Introduction: The materials our group is presenting are taken from the book Spring & Autumn of Chinese Martial Arts, written by Kang Gewu. Each of us will be giving our presentation followed by a personal statement about our experience with Chinese martial arts.
What is Chinese martial arts? Chinese martial arts is a physical sport that originated 5000 years ago with its theoretical foundation, offensive and defensive movements. The practice of special skills, routines and fighting skills are the three exercise patterns of Chinese martial arts. Other names, such as Jiji (striking techniques), Wuyi (martial arts), Guo shu (national techniques), Gongfu (practicing techniques), have been used. In 1990, the International Wushu Federation unified these names into Wushu.
What are the goals of Wushu? When we think of practicing Wushu, we often come up with two goals that practitioners can benefit from: health improvement and self defense. First of all, Wushu can impose positive effects on our body’s motor, respiratory, cardiovascular and nervous systems. It can balance and strengthen our health internally and externally. From the frequent stretching and retractions of our muscles, it accelerates the circulation of energy through the channels in our body. Therefore, it improves our health and helps us maintain our well-being. Secondly, the practice of Wushu enables us to transform the opponent’s greatest strength and speed into weaker strength in which we can defend ourselves and defeat the opponent. In addition, Wushu is not only improving our health and preparing ourselves for self-defense; it is also helping us to cultivate our virtue and morality. By practicing Wushu, we cultivate our bodies and minds, standardize our words and deeds, and evaluate good and evil. It also helps us to understand the concept of holistic Wushu, the theory of Yin and Yang, and Quan theory as perfected by the traditional philosophical concepts.
Personal Experience with Wushu:Practicing Wushu helps me to be more aware of my surroundings and to concentrate better on the tasks I do.
Final Presentation
by NANCY HSU on APRIL 11, 2006