El Kung Fu is one of the most complete martial arts and known in the west. As we have known it, it has the meaning of traditional Chinese martial art, without more. However, in China an interesting meaning is also added "master's degree”, To be outstanding in something, trade, profession, etc, it is said“ to have a good kung fu ”.
If your son or daughter shows an interest in this martial art, encourage him to practice it, It is one hundred percent recommended for children from the age of 4, and for everyone, regardless of their age. Nunac is late to start, so you want to accompany him, go ahead!
Little history of Kung Fu
If your child has seen Kung Fu Panda or any martial art movie and wants to sign up for classes, we will tell you where it comes from ancient practice, which was born around the XNUMXth century. The golden age is in the XNUMXth century. We can say that in the West Kung Fu came to us in the 70's through Bruce Lee, who, on the other hand, was very controversial among Kung Fu purists. He mime created a personal style, which comes from a traditional style: Wing Chun.
If we want to focus on a location we can say that Kung Fu has its origin in Shaolin monasteries of the North and Shaolin of the South, both founded by Bodhi Darma and inhabited by Buddhist warrior monks, although there are also some styles of Kung Fu of Taoist origin.
Kung Fu is directly related to Tai Chi Chuan, and in it we can find the external styles, which are the best known and most popular, and the internal styles such as Chi Kung. Kung Fu styles are mostly inspired by the movements of some animals like dragon, tiger, leopard, snake, monkey, crane, mantis ...
Characteristics that any Kung Fu school must have
Before enrolling your child in a school or association of this martial art verify your lineageThis is an essential requirement for your teaching to be quality and truthful. Keeping the traditional of the different styles. The styles that have survived to this day, if it is a good school, will remain as genuine and authentic as in its origin.
Having lineage means that several generations of teachers have taught the sifu (teacher who will teach your son, or daughter, and transmit the teachings). It also checks that the school or association belongs to a federation.
In practice it should be a traditional teaching system in which the boy or the girl, will be formed correctly on a mental and physical level. Will create in him some values applicable to everyday life: such as a sense of duty, perseverance, discipline, respect, camaraderie, self-improvement ... in general, balance.
Styles that can be practiced
In Spain, including the Canary Islands and the Balearic Islands, there are several Kung Fu federations and associations. The most common styles that we can find in our cities are:
- Wing chun One of the best known styles. It is also a South China style. It is ideal for get started in Kung FuIt only has 6 shapes, which are 2 empty-handed, one wooden doll, and 2 traditional weapons. The use of these weapons is for display only.
- Choi Li Fut. It also consists of a southern style in which fists predominate and grabs and projections, accompanied by leg work, with 70% of importance. It is a long style, this means more than 10 years of learning, with 200 different ways of fighting, which includes traditional weapons, which, as in Wing Chun, is only used in training and exhibitions.
- Hung Gar. It is another style from the South. The characteristic is that they are positions with the body very low, which is ideal for strengthening children's legs.
- Shaolin quan It is the most common example of North China Kung Fu. In this style, the most acrobatic of all, the leg is used a lot, jumps and cartwheels. Your kids can see a taste of this style in some Jet Li movies.