EMEIKUNGFU

External Chinese martial arts are most commonly referred to by the popular name of kungfu (gongfu).  Kungfu as a term can be translated to to mean anything task that requires time and energy to develop a particular skill or talent .  It became popular as the name for Chinese martial arts worldwide and is most commonly used today when referencing the external arts.  The term wushu on the other hand is actually translatable as "wu" martial and "shu" arts. Wushu however is more commonly used today when discussing modern competition Chinese martial arts or contemporary wushu.  All three terms, kungfu, gongfu and wushu are correct and interchangeable when referring to the thousands of various styles of external Chinese martial arts.

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What classifies martial arts as external arts depends entirely upon how the body is utilized.  In the case of kungfu, any style of Chinese martial art that utilizes speed strength and muscularity to effectively apply its movements is considered external in nature.  This includes the five major attacking systems of fist (quan) and palm (zhang), leg (tui), take down (shuai), joint locking (na) and pressure points (dianxue).  Many different schools of Chinese martial arts apply some or all of these components.  Some styles utilize close range arm techniques while others are more concerned with fast high kicks and jumping techniques.  Others focus on quick effective take downs and submissions while others are more insistent on joint locking and pressure point application. 

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The list below contains the forms curriculum for external Chinese martial arts taught by Master Spencer OBerry.  This does not include the qinna (joint locking) take down/grappling, other self defense techniques, conditioning or any of the other foundation training that is requisite in the kungfu curriculum.

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