What People Think Kung Fu Is — and What It Really Means
When most people hear “Kung Fu,” they picture monks in robes, Hollywood action scenes, or maybe a style like Shaolin. But the truth is, Kung Fu is not a single martial art—it’s a term that refers to a vast range of Chinese fighting systems, each with its own philosophy, techniques, and training focus.
In Chinese, “Kung Fu” (功夫) doesn’t even mean “martial arts” directly. It means “skill achieved through hard work over time.” So whether you’re talking about martial arts, calligraphy, or cooking, Kung Fu refers to mastery through dedication.
A Brief History of Chinese Martial Arts
China’s martial heritage stretches back over 3,000 years. Earlier practices likely existed during the Shang Dynasty and Bronze Age periods, as evidenced by archaeological findings of weapons and armor, as well as ritualistic combat references. However, reliable textual records become more substantial starting in the Zhou Dynasty. As such, 3,000 years is generally used as the benchmark for documented development. Early records like the Zhou Li (Rites of Zhou) and Spring and Autumn Annals describe both armed and unarmed combat training. Martial arts developed in parallel with military training, spiritual disciplines, theater, and folk traditions.
Key historical influences include:
Military training manuals such as the Wujing Zongyao (1044 AD), which document armed and unarmed combat drills.
Daoist and Buddhist monasteries, most famously the Shaolin Temple, which incorporated martial practice as both self-defense and moving meditation.
Theatre and opera, especially during the Ming and Qing dynasties, which stylized kung fu for performance.
Rural and clan-based defense, which gave rise to family styles like Hung Gar and Choy Li Fut.
Modern estimates by scholars and Chinese martial arts federations suggest there are over 300 officially recognized styles in systems like the Chinese Wushu Association’s registry, and many more substyles and lineages not formally catalogued—likely numbering in the thousands (Kennedy & Guo, Chinese Martial Arts Training Manuals, 2005).
A national martial arts survey conducted in the 1950s under the direction of the Chinese Communist Party documented more than 1,300 distinct styles, with over 11,000 lineages or local variations. This survey formed the basis for later efforts to standardize training into what became modern wushu (Lorge, 2012; Henning, 2000).
Major Styles and Lineages
While there are hundreds of styles, here are five you might recognize:
Shaolin: Temple-based style with a wide influence
Wing Chun: Close-range combat system popularized by Bruce Lee’s teacher
Wudang: Internal system known for Tai Chi and Daoist origins
Hung Gar: Southern style emphasizing rooted stances and tiger/crane forms
Heaven Fist 10,000: A modern system integrating traditional doctrine with layered progression and real-world adaptability
Each of these reflects different priorities—some emphasize external force and form, while others train breath, intent, and internal power.
Shaolin: Just One Branch on the Tree
Let’s address the elephant in the training hall. Yes, Shaolin Kung Fu is real and iconic. Originating from the Shaolin Temple in Henan, it became famous for its disciplined monks, powerful stances, and wide influence across East Asia.
But Shaolin is not the whole story.
Wudang arts (like Tai Chi and Xingyi) emphasize inner strength, balance, and qi cultivation, rooted in Daoist practice.
Southern styles (like Wing Chun and Hung Gar) often use shorter stances, upright posture, and close-range hand techniques developed for fighting in alleyways or aboard boats.
Northern styles (like Changquan or Northern Praying Mantis) are known for long-range kicks, acrobatic movement, and fast footwork.
Ethnic minority systems, such as Miao Dao sword forms or the Hui people’s spear arts, preserve regional innovations and tactics not found in Han-majority styles.
Some styles focus on grappling (like Shuai Jiao, China’s wrestling tradition), while others emphasize pressure point striking, breathwork, or mimicry of animals (e.g. Tiger, Crane, Snake).
Internal vs. External: Two Approaches, One Goal
You may hear kung fu divided into internal and external styles.
External styles (Shaolin, Long Fist, Choy Li Fut) focus on muscle strength, explosive power, and fast technique. Training often begins with form and conditioning.
Internal styles (Tai Chi, Bagua, Xingyi) focus on breath, structural alignment, and force developed through relaxation. These styles emphasize intent (yi) and energy (qi) over brute strength.
These are not mutually exclusive. Many masters blend both. As noted by Chinese martial arts historian Douglas Wile, the distinction reflects emphasis, not exclusion (Lost T’ai-chi Classics from the Late Ch’ing Dynasty, 1996).
Want to go deeper? Read our full article on “Internal vs External Martial Arts”.
How Kung Fu Is Practiced Today
Modern kung fu schools may teach:
Solo forms (taolu)
Sparring or controlled combat (sanda)
Weapons training (staff, sword, spear, more)
Internal cultivation (like qi gong or breathing exercises)
Strength, conditioning, and agility drills
Contemporary martial arts programs may be traditional, performance-focused, or self-defense oriented. Some integrate traditional culture, while others train for sport or stage.
A few, like Heaven Fist 10,000, blend time-tested tactics with modern drills to train well-rounded practitioners—focusing on practical mobility, emotional resilience, and cognitive awareness.
Kung Fu Is Still Evolving
Just as boxing or wrestling has changed over the centuries, so too has Chinese martial arts. Styles that once guarded secrets are now shared. Since the 1950s, efforts like the creation of modern wushu (a performance sport) and standardized forms have reshaped kung fu both inside and outside China.
Yet traditional lineages persist. Many systems now incorporate cross-training, scientific conditioning, and modern safety practices while still preserving their essence. Some like Heaven Fist 10,000 offer tactical applications in group conflict, obstacle training, and situational awareness—all rooted in classical principles
Why Learn Kung Fu?
Fitness: Strength, flexibility, endurance
Mental Discipline: Focus, confidence, control
Self-Defense: Practical skills, situational awareness
Cultural Connection: Engage with one of the world’s richest movement traditions
Personal Growth: Kung fu isn’t about being better than others—it’s about becoming more capable than you were yesterday
Busting the Myths: It’s Not All Monks and Movies
Myth: You need to be young and athletic to start.
Truth: Many start in their 30s, 40s, or later.Myth: It’s not practical for real-world situations.
Truth: Kung Fu offers real tools for timing, distance control, and situational awareness.Myth: It’s all show, no substance.
Truth: Traditional systems like Heaven Fist retain deeply structured training arcs.
The Heaven Fist Approach
Heaven Fist 10,000 is a modern martial art rooted in an ancient warrior tradition from the Korean mainland. It integrates physical, mental, and strategic training, offering structured arcs from beginner to mastery.
Its curriculum guides you through foundational movement, sparring, internal cultivation, and adaptive application. It’s ideal for those seeking real progress—not just repetition.
Where Do I Start?
Start by visiting a class. Ask what the goals of the school are. Do they match your own? Watch how the students move. Talk to the instructor. Most of all, see how it feels in your body.
You don’t need to be young or athletic. Kung fu adapts to you. The journey is long. That’s why they call it a path.
If you’re in Northern Arizona, check out our Heaven Fist 10,000 program. It might just be the beginning of your own kung fu story.
Final Thought
Kung fu isn’t about violence. It’s about becoming whole. It’s a craft. A discipline. A mirror. And it just might be the challenge you didn’t know you needed.
So take a step. Find a stance. Begin your practice.
Your kung fu starts here.
Kung Fu FAQ
What does Kung Fu really mean?
In Chinese, Kung Fu (功夫) means skill earned through hard work and time. It refers to mastery in any discipline—not just martial arts.
Is Kung Fu just one martial art?
No. Kung Fu is an umbrella term for hundreds of martial styles from China, including Shaolin, Wing Chun, Hung Gar, and internal systems like Tai Chi.
Can adults start Kung Fu later in life?
Absolutely. Many begin Kung Fu in their 30s, 40s, or even later. It improves physical fitness, coordination, and mental focus at any age.
What is the difference between internal and external Kung Fu?
External styles focus on speed, strength, and form. Internal styles train energy, breath, and intent. Some, like Heaven Fist, combine both approaches.
Is Kung Fu practical for self-defense?
Yes. Many styles include real-world training in timing, distance, awareness, and countering, making it highly effective for self-protection.
Sources Cited:
Kennedy, B. & Guo, E. (2005). Chinese Martial Arts Training Manuals. North Atlantic Books.
Wile, D. (1996). Lost T’ai-chi Classics from the Late Ch’ing Dynasty. State University of New York Press.
Henning, S. (2000). Academia Encounters the Chinese Martial Arts. China Review International, 6(2).
Lorge, P. (2012). Chinese Martial Arts: From Antiquity to the Twenty-First Century. Cambridge University Press.
