The history of kung fu. The history of the martial art of kung fu What is kung fu a type of martial art

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Until the middle of the last century, the term “kung fu” was used only in one country – China. This continued until the 1960s. It was then that films starring the famous athlete and artist Bruce Lee told the whole world about this ancient system of combat systems. But to believe that such concepts as kung fu, aikido and judo are one and the same is a big mistake. Why this is so can be read below.

Kung Fu: the meaning of the term and the history of its origin

The times between the 3rd and 6th centuries become the most difficult for the history of China. The once powerful empire is fragmented, the economy is destroyed, and there is a danger of an invasion of the country by barbarians from the Turkic horde. At the end of the 5th century, the first Taoist monasteries began to be built in the Chinese province of Henan, which became the basis for the consolidation of the state.

This is how the most famous Buddhist monastery appeared - Shaolin. Its first patriarch, Bodhidharma (aged 440–528), noticed that almost all the monks were physically weak. The system of meditation and development of physical health he introduced, known as Shaolin Wushu, became the basis of the teachings of kung fu.

Translated from Chinese language, kung fu- individual achievement in something. The second meaning of this word is martial art.

The most famous kung fu styles:

• Shaolinquan– acrobatic techniques and jumps are combined with powerful blows;
• Taijiquan– here the movements are slow and smooth;
• Wing Chun– instant attacks using hands. The fight takes place at close range;
• Tanglangquan– the technique copies the movement of a praying mantis: swings and slopes are combined with high-speed “hook”-type hand holds.

Any fighting style of kung fu is based on three pillars - technique, strength, speed. They should be developed evenly. For example, if a fighter has excellent technique and speed, but his body is physically weak, then he will not be able to inflict significant damage on the enemy.

How to learn kung fu at home

Let's consider the moral and psychological side of the issue. Why do you need kung fu? Are other circumstances encouraging you to improve your body physics and improve your health? For almost many, the goal is blurred. But in any case, to achieve a positive result, you should spend some time and effort.

You need to prepare carefully:

• Study space. The ideal training ground is an empty room. If one is not found, you should free up a space measuring 2 by 2 meters;
• Sports equipment. To practice punches and kicks, you will need a punching bag. Although at the first stage strikes can be delivered “through the air”;
• Instructions. There is no mentor, so you should look for materials about the training process on your own. As an option - videos on one of the YouTube channels;
• Selection of technology. There are a huge variety of kung fu styles. There are defensive schools that focus on balance and flexibility, and there are aggressive techniques aimed at developing muscle mass and endurance. What to choose is up to you.

After the preparatory process, you can begin training. You can read below how to do this correctly. In the meantime, a little advice - try to find yourself a partner for sparring, because a punching bag is good, but it is unlikely to replace a living person.

Chinese martial arts: training correctly

The first thing to think about is your lesson plan. The intensity of the training is high, and the break between them for a beginner should be at least 48 hours. Let's get started:

1. Warm-up. The most important stage in any sport. Starting from the neck and ending with the ankle area, the fighter improves blood circulation in the body and warms up the muscles. Care should be taken to ensure that rhythmic movements do not cause discomfort to the athlete;
2. Main racks. Various blocks and strikes are performed through the stance. There are about a dozen of them in total, if you count the basic positions. You need to start from the “mabu” stance ( rider position– legs widely spaced and bent at the knees, feet in full contact with the floor, back straight, arms at waist level), then, when the position is worked out, move on to “gong-bu” ( cocked bow), etc.
3. Practice of strikes. Leg strikes (straight leg, circular sweep, side swing, heel strike, etc.), hand strikes (back of fist, slash, straight palm strike, etc.) form the basis of the kung fu system. The technique of performing strikes, in order to avoid injuries, should be practiced at the end of the workout, when the muscles are warmed up.

Remember, the basic movements of the kung fu system are dictated by the behavior of the animal world: tiger, crane, praying mantis, snake, etc. During training, mentally associate yourself with an animal, insect or reptile (depending on the situation) and your training will be more interesting and productive.

How is kung fu different from karate?

To the uninitiated, Kung Fu and Karate may seem exactly the same. Both are Asian martial arts, and both are quite popular in movies. However, there are many differences that set them apart:

In a nutshell, we note: kung fu is a beautiful and aesthetic type of fighting, and karate has a tougher style. Both martial arts are so different that neither has an advantage over the other.

The ancient teachings of kung fu developed in such a way that for the Chinese it became less a martial art and more a science of self-improvement in any aspect of life. By combining “effort” and “patience” into one whole, you can develop the skills a person needs and become a master of his craft. Whether it’s self-development, doing business, hobbies, or the same martial arts techniques: after doing a lot of work and achieving high achievements in anything, the Chinese simply say “kung fu.”

Video: real possibilities of kung fu style

This video will show what a fighter practicing this style is capable of:

Every day at dawn in an ordinary mountain village in Ninghai County (Ningbo City, Zhejiang Province), you can see the silhouette of a man diligently practicing martial art. This is Zhang Hexiang, and she is already 94 years old. There is no one in the area who does not know her: “She lives in this village all the time, she trains kung fu every day, the villagers all know her.”

Zhang Hexiang began studying martial arts at the age of 4-5 under the guidance of her father. She has been diligently improving and tempering herself every day for nine decades, and as a result, despite her age, she is active, strong, and healthy.

Before morning training, Grandma Zhang first washes her hands, conducts a ceremony of worshiping the ancestors and founders of the style, and then assumes a horseman's stance and begins to diligently practice the art of fisting.

And so every day, starting from such a young age. Only once did she have to stop serious training due to a hand injury. Perhaps such constancy should be learned from this strong-willed woman.

Zhang Hexiang's ancestors moved to this village from Fujian Province. The martial art Nanquan has been studied in the Zhang family for nine generations. This small courtyard near the house was once a kung fu “school”. Attracted by the reputation of this place, everyone who wanted to learn martial art came here in a continuous procession.

“Back in the 80s, there were a lot of people who came to learn kung fu and trained outside their house every evening,” recalls Ping Chuan Ying, Zhang Hexiang’s own son.

Zhang Hexiang and his son practice the pole technique.

Before entering the house there is a winding road with an incline leading upward. Going up and down it, Grandma Zhang, despite her 94 years of age, still does not get tired or out of breath.

An elderly woman lives in the middle of a mountain. Every day she climbs several steep slopes.

Zhang Hexiang refused to move to new home her son and chose to live alone. In her old house she does not sit idle, she does everything herself.

She even goes to the neighboring town to buy food and household goods. But this is a path 6 kilometers long! Perhaps not every person of a much younger age is able to cover such a distance on foot.

“People who are 2-3 years younger than me use a cane, I don’t use it yet,” Grandma Zhang, out of habit, sits on a bamboo chair with her legs tucked and crossed during a conversation. One has only to admire such flexibility at the age of ninety.

Zhang Hexiang still speaks in a clear voice, and there is considerable strength in her handshake. She underwent a medical examination and has no health problems.

“People who have not practiced kung fu can get injured if they fall, but if I fall, I can get up immediately. Strengthening the body and spirit - there are only benefits to this, there can be no disadvantages,” says Grandma Zhang about the effect of training on health. And then with a serious face he adds:

“Training martial arts is also training morals. Improving one’s virtues is the most important practice in a person’s life.”

Many visitors and some students wanted to learn kung fu just to learn how to fight, but Zhang Hexiang is against this kind of thinking. She strictly adheres to the records of Quanshu, where the ancestors instruct “to study martial arts only for defense, you should not go and oppress others, but should help your neighbors.”

Grandma Zhang recalled a story about how she once saw a man beating his wife. Needless to say, she stepped up and defended the poor woman.

In addition to martial arts, Zhang Hexiang has another special skill - delivering babies. As a young woman, she passed the exam and received her license. Throughout her life, Grandma Zhang helped deliver at least 1,000 babies.

She also knows how to embroider. Once she even won the title “Embroidery Champion”. Embroidering peonies is her unique skill. The clothes of many people in the village are the result of her hands.

In the kitchen, Grandma Zhang is also a master of her craft. Thanks to her good culinary abilities and sufficient physical strength, she was once even a chef at a village banquet, single-handedly responsible for 20-30 tables and coped with it with ease.

All this proves the fact that martial arts training contributes to human improvement in other areas.

The villagers say that Zhang Hexiang has the heart of a “woman of a knight.” “She helps with any business in the village. She is a very good person." Indeed, every day after lunch, Grandma Zhang always goes for a walk in the village to see who needs a helping hand. Ping Chuan Ying says: “A mother is happiest when she helps others.”

Last year to a mountain village Central television China and even the BBC came to interview a grandmother who practices kung fu. Chang Hexiang has become famous; on the Internet she is affectionately called “Kung Fu Grandma.” The media began to arrive one after another. Not every young man can handle two to three hours of reporting, but Grandma Zhang was never in a bad mood. She is always energetic and takes her work seriously.

Nowadays there are still people in the village who train martial arts in the open space in the evening. However, unlike in the past, these are mostly elderly people, and there are few young people. Ping Chuan Ying says: “There are more ways to exercise now compared to the past, such as playing ball, dancing in the square. But now life stress is much greater than before. We live in a material society where everyone wants to earn money. And the tradition of learning martial arts has also changed beyond recognition.”

Of course, today is not comparable to the past. But Grandma Zhang still hopes that even more people will fall in love with Wu Shu, and the tradition of martial arts will be passed on from generation to generation.

The first rays of the sun illuminated the quiet courtyard of the Zhang Family and touched the silhouette of a “woman knight” diligently practicing Wushu. The martial arts tradition continues...

In China, all methods of psychophysical training, achieving mastery in various types activities, including martial arts, received the general name gong fu. Kung fu, kung fu, kong fu came from a distorted reading of the transcription of this word. Historically, the most understandable and familiar term for Westerners is kung fu, so we will not violate these traditions.

The range of meanings of the word kung fu is very wide. Educated Chinese understood it primarily as a “feat”, “high deed”, “mastery”, meaning by this the achievement of the limit in any type of activity.
In the West, and then in the CIS countries, the term kung fu began to be used to designate Chinese martial arts. It is synonymous with such terms as quan shu (the art of fist fighting), wushu (military technique), ui (martial arts).

The concept of kung fu is based on work (multiple repetition and training), as a result of which, after achieving a certain number of executions, a qualitative leap occurs. This can be a multiple increase in the force of a blow for a martial arts practitioner, or the skill of a qigong master who masters the art of telekinesis and levitation, i.e. mastery in any of its manifestations. Achieving mastery in cooking, music, calligraphy and any other profession is also kung fu.

Kung fu is a worldview and way of life that allows you to reveal your abilities by achieving success in various areas of life, throughout your life to move forward and become more perfect.

Wushu classes and seminars for adults

WUSHU EXPERT

Seminar on the topic: "Changbin - spear fencing."

Seminar topics:

1. Wushu healing techniques
2. Duanbing - fencing with short weapons
3. Changbin - long weapon fencing
4. Traditional styles of Wushu
5. Self-defense and hand-to-hand combat
6. Shuaijiao wrestling

More details on the official website of WUSHU-EXPERT www.wushu-expert.ru

Classes and seminars on traditional USHU for adults.

Head of the WuShu school Ma Shi Tongbei Wu Oleg Morozov,
head of the Moscow USHU club Sergei Nikolaev
are invited to classes and seminars on traditional USHU.

12 best techniques of the tonbei system.

Over the course of 24 years of working with Chinese masters, we have identified the 12 best techniques of the Tongbei system based on the main criterion for studying traditional Wushu and martial arts “He Li” - efficiency. As one of the masters said: “These are the flowers of martial arts.”

Effective self-defense for women based on the tonbei system.

The program of self-defense lessons includes techniques that do not require great physical strength, strikes in the most dangerous areas for a person, important principles and methods of using the enemy’s force, as well as studying the technique of an anticipatory strike. This seminar will be useful not only for women, but also for all those who care about their safety.

Fundamentals and basic techniques of the styles included in Tongbei: Baji, Pigua, Fanzi, Chojiao.

Understanding the relationship between these styles of Wushu, good training of basic techniques, will help you not only study and effectively use this system, but also on its basis create your own unique method of self-defense.

Fencing at short (Dao sword, jian) and long distance (qiang spear).

Over 20 years of experience working with Chinese masters, a whole system of training and application of the main technique of spear fencing - “la na zha” - has been developed. The technique of movement, maneuvering, interaction of spear techniques and body work is also discussed in detail.

Fencing using a two-handed Miao Dao sword and a Bian Gan stick.

The seminar program includes 16 techniques of the Miao Dao sword based on the famous technique compiled by the patriarchs of traditional Wushu Ma Feng Tu and Guo Chang Sheng - Miao Dao against the spear, as well as the Biangan Wu Ying Qi Shou technique, Shi San Fa.

Health system Tongbei Da Jia Zi.

Movements in Tongbei Da Jia Zi are performed in a slow rhythm with slight accelerations, naturally and freely, with concentration on the internal state and even breathing. Particular attention in the movements is paid to the coordination of the feet and hands, knees and elbows, hips and shoulders, as well as the interaction of breathing and the flow of internal energy.

The Tongbei Da Jia Zi health system includes more than 100 techniques. This video demonstrates the basic techniques of this system. This video can be used as a tutorial.

The Kung Fu tradition of the Shaolin Monastery has nothing in common with the commonly used concept of "martial arts" as understood by people seeking victories over opponents, or used in the context of the military, the army. Also, sports wushu and traditional Shaolin kung fu have little in common. Throughout its history, Shaolin has never been a university of martial arts or a forge of professional fighters.

Why, with all this, Shaolin has maintained the glory of “First in the Celestial Empire in martial arts” for many centuries, and Shaolin kung fu attracts followers from all corners of the Earth? The uniqueness of the Shaolin approach lies in the fact that since ancient times, martial arts have been used to improve the spirit and comprehend Chan.

Chan is like a calm, clear lake, and when you start talking about Chan in words, all the words look like lies and truth at the same time. Therefore, to comprehend Chan, the method from “heart to heart” or “from the state of a Teacher to the state of a Student” has always been used. The comprehension of Chan often comes through the elimination of concentration on one’s own “I” and liberation from the cliches of consciousness, thanks to which the influx of suffering is ensured. Chan is the completeness of humility and accepting life directly, as it is. To eliminate cliches, Chan uses borderline states of consciousness and special training methods, since only an extreme situation is likely to turn us to an understanding of reality. In an extreme situation there is always a threat to life, therefore, in order to survive, complete concentration and complete freedom from all cliches are required. The practice of kung fu contributes to this.

Will Shifu teach me how to fight? It is very likely that yes, or at least you will stronger in spirit and body. But Shaolin kung fu is a very difficult martial art, and you can set a more ambitious goal, and, best of all, without expecting or planning anything in particular. During classes at the School of Master Shi Yanbin, you will not only learn how to successfully perform Shaolin taolu (complexes, standard sequence of movements) and work with weapons (pole, whip, sword). The training is organized in such a way that it affects all levels of the body (spirit sheng, heart xin, qi energy, internal force jing, external force li).

Shaolin Kung Fu by Master Shi Yanbing, Shaolin 2015

The Shaolin kung fu tradition is based on Chan meditation. Next comes the practice of qigong, which provides the ability to regulate qi and harness the internal force of jing in the right place and at the right time, as opposed to using brute force through rigid muscle tension. The use of inner strength has different forms and expressions, which we most often call martial arts. Shaolin kung fu has always occupied a worthy place in the fraternal family of Chinese wushu along with the Wudang school, baguazhang, taijiquan, and xinyiquan.

Shaolin techniques are difficult to learn, easy to use, they use the principles of natural body movements, a harmonious combination of relaxation and tension, there are no empty movements, all techniques are purely practical. The movements are round, performed along a rotational trajectory and contribute to the accumulation of qi and the effective release of force. When striking, the arm is bent at the elbow - and at the same time not bent, straightened - and at the same time not straightened. Training does not require much space; according to the Shaolin expression, “a fist strikes where a cow can lie down.” Attack and defense must occur from the front or from the side.

Students of Master Shi Yanbing's School study:

• the art of fist fighting and the art of wielding weapons;
• skills in using traditional weapons of the Shaolin monastery - pole and sword, whip;
• technique of gripping and creasing (qinna);
• many methods of hard and soft operating.

And, of course, qigong and meditation are an integral part of the training process.

Kung Fu is an ancient Chinese martial art. If you want to learn this art, but there is no one nearby sports school, or you can't afford to pay for classes, or you're too busy, you can learn kung fu on your own. It won't be easy, but it will be worth it.

Steps

Part 1

1. Make room for your workouts. Since you'll be jumping and kicking and punching a lot, you'll need some space. An area of ​​3 by 3 meters will be sufficient.

   • If you don't have an empty training room, clear out one of the corners of any room (move any objects from this corner that you don't want to break and that could injure you).

2. Buy a punching bag. At first you can do without it (since you will be throwing punches in the air), but then you will still need it to practice punches.

   • You can hang the bulb from the ceiling or buy a bulb that sits on the floor.

3. Find instructions. Of course, training with a trainer is the best way to learn kung fu, but you can master this martial art on your own (if you are a persistent and purposeful person). Buy a DVD, watch online videos, or look for training instructions on kung fu school websites. On school websites you will find short videos that will teach you basic movements.

   • It's best to find instructions from multiple sources. There are different schools of kung fu, so you need to choose the training method that suits you best. Moreover, there are many kung fu “experts” online who are not actually kung fu experts. By choosing multiple sources, you will ensure that your movements and strikes are performed correctly.

4. Choose what you will focus on first. You shouldn’t take on everything at once - this is a rather difficult task. Once you have mastered some stances, decide if you want to concentrate on learning jumping, kicking, or punching.

   • We recommend making a training plan. For example, on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays you will practice stances and kicks. And on Tuesdays and Thursdays you will work on balance and flexibility.

   Part 2

   Basic training

   1. Work on your balance and flexibility. Balance in kung fu is necessary in order to take stances correctly. To control your balance, do yoga. Don't think that these are minor exercises - they will help you succeed in learning kung fu.

      • To develop flexibility, start each workout with a warm-up and stretching exercises. Warm-up may include running, jumping and push-ups. Then move on to muscle stretching exercises. This will keep you from getting hurt and will make your body more flexible, allowing you to kick higher and allow your body to bend better.

   2. Master multiple stances. Proper stance is the foundation of any martial art. You will not be able to move correctly if your stance is incorrect. The first three stances described are not intended for combat; they are designed for traditional kung fu and weapon combat.

      • Rider's pose. Bend your knees about 30 degrees, place your feet slightly wider than shoulder-width apart, bend your arms, and press your elbows toward your body. Hold your fists with your palms facing up. Straighten your back (as if you were sitting on a horse).
      • Front pillar. Bend your knees and take your left leg back. Hold your right fist in front of your face and your left fist at chest level. Rearrange your legs so that your left leg is in front. After this, rearrange your hands accordingly.
      • Pose "Cheating Leg". Place your right leg slightly back and transfer your body weight to it. Place your left foot slightly forward and touch the floor only with your left toes. Keep your fists in front of your face (like in boxing). If someone attacks you, you will defend with your left foot.
      • Fighting stance. Very similar to a boxer's stance: one leg slightly in front of the other, fists at face level, knees relaxed.

   3. Practice punches. The force of the blow depends on the position of the hips. Just like boxing, kung fu has jabs, uppercuts and hooks.

      • Jab. Take a fighting stance, place your left foot in front of your right, bend your knees, turn your hip towards your opponent and throw out your left fist, and then immediately your right (while turning your right hip).
      • Hook. Take a fighting stance, place your left foot in front of your right, turn your hips back and strike to the left with your right hand bent at the elbow.
      • Uppercut. Take a fighting stance, lower your fist and strike upward to the opponent's chin. At the same time, rotate your hips slightly.

   4. Practice blocks. Blocks vary depending on what strike you are blocking. Any attacking blow is blocked in a fighting stance. In this position, you are able to protect your face and reduce the effectiveness of your opponent's blows.

      • Blocking jabs, uppercuts and hooks is very similar to that in boxing. Block such blows with a bent arm; with the other hand you can strike back.
      • Use both hands to block elbows and kicks. Keep them bent at face level and rotate your hip towards the opponent's strike. This will protect your face and hurt your opponent.

   5. Practice your kicks. Such strikes are one of the most exciting aspects of kung fu. Here are the three basic kicks.

      • Kick-step. Stand in front of a punching bag. Step forward with your left foot and then hit the right side of the bag with the inside of your foot. Repeat the move with your right leg.
      • Kick-stomp. Stand in front of a punching bag. Step forward with your left leg, and then lift (in front of your body) your right leg, bent at the knee. Apply a sharp blow to the bag (“stomp” on it).
      • Side impact. Take a fighting stance with your left foot forward. Shift your weight to your left leg and use your right foot to kick the bag at shoulder level. Stay in this position (right leg raised) to practice balance.

   6. Practice throwing combinations of punches (in the air and on the punching bag). First, learn how to throw punches in the air correctly, and then move on to punching the bag. If you are tired, take a break.

      • After you have thoroughly practiced punching the punching bag, find a sparring partner. Don't forget to wear protection (if you have one), or ask your partner to wear special gloves so that you can practice punches (hands and feet) with them.

   Part 3

   Basic movements

   1. "Dragon". This movement serves to intimidate the opponent. While moving, you must look directly at the opponent. Here's how it's done:

      • Get into horseback position, but place your legs wider and bend them more (squat deeper).
      • Throw your wrist out (as you would with a jab), but bend your fingers into a claw shape rather than a fist.
      • Come out of the squat and deliver a side kick to the opponent's stomach area.

   2. "Snake". This is a backward movement with the head raised up when struck (as a snake does).

      • Spread your legs, place your right leg behind your left. Shift your weight to your back leg. Keep your knees bent.
      • Hold your hands as if you want to punch through your opponent. Throw your right hand forward.
      • Block your opponent by grabbing his arm and deliver a stomp.

   3. "Leopard". This movement will allow you to retreat if necessary.

      • Take a fighting stance, but place your feet wider and shift your body weight to your back leg.
      • When throwing a punch, shift your body weight to your front leg and punch with the knuckles of your open hand (not your fist). Perform this strike carefully, or you will injure your hand.

   4. "Crane". A passive move used when an enemy approaches you.

      • Get into Leg Cheat pose, but place your feet close together to hide the cheat leg.
      • Raise your arms to the sides, distracting your opponent.
      • As your opponent approaches, strike with a "fake" leg (that is, a leg that only rests on the ground with its toes).

   5. "Tiger". Fast and efficient movement.

      • Take a fighting stance, but place your feet wider. Basically, you have to kind of crouch down.
      • Keep your hands at shoulder level; Fold your fingers into a claw shape (which points outward).
      • Throw a jab-jab combo followed by a side kick to the opponent's neck.

   Part 4

   Philosophy

   1. Know that there are two main schools of kung fu. On non-training days, read classical literature in kung fu and martial arts, such as Sun Tzu, Bruce Lee, Tak Wah Eng, David Chow and Lam Sai Wing. You will get an idea of ​​two schools of kung fu.

      • Shaolin. This is the oldest kung fu school. She is known for “external” movements and workouts aimed at strengthening muscles, ligaments and tendons. This school symbolizes what most people think of kung fu.
      • Wu Dong. It's not that old school that interprets the original Kung Fu concepts. She is known for "internal" movements and workouts aimed at strengthening and controlling vitality(chi). This school focuses on meditation, contemplation (Zen) and inner strength.

   2. Compare your movements with the movements of animals. This comparison is at the heart of kung fu. It will also direct your thinking in the right direction and force you to use your full potential.

      • Rumor has it that there is an athlete in New Zealand who once dug a hole about a meter deep and jumped in and out of it. Gradually he made the hole deeper and deeper and step by step he turned into a kangaroo man. You have to think about the animals not only during the fight, but also during training.

   3. Meditate . Japanese samurai used meditation to improve their fighting skills. They believed (and not without reason) that meditation would help them develop tactics for a future battle. Meditation clears your mind and helps you gain peace of mind and strength, so it is recommended to meditate for about 15 minutes daily.

      • Imagine a car accident. When it happens, time seems to slow down. This is the state of meditation. This calm state is very helpful during a contraction because everything slows down and you can react faster.

   4. Train, train and train some more. This is the only way to succeed in kung fu. The movements themselves may seem useless. But if you train daily, meditate, read literature, this will become your way of life (then you will wonder how you lived without kung fu).

      • Practice punching in the air, on the punching bag, and with a sparring partner.
      • Correct mistakes in movements and strikes. Watch the instructions to make sure you do everything correctly. Otherwise you will learn something other than kung fu.