Wushu - An Introduction

Among China's well kept secrets, one caught the imagination of westerners - 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 featured significantly in the simple matter of survival through China's many wars and political upheaval. Today, Wushu has been organized and systemized into a formal branch of study in the performance arts by the Chinese. It reigns as the most poular national sport in the country of 1.1 billion people, practiced by the young and old alike, and it is practiced for its method of achieving heath, self-defense skills, mental discipline, recreational pursuit and competition. The theory of Wushu is based on classical Chinese philosophy, while it's skills consist of empty hand techniques, weapon training and internal development. Over it's 500 year development, Wushu has developed into more than 400 different styles, with different characteristics and emphasis such as solid stances, intricate hand techniques, animal mimickry etc. Being that Wushu is so diverse, there is something for everyone regardless of age, sex or physical condition.

What is Wushu Sport (Contemporary Wushu)?

The South African National Wushu Training Center specializes in both Wushu Sport as well as traditional Wushu styles. 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. In 1920, the roots of Modern Wushu were established in Nanjing, China. Since then, China's National Sport has become an international phenomenon, the fastest growing Martial Art in the World. Taught throughout schools and Universities in China, the Beijing based International Wushu Federation boasts 86 member nations with World Championship competitions every 2 years and regional competitions such as the European Championships, Pan-American Championships and South-East Asian Championships held on alternative years. As a competition event for both the Asian and South-East Asian games, this event is to entering the Olympic arena at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing. How is wushu related to kung fu? "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.

Wushu Courses offered by the SANWTC include:

- Changquan (Long Fist: Compulsory and Individual) - Nanquan (Southern Style) - Traditional Styles (chaquan, pigua, tongbei, fanziquan, bagua etc) - Animal Styles (mantis, eagle etc) - Weapons (Broadsword, Straightsword, Staff, Spear, Tiger Hooks, Kwan Dao etc)