Martial arts Myths: futher explaination on Shaolin and Kung Fu's classification quirks.

Yes, I know it's been a while since I've done a video, and I know this isn't a more "serious" topic on, say, the current political climate and such. Don't worry, that's coming. You're just going to have to deal with this for now. :P

Anyway, because of some interesting comments and PM's that I have received over my Shaolin videos (don't worry, they weren't bad), I decided to do this one to further explain my views. Part of it is to help clarify my position, and part of it is also because I realize that few people these days know about the influence that kung fu's various classification efforts have had over what people think about their styles today. Many people think their style was originated in Shaolin simply because that name is part of the name of their art. As you will see, that really doesn't mean much. Chinese martial arts have had some weird ways to classify themselves... and all the efforts are flawed.

By the way, I just want to say right now that while I come down hard on these classifications, I do understand that the first two I mention in the video, while flawed, are decent enough, as far as general descriptions go. But it's important to know that they can be misleading, and they don't tell the whole story. The lesson here: don't get too caught up with names.


Books to check out:

"The Spring and Autumn
of Chinese Martial Arts - 5000 years"
- by Professor Kang Ge-Wu

If you really want to know about how kung fu developed in China, you need to get your hands on this. There are few books in English that truly represent scholarly work on the subject. This is one of them.


"Chinese Martial Arts Training Manuals"
- by Brian Kennedy and Elizabeth Guo

I recommended this book before in a video, and I'm doing it again here. Even though the main subject is on the manuals themselves, there is an extra effort given to dispel many of the nonsense that pervades Chinese martial arts these days. This book should be in every serious practitioner's personal library.


The Sword Polisher's Record
- by Adam Hsu

Adam Hsu is considered one of the best Kung Fu Masters today for a reason. Not only is he highly skilled, but he's also well versed in the history of his arts. A lot of what he says tend to be things that people don't want to hear, but then again, those people tend to be the ones who don't want to put in the effort that Kung Fu demands of it's practitioners. This collection of essays gives much for the student to ponder, and it also does a decent job of dispelling myths as well.

Happy reading. And keep on training.

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[kurlii]

What do you mean Xing-Yi "the so-called" internal martial art? I don't get it. In my time studying the style I never encountered any "hard" aspect. All the energy, force, and power was generated internally. My Sifu demonstrated massive power devoid of any physical strength technic. His sticky hands technic would adhere to you like a magnet. Pls validate your statement.

[Swordsage]

@kurlii I suggest you read Adam's Hsu's works on the subject, but to sum up, any expert in martial arts will tell you that "internal" and "external" are more levels of achievement and understanding, or a different way to approach developing. An "external" student starts out hard, but then "softens" up as time goes on, and the opposite can be said for "internal" fighters. Plus, believe it or not, the terms "internal" and "external" didn't exist back in the old days. Go research for yourself.

[Swordsage]

Oh, and if you honestly think there is no physical ability used at all in any internal style, then why is it so important to move and stand in a certain way? It shouldn't matter what stance you're in, or how your spine is aligned, if no physical technique was needed. I don't doubt your teacher's ability at all, but I'm willing to bet much of it is based on his sensitivity to your movement, ie, his "listening" skill, as well as constant practice: repetition of something makes it more effortless.

[hunggarguy]

the book on 10:19 I think is where you are getting most of your theory and I own the book. Its all a butch of lies, the shaolin art has been preserved in the secret societies that came from the rebels after the temple was burned in the south.

[Swordsage]

@hunggarguy actually I got a lot of information from Adam Hsu's Proffesor Ma Minggda, and Professor Kang Ge Wu works on the subject, as well as this book, and unlike your PM that you just sent me, they're all backed up by actual historical research, and myths about secret societies and so called "north and south" Shaolin temples. There was never more than one temple with that name. I'll correct more of your mistakes in a response PM.

[danseinfernale6014]

it's like the Korean martial arts. any Korean martial artist may disagree, but the three main styles of Tae Kwon Do, Tang Soo Do and Hap Ki Do are actually the same martial art. they just come from different periods and teachers so they classified them as different styles when they are in fact 100% the same.

[ixsikxwitxit]

I don't need to see your face. I care about your thoughts; seeing your lips move on the screen doesn't change the content.

Anyway, it's nice to hear from 'ya.

[WeiTuoMaster]

Your explaination is not bad, but you generalized too much and missed a lot of the points that the stories try to teach. But not a bad job. Read Joseph Cambell, he really understands myth as a tool for teaching and why people use them.

Oh, and qi (chi) is real: it can equate to the power of the mind and the kinetic energy that flows through in a movement. However there is a lot more to it.

[WeiTuoMaster]

Your explaination is not bad, but you generalized too much and missed a lot of the points that the stories try to teach. But not a bad job. Read Joseph Cambell, he really understands myth as a tool for teaching and why people use them.

[TheShaolinScholar]

because shaolin waz destroyed by bak mei students an wudang has allways been intertwined in the Chinese govermen't an shaolin allways rebelled with the muslims an the an the temple waz destroyed an masters fled into hidding, taught secretly but some time passed they couldn't teach an Buddhists waaay back after the death of buddah they rebelled back then in india so thats where th wudang vs shaolin comes from an the goverment will allways know which styles are wudang

[Urfriendlypixolinha]

Great explanation of kung fu history and classification. By the way: I love the books you recommend here. Five stars!

[elgostine]

@elgostine i also realised in ather flex test by sticking the first quarter ofthe blade in the groundso it dosnt rip itself out when flexed, i realised that, its flexy (a seemingly uncharacteristic trait for stainless steel, but, on one test where i throw it into the ground where it flexed back andforth almost like a pendulum, i realised its got limits and the blade is slowly deforming and bending.