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Kung Fu is a Chinese form of Martial Arts that can be dated back before A.D. 220-65. This is even before the Shaolin Temple was built. In modern times, Wu-shu emerged as a mixture of circus-like acrobatics and martial arts, and in China national competitions are held in this sport. Jet-Li is a famous exponent of Wu-Shu, popularising the art in the West by appearing in many martial arts movies.
Kung Fu was made popular in the 70's when David Carradine stared in the television series Kung Fu. Kung Fu works with your opponent, using your partners energy and directing it against them. Kung Fu trains students to fight in all phases of combat: kicks, strikes, locks, and clinches. Long and short weapons are also used within a complete set of strategies and tactics.
In Maarlisk we use Kung Fu movements to help our system flow. Like the late great Bruce Lee said "There is nothing as powerful as water, it is soft enough to hold in your hand, yet powerful enough to break through the toughest rock.
I have trained in Kung Fu, which taught me some fundamental things that has evolved Maarlisk into, not only a direct style of martial arts, but also one that flows with your opponent. I fought in a top Kung Fu team for two years, and it was interesting mixing with opponents from such a traditional style.
Bruce Lee taught us that we should not be restrictive in a style, and I totally have lived by this. I would never say that one style is better than another, all styles have great parts in them. Maarlsik is evolving all the time, because as an instructor, if I learn something which i think is fundamental, it will be in my system.
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