Calgary Tai Chi & Martial Arts College

 

WUSHU

Note: For the purpose of this discussion, consider wushu as a distinct subcategory of  "Wushu".

Originally known in the West as kung fu, "Wushu" is now the official name of  the martial arts system that has circulated China for thousands of years.  "Wushu" is a comprehensive form of culture of the human body that can be practiced for self-defense, performance, or improving one's health. 

In its broader sense, "Wushu" encompasses four subcategories:

  1. Wushu (external, non-combative).

  2. San Shou (external, combative) 

  3. Tai Chi Forms (internal, non-combative) and

  4. Tai Chi Push Hands (internal, combative)

Wushu is an external non-combative art that emphasizes speed, flexibility, balance, co-ordination and presentation.  

Training consists of:

  1. Basic strikes, blocks and parries

  2. Stance training and

  3. Forms (empty handed & armed).  

 


The basic wushu stances are: 

  • horse stance

  • bow stance

  • falls stance 

  • and empty stance.

 

There are seven fundamental systems that provide the basis for learning all the other forms. These are:

  • Changquan (Long fist)
  • Nanquan (Southern fist)
  • Taijiquan (Tai Chi)
  • Daoshu (Broadsword)
  • Jianshu (Straight sword)
  • Guanshu (Staff or cudgel)
  • Qiangshu (Spear)

 

 

Other major disciplines include:

  • Ditanquan (Tumbling boxing) 
  • YinQuan (Eagle Claw)
  • HoQuan (Monkey fist)
  • TanglangQuan (Praying Mantis)
  • Zuijiuquan (Drunken style) 

 
 

Other weapons include: 

  • 9-section whip

  • Double broadsword

  • Guandao (Long-handled scimitar)

  • Sheng Biao (rope dart)

  • Shuang Gou (Double hooksword)

  • San Jie Guan (3-section staff).

 

Competition Wushu is non-contact and non-combative.  Competitors demonstrate their martial skills in forms or routines, some of which are entirely compulsory, others can be designed by the competitor(s) but must contain a number of compulsory techniques.

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Calgary Tai Chi & Martial Arts College
Bay 515, 3208 - 8th Avenue N.E., Calgary, Alberta T2A 7V8
Tel: (403) 250-8633  (403) 295-3431

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