Historically, wushu was used as a way of survival through China's many wars and political upheavals. Today, wushu includes a formal branch of study offered by many Universities, schools and other organizations. It reigns as the most popular sport in the country of 1.2 billion people, practiced by the young and old alike. It's emphasis has shifted from combat to athletics and is practiced for it's methods of promoting flexibility, endurance, focus, presentation, coordination as well as recreational pursuit and competition.

Wushu is then divided into two parts, Taolu (routines) and Sanshou (full contact fighting). Routines are performed solo, paired or in groups, either barehanded or armed with traditional Chinese weapons. Competition routines have been specifically developed by the IWuF to standardize required movements and techniques that are practiced worldwide in 83 countries. It has now evolved into one of the most elite and globally competitive sport in the arena of martial arts.

Yau Kung Moon originated in the Tang Dynasty (800 AD) by Ding Yang, a monk of the Shaolin Temple. Because of its origins, physical attributes as well as mental awareness, inner confidence, and tranquility may be obtained through the teachings of basic Shaolin philosophy. Utilizing the physical and mental aspects, together makes Yau Kung Moon a complete system. For hundreds of years, this system remained secretive and closed, being taught only inside the various Shaolin Temple and then only to confirmed monks. It was not until the Ching Dynasty, when an Emperor burned the temples and forced the monks to flee that one monk (many monks were killed or died of harassment or starvation), Doe Sung, skilled in Yau Kung Moon survived. From that lone monk, the style survived and was passed on.

Yau Kung Moon had gained popularity in the Northern province of Kwongtong, but as yet is still quite rare outside of China. The Yau Kung Moon System is discernible by its unique horse stance which resembles the more familiar ding gee ma or Kung-Fu side horse. The back arch is more pronounced and the shoulders are thrown forward with arms and hands protecting the chest and groin area. Defense is natural since the critical areas of the body are behind the protective wall of the shoulders and arms. Kicks or punches delivered within range of the practitioner would still be out of range of vital areas, and would be shrugged off effortlessly. This same stance also lends itself readily to offense as the arms are already in the attack position and the back legs has the distance of leverage required for powerful kicking.

Yau Kung Moon has both an external and internal training. However, like most other styles of Kung-Fu renowned for their internal power, the individual systems' manifestation of internal power are still, somewhat secretive. The external training consists of 13 fist and 28 weapon sets. Besides the 18 classical weapons, sets with familiar farm implements (the hoe, long chair, spade, etc.) are also part of the system. This is a throw back to the days when the monks had to be prepared to defend themselves even while working in their fields.