Chinese Martial Arts

Chinese martial arts is generally called Wushu, where Wu means military and shu means art, thus Wushu means the art of fighting. It is an important and unique component of Chinese cultural heritage. Being a complex art form, Wushu combines Chinese philosophy, meditation, aesthetics and physical exercise. It is definitely a highly demanding sport that trains one's physical ability, health, willpower and mental discipline. Owing to its popularity, Chinese martial arts is not only practiced by the Chinese men and women, but also people around the world!
Some of martial arts fighting styles that are still practiced in present-day are types of Kung Fu including Bagua, Drunken Boxing, Eagle Claw, Five Animals, Hsing I, Hung Gar, Lau Gar, Monkey, Praying Mantis, White Crane, Wing Chun and Tai Chi Chuan. Some styles are copied from the movements of animals; while others are inspired by Chinese philosophical thoughts, myths, and legends.

Chinese Martial Arts always emphasize a basic skill, such as strength training, staff sparring, fencing, and eight methods of Shaolin. All of these methods are very effective to be an expert in Chinese Martial Arts. According to some Chinese experts, the martial arts of China are the ancestor of all types of martial arts practiced in Japan, Korea, and Tibet. Many different techniques derived from the arts of China.

Chinese Martial Arts have produced many eminent martial art practitioners. All of them had important contributions to make the art popular throughout the world. Some of them are NG Mui, Wong Fei hung, Huo Yuanjia, and Ten tigers - all of whom have had a strong influence in the culture and society of China.

Chinese Martial Art influenced other parts of world too. In the USA, it has been very popular since the 1960's and it's popularity continues to increase. increasing. Several Television shows were aired based on Chinese Martial Arts. There isn't a country in the world, where a Chinese Martial Arts training center doesn't exist.

China has one of the longest histories of continuously recorded martial arts tradition of any society in the world. There are styles that mimic movements from animals and others that gather inspiration from various Chinese philosophies, myths and legends. Some styles put most of their focus into the harnessing of qi energy, while others concentrate solely on competition and exhibition. Each style offers a different approach to the common problems of self-defense, health and self-cultivation.