There has been much debate through the centuries as to who is the founder of Shaolin Kung Fu. Many believe
that an Indian monk named “Budhidharma” came to China in the 6th Century and developed the first set of
exercise for the monks to practice. This exercise was the birth of Shaolin Kung Fu according to experts. Although
some historical material suggests that almost immediately after its founding, self-defense or some other form of
physical training was part of life in the monastery. Whatever the origins of Shaolin Kung Fu, by the end of the
6th Century, the outstanding combat skills of the Shaolin Monks became well known.

Shaolin Kung Fu includes both internal and external exercises. Fierce, quick, hard-hitting characterized as “hard
boxing”. But this is only the superficial aspect because actually Shaolin Kung Fu emphasizes soft tactics
combining “hard” and “soft”. The basic elements of Shaolin Kung Fu involve the hand, eye, body, and foot.
Hand movement should be somewhat crooked and straight, but must be flexible. The eyes should focus on the
enemy, anticipating your enemy’s intentions. The body well balanced and pliant while the foot is light as a bird
or heavy as a sledgehammer. Every movement is an attack, defense, or both. Feinting or real, it changes every
second and is always unpredictable.

Shaolin Monks are very careful on whom to teach the skills of Shaolin Kung Fu. They make sure that the person
they are teaching are worthy of the skills they are about to learn. It takes hardcore practice and a lifetime of
dedication to master Shaolin Kung Fu. There are hundreds of styles and forms that evolved in the Shaolin
Temple. Some style went on to become independent on its own right, and some styles stayed in the Shaolin
Temple. These styles or forms were improved and bettered by the Shaolin Monks as the time passes by.

Shao-Hong Chuan
Shao-Hong Chuan is a martial arts routine that is regarded as the mother of all other Shaolin Martial Arts form.
It is the most commonly taught Shaolin form, consisting of many of the Shaolin basics. Shao-Hong Chuan dates
back about a thousand years. The execution of each movement in Shao-Hong Chuan falls on a straight line, and
there is no excessive running or leaping. Shao-Hong Chuan means “Little Red Boxing” or “Little Hong Boxing”.

Drunken Fist Form
The Drunken Fist Form outwardly appears as a series of stumbles, staggers, totters, and unstructured movements.
This form offers counter and attacking movements from all ranges, from the ground to head level attacks. The
hand and finger positioning demonstrate as if the practitioner is holding a small cup. The main feature in the
Drunken Fist Form is to hide combative hits in drunkard like unsteady movements and actions to confuse the
opponent. The secret of this style of Kung Fu is maintaining a clear mind while giving a drunken appearance.

Kan Jia Fist
One of figure fist form of Shaolin Kung Fu. It emulates the fighting motions and spirits of humans and animals.
This form of Shaolin Kung Fu combines exercises with movement, merging and evading into many characteristics
form. It takes years of practice to master Kan Jia Fist Form.

Lohan Fist
Lohan Fist Form is considered to be bold and swift. It employs a great variety of kicking, punching, locking,
point attacking, throwing techniques, as well as acrobat skills. This style is known for its degree of iron body
development emphasis. According to the ancient practice proverbs of Lohan Fist, the hands move like comets,
the eyes flash like lightning, the waist writhes like a snake, steps turn like a spinning top, the spirit is energetic,
the chi is sunk, the delivery is smooth, and the form is pure. Lohan Fist is considered one of the most destructive
forms of Shaolin Kung Fu.

Zhui Feng Palm
Zhui Feng Palm, also known as “Chasing The Wind Palms Form”, is a Shaolin Kung Fu form that is practiced
along a straight line with no excessive running or leaping. Its method is one must always advanced or withdraws
with proper method, moving with valiance and swiftness. Palm strikes abide to the principle “bending arms
without bending” and “straightening arms without straightening”. It is a manifestation of the unification of the
curved and the straight techniques. Practitioners of Zhui Feng Palm’s internal and external energy are always in accord.

Shaolin Kung Fu is solid and non-superfluous, which harmonize both hard and soft techniques. It unifies both
external and internal practices, uniquely uniting them within the essence of Buddhism. This spiritual element is
why Shaolin Kung Fu has flourished for so many centuries and earned great reverence. Shaolin Kung Fu
cleanses the body externally and spiritually.