The only way: not to have any. The only limit: not to have any. Thus, this is the motto of Kung Fu, a martial art borned about more than four thousand years ago, from the deep lands of Orient. This fighting art is useful to maintain a good health, an open mind and all forms of personal self defense. It is based on animal moves such as the snake, the tiger, the dragon, the crane or the praying mantis to name a few.

Kung Fu contain many techniques knowned and used under different names. This is why most of the people can't distinguish between many of these styles and even other forms of martial arts like Karate, Judo, etc. These names such as Chinese Boxing, Shaolin, Chin Na, Wing Chun, White Crane, Tai Chi, Jeet Kune Do (combines many styles and self defense and popularized by the legendary Bruce Lee) are all a part of the Kung Fu system, but on distinct forms, which means that the moves vary and adapt according to the situation encountered.

The legend says that an Indian monk Boudhidarma, great preacher, went in China in the year 527, and created the Kung Fu art. Knowing that these monks were meditating for hours without moving, he then concluded they had a real need to do exercices, in order to fortify their body and their faculty of concentration. This is the reason why he introduced the idea that the martial arts were leading to a harmonius development of the spirit and the body. He invented the boxing and the will form (Xingyiquan ). But, the practice of Kung Fu was existing since a long time ago already. Thus, this is false to say that Boudhidarma is the real creator of Kung Fu

The first Kung Fu chronicles date from 5000 years (b.d.) The Yellow Emperor (Huang Ti) would have taugh to his troups a Kung Fu style (Chiou Ti) in which he would have won a very important battle in 2674 (b.d.). Then, in the first century of our era, in the Hans Dynasty (year 220), a certain Kwok Yee, created the "Long Hand" style, which we don't know much about even today. Also, in the year 265, a physician doctor, Hua To introduced a style who was inspired by the moves of five animals. This style is very well known today. The Kung Fu martial art is, without any doubt, one of the most ancient and sophisticated martial art. It has been popularized by Lee Siu Long (Bruce Lee) in the seventies and simply means: "work hard and arduously".

Kung Fu means energy and time or simply a skill or ability, such as that possessed by a painter, a fashion designer or one adept in the fighting arts; the term refers to no specific style or martial art in particular. Some feel its synonymity with the martial arts is a recent vogue originating in Hong Kong and Kwangtung province in China. But as early as the 17th century, the term Cong Fou was used to describe "peculiar exercises". A more precise term for the martial arts in China is Wu Shu, although there have been other terms used in China through the years whose meanings are equally clear. Kuo Shu was a popular term until 1928, although Kuo Chi has also been used. Wu Shu is currently the official term for martial arts adopted by the People's Republic of China.

Kung Fu is composed of a number of martially inspired systems for fighting, health development, and dance. There are hundred styles of Kung Fu; most however, were formed around a more limited number of approaches to a specific subject, be it combat, health, or others. Some systems of Kung Fu emphasize strenuous and energetic kicking and punching, while others stress more subtle techniques. Indeed, some are nearly static.

At first glance, there are three main types of Kung Fu: for fighting, for show, and for health. Classification becomes progressively more complex under the surface. Styles can be divided and classified roughly by geographical origin, religious tenets, and technical genre (e.g.,linear, circular, etc.). Kung Fu was also influenced to varying degrees by some smaller factions of specific periods, non-religious and military organizations, family clans, and theatrical and operating troupes. Thus, Kung Fu is just too extensive, too deeply embedded in Chinese culture to be sensibly sketched. It would be highly impractical to include all the medicines, weapons, techniques, historically significant events, personalities, and terminology that have played important parts in the development of Kung Fu. The nomenclature alone requires, for its study, a respectable amount of at least one out of many dialects of the Chinese language. This was a brief text about the Kung Fu long history. In fact, how do you want to talk about an art existing since a few thousand years in a few words?