Why Do Kung Fu Forms?

    Forms are an important part of martial arts training and many times greatly misunderstood. Forms or Taolu in Kung-Fu, Katas in Karate are the same thing. They are prearranged movements designed to teach a student how to put together techniques for self-defense. They can teach a student practical applications for Blocking and countering against an attack. Learning to coordinate your movements aid the student when they reach the level for fighting. The forms help the student integrate stance work with footwork, blocking, striking, grabbing, locking, throwing, and sometimes breath work. Basically teaching a student how to combine various techniques.

    They are by no means a replacement for fighting or sparring. If all you do are forms do not be misled and think you can fight. Once you learn how to properly execute a form you need to eventually break away from it. Learning how to take the same movements and create various applications for the movements or techniques in the form. This will help you to better be able to use the movements in fighting.

    I really like forms because they are more than just punching, kicking, or even a training tool. They are an expression of their creator and have their own artistic style. I feel it is part of what puts the art in martial art. And many forms were created after being tried and tested. Over the years some of these forms have evolved and were continued to be past down.