|
|
Wushu, Tai Chi, and Shaolin Chuan
The category 'Kung Fu' is divided into 3 sub-categories; Wushu, Tai Chi, and Shaolin Chuan(fist).
Then, the sub-category 'Wushu' can be further broken down into 2 headings; Modern Wushu, and Traditional Wushu. In addition, there are 2 types of both of these Wushu; Northern: fast, high jumping, high kicking, more emphasis on performance. And Southern: not as fast, kicks as high as the waist, less jumping, emphasis on strength. This section will fully elaborate each of these categories.
|
| |
Wushu
-.What is Wushu?
-. Among China's well kept secrets, one caught the imagination of Americans: Chinese wushu.
Wushu is an important component of the cultural heritage of China, with a rich content that has remained untarnished over the centuries. Literally translated, "wu" is military, "shu" is art. Wushu
therefore means the art if fighting, or martial arts.
Previously, wushu figured significantly in the simple matter of survival through China's many wars and political upheaval. Today, wushu has been organized and systematized into a formal branch of study in the performance arts by the Chinese. It reign s as the most popular national sport in the country of 1.1 billion people, practiced by the young and old alike.
It's emphasis has shifted from combat to performance, and it is practiced for its method of achieving health, self-defense skills, mental discipline, recreational pursuit and competition.
To describe wushu, it is best to understand the philosophy of its teaching. Every movement must exhibit sensible combat application and aestheticism. The wealth of wushu's content, the beauty of wushu movements, the difficulty factor, and the scientific training methods are the song of the elements that set wushu apart from martial arts.
Routines are performed solo, paired or in groups, either barehanded or armed with traditional Chinese weaponry. In short, wushu is the most exciting martial art to be seen, felt, and ultimately practiced.
|
Edward Thach
2nd place Chan Chuan
Chinese Wushu Kung Fu Challenge 2000 |
| |
Tai Chi
A style of Kung Fu; Tai Chi is a slow movement, muscle exercise that makes your "Ki" (Internal Energy) move freely throughout the body. Tai Chi helps relax the Ki's vital energy in your body and heal ailments by increasing blood circulation through the movements of Tai Chi. Tai Chi is suitable for all ages and NOT only for elders. Strongly suggested that children should also practice Tai Chi during youth. As they
practice more, they will understand how to use the Ki within their body. Through the practice of Tai Chi, the human body will become much healthier, and stronger. Tai Chi can be used for self-defence as well.
All the movements in Tai Chi forms can be altered to fast-motion techniques, therefore making it possible to use in self-defence.
-. How is wushu related to kung fu and "taijiquan" (Tai Chi)?
-. "Wushu" is the correct term for all Chinese martial arts therefore kung fu and wushu were originally the same. During the last thirty years, wushu in Mainland China was modernized so that there could be a universal standard for training and competing.
In essence, much emphasis has been placed on speed, difficulty, and presentation. Consequently, wushu has become an athletic and a competitive sport, while "kung fu" or traditional wushu remains the traditional fighting practice. Taijiquan is a major division of wushu, utilizing the body's internal energy or "Chi" and following the simple principle of "Subduing the vigorous by the soft."
Although still in budding stages in many countries, wushu is an established international sport. In 1990, wushu was inducted as an official medal event in the Asian Games. Since then World Championships have taken place with 56 nations participating. Wushu is also vying for the Olympic games in the 21st century.
|
Master Thach and his students practising Tai Chi |
| |
Shaolin Chuan
Shaolin Chuan. A type of Kung Fu that does not put its field of interest into fanciness, but concentrates on the applications of every movement. The applications of the movements in a Shoalin Chuan form (routine) can easily be identified since there's not much fancy techniques to cover it up.
One may think that Shaolin Chuan obviously originated in Shaolin. That's actually half true to where the Shaolin Chuan style came from. The other half comes from the world outside of Shaolin. That is where Shaolin Chuan actually originated from. Long ago, people who have committed crime, (murder, robbery, and so on,) and did not want to take responsibility for it, they sought the Shaolin temples as shelter and decided to become a monk. Once a monk, all 'criminal records' would be 'erased'. Then inside the temple, these monks would exchange their knowlegde of styles of Kung Fu and this exchange grew so large that they decided to unite all these different types of arts into one and there derived the term and style, Shaolin Chuan.
|
|
|
|
