“臥似一張弓,站似一棵松。不動不搖坐如鐘,走路一陣風(fēng)。南拳和北腿,少林武當(dāng)功。太極八卦連環(huán)掌,中華有神功……”中國功夫得益于李小龍的推廣和改革開放的政策,已經(jīng)走向海外,成為世界的功夫。
C hinese Kung Fu is a commonly used term for all the martial (尚武的)arts styles in China.In fact,Wushu is the correct traditional term to use to describe Chinese martial arts.
Kung Fu describes numerous forms of external and internal styles including those using bare hands or weapons.Generally speaking,they are divided into two schools:the South school and the North school.
The North school originated from Shaolin Temple,the Holy Land of Buddhism,and is called the Shaolin Sect(派),with its boxing called Waijiaquan.The South school originated from Wudang Mountain,the Holy Land of Taoism(道家),and is called the Wudang Sect,with its boxing called Neijiaquan.Thus Wudang and Shaolin are recognised as the two main and important sects of Chinese martial arts as they have been practised in China for thousands of years.Some of the well-known external styles are Shaolinquan,Changquan,Hongquan and Fanziquan,while some well known internal styles are Taichi,Bagua,Xingyi and Water Style.With the promotion of Chinesemoviesand expansion ofOpeningand Reforming Policy in China,Kung Fu has become a popular international sport that all people can learn and use to attain its inherent benefits.Aside from a method of self-defense,Kung Fu has been developed into a sport capable of improving a participant's health and fitness;improving their reaction time,jumping ability,balance,flexibility,power and speed.Even athletes for other sports are taking up Kung Fu training to make up for their physical pursuits(追求)and to improve the quality of their performance.
Recently, Chinese Kung Fu has been modernized.Training and competing standard systems have been set up.With its fighting function,Kung Fu has become a more athletic and aesthetic (美學(xué)的)performance and competitive sport.Perhaps more than any other practitioner (習(xí)藝者),Bruce Lee opened the eyes of the Western world to the fascinating practices of Chinese martial arts;now his followers are throughout various countries in the world.
Consequentlymoreand moreforeignersare travelling to China to learn the mysteries of Kung Fu,so in order to promote Kung Fu internationally,Zhengzhou ChinaInternationalShaolin KungFu Festival will be held twice annually.