Northern and Southern Wushu; a Comparison
... to learn and apply. In contrast, Southern systems use what is known as “hard” techniques, which involve more visible power. A hard technique would be using a straight punch with lots of power behind it rather than a hooking punch meant to disable or unbalance an opponent. Southern system such as Hung Gar use extensive leg techniques rather than hands. The landscape of southern China is extremely uneven allowing for easy take-downs with low leg techniques. Another of the differences Northern and Southern systems have is the large change of stances. Northern systems take advantage of low quickly changing stances. The landscape of Northern China is flat and open, allowing for stances to flow from one to another easily. This also gave way for a higher quantity of stances than its southern counterpart. While Southern systems have to stay rooted in their low stances, northern practitioners are free to change stances often, allowing for quicker movement of the feet and body weight. The low rooted stances of the Southern Kung Fu systems helps to develop strong kicking abilities because of the leg strength needed to hold deep stances for longer periods of time. In a defense situation with a southern practitioner, a deep steady stance can change the course of a situation. Of the vast differences between these systems, they also share a common history. Both were created in China for health and self defense reasons. They were used to protect the country from invaders as well as bandits. Both Northern and Southern Kung Fu systems were developed from animals. Developers watched animal movements and mimicked them to form systems of fighting. These animal movements proved...