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Kung Fu
Kung fu can be thought of as the Chinese martial arts. There are many different styles that fall under this word. These styles have developed over hundreds of years. Some of the styles mimic the movements of animals. There are styles that call on strong muscles and training, and other styles that call on an inner strength. The two are often called hard and soft, internal and external styles of kung fu. Each style has a different way of looking at fighting.
The term "wushu" is also known to mean the Chinese arts. Kung fu actually means that you are good at something. An expert chef making the perfect dinner would be practcing his "Kung Fu". So the term only means a learned skill gained through a lot of hard work.
history of kung fu
Kung fu can be followed back about 4000 years. It's roots are in the hunting and self defense needs. The Chinese military also plays a part in the history. There is much to say about Shaolin and it's history. It is thought of as the first orginized style of kung fu. It is documented that the monks were highly skilled fighters fighting sometimes for and sometimes against the government of that time. Much of the written history is lost due to the burning of the monks monastaries.
There was a movement by the chinese government away from the family passed down styles of kung fu to the national style of wushu. This was no doubt to downplay the personal accomplishment and accent the national pride. Today both are supported and are a part of the Chinese culture.
styles
There is a long history to the Chinese martial arts and there are many styles. Styles are different due to many different reasons including geography. North China is dry and rocky. The styles that developed in that area had high kicks as there was dry and sure footing. South of the country is more rainy and wet. The styles from the south are more hand oriented and only use the lower kicks. In the wet land the footing was not as sure.
Many consider the most important part of the kung fu training is the forms. The forms are sets of movements and ment to keep a style alive and able to pass down. The movements are tried and true techniques passed down through the years.
wushu
Wushu is like a cross between a sport and and an exhibition art. There are many high leaps and acrobats involved. Some people say that this lacks any true tradition and loses the unique movements and ideas passed down from family member to family member making each style different.
wing chun
I have been fascinated with wing chun for about eight years. Though I have had no formal lessons I spent three years downloading videos and reading as well as ordering books and videos. It's easy to see why wing chun is so popular. Not only was it Bruce Lee's original style but he based his own style, "jeet kune do" on the principals learned in wing chun. The most popular style is Yip Man lineage but there are others such as "Traditional" wing chun which holds many differences. The story of these two branches of kung fu is too long and complicated to discuss here. Because it is taught and passed down from teacher to student it is difficult to trace the exact history.
Wing Chun is considered a southern art and uses hand techniques over kicking. There are kicks to learn but they are in the lower range such as kicking to the knee or stomach.
Wing chun is by far the most popular of the southern styles and has the most students. There are other southern styles including Hung Gar and Choi Lei Fut that are practiced in many countries.
To learn more about Kung Fu see the following links.