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Shaolin Martial Arts
Shaolin Kung Fu is a large technical martial arts
system. When using the term "martial arts system" to describe it, one must not compare it to many systems
that were passed down door-to-door or by word of mouth. Shaolin Kung Fu absorbed the numerous
styles and complex structures of
many martial arts that developed throughout China and according to historical
records, quantified them into a coherent and highly technical catalogue.
Shaolin Chuanxi (Fighting) routines have hundreds of units
starting with open hand forms and working in an orderly manner through dozens
of weapons. There are striking and joint locking techniques, sweeping and
grappling, acupressure applications and unique qigong exercises. All of these categories contain
exercises in which the contents consist of different types and various degrees
of difficulty. They are all
arranged in an organic and orderly large technical curriculum.
The Shaolin martial arts system is a concrete manifestation
of how the human body performs in both offensive and defensive actions. At the
core of its many routines is the basic sets of combinations in which the human
body can move and perform. All of
the styles and designs encompassed within the Shaolin system have their foundation
in the ancient Chinese medical understanding of the human body and the Chinese
understanding of the laws of human motion.
Many of these studies take into consideration static and
dynamic movement, the principles of yin and yang, relaxation, hard and soft
movements. The most famous of
these studies is the principle of Liu He or the six directions: north, south,
east, west, up and down which also correlates to hands and feet together,
elbows and knees together, shoulders and hips together along with the
combination of heart and mind.
The study of human movement also led to the understanding of
man's ability to develop and harness chi through practical exercises and the
use of the mind to develop strength and vitality. Qi development also finds its
roots in ancient Chinese wisdom, in the belief of the harmony between man and
nature. By adhering to that
belief, Shaolin Kung Fu developed by thinking rationally about what is the best
and most reasonable structure for the body's natural movement. In the long
history of Shaolin Kung Fu, one will always find that after examination, this
martial arts system eliminates what is useless and constantly refines its
innovation and development to make the human body the best at maximizing its
ability to defend itself within the most optimal form of human motion.
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