What
What Is Wushu?
Wushu means, literally, "Martial Arts" in the Chinese dialect of Mandarin. "Wu" meaning "martial" and "Shu" meaning "art". It is where the term "martial arts" comes from. Wushu is amongst the oldest surviving martial arts system in the world and is also the national sport of China. It is also known under other names, such as "Chinese Martial Arts" and, most commonly, "Kung Fu".
I Heard That Wushu Is Some Kind Of Gymnastics, Is That True?
No, but many of the styles utilize aerodynamics to develop speed and power and can be mistaken as some kind of rhythmic gymnastics.
How Is Wushu (The Sport), Different From Wushu (The Martial Art)?
The sport is bound by rules, judged on balance, aerials, speed, agility and power to win a category that you compete in. The martial art relies on exactly the same things to win a fight against an opponent, the judge being who is left standing. So in a way, is there a difference? It really comes down to the focus and training of the student. Understand, that there are Wu Shu schools out there that do not focus at all on the self defence or martial value of Wu Shu. This hurts me alot!
Is It True That Wushu Is An Olympic Sport?
It is recognized as a sport by the Olympic council, and will be introduced at the Games in the year 2008 at the Bei Jing Olympics in China BUT it will not be an official Olympic sport in 2008 or in the 2014 London Olympics either. There will be an event held during the Olympic games called the Olympic Wu Shu games, but it will have NO relevance or recognition to the official Olympic Games
How Is Wushu Different To Kung Fu?
In WuLinNZ view; absolutely nothing. However, it is often common practice to refer to Wushu as the "sport" and Kung Fu as the traditional "self-defense system". It should be noted, however, that in this school (Wu Lin NZ), we use the term Wushu to refer to BOTH aspects.
Why Is Wushu Incorrectly Referred To As Kung Fu, Even In Asia?
The term Kung Fu (or Gong Fu), is loosely translated as "experience", "skill", "" ability" or "discipline". Properly utilized, the term can be used to apply to anything (e.g. a golf-player with a low handicap can be said to have good "Golf Kung/Gong Fu" or a master painter can have excellent "Painting Kung/Gong Fu"). When fighters would talk of their martial ability, they would talk of their skill (Kung/Gong Fu), not having to refer to what they were good at, make sense?
How Is Wushu Different From Karate/Judo/Kickboxing etc ?
If you were to take the characteristics of all of them, and put them in a blender "puff!" Instant Wushu! Wushu (a.k.a. Chinese Martial Arts) is as broad and deep as the ocean and within it lies the flavor of virtually every martial art imaginable.
Wu Shu is specifically Chinese martial arts.
What Are The Different Styles Of Wushu?
In terms of the competitive sport, the main styles are: Northern Fist (Chang Quan)/Southern Fist (Nan Quan)/Grand Ultimate Fist (Tai Ji)/Northern Broadsword/Southern Broadsword/Double-Edged Sword (Straight or Thin Sword)/Northern Cudgel (Staff)/Southern Cudgel (Staff)/and Spear.
In terms of the martial art, there are over 300 registered styles (and possibly just as many unregistered ones).
Why Are There So Many Different Styles?
The numerous styles of Chinese Martial Arts derive from a combination of historic events, human evolution, dynamics of growth and discovery, interpretation of previous styles and attributions carried by clans and families over thousands of years. Wu Shu like China's history is dynamic- in that it is forever evolving.
What Is The Best Style Of Wushu?
I'll answer with a question: "Best For Whom?" It differs from person to person. Many people throughout history have sought to find the "ultimate" style, never understanding the truth: that there is no "ultimate" style. Your ability as an athlete, your skill as a martial artist and your effectiveness in self-defense depends on only one thing: YOU.
I remember my instructor once saying, "the only ultimate martial art is Smith & Wesson."
Are There Different Styles For Different Body-Types And Fitness Levels?
The only fitness level you should be is the best fitness level you CAN be. However the strengths and weaknesses of your body can gift you with initial advantages and disadvantages towards certain styles. In short yes.
Can I Learn Any Style I Want Or Do I Have To Learn What's Best For Me?
In Wu Lin NZ, you will learn a foundation of the major Wushu competition styles, which will give you an extremely informed decision to what YOU WANT to learn. In time, you'll learn there is a difference to what you want to do, and what you can do.
I'm a firm believer in teaching you what you want, that way you'll love to learn, but no matter how you feel about learning other styles, you must still breach the major styles to achieve an all round ability & an informed decision.
What is Karate?
This is a very popular Japanese martial art, originating from the island of Okinawa. It literally means "The Way of the Empty Hand". The original kanji for karate meant Tang hand. Tang was the name of a Chinese dynasty. The name was changed to "Empty Hand" keeping the same pronunciation but changing the kanji so that it meant empty hand instead. This happened when the art was popularised in Japan. The people of Okinawa didn't have a problem with the Chinese name, but the Japanese preferred their own terminology. The style focuses on force absorption and power techniques, similar to "southern styles" of Wu Shu, as well as complicated internal breath control. Karate underwent an international renaissance in the mid-80's after the release of the extremely popular movie: "The Karate Kid". The origins of Karate lie in the southern martial art forms of China, probably derived from Southern Mantis or Wuzuquan or Zhujiaquan.
What is Tae Kwon Do?
This is a very popular Korean Martial art, it literally means, "Way of the Smashing Fist/Foot". It was derived from Tang Soo Do. Tang Soo means Tang Hand in Korean. Tang, as described in the Karate definition, was an ancient Chinese dynasty. Thus it is possible to ascertain that Tae Kwon Do and Karate are related. There are a few Taekwon Do Hyungs or "forms" (Poomse) that are the same as Karate Kata. The Sanchin and the Heian (Pinan) also correspond with the Forms of Wuzuquan. Tae Kwon Do (sometimes referred to as "T.K.D") relies heavily on development of powerful legs and kicking ability and is currently one of the most popular martial arts practiced today.
What is Tai Chi(Taiji)?
This is a form of Wu Shu, part of the major trio of Internal styles (along with Hsing-I Quan [Xingyiquan] and Baguazhang). Tai Chi (pronounced "Ty Jee") focuses heavily on the cultivation of internal energy - Chi (Qi) - to develop power and strength. Used primarily today a fabulous means of exercise and breath meditation, the martial art (Tai Ji Quan) also provides a frighteningly powerful system of self-defense techniques based primarily on leverage, balance and pressure-point attacks.
What is Muay Thai?
This is a popular Thailand martial art, often confused or mislabelled as "kickboxing". It is a martial art and fighting sport that is as popular in Asia as heavyweight boxing is in Western countries. This martial art grew to enormous popularity during the early 90's thanks to the influx of several "kickboxing" movies including Jean Claude Van Damme's "Kickboxer" where the actor, reputedly, fought using the Muay Thai style. Despite being similar in appearance, there are many differences between Muay Thai and Kickboxing e.g. Muay Thai includes the use of elbows and knees, and Muay Thai tournaments usually begin with a dance (the Ram Muay) and prayer.
What is Kickboxing?
Kickboxing is a form of freestyle fighting. It is said to have derived from Tae Kwon Do in the United States. I would not say that it is not a martial art, but it is more a fighting technique purely because (unlike other styles), it was not created for war. There are many similarities between this style and the martial art "Muay Thai" and many people like to differentiate between them by labelling one as "American Kickboxing" and the other "Thai Boxing".
What is Kempo?
Kempo is a Japanese word for "Law of the Fist" or "Way of the Fist". The word is used the same way "Quanfa" is used in chinese styles. For example, Shorinji Kempo, is the Japanese version of the Shaolin Fist. However, just the name "Kempo" is not a style in itself. But I have heard people refer to Ed Parker's "American Kenpo" as just "Kempo".
Note that one is "KeNpo", and the other "KeMpo", there is no real difference except for the romanisation of Japanese. The letter used there is a syllable N in Japanese, but the pronunciation changes to "m" when it occurs before a letter sounded with the lips (such as b, p, m etc...).
What is Judo?
Judo is a very popular (and I believe excellent) Japanese martial art, professional sport and Olympic event. Judo means "The Gentle Way" and places it's primary focus on disabling the opponent with minimum infliction of harm. The martial art centers primarily around leverage and disturbing the opponent's balance and then pushing or wrestling them to the ground. Judo is said to incorporate some of the most powerful throws and difficult locks in martial arts and has often been the subject of close scientific scrutiny, particularly by medical science, who are curious to ascertain the functions of the human inner-ear and balancing.
What is Drunken Boxing?
This is a style of Wu Shu where the practioner seems drunk so that their associated stumbling and sudden shifting between balance and imbalance are actually utilised as cleverly disguised attacks and defence movements. Using confusion to their advantage, Drunken Boxing practioners are notoriously difficult opponents. There are many types Drunken Boxing ranging from "drunken fist", "drunken monkey", "drunken eight immortal", "drunken staff", and so forth.
What is Shaolin Boxing?
Shaolin Boxing was the famous fighting techniques developed at the Shaolin Temple to initially protect the monks from robbers, bandits, and dangerous animals. This later was indoctrinated into the military to safe guard the Emperor of China. So therefore it can be seen as a martial art in the most literal sense of the term.
What is Ju Jitsu and Brazilian Ju Jitsu?
Ju Jitsu has its birth place in Japan, and the latter is a Brazilian derivative of the martial art. They both specialize in highly advanced and difficult grappling techniques. Brazilian Ju Jitsu (sometimes referred to as simply "B.J.J") is said to also specialize in "ground fighting" i.e. wrestling your opponent whilst lying flat on the ground.
What is Wing Chun?
This is a form of Wu Shu that is extremely popular in the Southern parts of China, in particular Hong Kong. Famous for being Bruce Lee's first style, Wing Chun works on the principle that a straight line is the quickest way of attack and defense.
What is Jeet Kune Do?
This is a philosophy created by the late Bruce Lee. It means "The Way Of The Intercepting Fist". There are schools of thought that believe it is a style, but Bruce Lee himself said it is actually a philosophy. This was verified by his son, the late Brandon Lee. Who can say they were wrong?
Can I learn any of the above martial arts at your school?
No, you can only learn the fundamental basics of each of the various styles of Wu Shu. But when you complete the three year course, you will then possess the skills and competence to study any chosen Chinese Wu Shu styles.
The world of Martial Arts is very huge. Martial Arts come from all over the world, not just China. Though Chinese Martial Arts have had a huge influence on many other Martial arts. Some arts may focus on the martial application in hope of doing harm, others focus only on building the body, while others focus on the philosophical side and peace and harmony. That's how wide the range is!