Chinese martial arts are a rich and diverse part of Chinese culture, and each style has its unique charm and characteristics. Here is a detailed introduction to the top ten styles of Chinese martial arts:
Tai Chi
Tai Chi is one of the most representative styles of Chinese martial arts and an important part of Chinese traditional culture. Tai Chi is characterized by overcoming the hard with the soft, transforming the slow into the fast, and striking first after moving later. It focuses on cultivating the inner energy and emphasizes the coordination of mind and breath. It has a high value for health preservation.
Shaolin Kung Fu
Shaolin Kung Fu is one of the oldest, largest, and most representative styles of Chinese martial arts. Shaolin Kung Fu focuses on the combination of physical fitness and skills and stresses the comprehensive improvement of qualities such as strength, speed, endurance, flexibility, and coordination. Some of the representative works of Shaolin Kung Fu are The Muscle and Tendon Changing Classic, The Marrow Washing Classic, The Arhat Fist, etc.
Xing Yi Quan
Xing Yi Quan is a style of martial arts that focuses on both internal and external cultivation and emphasizes the integration of mind and movement. It focuses on the coordination and flexibility of the body. Some of the representative works of Xing Yi Quan are Dai’s Xing Yi Quan, Dacheng Quan, etc.
Baji Quan
Baji Quan is a style of martial arts that focuses on practicality and emphasizes the coordination and explosiveness of the body. It focuses on the combination and application of fist, palm, leg, and body techniques. Some of the representative works of Baji Quan are Six Harmonies Big Spear, Baji Small Frame, etc.
Wing Chun
Wing Chun is a style of martial arts that focuses on practicality and flexibility and emphasizes the coordination and agility of the body. It focuses on the combination and application of hand, body, and foot techniques. Some of the representative works of Wing Chun are The Ip Man Series, Wing Chun Dacheng Quan, etc.
Hung Gar
Hung Gar is a style of martial arts that focuses on internal cultivation and physical fitness and emphasizes the coordination of mind and breath. It focuses on the coordination and explosiveness of the body. Some of the representative works of Hung Gar are The Wong Fei Hung Series, Hung Gar Dacheng, etc.
Southern Boxing
Nanquan refers to southern martial arts in a broad sense, including Fujian White Crane Fist, Chaozhou Mantis Fist, etc. Nanquan focuses on low posture, short and fast attacks, and subtle techniques. Its movements have the characteristics of combining hardness and softness, speed and slowness, and are suitable for close combat.
Jeet Kune Do
Jeet Kune Do is a style of martial arts that integrates elements from various styles of martial arts, and emphasizes the agility and coordination of the body. It focuses on the combination of offense and defense and the innovation of techniques. Some of the representative works of Jeet Kune Do are The Legend of Bruce Lee, Jeet Kune Do Dacheng, etc.
Praying Mantis
Praying Mantis is a style of martial arts that imitates the movements of the praying mantis, and emphasizes the coordination and agility of the body. It focuses on the combination and application of hand, body, and foot techniques. Some of the representative works of Praying Mantis are The Great Ming Robbery, Praying Mantis Dacheng, etc.
Choy Li Fut
Choy Li Fut is a style of martial arts that focuses on both internal and external cultivation and emphasizes the integration of mind and movement. It focuses on the coordination and flexibility of the body. Some of the representative works of Choy Li Fut are The Choy Li Fut Series, The Southern Shaolin, etc.
The Bottom Line
The above is a detailed introduction to the top ten styles of Chinese martial arts. Each style has its unique charm and characteristics, and learners and practitioners can choose the style that suits their interests and needs. At the same time, we should also cherish and inherit the Chinese martial arts as a precious cultural heritage, and let it continue to shine in modern society.
