Among
China's
well kept secrets, one caught the imagination of outsiders - 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 of 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 reigns 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
heath, 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.
How is wushu related to
kung fu and taijiquan? "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 aesthetic
performance and competitive sport, while "kung fu" or traditional
wushu remains the traditional fighting practice. Taijiquan is a major division
of wushu, utilizing the bodies internal energy or "chi" and following
the simple principle of "subduing the vigorous by the soft."
http://www.beijingwushuteam.com
