Official research in China has traced the origins and history of the White Crane style of Kung Fu. The founder of the
style was “Fan Qiang Liang” of a famous Wushu Master. It is said that she dreamt that she was fighting a white
crane but it evaded her attacks easily, using its powerful wings to strike back at her. It was in her dream that she
realized that she should adapt her fighting style to incorporate the crane agility and grace, and it’s ability to strike
quickly and accurately. Later her students spread the White Crane Kung Fu and its derivatives throughout China,
Southeast Asia, and to Okinawa.

White Crane Kung Fu is graceful, light, well-balanced, and patient style of Kung Fu. It’s main objective is to avoid
an opponent’s assault until the opponent is exhausted leading him to defeat. White Crane Kung Fu practitioners
give its opponent the ability to stop and reflect on the consequences of its aggression, seeking to show it the error
of violence. The major characteristics of this system include wide-armed, wing-like movements, high kicking, and the
crane’s beak.

There are two basic hand techniques used in White Crane Kung Fu, the crane’s beak, formed by contacting the
thumb with all four fingers to make pinpoint strikes, and the crane’s wing, a finger rake. The crane’s beak usually
targets the eyes, neck, and other pressure points of the body. The crane’s wing uses the whole arm in graceful
upward or downward sweeps to move not only an arm or leg strikes, but the body of an opponent as well. Chin Na is
another hand technique used by the White Crane practitioner. It is used for throwing one or more people into other
assailants. Sometimes it acts as a shield during assaults.

Footwork in White Crane is legendary, targets being anything from head to groin. Bottom of the foot kicks are
effective, as are crushing stomps, generated at close range and with great speed. Other kicks are designed to
dislocate or unbalance opponents. The White Crane Kung Fu practitioner is constantly hopping around, never
taking a solid stance or restricting his own maneuverability.

The philosophy behind White Crane Kung Fu is the control over an adversary, and to maim only as a last resort.
Even in footwork, evasion is the primary goal, to allow the opponent to tire, perhaps withdraw, or at worst, open
up from a minimal decisive counter. Practice of White Crane forms stresses long, loose movements that maximize
speed and chi flow as an end product. Heavy emphasis is placed on discipline, building a strong healthy body
and developing the confidence to be both polite and humble. Students of White Crane Kung Fu are taught to fight
properly so that they can appreciate the value of life and the sanctity of each person’s body.