Kung fu generally translates as "skill developed through hard work" or "perfection". However, it has become defined to mean "Chinese martial arts" largely due to its introduction to the Western world by Bruce Lee.
Originating within the Shaolin temple in China in approximately the 4th century, kung fu developed as a set of exercises to help the Shaolin Buddhist monks keep themselves healthy while carrying out the rigorous meditation regime required of them.
In addition to learning to fight, kung fu also seeks to discipline and develop yourself physically, mentally and spiritually. It aims at constantly move outside of your comfort zone in order to grow and drive yourself to constantly seek more from yourself.
Often, the way kung fu masters teach seems strange, but it is very methodical. They may not answer all your questions or validate things. Instead, a kung fu student must learn and understand for themselves. Basics often seem a bit pointless (circling your wrists around, kicking your leg straight up in the air or holding strange stances). But with time and perseverance you begin to understand how integral to your development they are as these unique kung fu exercises build up strong foundations and good body mechanics.
What is so difficult about kung fu is trusting in the process of perfection. You just cant rush development in kung fu. You need to spend a lot of time on basics and foundations. They are the key to your progress in the beginning as well as later on. To the undisciplined, many of the basic developmental movements seem useless. A kung fu saying is, "in order to truly taste my cup of tea, you must empty your cup." This means that you must let go of your ego and submit to the process. It isn't until many years of training that you'll be able to see why so many of the things you do are useful.
Also, it is important to spend some of your free time practicing and reviewing, so in class time you can progress more. Sometimes masters will mention a key point only once, so if you dont get it and practice it in your free time, its gone. You need to keep practicing everyday without fail to improve. Another saying in China, "miss one days training and you will know, miss two days training and your master will know, miss three days training and everyone will know."
Bruce Lee's Kung Fu
As a kid growing up in Hong Kong, Bruce Lee began to study kung fu, which is pronounced "gung fu" in Chinese. There are many types of kung fu, but Lee studied the system known as Wing Chun.
Bruce Lee studied Wing Chun from the legendary grandmaster named Yip Man, also known as "Ip Man". During this time, Lee learned the basics of how to punch, kick and defend himself.
In addition to the physical training, Lee also became interested in the philosophical aspects of martial arts. From Yip Man, Lee first learned about Eastern philosophy, such as Zen and the Tao, as well as the teachings of Buddha and Confucius. He learning that "there is no conquering, struggling, or dominating," as he wrote later. "The best example... is water. Water can penetrate the hardest granite because is is yeilding. One cannot stabe or strike at water and hurt it, because that which offers no resistance cannot be overcome." The "empy-mindedness" he learned from his Wing Chun training, Lee wrote later, "applies to all activities."
For Bruce Lee, as well as Yip Man, water, always flowing, was a central metaphor for the correct practice of kung fu. As Yip Man said, "A man should always think of the source of the water as he drinks it."
More important, he learned that studying martial arts is more than just learning how to fight. When practiced properly, martial arts can also lead to learning the art of detachment and overall calmness and peace of mind. It is more than just learning how to punch and kick; it is a way of life meant to make the dedicated student a better person.
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© The Dragon Institute | 34241 Pacific Coast Highway #105 | Dana Point, CA 92673 | ockungfu.com
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Kung fu generally translates as "skill developed through hard work" or "perfection". However, it has become defined to mean "Chinese martial arts" largely due to its introduction to the Western world by Bruce Lee.
Originating within the Shaolin temple in China in approximately the 4th century, kung fu developed as a set of exercises to help the Shaolin Buddhist monks keep themselves healthy while carrying out the rigorous meditation regime required of them.
In addition to learning to fight, kung fu also seeks to discipline and develop yourself physically, mentally and spiritually. It aims at constantly move outside of your comfort zone in order to grow and drive yourself to constantly seek more from yourself.
Often, the way kung fu masters teach seems strange, but it is very methodical. They may not answer all your questions or validate things. Instead, a kung fu student must learn and understand for themselves. Basics often seem a bit pointless (circling your wrists around, kicking your leg straight up in the air or holding strange stances). But with time and perseverance you begin to understand how integral to your development they are as these unique kung fu exercises build up strong foundations and good body mechanics.
What is so difficult about kung fu is trusting in the process of perfection. You just cant rush development in kung fu. You need to spend a lot of time on basics and foundations. They are the key to your progress in the beginning as well as later on. To the undisciplined, many of the basic developmental movements seem useless. A kung fu saying is, "in order to truly taste my cup of tea, you must empty your cup." This means that you must let go of your ego and submit to the process. It isn't until many years of training that you'll be able to see why so many of the things you do are useful.
Also, it is important to spend some of your free time practicing and reviewing, so in class time you can progress more. Sometimes masters will mention a key point only once, so if you dont get it and practice it in your free time, its gone. You need to keep practicing everyday without fail to improve. Another saying in China, "miss one days training and you will know, miss two days training and your master will know, miss three days training and everyone will know."
Bruce Lee's Kung Fu
As a kid growing up in Hong Kong, Bruce Lee began to study kung fu, which is pronounced "gung fu" in Chinese. There are many types of kung fu, but Lee studied the system known as Wing Chun.
Bruce Lee studied Wing Chun from the legendary grandmaster named Yip Man, also known as "Ip Man". During this time, Lee learned the basics of how to punch, kick and defend himself.
In addition to the physical training, Lee also became interested in the philosophical aspects of martial arts. From Yip Man, Lee first learned about Eastern philosophy, such as Zen and the Tao, as well as the teachings of Buddha and Confucius. He learning that "there is no conquering, struggling, or dominating," as he wrote later. "The best example... is water. Water can penetrate the hardest granite because is is yeilding. One cannot stabe or strike at water and hurt it, because that which offers no resistance cannot be overcome." The "empy-mindedness" he learned from his Wing Chun training, Lee wrote later, "applies to all activities."
For Bruce Lee, as well as Yip Man, water, always flowing, was a central metaphor for the correct practice of kung fu. As Yip Man said, "A man should always think of the source of the water as he drinks it."
More important, he learned that studying martial arts is more than just learning how to fight. When practiced properly, martial arts can also lead to learning the art of detachment and overall calmness and peace of mind. It is more than just learning how to punch and kick; it is a way of life meant to make the dedicated student a better person.
Share
© The Dragon Institute | 34241 Pacific Coast Highway #105 | Dana Point, CA 92673 | ockungfu.com
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