Academy of Tai Chi and Wu Shu

Wu Shu

Instructor

Typical Class

Meet Students

Schedule

Wu Shu

Sales

Table of Contents:

1

About Wu Shu

2

Wu Shu Basics

3

Wu Shu Sayings

4

Wu Shu Poses

5

Importance of Stretching

6

Wu Shu Links

About Wu Shu

    Wu Shu means martial art, and in ancient times it was used primarily as a form of combat in China. Since 1958, China revised the old traditional Wu Shu forms by combining them with Peking Opera, gymnastics, and acrobatics to create a contemporary art form that is aesthetically pleasing, visually exiting, and physically demanding. While the forms still contain kicks and punches, emphasis is now on developing the physical abilities of the performer, and interpreting the flavor and spirit of each particular style of Wu Shu. Further, the movements are sometimes choreographed to music to create a truly exciting art form. Chinese Wu Shu contains over 300 different forms; there are Northern and Southern styles, internal and external forms, forms that imitate animals, and forms with weapons. Wu Shu may be practiced and performed by persons of any age or sex, as there exists a great multitude or forms to study.

     Wu Shu as taught in the Academy emphasizes the development of health, discipline, flexibility, and coordination for each student.

of page

Practicing Wu Shu Basics

Stances

Punches

Kicks

Horse Stance

Standing Punches

Front Stretch Kick

Bow Stance

Horse Stance Punches

Side Stretch Kick

Sit Stance

Bow Stance Punches

Outside Crescent Kick

Drop Stance

Cover Push

Inside Crescent Kick

Single Leg Stance

Reverse Punches

Slap Kick

High Stance

Block Punch

Side Kick

Empty Stance

Cover Punches

Round House Kick

Split Stance

Hook Push

Inside-Outside Kick

Jumps

Tumbling

Power

Jump Straight Up

Forward Roll

Push up

Jump Turn

Arm Roll

Sit up

Jump with Knees Up

Head Roll

Fast Punches

Jump Slap Kick

Backward Roll

Fast Kicks

Jump Inside Kick

Backward Extension

Knee Lifts

Jump Outside Kick

Arabian

Duck Walks

Jump Open Kick

Hand Spring

Running in Place

Butterfly

Somersault

Holding Stances

of page

Wu Shu Sayings:

  • "The fist resembles the speed of a meteor, the eyes are as quick as lighting."
  • "The movements of the spear is like a floating Dragon; the sword is as graceful as the Phoenix in flight; and the broad sword is like the fierce tiger."
  • "If you practice only the form of fist and not the basics, even if you practice until old age you still will not achieve success."
  • "Practice breathing to strengthen the internal organs; practice external movements
  • "Take years to practice the fist, months to practice the stick, and every day to practice the spear."
  • "The spear is the king of all weapons."
  • "The stick is the grandfather of weapons."
  • "The fist strikes 30%; the legs strike 70%."

of page

Wu Shu Poses

of page

Stretching for Tai Chi and Wu Shu

The Importance of Stretching

     It is essential to stretch before any Tai Chi or Wushu workout in order to prevent injury and prepare you for the best possible practice. Flexibility is helpful to your performance because it allows you to concentrate on breathing, position, pace, etc. rather than the limits placed on your motion due to poorly stretched muscles. Also, remember that general flexibility improves best with daily stretching exercises such as those outlined below. Stretching too hard will make your muscles sore and tight, so be patient and allow your flexibility to develop over time.

 Basic Floor Stretching Excercises

     To begin, sit on the floor with legs straight in front. Then open the legs as wide as is comfortable. Hold each of the positions described below steadily (no bouncing) for 10 counts.

  1. Lean over the right leg, keeping the back straight, chest facing towards the floor. Hold onto the right foot if possible. Repeat, leaning over the left leg.
  2. Next, do a side stretch: Lean to the side over the right leg, so your right side is facing the floor. The left arm should reach over the head toward the right foot. The right arm can lay against the floor, pointing to the left. Repeat over the left leg.
  3. Lean forward, keeping the back straight. You may reach the arms forward or reach them sideways to hold onto the feet if possible.
  4. Bring the legs together in front. Lean forward over the legs, keeping the back straight. Pull the balls of the feet back, if possible.
  5. Pull the legs in for a butterfly stretch. The feet are in the center, bottoms together, and the knees to the sides. Hold the feet together with the hands and push down on the knees with the elbows. Lean forward, keeping the back straight.
  6. Next, leave the left leg laying on the floor as in the butterfly stretch, and cross the right leg over it so that the right foot is on the floor and the right knee is pointing up. Turn the torso to the right and stretch by pulling the right leg close to your body. Repeat on the opposite side.
  7. Next do a runners stretch, with the left leg bent behind and the right leg straight in front. Lean over the front leg with the back straight. Repeat with the left leg in front.
  8. For more advanced students: from the runner's stretch, slide into the splits by straightening the back leg. Do for both sides.

Contact: Tai Chi Academy


of page

Wu Shu Links

If you'd like some more information about Wushu, you can find it at:
University of California Martial Arts Program
UCLA Wushu Club
The National Wushu Training Center
The Monash University Wushu Club Home Page

of page

Instructor

Typical Class

Meet Students

Schedule

Wu Shu

Sales

Telephone: 408-836-8500

e-mail: sifuchuck@taichiacademy.com

Copyright © 2002 by Howard Chuck, Tai Chi Academy
All rights reserved