[image: chinesemartialarts.eu]
Welcome to Punch Kick Kung Fu. The term Kung Fu actually refers to a wide range of Chinese martial arts disciplines. These disciplines can be categorized in several different ways. One can classify them as external or internal, or according to their religious affiliations (Islamic, Taoist or Buddhist).
External vs Internal
Most Chinese martial arts are external (外家 , or wàijiā). External martial arts emphasize strength and agility, and involve movements like fast punches and high kicks. They also have a more practical approach, and are used in fighting and competition. In training, external styles begin with muscle training, agility and speed, and once the pupil has reached a certain level of prowess, begin to tackle inner meditation. Some examples of external martial arts are wushu and shaolinquan.
Internal martial arts (內家, or nèijiā), focus on breathing, awareness and spirit. The movements are often much slower than external martial arts in order to force the practicioner to remain aware of his body. Internal martial arts training involves stance work, muscle stretches and empty hands and no-weapon forms. Once internal martial artists are well-versed in their craft, they perform much more quickly. The most famous form of internal martial arts is taijiquan.
Religious Affiliations
Chinese martial arts are also influence by the various religions in China. Many styles were founded by groups influenced by one of three great religions: Buddhism, Taoism and Islam.
Some forms of Chinese martial arts originated within Buddhist temples and later spread through the community. The most famous of these are the Shaolin styles like Shaolinquan, Luohanquan, Hung Gar, Wing Chun, Dragon style and White Crane.
Taoist styles were created or trained mostly within Taoist Temples or by Taoist ascetics, which often later spread out to laymen. Some of these arts include Taijiquan, Wudangquan, Baguazhang, and Liuhebafa.
Islamic styles are those that were practiced traditionally solely or mainly by the Muslim Hui minority in China. These styles often include Islamic principles or imagery. Example of these styles include: Chāquán, Tan Tui, Xingyiquan, and Qishiquan.