What is the difference between Northern and Southern Shaolin Kung Fu?
Does Northern Shaolin Kung Fu come from the Shaolin Monastery in Henan, and does Southern come from the temple in Fujian?
I had not even known that there was a Southern Shaolin Monastery until very recently, and thought that the temple in Henan was the only real, authentic Shaolin Monastery.
Posted on March 5, 2010 at 7:58 am by Guest · Permalink
In: Sports · Tagged with: fujian, henan, Northern Shaolin, northern shaolin kung fu, Shaolin Kung Fu, shaolin monastery, Southern Shaolin
In: Sports · Tagged with: fujian, henan, Northern Shaolin, northern shaolin kung fu, Shaolin Kung Fu, shaolin monastery, Southern Shaolin
on March 5, 2010 at 7:58 am
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I agree with Brian F. Generally speaking, Southern styles of kung fu emphasize hand techniques, grounded stances that are not as mobile, and Northern styles emphasize long range techniques. such as kicking. Also, generally speaking, the time to proficiency for Southern styles is shorter; when the Manchus invaded the South, insurgents needed to be trained against the Northern armies as soon as possible.
Wing chun is well known Southern kung fu system that exemplifies the general characteristics of the Southern styles. The stance is relatively immobile. Hand techniques are emphasized nearly exclusively. The time to proficiency was a few years, and easily managed weapons were used: short swords that could be concealed in the sleeves of robes as well as a boatman’s pole– a shorter staff could probably be used. Nonetheless, its a great weapon to use against a better armored, probably stronger opponent.
Chang quan, or Long Fist kung fu, a Northern system, emphasizes jumping, long range punches, as well as kicks. Where wing chun is rooted, Long Fist is mobile.
on March 5, 2010 at 7:58 am
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Nothern is more internal or soft and Southern is the aggressive Ten Animals Kung Fu.
on March 5, 2010 at 7:58 am
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Northern tends to use more kicking techniques, and longer range weapons. Southern tends to use more hand techniques, and shorter ranged edged weapons.
on March 5, 2010 at 7:58 am
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I practice Fujian White Crane Kung Fu from the Southern Temple. I will edit this answer when I get back from work and give you a proper one! I hope you look forward to it..
Sorry if I forget too, I doubt I will though.
on March 5, 2010 at 7:58 am
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hard to generalize because there are hundreds of styles. but nothern is usually more kick-oriented and long range, while southern is more short range.
on March 5, 2010 at 10:32 pm
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I have found from talking to multiple masters that there are many different views of what the actual differences are. I studied northern style and I felt like it was a very well rounded system, not really focusing on long range or short range. But I agree with the other posters and it just depends on who you talk to!