To a great deal of people, Kung Fu signifies self-defense, physical education or competition in tournaments. To others, it is a way of life, a meditative mental-attitude and a widespread way of thinking. Due to its many various fields of usage, Kung Fu/Wushu is considered to be one of the world's most effective fighting methods. Almost anyone can participate: man or woman, old or young.
Kung Fu is taught at every cultural institution and numerous compulsory schools in China today. Physiological studies have been conducted within the sport. Without any consideration to different styles, most martial art schools were constructed in a family-structure. The teacher was like a father, who related the students to each other as older and younger brothers and sisters. Every one worked together to improve themselves, excel and finally pass the knowledge onto others.
Today Kung Fu is spread throughout the country. In Beijing, Shanghai and Hong Kong, it is a normal sight to see people performing Kung Fu exercises in parks and other such places, day and night.
Kung fu training is very hard and requires a lot of discipline and sacrifice in order to excel.
In China, all types of people, such as workers, farmers, government members, shop assistants and teachers practice Kung Fu. The art/sport has helped to improve their health, thus increasing their performance and allowing them to be better assets to society. During recent years, more and more Kung Fu classes for young people are being taught during leisure time at sporting schools all over the country. The instructors aim towards moral, intellectual and physical development, which is part of the party's request for education. This has lead to huge progress in skill and ability. The rapid growth of a new generation of Kung Fu practitioners forebodes a bright future for the sport.
Even though Kung Fu is fairly well known today, there is but a handful of qualified teachers in the world. Here in Sweden, there are approximately 20 clubs. Studying Kung Fu requires great self-discipline and personal sacrifice. A student should not expect to learn everything over night. It may take a long time before the practitioner even begins to understand the basics of it.
Only years of practice and hard work under a qualified teacher can produce a master. Once a person is a master within the art, his/her position is exceptionally high.
A strong will is of utmost importance for those who wish to succeed in Kung Fu. One must be willing to sacrifice a part of one's life to it. It must be a part of one's existence and presence. Only then can one develop one's mind, body and spirit to the full extent.
In spite of the differences in every style, most systems are based upon the same principal: self-defense. All styles have their strong and weak points. Therefore it is the individual, and not the style, that must be in focus. It is important to know one's own capacity, but one must be careful to not be lulled into a false sense of pride or self-confidence, which may prove to be the very destruction of oneself.
