Southern white crane kung fu is practiced in the province of FuJian in China ( close to Japan ). It was created by a lady called Fang Qi Niang around 1640.

Southern white crane kung fu is not widely practiced in the West. However, it is acknowledged to be one of the main influences many karate styles. Miyagi Chojun (1888-1953) the creator of Goju Ryu and Kanbun Uechi the creator of Uechi Ryu both studies in China the the systems contain similar forms. Many other Southern kung fu styles like Wu Zhu Chuen ( 5 ancestor fist ) and Wing Chun share common roots with White Crane. Wing Chun in Chinese is pronounced Yong Chun and is the name of the area and the town where white crane kung fu is most widely practiced.

Martin Watts ( www.fujianbaihe.com ) has practiced this style of kung for the last 13 years. He was the first Westerner to visit Yong Chun to study the system, and is the only Westerner to be practicing and teaching exclusively this style of kung fu. He currently lives in Mallorca.