Shaolin – A Tree That has many branches

Shaolin kung fu has influenced so many different martial arts around the world that it can be confusing as to what the true nature of shaolin really is.  Out of the shaolin temple came the 5 animal styles Dragon,Snake,Crane,Tiger and Leopard. These styles represent the shaolin arts.  Interestingly enough it is said that Wing Chun comes from Snake and Crane systems.

The shaolin fighting arts where started not for battle but for health by a man named  Bodhidharma. He traveled to china from India when he arrived at the Shaolin temple he found a bunch of weak and lazy monks. Since he believed that the true way to enlightenment was through exercise so the story goes.

Shaolin Monk Balances on 2 Fingers

Here is some stuff I found  online…

history of shaolin kung fu

Shaolin Kung Fu Fundamental Training | keepthemfree.net

Drawing from his extensive knowledge of Northern Shaolin Long Fist Kung Fu and Southern Shaolin White Crane Crane Kung Fu (Gongfu), world reknown author and teacher Dr. Yang, Jwing-Ming explains and instructs the basic training.
they chose a spot in an area of lin (lin meaning young or new trees) as the place for the temple ; and this came to be the name of the temple >shaolin ( sillum in cantonese) temple . …

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