 
by Alex Bragg
To understand the martial arts, it's best to know where they began. While there are many different styles from various countries, just about any style can trace its origins to China. There have always been different arts floating around China during its 5000-year history, but they weren't interrelated. Often styles of fighting were kept within a family, passed down from father to son. China's great tradition is credited to have begun when Bodhidharma came to China from India around the turn of the 6th century. He came upon the Small Forest Temple, or Shaolin-si, and found the monks in pitiful physical condition. He criticized them, saying they needed both strong minds and bodies in order to achieve enlightenment.
This is how he founded the system of Chi Kung, or the Art of Developing chi. Chi, known as Ki in Japan, is a person's vital life energy that permeates us all. In Chinese tradition, the origin of a person's chi is below the navel. It is different from raw, physical strength - it is the inner strength derived from one's spirit, character, and mentality. In western terms, the closest synonym would be one's soul, but not necessarily with an individual conscious. It is can be cultivated and stored through proper exercise, focus and conditioning.
This might seem a little hokey to those of us with a more practical disposition, but it's is not as new-agey as it might sound. The flow of chi is the basis for the arts of acupuncture, acupressure, and shiatsu massage. If you're still in doubt, try this simple experiment. Stand up as you normally would, with your weight resting mostly on your toes. With your hand against your diaphragm, take as deep breath as you can. Now, shift your weight to your heels and lean your head slightly back. It might feel a little strange, but now try taking a deep breath with your hand against your diaphragm. You might be surprised on how much more you can actually breathe. According to the rules of chi, the latter stance is a more natural position for humans: think about how babies stand when they first learn to walk. This more natural stance allows fore more natural breathing, better relaxation of the body, and better circulation of air throughout the body. In other words, better chi.
Chi Kung helped to strengthen the inner organs of the monks who practiced it and after time, the improved health was apparent externally as well. These techniques, which also became known as "Iron Shirt" techniques, conditioned their bodies to become more resistant to physical damage, beyond what was thought normally possible. In modern times, there are well-documented cases of iron shirts practitioners how have had arrows shot and knives thrust at them, only to have the weapons bounce off or deflected by the body. Pretty soon news of this spread, and people came to learn these "Iron Shirt" techniques to better improve their own techniques. The temples became a networking place of sorts, and soon the monks were learning techniques form all over the country and combining them to a unified system. Thus, the Shaolin Arts of Kung-Fu Wushu were developed.
An important distinction to make at this time is the generic labeling of all martial arts is as "kung-fu" or "karate." To call martial arts "karate" is dead wrong; karate is but one Japanese form among many arts from different countries. To call them "kung-fu" is a bit misleading as well. "Kung fu" simply means a learned art. For a musician, his kung-fu could be playing the guitar. So when referring to all martial arts, yes they are all kung-fu. However, Chinese arts can generally be referred to as "Wushu," which means "Art of War."
Over time, the arts of Shaolin were carried to other lands, often influencing different styles being developed. This was especially prevalent when oppressed people were outlawed from carrying weapons to defend themselves. For instance, Japan and China both occupied Okinawa from the 16th through 17th centuries. (Frederic, 175). Some peasants, however, had been to China and picked up techniques of Kempo. They utilized this style and transformed existing farming tools into suitable weapons. The nunchucku, two wooden sticks approximately 12-15 inches long each and connected by a single rope, was originally a flail for gathering grain. In their hands it became an effective instrument used for blocking and trapping weapons, and delivering blows that can crack a coconut open with a single strike. Another famous example is the tonfa, a baton around 18 inches long with an extra "handle" protruding at a right angle 4 inches from its base. It was originally used a lever for turning a mortar. In these modern days it's better known as a popular law enforcement weapon used for blows, blocks, and take-downs. The overall system of fighting developed in feudal Okinawa has a well-known name today, too - karate.
The story of Okinawa is a common one among Asian countries. A country is overrun by a foreign power, weapons are outlawed, and so the studies of martial arts flourished. At some times even martial arts were banned, but this never suppressed their growth. Often they were practiced in secret, their forms disguised as ritual dances. Either way, these events gave birth to the hundreds of different styles, each with their own culture, form, and philosophy.
Moving ahead to the modern world, you now know there are many different styles of martial arts. But which is the best style for you? Read on... |
