Shao-lin Ch'an (or Shao-lin Art of Fists, or recently, more widely known as Kung-Fu), has throughout the centuries, been one of the most well-known and popular systems of Chinese martial arts; it has prevailed - not only because of the intricacies and complexities of its lethal techniques and the numerous legends associated with the Buddhists of the Shaolin Temple in Honan and Fukien provinces - but also because of the profundity of their philosophy of peace and harmony.

During the reign of Liang (502-557 A.D.) of the Southern Dynasties, the famous Buddhist monk, Bodhidharma (also known as Tamo / Damo), became the resident of the Shaolin Temple of Honan, where, for the purpose of countering the weak physical and mental states of his disciples and of strengthening their internal constitutions, and thus enabling them to reach the realm of consciousness of the soul and minds, he elaborated as a prescription was various exercises. According to legend, Bodhidharma had attained such a level of control that he was able to bore a hole through a wall simply by staring at it for a number of years in meditation. These series of exercises the monks used evolved into kung fu. This is why Bodhidharma is credited with spreading Ch'an (Zen) Buddhism to China and for forming the modern kung fu.

The original meaning of Kung Fu is quite different, and is hard to translate as there is no English equivalent. In short, 功夫 (gōngfu), means "achievement through great effort" or simply virtue. It combines 功 (gōng) meaning achievement or merit, and 夫 (fū) which translates into man.

Originally, to practice kung fu did not just mean to practice Chinese martial arts. Instead, it referred to the process of one's training - the strengthening of the body and the mind, the learning and the perfection of one's skills - rather than to what was being trained. It refers to excellence achieved through long practice in any endeavor.

External training is the most popular aspect of Shaolin Kung Fu, but internal training is equally as important at the external. The internal exercises help you achieve the fluidness, power, and spirit of the external. It is the essence of all movement in Shaolin Kung Fu. Since the beginning of Shaolin, students have learned what is called Qi Gong. Which is the development of one’s Qi (pronounced “chee”). Every human being possesses Qi, there is Qi everywhere. It is the energy of all living things in the world. Shaolin Monks have unlocked the secrets of Qi through these exercises and forms.