Kung Fu is the colloquial term used to describe the Chinese martial arts which may have been in existence for over 4,000 years.  It is an approach toward life and self-cultivation which includes combat but is as much about spiritual training and self-evolvement as it is about fighting.

History of Kung Fu - [ Shaolin ]  A great deal of Kung Fu's history is obscure. Because dates and details are often contradictory, much of what we hear today must be considered legendary.

The term Kung Fu actually means "time" and "effort" and can actually refer to any endeavour which is approached with an attitude of slow and persistent perfection through time. The common understanding of the term Kung Fu denotes a martial and fighting context; however Kung Fu is also founded deeply on ideas of character development and right action. You can just as easily be Kung Fu at street cleaning or piano playing.

The vehicle most commonly attached to the term Kung Fu is fighting - but not just fighting, fighting as an "art". There is not now nor has there ever been a "pure" martial art. The styles and systems we know are the accumulated result of many individual's knowledge and experience who naturally learned from knowledge handed down to them from their predecessors, but just as naturally, found approaches and techniques on their own which added to the existing knowledge. For these reasons kung fu, stays truly alive and not a static, fixed entity.

A martial art should be based on effectiveness, rather than strict dogma and tradition, on efficiency and what really works, rather than just concept.  An effective martial art system is just what it is - a practical and useful method of mind, body, spirit training.

The diversity of approaches found in Kung Fu makes Kung Fu an excellent art for all.  There are a wide range of Kung Fu techniques. Punches and kicks from all angles, attacking blocks, as well as those that just simply "defend"; Joint-locking or chin-na, throwing or take-down techniques and wrestling as well as various controls and methods of subduing an opponent.

Kung Fu also makes use of "forms" - or dance-like series' of movements - where martial applications are put together in a continuous sequence. These sequenced forms are used to practice fighting technique.  Straight line movements and actions are interspersed with circular movements in a way that follows the body's natural way of moving. In Kung Fu one utilizes the most efficient tool and "energy" for the situation, using sometimes power and sometimes almost soft springy energy.

In Kung Fu speed and efficiency can be important. Training develops speed through relaxation of the muscles and conservation of movement. That is, since the muscles move faster when relaxed rather than when tense, Kung Fu tends to keep the muscles relaxed until the point of contact when tension will do the most good. Conservation of movement means that there is not necessarily a large winding up motion before the action to generate energy from any position.  Kung Fu also conserves movement through the use of circular momentum. This means that one utilizes curving and circular motions that have very little stopping and starting. This eliminates much of the energy lost in the process of having to stop and change direction for the next motion. 

Fluidity is also very important in Kung Fu. Movements are allowed to flow in circular and elliptical ways to lend grace and momentum to the techniques. Such movements are beautiful as well as healthy and powerful. They circulate energy, loosen the joints, and stretch out the muscles and tendons. Such movements are multi-purposed. They are aesthetically pleasing, healthy, and also devastatingly effective.

In Kung Fu stability of stance is important. Strong stances are good for combat confrontations, but probably even more important is the fact that they are good for health, strengthening the legs, and helping to cultivate and mobilize energy throughout the whole body. Inherent in stance work is the idea that principles of physics and body dynamics are utilized to make techniques function in the best possible way. Stances move the body, increase power in the legs for kicking, and help create more power in the application of upper body techniques.

Along with stances the principle of body structure is very important. This is the idea that the body be held in a structurally aligned position so that every movement is back up not simply with muscles but with the structural integrity of the whole body, including the body's connection to the ground. This approach creates powerful and effective techniques but also increases the stability of the body at all times.  In dealing with an attacker, Kung Fu strives to utilize the ability to strike any portion of the adversary's anatomy from the head to the toe. Developing the ability to use any part of one's own body to strike with - the fingers, hands, elbows, knees, head, feet, shoulders, hip, etc.

Kung Fu utilizes the proper tools and actions for that particular situation using the skill of striking important vital areas of the opponent's body.

A regular part of Kung Fu training is devoted to developing specific weapons and their particular ranges of motion. In the end this becomes a matter of feel.  Stability, fluidity, and accuracy are important in the body actions of Kung Fu, but they are also important in other ways. They are qualities to be sought not just in the body, but also in the mind and spirit. An attitude that is confident, assured, and concentrated, yet open to new ideas is truly a goal worth cultivating.

Strengthening and stretching are gradually evolved, as is aerobic conditioning and coordination. Martial skills are gained through a gradual progression and a layering of techniques one upon the other. Perfection of technique is sought over the course of time, not insisted upon to the point of stagnation and never learning anything new. One works hard to perfect hat one has learned, yet always has new challenges.   Kung Fu is noted for its practicality in fighting, yet the other side of the coin, the mental and the spiritual sides, is not slighted. One can easily use the pre-set sequences of simulated fighting to develop concentration, energy focus, control, poise, conditioning, naturalness, self-confidence, spatial-awareness, as well as imagination, spirit, and a deep understanding of the interconnectedness of mind, body, and spirit.  All these qualities are not separate, but a single complete and unified totality. At this level, one may for the first time truly understand what is meant when it is said that kung fu is not just a fighting system, but is a true system of growth and self-cultivation. At the deeper levels, developing Kung Fu is developing wholeness physically, mentally, and spiritually.