How to Learn Kung Fu
Flying kicks, somersaults, and the sweeping movement of the body are just a few of the many things you may see in martial arts movies. The heroes seem to have superhuman skills coming from supernatural sources, as villains fly all over the battlefield from various attacks. For some, it’s a simple matter of proving that “My kung fu is better than your kung fu;” to other people, kung fu is a way of life.
Whether you want to learn how to throw crescent kicks like martial arts movie actors, or if you want to get in touch with your inner energy, then kung fu may just be right for you. Learning kung fu is half the battle; practicing kung fu is something that takes a lifetime of commitment and dedication.
What Is Kung Fu?
Most people think of “kung fu” as “Chinese martial arts,” although the term “wushu” more properly applies to the physical aspects of kung fu. Kung fu combines centuries of Oriental martial arts traditions with ancient Chinese philosophy. Kung fu may involve combat with or without weapons, although it is more often practiced as an exercise or for meditation.
Chinese martial arts use a very extensive set of hand-to-hand combat techniques taught to soldiers over 6,000 years ago. Over time, many different techniques were added and developed to make the Chinese soldier a true warrior in the battlefield. Philosophies and world-views were also added to kung fu to make the soldier more complete and ready for battle. Today, kung fu is also used to test the limits of mind and body. Many films, books, and TV shows also integrate many aspects of kung fu into story lines and plot twists.
Principles of Kung Fu
Kung fu is a very complex system of beliefs, but the basics can be covered by three guiding principles:
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Chi. Also known as qi, chi is the life-force found in every human being. It is an energy that flows through nature. Kung fu was developed to maximize the ability of a person to concentrate and use chi to go beyond the limits of the mind and body.
Virtues. In kung fu, wisdom (deed) and emotions (mind) should always be in harmony with each other. The mind must be guided with courage, endurance, perseverance, patience, and force of will. Kung fu also teaches a person values like loyalty, righteousness, humility, politeness, and trust.
Combat/wushu. Some people see fighting as the most important part of kung fu, but it is only part of it. Wushu is often used a self-defense technique, although it can also be used as a form of exercise. Wushu is a very rigorous physical activity that requires peak physical conditioning, strength, and flexibility to push your body to the limits.
Kung Fu Schools
Kung fu schools are different from dojos. You may end up enrolling at a karate dojo, and end up learning karate instead of kung fu. When choosing a kung fu school, choose one that offers Chinese martial arts programs, and has a reputation for good students. Like any other school, a good kung fu school or martial arts academy builds its reputation based on the skills of its students. Kung fu schools, like karate and judo dojos, have different programs for different skills and levels of physical conditioning. If the master of the school finds that you have developed and mastered your skills, he or she may promote you to the next level.
Remember that kung fu is a harmonious study not only of combat skills, but also of the mind. Read up on history, philosophy, and other ideas that can help you go beyond what your body can do. Commune with nature by meditating and using the skills you learned from reading and studying texts. Depending on how much you’re willing to spend, a kung fu school may run up to the same cost of a two-year college education.
Kung Fu Books and Videos
If you can’t afford to enroll at a kung fu school, you can use instructional videos and books to teach yourself kung fu. It will be more difficult to gain the same kung fu and wushu skills from an instructional video, but with the right amount of dedication, you can get the same results from books and videos as you would if you paid for a full kung fu course. If you are enrolled in a kung fu school, it also helps to buy books and instructional videos to refresh your skills and practice at home.
Videos can be downloaded or viewed from the Internet, and many specialty bookstores carry books and other reading materials related to kung fu. You may also want to buy books about Chinese philosophy, the biography of famous kung fu practitioners, and books about Chinese traditions and rituals if you really want to have the complete experience of kung fu.
Kung fu lessons will not turn you into the next Jackie Chan or Bruce Lee, nor will it send your enemies into oblivion with a one-inch punch or an airborne heel kick. With these tips on how you can learn kung fu, you’ll be as fast as lightning; you’ll be a little bit frightening, and you can fight with expert timing.