Brief Introduction of Wushu (Chinese Gongfu)

Wushu - WushuWritten by JuliafedrstsDiversified Forms  Wushu is very rich in form and content, encompassing hundreds of styles and thousands of routines, eachwith its own distinctive features. Changquang !ong-"ange #hadow $o%ing& is characteri'ed by speed andvigour, while tai(iquan is noted for its slow and gentle movements. )ne category of wushu forms is called%iang%ingquan, which portrays the movements and postures of various animals, as e%emplified by houquan*on+eys #hadow bo%ing& and tanglangquan *antis #hadow $o%ing&. hen there is the humorous 'uiquanthat describes a drun+ard who is drun+ in appearance but not in mind and is sober enough to outwit hisopponent.  "oughly spea+ing, wushu may also be divided into barehand e%ercises and e%ercises with weapons. hereare a few do'en +inds of weapons employed in wushu e%ercises, mostly modelled on ancient types. /lthoughthe significance of their role in modern warfare has diminished since the invention of firearms, their value inwushu training remains to this day.  0owadays wushu is practised in the form of pre-arranged routines, either by a single person fighting animaginary foe, or by tow or more partners in a simulated combat -- barehand versus barehand, weapon versusweapon, and barehand versus weapon. here are also free combats in which a contestant is free to use all+inds of wushu techniques--+ic+s, blows, holds and throws-in order to +noc+ down the opponent. o minimi'ein(uries, rules are being wor+ed out to govern this +ind of contest.  1%ercises for the *illions  he reason why the time-honoured art of wushu has ta+en deep root among the broad masses lies in itsproven value in health-building. /ccording to the philosophy of traditional Chinese medicine, wushu e%ercisesconsist of both e%ternal and internal wor+, the former meaning movements of the body, the hands and thefeet and e%pressions of the eyes, and the latter being related to the spirit, willpower, vital energy andstrength. he two aspects are combined as movements are guided by consciousness so as to achieve aunity of body and mind. hus, constant practice of wushu helps not only to strengthen muscles and bones,but also to regulate the central nervous system and improve the cardiovascular, digestive and respiratoryfunctions.  /s wushu e%ercises are highly varied in intensity as well as in form, they offer an abundant choice to peoplediffering in age, interest and health condition. $esides, one needs only a small space and very simpleequipment for their performance. #o wushu can be easily promoted as a participation sport. 2n recent years,coaching centres have mushroomed in cities and towns all over the country. 0umerous people in poor healthare reported to have benefited from constant practice. o add to its prestige, wushu is now used in manyhospitals and sanatoriums as an effective therapy for chronic diseases.  /s a performing art, wushu plays an important part in Chinas 345 +inds of local operas, which consist offour elements6 singing, acting, dialogue and fighting. *any operas are featured by battle scenes with thrillingwushu movements. Wushu has also found its way into modern dance-dramas, lending them a strong nationalflavour and enriching the language of choreography. 7ungfu films produced at home and abroad, which arefull of wushu actions performed by Chinese masters, have a great appeal to cinema-goers.  8oing far beyond Chinas boundaries, wushu has become increasingly popular in many parts of the world.he Japan #horin(i 7empo )rgani'ation, founded by the late master Doo-shin #o after learning wushu at the#haolin *onastery in Chinas 9enan :rovince, boasts a membership of more than a million. he 0ationalChinese Wushu /ssociation of /merica, founded in ;<=> has ?,555 members in @= cities in the Anited #tates.2n ;<>5, a si%-nation +ungfu league was formed by #weden, 2taly, France, $ritain, West 8ermany and #pain. /s the birthplace of wushu, China has in recent years sent her best masters on performance tours abroad andreceived group after group of foreign wushu enthusiasts coming on study missions.  1very nation has her fine cultural traditions to contribute to the treasure house of human civili'ation. 2t ismost gratifying to note that Chinese wushu, as a common asset of man+ind, is flourishing as never before forthe well-being of the people.