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Chinese Arts
Chinese Martial Arts
Often referred to as kung fu,
chuan fa or
wushu, the Chinese martial arts have existed for thousands of years and are as eclectic as they are old. Countless martial paths have developed in China over the centuries, and each takes its own approach to self-defense. Some mimic the movements of animals, such as the tiger, crane or snake; others, like
wing chun and
tai chi chuan, build their systems around a particular philosophy. Students of the internal arts spend years developing and harnessing their
chi, while disciplines of the northern arts devote their lives to becoming the physical embodiments of strength and endurance. Styles from northern China focus on flowing transitions and flying kicks, while southern systems use stable stances and power-packed punches. To borrow an old saying, "Southern kicks and northern fists."