First things first. What are martial arts? What do we mean when we say ‘martial arts’? These two questions can be regarded as either very similar to each other or very different. Simplifying in the extreme, we might propose that, although there is a spectrum of possible answers, there are two main positions on these matters. On the one hand, there is a kind of strict or rigorou…
It could be argued that the new millennium is one of global crises in terms of health and well-being. How and in what way can notions of lifelong learning, in this case that of martial arts, contribute to health and well-being and how do they impact, if at all, on everyday lifestyle and practice from the perspective of those who practice them? These are important questions, given the concerns o…
The Chinese have been using martial arts for thousands of years, both among themselves and against others, but organized Kung Fu needed a parent system from which to evolve. Recorded history is sparse on the subject. However, there are many indications that Kung Fu originated from the Long Fist system. It is reported to have been created during the reign of Tai Tzu, the first emperor of the Su…