Many of us in the western world view the martial arts as either a basic sport or a means of self-defense. The depth of our knowledge is based on what we’ve seen in Hollywood films. In reality, the martial arts are varied among eastern countries, with roots that can be traced back thousands of years.
The Chinese martial arts are considered to be the most advanced and the most varied. Chinese martial arts draw inspiration and philosophies from animals, birds and reptiles. Every one of the Chinese martial arts is unique, with movements that are absolutely astonishing.
Through thousands of years of practice, the Chinese martial arts have maintained their originality and their vigor. While each one has its own distinct characteristics, they can broadly be classified into the following categories:
Wushu
These ancient and fluid martial arts forms are based on rapid jumps and kicks. This is a huge category, with literally hundreds of schools and styles. Most, however, can be arranged in several groups:
* Southern Shaolin Temple Styles: Hung Gar, Nanquan, Wing Chun, and Choy Lay F are all examples of southern styles of Chinese martial...