Chinese Martial Arts Overview. 
Understanding Kung Fu can be a complex maze. Due to the vastness of its encompassment; systems such as Chinna, Shuai Chao, Shaolin, Qi Gong (+-5000 versions), Taji, Yong Chun/Wing Chun, Hsing I, Animal Styles/Quan, Lion and Dragon Dance, to name but a few which leads to the TCM(Traditional Chinese Medicine) for the more advanced practitioner of the traditional Chinese arts; makes it one of the biggest and oldest (5000 years), all inclusive cultural martial arts systems practiced to date.
To become a Shirfu/Master of the Chinese Martial Arts requires a highly skilled and evolved individual who continues to pursue ongoing study and remain with their teachers/Shirgung's indefinitely too; the teacher/Shirgung they emulate is one of repute, high regard and moral values. In Chinese Martial Arts; you evaluate your teacher/Shirfu on their teacher, lineage, ability and humbleness and the students they teach.
Teachers "loosely" use the title to acquire status and can do short courses of under one month or longer (locally or overseas) to qualify as an "instructor"; "the journey of a thousand miles/li starts with a simple step."; is not a statement uttered without profound thought. It is ironic; we tend to calculate years of training whereas hours is the correct calculation of "real time" spent on training; 1hr twice per week (average) for 1 year gives you 108 hours which means you only train 4.5 days(24hr day) 9 days if training 12 hours per day in 1year; excluding days not attended or sick. This always bring one back to the reality of how competent we are if we train for 10 years and the calculations ring true.
This emphasizes the statement often told to us by our teachers "do not be lazy to train" training must become a way of life to make it effective and not to be used when needed or for a situation or when health problems arise. Our students are encouraged to train more often; with/without the instructor present. Time must be spent understanding what the teacher taught you in class; so that the next training class is more productive and progressive. An excellent student is one who strives and excels to be better at all they do.
Often one enters with ones eyes closed or as the saying goes; "leave it up to the MASTER to show you the way" or "ignorance is bliss"
An erroneous statement often made by media: Jackie Chan & Bruce Lee in a "Karate" Movie "Karate" is a Japanese Martial Arts (white starched training gear, loads of shouting and linear movements).
"Kung Fu/Wushu" is a Chinese Martial Arts (flowing silky mandarin collar outfits, movements, agile dance like, circular motion; more emphasis placed on Qi Gong implementations). Two separate countries, two different nations, one thing in common; they both are in Asia and martial arts is a common practice amongst both cultures.
NB: Like everything in life great consideration should be undertaken to make decisions that can affect and effect you. Informing oneself with the basic knowledge is to be the first and foremost essential.
Why is it so complex?
The Chinese language can seldom be directly translated or interpreted due to the nature of its picturesque descriptions. One word or a combination thereof can be understood in many ways or in some cases; no equivalent can be found in English; but the concept or the idea can be defined in a philosophical manner. There are many different spoken dialects; the common form used to date is the national dialect often referred to as: "Putonghua", "Mandarin", "Pinyin" or "Modern Standardized Chinese"
The art of defense is not about destruction but the understanding of its benefits for overall better health. The art of martial is the ability to provide the student with the benefits of good health, an excellent mental state, finding balance within our living/"stressful" lifestyle and lastly, is the ability to destroy/self-defense (the easier to accomplish).
The ability to know restraint even in the heat of the moment; to act without thought; its easy to destroy but not easy to heal/fix.
The true intent is the "ART" of Martial Arts. Value life and all its surroundings, treat it with respect and it will treat you with respect.
