What is Wushu?

Wu = Martial Shu = Art

Wushu is the Chinese word for martial arts. "Wu" translates into English as "martial" and "Shu" translates into "art." The meaning behind the word encompasses everything to do with the art of fighting. In China, wushu is the term for martial arts, and the phrase "kung fu" is used to describe the quality behind a given subject. However, in the west kung fu and wushu are synonymous. This is as a result of the introduction of wushu into the movie industry and other forms of mainstream media. The words kung fu and wushu are used interchangeably on this web site to refer to Chinese martial arts.

Modernization, Sports, and Traditions

The creation of the art was for survival and military purposes, and was a by-product of China's turbulent history and cultural movements. China also had a dueling culture for centuries. The dueling culture dissappeared in the twentieth century due to constant war (The Boxer Rebellion, civil war, The Sino-Japanese War, World War II, and Cultural Revolution), and modern war technology. In modern times, Wushu has evolved to include a sport version just as boxing, wrestling, and fencing evolved in other cultures. Attempts are being made to include it as an event in the Olympic games. This isn't surprising as other fighting arts have become events, such as Boxing, Judo, and Taekwondo. Even though a sport version has been created, the traditions of historical wushu are still the backbone of the art. The traditional arts continue to be passed down from generation to generation.

The Sport Version

The sport version of wushu has been organized into a system with a single set of standards used for judging competition. There are four main categories: ?
Changquan (Long Fist) ?
Nanquan (South Fist) ?
Taijiquan (also known as Tai Chi) ?
Sansho (sparring) ?
The first three categories are often referred to as "compulsory sets".

The Tradition

The four main categories are just the tip of the iceberg, as modern wushu training also encompasses the traditional forms of the art. Authentic wushu is a rich combination of culture, traditional martial arts, and modernization.

Today's wushu artist has the best of both the new and traditional: ?

Competes in both compulsory and traditional categories. ?

Learns and trains in the traditional arts, exercises, and philosophy. ?

Learns and trains in the contemporary arts. Trains with modern scientific approaches and advancements.

How Is Wushu Distinguished From Other Martial Arts?

Every martial art has its own distinct personality. Judo emphasizes wrestling and choking. Taekwondo has a very strong emphasis on kicking. Aikido has very circular motions. The list goes on for each different art.

The first way that Wushu can be distinguished is that it is actually several martial arts, each with entire systems unto themselves. The reason for this is because the Chinese fighting arts can be traced back to ancient antiquity. Archeological records exist dating as far as the Shang dynasty (16th-11th centuries B.C.). Two of China's most influential historical figures, Kong Zi (Confucius) and Lao Tzu, were martial artists during the the Zhou dynasty (1111-222 B.C.). The history of wushu can be roughly followed through each subsequent period in Chinese history. There can be no way to count all the individual styles of Chinese martial arts. However all the ones that survive today can be categorized under the title of wushu.

The second way that wushu can be distinguished is that it is a complete system. It offers styles for hand to hand (fist styles and animal styles), wrestling, grappling (Chin Na), internal arts (Tai Chi and Bagua Zhang), and a rich variety of weapons that can't be found in any other martial art.

What is Wing Chung

Wing Chun is a subtle and complete system of Chinese Kung Fu, developed over hundreds of years, with its roots in the Shaolin Temple tradition. Legend has it that in 1645 a Bhuddist nun by the name of Ng Moi devised the system and taught it to a young girl called Yim Wing Chun, who successfully used her newly learned skills to defend herself against a local bully who attempted to rape her.

Originally a very secret system, the sophisticated art of Wing Chun was only passed on to family members and close, trusted friends. It was only when the legendary Grandmaster Ip Man (now sadly passed away) arrived in Hong Kong that the style was taught more openly.

Wing Chun does not pit strength against strength but rather employs its unique understanding of angles and sensitivity to force to overcome aggression (fitness, age and sex are of no consequence). Many of the exercises are scientific in approach and training is carried out in a friendly atmosphere of co-operation as opposed to one of aggressive competition. This allows students to develop freely and at their own pace. It is possible for a complete novice to become competent within one year, although, as with any true art, practical ability is only the beginning, there is always room for deeper exploration, further development and personal interpretation.

Wing Chun's effectiveness as a practical self-defence or street fighting method is well documented, refined over the years for economy and direct application. The style does not easily lend its self to display or sport as some more flamboyant styles do. This is because the apparent simplicity of the system disguises the devastating power and speed behind its subtle technique.

Typical techniques include; trapping hands, swift low kicks, close body control and short, but devastatingly powerful strikes from the hands (such as the inch punch). Wing Chun practitioners also employ a unique sensitivity training exercise known as Chi sau, or sticking hands