All About Wushu Wushu is a term given to a collective of Chinese fighting styles that developed over centuries in the

country. It takes the form of free sparring and routine exercises with the intention to strengthen will power, promote physical health and refining fighting skills. The Wushu practitioner can practice his or her craft either with bare hands or with weapons. Punching, kicking, sei ing, throwing and even !oint lock techni"ues are incorporated into the training in accordance with particular patterns and rules that involve a number of defense and offense combinations. The history of Wushu The origins of Wushu can be traced back to primitive times. The precursors of Wushu were #i or sport, $iaodi or wrestling, Wu or dance and %anchi or the axe and shield. &ighting styles developed alongside the social development in China. 'otable periods were the (hou )ynasty, *in )ynasty, +uan )ynasty and ,ing )ynasty extending from the --th century .C to the -/th century 0). 0 large variety of Wushu styles emerged in the sports realm. 0mong them were the martial styles of $iaodi or wrestling, $i!ian or fencing, $iaoli or strength and trial, #iangpu or sumo, Ci"iang or fighting with spear and $iaobang or fighting with staff. Classification and content of Wushu There are a number of schools of Wushu. It is classified into five types1 Barehand Wushu: 0ll the bare hand martial skills are included in this Wushu like Changchuan or 2ongfist,#ingyi"uan, .agua hang or 3ight )iagrams .oxing, Tai!i"uan or %rand 4ltimate &ist, 'an"uan or 5outhern &ist, Chu!iao"uan, )itang"uan or %round &ighting , .a!i"uan, Tongbi"uan or White 0pe &ist, &an i"uan, 5haolin"uan or 5haolin, Pigua"uan.

Weapons Wushu: The weapons used in Wushu can be differentiated into four subcategories1 a6 5hort weapons like the dagger, broadsword and sword b6 2ong weapons like halberds, staff and spear c6 5oft weapons like the rope dart, meteoric hammer, three section staff and nine section whip d6 )ouble weapons like double halberds, double sword, double broad sword, double twin head spears and double hooks. Set Sparring: This can be separated into three types1 a6 bare hand vs. bare hand b6 bare hand vs. weapons and c6 weapons vs. weapons. Group Exercises: This classification includes all exercises as practiced by a martial arts7 group, in synchroni ed movements forming patterns and using or not using weapons. Free Sparring: This encompass all fighting duels between two fighters as per fixed rules. Weapon duels and Tai!i Push 8ands fall into this category.

Styles of Wushu

0 number of distinctive Wushu styles has developed over two thousand years in China. 3ach style has its own peculiar ideas and techni"ues. ,ost styles, however, have common themes. These themes can be classified into families or 9!ia:, schools or 9men: and sects or 9pai:. 5tyles that mimic animal movements exist. 5ome styles collate inspiration from a number of Chinese legends, myths and philosophies. 0 few styles concentrate into harnessing 9"i:or natural energy and some others focus on competition. 0t %o;<arate= we list a large amount and variety of martial art schools that will serve your needs in the Wushu category of mixed martial arts. +ou can !oin any of the training institutes listed in this website for self defense and also for a fit body, mind and soul. Wushu contests )uring a contest involving any style of Wushu, !udges or referees keep an eye on a set of eight features. These are breath, eyes, hands, steps, use of body techni"ue, strength, spirit and ability. The International Wushu &ederation is the governing body that is incharge of handling Wushu events across the globe. It was formed in ->>? to ensure that Wushu finds a place in competitive sport, with specific reference to the --th edition of the 0sian %ames held back then. The &ederation has been striving to ensure that Wushu be included as part of the @lympic %ames. )uring the ;??A @lympics, a Wushu tournament was permitted to be held in .ei!ing, though it was not part of the official games schedule. 0lso, as a form of respect to the Chinese martial arts, I@C regulations which specify that nonB @lympic sport contests are not allowed to be held in @lympic hosting cities were given a goBby. Competitive Wushu can be divided into two segments C taolu and sanda. The rules for the two are separate. Taolu has a set of movements or patterns, and is exercise oriented. 5anshou or sanda is a combat sport. 5anshou includes many aspects of martial arts such as striking and grappling. 2ater, when it was developed into a sport, attempts were made to make it less violent. ,any restrictions were brought in which meant that blows could not be delivered to the back of the head, spine or the groin. .oth Taolu and 5anshou are recogni ed by the &ederation, and competitions are held in the two forms.