As one of the oldest and most practiced martial arts, the influence of Shaolin Kung Fu cannot be understated. It originated in China but quickly spread to Japan and Korea and then the rest of the world. Drawing from Zen Buddhist philosophy, Shaolin Kung Fu is truly a unique and fascinating martial art.

Tat Moh founded Shaolin Kung Fu. He abandoned his life of royalty in India, embracing the simplicity of Buddhist teachings. Living as a sort of vagrant, he found his way to China, where he became a monk. Tat Moh created Shaolin Kung Fu in order to help fellow monks practice Buddhism in a more principled way. As time went on, Shaolin Kung Fu was of particular use in staving off bandits and other lawless individuals. Although other forms of martial arts were prevalent-and thriving, even-in China, Shaolin Kung Fu’s practicality and principled ethos helped catapult it to a place of unparalleled popularity. Nowadays, Shaolin Kung Fu is still practiced by monks, especially in the regions of Asia where its initial popularity arose.

Shaolin Kung Fu revolves around self-defense; practitioners are not supposed to employ it as aggressors. Generally, this martial art emphasizes kicks, although punches and blocks are important, too. It preaches efficiency when put into practice: instead of glamour, it is important to deliver quick and direct punches and kicks to assailants’ most vulnerable body parts and to rely on opponents’ weaknesses as well as one’s own strengths. Even though the point of Shaolin Kung Fu may not be to put on glamorous displays, however, those who practice it can put on some spectacular displays given the athletic prowess acquired while honing skills in this martial art.

When it comes to the more technical aspects of Shaolin Kung Fu, low stances are often employed. This stance is used to aid in balance, precision and speed in combat. However, various stances can be used for martial artists of different sizes, strengths and abilities. Strikes are often meant to mimic the movement of a tiger. That is, arm motions are long and imitate the swipes that a tiger might use in a fight. This makes sense, as Shaolin Kung Fu is grounded in the “way of the tiger,” where it is important to get the most out of every kick and punch.

Shaolin Kung Fu is truly a fascinating martial art with many interesting dimensions that come from its long history.