Southern Shaolin Kung Fu: The Full Guide

Southern Shaolin Kung Fu is a comprehensive martial art that has been around for centuries. It is one of the most popular styles of Kung Fu in the world and has many different branches.

In this blog post, we will discuss what Southern Shaolin Kung Fu is and some of its key features. We will also explore some of the different branches and how they differ from each other.

Table of Contents

Southern Shaolin Kung Fu

What Is Southern Shaolin Kung Fu?

Southern Shaolin Kung Fu is Chinese martial art that developed in the Shaolin temple in Fujian province during the Ming dynasty and evolved from Shaolin’s Kung Fu style, which also includes another form – Northern Shaolin Kung Fu.

It is characterized by its use of Southern Shaolin techniques, which are unique to the region. Southern Shaolin Kung Fu is known for its hard and soft styles, as well as its use of weaponless forms.

The hardstyle emphasizes power and striking, while the soft style focuses on evasion and defense. Weaponless forms include both empty-hand and joint-locking techniques.

Southern Shaolin Kung Fu is a versatile martial art that can be used for self-defense, competitions, and entertainment. It is an important part of Chinese culture and has been passed down through generations of practitioners.

Southern Shaolin Kung Fu History 

The southern Shaolin style was developed during the Ming dynasty (1368-1644), and its most famous practitioner was the then 17-year-old monk Jee Sim Siu (1587-1674).

Jee Sim Siu’s mastery of the southern Shaolin style helped him to defeat the renowned general Wu Sangui (1612-1678) in single combat, and his victory is said to have been instrumental in the fall of the Ming dynasty.

Since then, southern Shaolin Kung Fu has been passed down from generation to generation, and it is now one of the most popular styles of Kung Fu in the world.

Southern Shaolin Kung Fu Styles

There are many different branches of southern Shaolin Kung Fu, each with its own unique characteristics:

– Southern Shaolin Long Fist

– Southern Shaolin Hung Gar

– Southern Shaolin Choy Li Fut

– Southern Shaolin Wing Chun

– Southern Shaolin Mantis

Each of these branches has its own history and style, and they differ from each other in terms of techniques and training methods.

Southern Shaolin Long Fist is one of the oldest branches of Southern Shaolin Kung Fu. It is based on the long-range fighting style of the northern Shaolin temple and is characterized by its powerful strikes and kicks.

Southern Shaolin Hung Gar is a hardstyle Kung Fu system that emphasizes brute force and power. It was developed by the monk Wong Fei Hung (1847-1924), who is considered to be one of the greatest masters of Southern Shaolin Kung Fu.

Southern Shaolin Choy Li Fut is a martial art that combines the techniques of Southern Shaolin Kung Fu with those of the Choy Li Fut style. It is known for its powerful kicks and punches, as well as its use of joint-locking techniques.

Southern Shaolin Wing Chun is a relatively new branch of Southern Shaolin Kung Fu that was developed in the early 20th century by Ip Man (1893-1972). Wing Chun is characterized by its fast and powerful strikes, as well as its use of trapping techniques.

Southern Shaolin Mantis is a martial art that was developed in the late 19th century by Chan Heung (1806-1875). It is based on the mantis style of Kung Fu and is known for its fast and powerful strikes.

Is Southern Shaolin Kung Fu Effective?

The style is known for its fluid, acrobatic movements and is considered to be one of the most effective forms of self-defense. Southern Shaolin Kung Fu practitioners are able to defend themselves using a variety of techniques, including kicks, punches, and throws.

In addition, the style also teaches practitioners how to use weapons such as swords and spears. Southern Shaolin Kung Fu is an effective form of self-defense because it is a well-rounded system that teaches both striking and grappling techniques.

In addition, the style emphasizes the use of speed and agility, which can be helpful in avoiding or escaping from an attacker.

Is Southern Shaolin Kung Fu Hard to Learn?

Southern Shaolin Kung Fu is considered to be one of the most difficult martial arts to learn. It is a highly complex system that incorporates both hard and soft techniques. The hard techniques include punches, kicks, and strikes, while the soft techniques include joint locks and throws.

In addition, Southern Shaolin Kung Fu also incorporates acrobatics and weapons training. As a result, it can take years of dedicated practice to master all of the aspects of this martial art. However, the rewards of learning Southern Shaolin Kung Fu are well worth the effort.

Those who dedicate themselves to this art form can develop incredible strength, speed, and agility. They can also gain a deep understanding of self-defense and become proficient in a wide range of weapons techniques. Southern Shaolin Kung Fu is a challenging martial art, but it is also one of the most rewarding.

Is Southern Shaolin Kung Fu Dangerous?

While it can be an effective form of self-defense, southern Shaolin Kung Fu can also be dangerous if not used properly. Because of the speed and power of the strikes, there is a risk of serious injury if the opponent is not properly protected.

In addition, southern Shaolin Kung Fu relies heavily on kicks and leg sweeps, which can cause serious damage if they connect with the opponent’s head or body.

Therefore, it is important for practitioners to learn how to properly execute the techniques and to always maintain control of their movements. Southern Shaolin Kung Fu can be a dangerous art if it is not practiced with caution and respect for the opponent.