What Is Wushu Martial Arts?

Wushu is a discipline with over 2,000 years of cultural tradition. It combines art and sport, being distinguished by a wide range of techniques. These include performing combat movements with throws to a series of artistic sequences simulating battles.

Throughout its evolution, this compendium of Chinese martial arts has integrated pure martial technique as spectacular elements. The result is the creation of a complete experience for its practitioners. When used in competition, wushu is a sport. It is also a form of self-defense and has philosophical elements which can be integrated by its proponents. Wushu is practiced in two main forms:

Taolu

Taolu practice focuses on staging a combat routine designed by the practitioner. Pure Chinese martial arts techniques are combined with a series of acrobatic challenges. The composition creates great excitement for the spectators and must reflect the elegance, strength and ferocity of the practitioner.

Sanda

Sanda is a mixed martial arts system based on one-on-one combat. Competition uses punching techniques, defensive techniques, throws, kicks and wrestling elements. A fighter in this style possesses an agile mind and fluid technique, allowing him to unleash explosive combos on his opponent, throwing them, or even throwing them off the mat.

With these two styles in mind, we can see the differences between wushu sport and wushu performance. However, there is often much crossover between the two and wushu is not limited to only these uses.

The origin of wushu, or kung fu, dates back to before 2000 BC in the ancient Shaolin Monastery in China. This makes it a Chinese martial art that is one of the oldest martial art disciplines in the world. In its early days, it was practiced to train monks through physical exercise for their daily spiritual practices.

Master Bodhidarma was the first to teach wushu. He did so during a visit to the monks at the Shaolin Monastery, performing a total of 18 movements. Over time, it evolved to include 24 movements.

Wushu holds great importance in China. It is considered an integral part of the country's history and culture. For centuries, it has been used as a form of military training, as well as a spiritual and artistic expression.

Today, wushu remains a very popular discipline in China, with millions of practitioners spread across the country. In fact, National Wushu Day is still celebrated on August 8th to honor this ancient martial practice.

Wushu is related to kung fu in that they both are umbrella terms for Chinese martial arts. While the fundamentals should remain the same, different practitioners may use variations in technique. This means there are various different styles and schools of thought, sometimes with practitioners arguing over the most important schools of thought.

In this way, kung fu and wushu are very similar. However, the differences tend to be in approach. Some say that kung fu represents a more traditional and rigid form of Chinese martial arts which is based on combat. Wushu is seen as a more modern and adaptive form of Chinese martial arts with greater emphasis on performance.

Learn more about one of the most famous proponents of kung fu with our article asking what was the cause of Bruce Lee's death?

As a martial art, wushu is a complex activity which has many facets. It can be oriented toward different goals depending on the aspirations of each practitioner. For example, many choose to implement the philosophy of taiji to their wushu practices as a way to cultivate body, mind and spirit through balanced and healthy training.

Others prefer to delve deeper into Chinese culture and discover the applications of taolu for self-defense, thanks to classical training. There are practitioners who are inspired by the thrill of combat and the risk of acrobatics. Sanda and modern taolu are more preferable for these practitioners.

In competitive wushu sport is divided into different events according to the sanda and taolu schools:

• Sanda: has two events which are an individual event and a team event. Its classifications are organized by weight with seven classes for women and eleven for men.
• Taolu: is subdivided into traditional and modern techniques, each with its own distinct styles. Each style category can be subdivided into empty hand, short weapon and long weapon, as well as other options such as double and flexible weapons. Duilian events feature choreographed combat performances, either in pairs or trios. Finally, Jiti is an event for group exhibitions.

Wushu equipment consists of boxing gloves, shin guards, head guards and a cup guard. These are necessary elements for protecting fighters and preventing serious groin injuries.

Practicing wushu provides multiple benefits that go beyond the purely physical. As it focuses on proper breathing, muscle strength and flexibility, it helps strengthen the body, reduces the risk of injury and promotes mental and emotional balance.

Through the learning of offensive and defensive techniques, wushu gives practitioners confidence and self-esteem. It enables them to confidently face daily challenges. As a discipline that promotes gender equality, it also fosters a sense of equitable community in which everyone can grow together.

Wushu empowers and teaches the appropriate use of force for personal protection. It also helps develop mental discipline that translates into strength, agility and coordination.

Now that you know what is wushu martial arts, you may think of starting yourself. You should seek out a professional trainer for guidance, but our article on how to make a homemade punching bag can help you practice at home.

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