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Monday, June 27, 2016

Kung Fu

Introduction
Kung Fu was created in the Shaolin Temple.  A Buddhist monk came to the temple in 464 CE.  2 of his Chinese disciples created Kung Fu.  Since they were Buddhists, they incorporated Buddhism in Kung Fu. Chan Buddhism is the religion of the monks at the Shaolin Temple.  The history of kung fu is over 2,000 tears old.  They have many styles, exercises, and techniques.
History
When Bodhidharma came to the Shaolin Temple, he taught his monks' martial arts.  During the Tang dynasty, the emperor son was kidnapped by rebels.  13 monks from the Shaolin Temple retrieved the son and returned him to the emperor.  After that the Shaolin Temple became popular.  Soldiers would go there to become better warriors.  The leader of the Qing dynasty had the temple burned to the ground.  It was because people that opposed him lived there.  A lot of knowledge was lost.  Some of the monks survived by running away.  It was rebuilt later.  Kung Fu influenced many other martial arts such as Karate.
Styles
18 hands of the Arhat: This is the oldest style of Kung Fu.  It has 18 movements.  It is largely based on Chi Kung.
Long Fist: This is an aggressive style that uses long punches and kicks.  It involves a lot of movement.  This style will make you a gymnast.  It remains me of form 4 of Star Wars.
Through the Back Fist: It is an internal style and it is based on Taoism.  This style makes your punches stronger.  This style as 5 elements.
6 Harmonies Boxing: This style incorporates qigong.  It has empty hands and weapon forms.
There are many other styles.
Exercises
Kung Fu exercises help you become more flexible.  Some people even learn to fight without seeing.  There are exercises that strengthen your fists and feet and other body parts.  There are many stances, a lot of which are based on animals.  They do a lot of meditation.
Techniques
Iron Body: You make your body not feel pain.
Eagle Claw: "Lock opponent so they can't move."  Break bones and rip muscles.  Block attacks.  Dodge. 'Keep enemy off balance.'
Tiger Tail Kick: Low right kick, while on your left knee.
Tiger Front Sweep: Quick low right kick.  You would place your hands on the ground when you do it.  It will cause your opponent to fall.
Squeeze Neck:  Squeeze enemy throat and break windpipe
Conclusion
Kung Fu is awesome!!!!!!!!  It is my second favorite martial art.  It has great styles, exercises, and techniques.  It was very influential to Asian Martial Arts.  It is also spiritual.  By learning Kung Fu, you become very fit and develop hetep.      
                     
References
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shaolin_Monastery
http://martialarts.about.com/od/styles/a/A-History-And-Style-Guide-Of-Shaolin-Kung-Fu.htm
http://www.blackbeltwiki.com/eagle-claw
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fishf6nU0sc

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