what is kung fu?

[avxsk8erpunk]

what does it focus on? what are some traditions? Is it affective?

videos would be great preferably non-choreographed but if its choreographed thats fine

[wushu2004]

This video tries to explain differences between kung fu and wushu.

[bushido_man96]

There are a LOT of different styles of Kung Fu out there, and none of them are exactly the same. You have Northern and Southern styles as a few broad categories, and then each has many subsets.

Here is some very general information on the Chinese arts, including Kung Fu. It is Wikipedia, so take it in stride. I am sure you can find other specific information by doing searches on specific styles: Chinese Martial Arts

[Kajukenbopr]

like Bushido_man said:

Norther Styles- Long range attacks- usually associated with Taoist Principles. High kicks and complex footwork.

Souther Styles- short range attacks- usually associated with the Shaolin Temple and animal forms. Very quick and explosive.

There's also internal and external:

Internal- the development of Chi- years to master

External- the hardening of the body and muscles- quicker to learn

Other classifications include:

Wrestling- chinese wrestling(grappling and fast wrestling)

Chin Na-pressure points

[bushido_man96]

Thanks, Kajukenbopr. That is much better than I could offer. I have read about the differences, but can't really pull them off the top of my head. I really need to read up on more Chinese styles.

[Kajukenbopr]

hehe, I'm a kung fu geek

lately, if I'm reading about martial arts, its about Kung Fu

I even talk to my teacher about certain styles i read about on the net, and he hasnt heard of a lot of them.

[bushido_man96]

hehe, I'm a kung fu geek

lately, if I'm reading about martial arts, its about Kung Fu

I even talk to my teacher about certain styles i read about on the net, and he hasnt heard of a lot of them.

I agree, it is fun to read and learn new things like that. I tend to go in stints myself.

[Kajukenbopr]

good to know I'm not alone, bushido_man96

were u looking for a kung fu style in particular, avxsk8erpunk?

[NightOwl]

Here you go Kajukenbopr...Meihuaquan. I found it goofing around looking at MA stuff one day. Since it literally means 'Plum Blossom Fist' or something of the like, I was curious just how a plum blossom would fight so I looked a bit into it . At first I saw a lot of what you mostly see with CMA these days- spectator oriented wushu forms but not too much martial oriented. Then I came across a video of some guys in China practicing it using full force on concrete and I got a bit more interested. What sealed the deal though, was them using an awesome scissor sweep which reminded me of something you might find in BJJ, and so since then I've been wondering more about it.

[Kajukenbopr]

Meihua...

They use a lot of Internal Arts principles BUT their postures and moves are more "open" than other internal styles:

Also, this style used the very famous "pillars of training" where stakes where set on the ground and the practitioner would execute forms on top of them.

Some people compare Meihuaquan with Taichi.