic choreographies together with martial arts are emphasized. But in order to reach such a level of performance, a student must trained very hard and without interruption in order to maintain his physical and mental abilities in balance. Having a good quality life will help the practitioner to keep his body and spirit together.

These performances are spectacular and do well in show and movies, helping to promote Chinese Martial Art a great deal. But, we can also see that many people get a bad idea from these movies of what the martial arts really are. This is the main reason why we must preserve the traditional form of Chinese Martial Arts, which represent the fighting techniques, tactics and theories of these arts. Acrobatics, low stances and fancy moves take a lot of energy and time to do; whereas, many Chinese fighting applications are simple, effective, make use of opportunity and they do not waste energy needlessly.

There is a wide variety of styles of Chinese Martial Arts. Many of these are based on theories and methods used by animals, reptiles, birds and natural phenomena. Also, different styles may be more suitable for different types of persons, for example: big, small, strong, weak, agile or partly agile. Today, there is always a growing number of women practicing Chinese Martial Arts but, a long time ago it was really quite different. There were plenty of women, not agile in feet and legs, in the country of China during the Ching Dynasty. Because their feet were bound to prevent growth, as a concept of beauty. Therefore, they had to use a martial art style which was adapted for their handicap.

There are even styles suitable for drunkards. Most martial arts stress a stable and firm foundation from the legs, in order to support a powerful striking force or to overcome the opponents attacking force effectively. But the drunken form is highly unstable, as if the drunken stylist will blow with the wind. When a force strikes this stylist, he yields, spins and even falls. Thus the force has hardly any impact on him. He then continues spinning, weaving and rolling using his momentum to exert a powerful force on his opponent. Interesting isn't it?

Lastly, I do encourage students to practice analysis and improve. Study the profound basic theories, read more on books on all styles but also on books from your own style; then interest, discipline, good mental and physical health will come; and self defense will be learned by those who are interested. We should preserve ancient knowledge at the same time adapted to different situations, because we know they were proven to work and that they have resisted through the time.