What is Kung Fu
Kung Fu is an ancient fighting system which makes optimal use of the human body and the laws of physics. The name comes from the Chinese for 'hard work', or 'perfection'.
Originating at the Shaolin temple in China from the 4th century onwards, Kung Fu developed as a set of exercises to help Buddhist monks keep themselves healthy whilst carrying out the rigorous meditation regime required of them.
Kung Fu is an open martial art, which means that its styles can be adapted by those who have perfected them. In this way they have developed, over hundreds of years, into a potentially lethal form of self-defence.
Kung fu is very different from western-style boxing. Boxers use punches with long follow through, as they are aiming to knock their opponents over. In kung fu the aim is to cause as much damage as possible without losing balance, so strikes are extremely quick and controlled.
