What is Kung Fu & Wushu?
Wushu meaning
"Wushu" is the Chinese term for "martial arts" (武 "Wu" = military or martial, 術 "Shu" = art). The practice of martial arts like Wushu (also more commonly referred to as Kung Fu) develops a strong and healthy body, mind, as well as a good moral mind, as it focuses on "Wu De" or Martial Ethics, also known as Martial Virtue and Kung-Fu Virtue.
Wushu meaning
In general, kung fu (pronounced gōngfu) refers to the Chinese martial arts. In China, it refers to any study, learning, or practice that requires patience, energy, and time to complete. In its original meaning, kung fu can refer to any discipline or skill achieved through hard work and practice, not necessarily martial arts (for example, the discipline of tea making is called the gongfu tea ceremony).
The literal equivalent of "Chinese martial art" in Mandarin would be zhōngguó wǔshù.
Kung Fu is one of the World’s most popular martial arts
Kung Fu is a martial art that originated in China. It is characterized by rapid, powerful strikes and intricate footwork. The word “Kung Fu” is the Cantonese pronunciation of the term “Gongfu”, which means time, effort, and energy. Kung Fu practitioners believe that the art of Kung Fu is not just about fighting, but about personal development and self-defence. Kung Fu is a highly effective system of self-defence, and also an excellent form of exercise that promotes a number of life skills and values. The ultimate goal of Kung Fu is to develop one’s character and achieve harmony with the world around them. There are many different styles of Kung Fu, each with its own unique techniques and philosophy.
The Benefits
As A Form Of Self-Defence
As a self-defence system, Kung Fu is a system of self-defence that incorporates punches, kicks, and locks. Kung Fu is also known for its focus on breath control and meditation. Kung Fu is considered one of the most popular martial arts.
Unlike many martial arts, the size and strength of a Kung Fu practitioner is unimportant as students are taught to use their entire body when delivering strikes. Furthermore, students are trained to control the scenario with precision strikes and various forms of locks and holds.
Every martial art is dangerous if it’s used for combat and isn’t watered down to make it look nice or as a sport. Though many of them have been modified to be less messy and more “acceptable” for those purposes, at their core they’re all meant to kill. While Kung Fu teaches a person combat skills, our school does not promote aggression. Instead, it promotes awareness to avoid conflict.
Our self-defence is when you have no other choice.
Health Benefits Of Kung Fu
Kung Fu practitioners are known to gain improved personal energy and flexibility, enhanced strength, and conditioning of the body as a whole as well as benefiting the mental and emotional states of those who practice it regularly.
Kung Fu is also a way to relieve stress. People who practice this learn to draw energy into their bodies through visualization, breath work, and flowing movement. In addition, basic techniques of kung fu help you learn how to restrict the “fight or flight” response of the body by activating the parasympathetic nervous system and helps reduce symptoms related to stress.
This may include strengthening the immune system, lowering blood pressure, and enhancing sleep quality. The results are not purely physical - practitioners may find it helps alleviate depression and anxiety and improves the mood.
Increased endurance and muscle strength are other obvious benefits of practicing Kung Fu. Through this exercise, you will tone muscles that are important in fighting stances and forms in the arms, legs, and core. For example, the basic horse stance helps strengthen quadriceps. Even the warm ups done in kung fu help to make the abdominals and arm muscles stronger for the repeated punches and strikes needed in different forms.
Kung Fu As A Way of Life
Kung Fu Kung Fu promotes a number of values to live by, including integrity, respect, courtesy, humility, loyalty and compassion.
Kung Fu is an individual sport. Therefore, the focus is not only to compete against another person or team, but rather to compete against oneself. This ‘self-focus’ accompanied with continual improvement develops self-esteem and self-confidence amongst those who practice it.
Kung Fu also promotes self-discipline, goal setting and leadership. People who study Kung Fu can attain a high level of commitment and dedication to any chosen endeavour simply because of the skills and habits they develop.
