When the Indian monk Bodhidharma (known as Da-mo in Chinese) came to the Shaolin temple around AD 500, he noticed that the Shaolin monks were in poor physical health and became breathless very quickly when practising or training. Therefor he taught the monks some exercises and breathing techniques to help them promote strength, fitness and well being. These breathing exercises were probably the basics of Chi Gung, the techniques used to promote the internal power known as Chi.

As the Chinese martial arts developed throughout the centuries, predominantly within the secret grounds of the Shaolin Temple, the habits and characteristics of animals, birds and even insects were studied and imitated by the Shaolin monks. This imitation was an attempt to improve their basic martial arts technique. Earth, wind, fire, water and other elements were also an influence. Down through time the monks improved their systems, injecting new techniques and rejecting others. Eventually, the martial arts spread throughout China and the rest of the Far East.

In Okinawan martial arts, even today, you can see the Chinese influence. It is said that a Shaolin monk taught martial arts in Okinawa, the original translation of Karate being 'China hand', now known as 'empty hand'. After the Japanese invaded Okinawa, karate then made its way to Japan. All Japanese Karate styles like Shotokan, Wado-Ryu, Shito-Ryu and Kyokushinkai were all developed from Okinawan Goju-Ryu at the beginning of the twentieth century.

Back Next