Kung Fu is a Chinese Martial art vastly popular throughout the world. It is one of the many martial arts disciplines from China. Martial Arts have been a part of the Chinese culture since the ancient times.

Bodhidharma was a Buddhist Monk who is said to be the creator of the martial arts. He learnt the martial art techniques in India and he taught them to his disciples in the temples. He wanted to improve the physical and mental health of his monks. That is why he made the practice of martial arts compulsory for them. The use of proper breathing techniques helped the monks to improve their concentration levels. Later, martial arts disciplines diversified in a vast country like China. Martial arts became popular in ancient China due to it self defense benefits. It is a good way to keep fit. It also gives the confidence to defend oneself when confronted by an attacker. Gradually, martial arts became an integral part of the Chinese culture. Martial arts in China had many distinctive styles and schools sprang up in every nook and corner of the country adhering to these styles. Basically, these styles had similarities. But they had subtle differences as well. The styles were entirely dependant on the masters who taught them. The traditions of a style were passed on to the best disciple when the master died. Actually, this is an influence of the ancient Chinese culture. Respecting one’s elders had been a part of the Chinese culture since time immemorial and it was incorporated into the martial arts culture as well. The martial arts exponents used to observe the movements of the animals and martial arts styles developed mimicking these movements. The animal movements are graceful and swift with minimum use of energy. The goal of the martial arts masters was just that. They incorporated the animal movements into their fighting technique. Kung Fu has many animal stances such as Tiger, Snake, Crane, Dragon, Leopard, Crane etc.

The practice of Kung Fu requires a lot of discipline and dedication. It takes years of constant practice to master the techniques of Kung Fu. Wushu is a form of Kung Fu quite popular throughout China as well as in many parts of the world. Wushu too has many divisions. Kung Fu has many bare handed as well as weapon techniques. Sword and spear fighting is also a part of the Kung Fu traditions. Kung Fu, like many other Oriental martial arts gives emphasis on Chi or life energy. A Kung Fu exponent is expected to gain maximum benefit from Chi. Stretching exercises are an integral part of Kung Fu practice as the movements in this discipline requires extreme levels of flexibility and suppleness. Meditation is also essential for a Kung Fu practitioner as a calm mind is needed when executing the combat techniques.