Fred Neff's martial arts books from Endless Fist Society, Inc.:
Kung-fu Questions Answered by Fred Neff

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WARNING: THE ANSWERS TO READERS QUESTIONS ARE NOT MEANT TO TAKE THE PLACE OF TRAINING UNDER THE SUPERVISION OF A QUALIFIED INSTRUCTOR. READERS SHOULD TAKE PROPER SAFETY PRECAUTIONS AT ALL TIMES WHEN PRACTICING MARTIAL ARTS INCLUDING:

• Practicing defense and attack with a partner only under the supervision of a qualified instructor.

• While practicing, always wear safety equipment such as a head guard, mouthpiece, groin-cup, knee guards and any other protective gear needed.

• Any grappling or throwing should be done only on a thick mat designed for such use and then only under the supervision of a qualified instructor.

• When practicing with a partner, do not put all of your force into a blow. Start your practice slowly and gradually with the consent of your partner speed up the execution of techniques. Practice full power techniques only on a punching bag-not on a human partner. The instructor should be present to supervise the practice session.

• Do not make contact with your training partner unless he or she agrees to it, you are both wearing full safety equipment, you are sure that both people have the ability to control their blows, and you are supervised by your instructor.

• During practice, never hit sensitive areas on your partner, such as the eyes, nose, throat, neck, ribs, groin, knees, or any area, along the centerline on the rear of the body. Do not even pretend to throw blows to such sensitive areas on a practice partner.

• Do not apply locks or throws without your opponent understanding in advance that you are working on these types of techniques. Work out a warning system with your partner in advance of practice. Never surprise your training partner with a throw, sweep, lock or hold and be sure that your partner is ready to start before executing these techniques. No throws should be done until the person to be thrown has been properly trained by a qualified instructor on falling. Do not practice any technique with someone who does not understand what is required in martial art practice. Make sure a qualified instructor explains and demonstrates any new techniques to you and your partner. Treat all training partners with respect and consideration for their safety.

Have any secrets of kung-fu been lost over time?
Answer by Fred Neff: Distrust and lack of time caused many kung-fu instructors to not teach certain kung-fu techniques to their students, but a tremendous pool of kung-fu fighting methods was still passed down for use. There are so many diferent kung-fu techniques that no one could learn even a fraction of them in his or her lifetime. It is not how many techniques kung-fu practitioners know that make them effective, but how well they use what they know. Beginning kung-fu students should concentrate on developing a proper foundation in fundamental kung-fu techniques. These kung-fu techniques are flexible and powerful enough to handle many common self-defense situations.

What is the difference between northern and southern schools of Chinese kung-fu?
Answer by Fred Neff: In the past, many northern schools of kung-fu tended to emphasize long-range punches and kicks that required strong body conditioning. Southern schools of kung-fu tended to use more close-range techniques and emphasized balance, breath control, and mental attitude. This is however a simplification of a rather complex reality. It ignores the fact that certain kung-fu schools did not follow this general pattern. For example, certain northern soft styles of kung-fu had their own special approach and techniques. Today, both northern and southern kung-fu schools may use many similar kung-fu techniques and tactics. It is not unusual to find kung-fu techniques from different arts blended in a particular style of fighting. For these reasons, one should look at all the major techniques of a particular kung-fu style before assuming automatically that it will be northern or southern style of kung-fu just because it originated in a particular part of China.

What is meant when someone describes a kung-fu fighting style as "hard" or "soft"?
Answer by Fred Neff: Hard schools of kung-fu are those that emphasize proper positioning of the body, correct technique, muscular power, speed, and linear movement. Many Chinese styles of kung-fu are described as hard. Soft styles of kung-fu stress proper mental attitude, breath control, poise, form, balance, circular movement, and the development of internal energy, or ch'i. Whereas hard styles of kung-fu develop the strength of certain parts of the body to deliver more power, soft styles of kung-fu develop power from within that can be sent throughout the body where needed for effective defense. Soft styles of kung-fu emphasize maintaining good health, both internally and externally, to resist disease. Practitioners of soft styles of kung-fu often use an attacker's own momentum and power to defeat him or her. This kind of subtle manipulation in kung-fu of an aggressor calls for high standards of mental awareness and proper use of body mechanics.

In general, kung-fu forms are neither purely soft nor purely hard, but rather a blend of both. Even within a kung-fu style will be differences in emphasis, depending upon the kung-fu teacher or what must be accomplished in a physical confrontation. Just as opposing forces of yin and yang reside in everything, hard and soft elements are both found in various styles of kung-fu.

Do kung-fu students follow any particular code or set of regualtions?
Answer by Fred Neff: Some schools of kung-fu teach philosopy and ethics as part of their regular kung-fu training. Many kung-fu East Asian fighting forms base their teachings on concepts from Tao, yin-yang, Chan Buddhism and Confucianism. Individual styles of kung-fu may, however, set forth their own rules of kung-fu conduct. There may even be differences among kung-fu schools within the same kung-fu style, based upon a particular kung-fu teacher's thinking and goals. Beginning kung-fu students must accept the regulations of their kung-fu school and strive to honor the regulations in all their actions.

Are there any general health secrets to be learned from kung-fu?
Answer by Fred Neff: You can learn a great deal from kung-fu to improve your health. Below is a set of suggestions from kung-fu to improve your health and make your kung-fu training more effective:

• Avoid worrying, since anxiety can wear you out. If you can, do something immediately about any problem. When you take action, it will help dissolve fear, worry, and anxiety.

• Eat lightly so as not to over burden the body. Refrain from eating at least an hour before starting to train in kung-fu. Be sure your body receives proper nutrition, and avoid desserts and junk food.

• Drink an adequate amount of water daily. Water lubricates your system, clears your skin, and energizes you.

• Avoid doing anything, including kung-fu to excess. Practice moderation in all you do. Be patient yet persistent in achieving a goal. Do not expect immediate sucess or results. Instead enjoy what you are doing and take life one day at a time.

• Exercise at least three times a week, and walk as much as you can. Use walking as a warm-up for kung-fu training, a general body conditioner, and a natural relaxant. Make sure that any exercise program includes slow stretches, strength-building exercises, and endurance training.

• Practice proper body posture in everyday living as well as in kung-fu.

• In performing kung-fu warm-up exercises, do not bounce, put excessive pressure on your joints, ovberbend a joint, or preform any movement to fast.

• Get sufficient sleep. This will keep your muscles rested, loose and pliable for kung-fu.

• Use meditation as a tool to cut down on worry, anxiety and to enhance kung-fu training.

• Set aside times to be alone and relax.

Further questions and answers by red Neff related to kung-fu
can be found in the martial arts books by Fred Neff we sell.