Kung Fu

Bruce Lee, the martial artist who created the jeet kune do style, emphasized that an effective feint is a deceiving thrust. It lures the opponent into making an appropriate parry, yet leaves the...

Perhaps because of its violent side, kung fu stresses manners and respect. This importance, combined with its roots in Chinese culture, make kung fu etiquette very mysterious. In fact, fear of...

For centuries, marital arts experts of the Far East have used throwing stars as an effective throwing weapon. Unlike a knife, which can only harm a target with one end, a throwing star is...

Nunchucks are essential to any would-be ninja looking to gear up for a battle or just to impress your ninja friends. Even if you don't know how to use the "boatman's staff," just swinging the...

Kung Fu not only teaches you self defense, but you can also improve your confidence, self esteem, flexibility, posture and overall fitness level. Kung Fu is especially beneficial to kids and...

Training with a Wing Chun Butterfly Sword is considered the highest skill in Kung Fu martial arts. It is known as "bot jaam do," which means "eight sword cut" because it is made up of eight...

Wing Chun Kung Fu is a martial art known for its simplicity. It is mostly an open handed style of fighting. Learning to use weapons such as the Wing Chun long pole are also considered to be an...

Although the most famous use of the back fist in martial arts is probably the spinning back fist, it is by no means the only effective use of the back fist. The center punch back fist is actually...

The kung fu center punch is sometimes called a rotary or rotation punch. There are variations among the many styles of kung fu regarding the targeting of the punches and the rotation of the hands....

Known by a variety of names in different styles, the kung fu front kick is a snapping kick thrown by the rear leg. Similar kicks can be found in almost every martial art in the world. Although it...

It is important to stretch and warm up before any kung fu training sessions. It is also very important to stretch at other times as well to increase overall flexibility. The overall goal should be...

The cat stance is used extensively in Chinese martial arts. In addition to being used in tiger and leopard styles, it can also be found in non-cat-based styles such as crane. It allows for...

In kung fu, the cross stance is frequently used to deliver lower-torso strikes. While lowering the body of the fighter, this stance provides a great deal of stability. From this stance the fighter...

The horse riding stance, also known simply as the horse stance, is one of the most common stances in the martial arts. Found in northern- and southern-based kung fu styles, it is used as a basic...

The mountain climbing stance is similar to the generic kung fu front or forward stance at first glance, but it is a separate stance with a different purpose. Many styles designate the mountain...

The pu tui stance is a low stance that keeps the dominant side in the rear, ready to strike with maximum power--often by springing up from the pu tui. The pu tui, called in some kung fu styles the...

The single leg stance is used extensively in Chinese martial arts for both armed and unarmed combat. The raised leg allows for quick blocks and counterkicks. It also allows the student to squarely...

Kung fu dates back over 1500 years and has changed over the times, becoming one of the most common types of Chinese martial arts. It claims to bring confidence and clarity while at the same time...

Many martial artists regard Bruce Lee as their greatest inspiration. Lee revolutionized martial arts, placing focus on honing his body into a weapon while integrating techniques from many styles....

After coming out of the theater, all you can think about are those Kung Fu masters in the movie, flying through the air, spinning, kicking and punching in flurries. If you just knew a couple of...

Kung fu is a westernized version of a Chinese martial art, which originally incorporated numerous training styles. Practicing kung fu can help maintain weight, tone muscles, increase flexibility...

The Duan Chuan routine, or short attack fist form, is a series of stances, punches and kicks that are practiced in kung fu. Most of these techniques are easily mastered by themselves. It is when...

The Small Mountain Stance in kung fu (also called the Small Mountain Climbing Stance) should be practiced to perfect form and technique rather than striving for power. Through practice, it will...

Taiwan is a fantastic place to study both traditional and modern martial arts. Practitioners can be found in small parks wearing running shoes and smoking cigarettes or in large, scientific...

Picking the right Martial Arts school can be confusing at best unless you only have one choice.Here are some pointers to help you make your decision.

Sticky hands, also known as Chi Sau, is an important component of your Wing Chan Kung Fu martial arts training session. It is where partners face each other and practice offensive and defensive...

Kung Fu provides many escapes and releases from common situations that are likely to occur during a threatening physical confrontation. By the time a person earns a Black Belt, he will know many...

A double arm grab from the front usually occurs when the assailant is grabbing a smaller person to control them. Fortunately, for the victim, this puts the assailant in a vulnerable position and...

Kung Fu provides many self-defense techniques to help a victim escape from an attacker. As an ancient Chinese martial art, the techniques Kung Fu uses have a history of success when performed...

Front bear hugs are never fun but when the person squeezing intends to harm you, it becomes dangerous. Kung Fu, a Chinese martial art, offers many self-defense techniques against assailants. The...

The front choke is commonly seen in crimes where the assailant wants to subdue or kill his victim quickly. However, unless the attacker is unusually strong or uses his thumbs to collapse the...

A front headlock involves an assailant wrapping his arms around your neck with his body very close and facing you. Traditional Chinese Kung Fu provides a couple of techniques for self-defense in...

When an assailant grabs your lapel, it's an aggressive move but not one that presents a clear physical danger. Kung Fu offers a couple of self-defense techniques that will allow you to escape your...

When someone comes up from behind you and grabs you in a rear bear hug, pinning your arms to your sides, it can be a frightening experience. However, if you already know some techniques for...

Kung fu is an excellent martial art to study, and it can also give you a great workout. Many people practice kung fu for safety and street smarts. Many kung fu techniques and movements can save...

When you're walking along and an attacker approaches from behind, grabbing both of your wrists; you have a couple of options for escape. Kung Fu, a Chinese martial art, offers self-defense...

The most common situation in which to experience a rear shirt grab is when you are standing in line or walking. An assailant comes up behind you and reaches out his hand, grabbing the back of your...

When someone reaches out and grabs your shoulder from the front, your reaction depends upon the amount of aggression and his intent to do you bodily harm. If you feel you are in a dangerous...

Kung fu is a great sport to get involved in, and it can protect you from criminals. Learning different kung fu techniques can also keep you fit and keep your energy levels up. Sometimes the enemy...

The fighting principles of kung fu stress a mindful approach to uses of the body. In the case of using hands, kung fu requires the fighter to form a fist into an amplified weapon against an...

The side headlock can be used by an attacker to stop air flow and blood flow to the brain. Self-defense moves should be basic and easy to remember to ensure proper execution. Maintain a clear head...

Jeet kune do, the style of martial arts developed by Bruce Lee, uses the motion and weight of opponents to neutralize blocks and turn them into part of the attack. Jeet kune do pulling energy...

Jeet kune do translates to "the way of the intercepted fist." Bruce Lee, the father of jeet kune do, developed a collection of movements and physical attitudes that preempt an attack with an...

Kung fu's effectiveness depends on the trainee's level of flexibility and physical conditioning. Essential to this preparation is an intensive and thorough warm up and stretching session that...

Jeet kune do demands an intense level of commitment and energy investment from trainees that only increases with advancement. The payoff of correct training in Bruce Lee's now famous martial arts...

Having mastered some of the basic stances in Kung Fu, it is a good idea to try them in combination with a few of the basic punches. Below are the basic steps for a combination center punch and...

Grabbing wrists to disarm a victim is a technique frequently utilized by attackers. In Kung Fu there are numerous techniques for getting out of wrists grabs. The crane technique includes defenses...

Short attack fist form also known as the Duan Chuan routine is both a display of knowledge and grace. Below the routine is broken down step by step for maximum retention.

Kung Fu is the ultimate self-defense art as it uses the opponent's weight and often gravity against them. When a potential attacker who is stronger and taller grabs both wrists, it may seem like...

The Kung Fu technique called grab and punch is also known as lop sao and offers yet another method of self-defense. The grab and punch brings the opponent towards the body, causing them to lose...