Kungfu means arsenal the ‘Eighteen Arms’ in ancient China but there is many more in use. Almost all fights are accompanied by weapon usage of one kind or another. The combination of fist fights and weapon usage allows for a fuller and more efficient application of Kungfu skills while sharpening the insight of combat and control and enriching the program of Kungfu exercise.
The combination of offence and defense is the essence of Kungfu. Implications of offence and defense permeate the complete gamut of Kungfu exercise. They are fully demonstrated both in practice and real combat. Even a solo practice implies the atmosphere of offence and defense against an imaginary opponent in time and space.
Chinese Kung Fu weapons
The movement of the human body is only an external display of Kungfu. Kungfu is by no means limited to the external movement, but also emphasizes the full display of the internal temperament, mental attitude and potential of the human being. The practice of Kungfu not only strengthens the bones and muscles but also the internal organs and intelligence. Coordination and cooperation are called for with each movement of hand, eye, body, foot and form of movement. Kungfu stresses that the mind directs the circulation of air flow within the body and that the inner circulation of air generates the external strength, demonstrating the combination of external and internal forces. Cultivating air flows inside the body in order to improve the basic structures inside the body is an important purpose of Kungfu exercises.
Ingenious applications of substantial and insubstantial blows are incorporated in the movements and forces of Kungfu. Motion and stillness alternate with each other, while hardness and softness supplement one another, greatly enhancing the artistic expression and the practicality of Kungfu. Once in action, the movements can be as fast and powerful as a gust of wind, while being still, the body looks as steady as a mountain. Hard blows are like lightning and thunderclaps, whereas soft punches are like breezes delicately caressing willow twigs. Human feelings and abilities are clearly demonstrated through the rhythmic movements of opening and closing, and the emotions excited in doing exercises.