FAQ
What is Wushu?
[aken from The Martial Arts Encyclopedia, authored by Jennifer Lawler]
A Chinese term broadly encompassing 'martial arts' in Western countries, the term 'Kung Fu' is usually used to refer to the martial arts of China, but this is an incorrect use of the term. Kung fu simply means, 'a skill,' which can be applied to anything from chess to needlework. In China, Wushu is the official term meaning, 'arts of war.' Sometimes the term Chinese boxing is given to represent Chinese martial arts. Over three hundred styles and schools of the martial arts, each distinct, exist in China. Some are little more than gymnastic exercises, while others are legitimately considered combat arts. Wushu has been popular in China throughout it's lengthy history. Sometimes serving political, religious, or even criminal aims. As the secret societies show us. These secret societies advanced political, religious, or criminal goals and taught certain martial art styles to their members.
The Various schools are classified in different ways, the most common division is between Northern China and Southern China schools, Northern being 'internal,' that is, softer under Buddhist influence, and Southern being 'external,' that is, hard and under Taoist influence. Internal methods study chi, the life energy, as well as force on force, power and, speed. Some schools use weapons, especially swords while others use unarmed techniques only. All schools have stances, hand, and foot attacks. Students as lo practice forms. Work with partners is also characteristic. Students spar in three different ways to improve their techniques: unarmed; unarmed against armed; or armed against armed. Most styles encourage contests between participants.
Originally there were five Wushu methods practiced primarily in the south that came from Fuken Shaolin temples. These are identified by the name: Hun Gar, 'gar simply means family...'"
A Chinese term broadly encompassing 'martial arts' in Western countries, the term 'Kung Fu' is usually used to refer to the martial arts of China, but this is an incorrect use of the term. Kung fu simply means, 'a skill,' which can be applied to anything from chess to needlework. In China, Wushu is the official term meaning, 'arts of war.' Sometimes the term Chinese boxing is given to represent Chinese martial arts. Over three hundred styles and schools of the martial arts, each distinct, exist in China. Some are little more than gymnastic exercises, while others are legitimately considered combat arts. Wushu has been popular in China throughout it's lengthy history. Sometimes serving political, religious, or even criminal aims. As the secret societies show us. These secret societies advanced political, religious, or criminal goals and taught certain martial art styles to their members.
The Various schools are classified in different ways, the most common division is between Northern China and Southern China schools, Northern being 'internal,' that is, softer under Buddhist influence, and Southern being 'external,' that is, hard and under Taoist influence. Internal methods study chi, the life energy, as well as force on force, power and, speed. Some schools use weapons, especially swords while others use unarmed techniques only. All schools have stances, hand, and foot attacks. Students as lo practice forms. Work with partners is also characteristic. Students spar in three different ways to improve their techniques: unarmed; unarmed against armed; or armed against armed. Most styles encourage contests between participants.
Originally there were five Wushu methods practiced primarily in the south that came from Fuken Shaolin temples. These are identified by the name: Hun Gar, 'gar simply means family...'"
Frequently Asked Questions
-What are choreographed fighting routines?
Choreographed fighting routines are used as a way for students to train in coordination, timing, and proper, controlled execution of techniques. These routines, once mastered, can be used for competition or demonstration purposes. Choreographed Wushu fighting routines are most commonly seen in movies such as The Matrix trilogy, Charlie's Angels, Kill Bill, Fearless, Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon, The One, House of Flying Daggers, Unleashed, War, and many others.
- What are musical choreographed group and individual routines?
Much like modern dance, ballet, hip-hop, and jazz dancing, Wushu has evolved to include these types of performances. Used for stage demonstrations and competition, these routines encourage teamwork, hard work, and camaraderie. Wushu has been used worldwide in stage performances such as Cirque du Soleil's show, "KA," Broadway musicals, and live stage-acting. This avenue of Wushu provides the artist with a way of expressing their emotion using Wushu, dance, and music.
-What is contemporary Wushu apparatus training?
Contemporary Wushu apparatus training is simply the practice of traditional weapons in a safe and controlled manner. Wushu apparatuses include staff (gun), spear (qiang), straight sword (jian), broadsword (dao), nine sectional, three sectional, and others. All Wushu apparatuses are un-sharpened, and meant for practice only, and students are taught proper safety and care of all Wushu apparatuses. Safe use of apparatus is our main concern, and we ensure that our coaches and Sifus diligently watch over students during training. Contemporary Wushu apparatus training is limited to individual forms and choreographed fighting routines only; never sparring or fighting.
-What is lion dancing?
Lion dance is a form of traditional dance in Chinese culture, in which performers mimic a lion's movements in a lion costume. The lion costume may be operated by a pair of dancers. The dancers spring about while energetically moving and shaking the head and operating the jaws, ears, and eyes. The pair of dancers, forming the back and forelegs of the beast, mimic the motions of a single animal. The dance is traditionally accompanied by gongs, drums, and firecrackers which represents the descent of good luck. Traditional lion dance is done on the ground while a more modern variation has the dancer balancing upon a set of poles. Lion dancers of both styles still eat lettuce for good luck.
-What is dragon dancing?
Dragon dance is also a form of traditional dance and performance in Chinese culture. Like the lion dance it is most often seen in festive celebrations. In the dance a team of people carry the dragon which is an image of the Chinese dragon on poles. The lead dancer lifts, dips, thrusts, and sweeps the head which may contain animated features controlled by a dancer and is sometimes rigged to belch smoke from pyrotechnic devices. The movements in a performance traditionally symbolize historical roles of dragons demonstrating power and dignity. Dragons are believed to bring good luck to people, which is reflected in their qualities include great power, dignity, fertility, wisdom, and auspiciousness. The appearance of a dragon is both frightening and bold, but it has a benevolent disposition and eventually became an embalm to represent imperial authority.
-What is Chinese opera dance?
Contemporary and modified Chinese opera is a form of traditional Chinese theatre which combines music, vocal performance, mime, dance, and acrobatics to tell stories of current events and situations as well as old legends of China's past.
-What is Chinese drum, symbol, and gong playing?
Students of Jade Moon Wushu Academy have the privilege to train in the long, time-honored tradition of playing drums, symbols, and gongs which are used along with traditional lion and dragon dance ceremonies.
-What are self-defense strategies?
Jade Moon Wushu Academy prides itself on teaching strategies of self-defense rather than self-defense techniques. This simply means teaching how to avoid confrontation and potentially dangerous situations. We first teach how to avoid the situation; not just how to get out of it. It is our belief as teachers of the martial arts that we hold a responsibility to the community of who we teach and what we teach our students. Our curriculum includes many combat and fighting techniques, however, students are instructed not to use these techniques in actual daily life seeing as how many are very destructive and deadly. Students are taught that confrontation should be avoided. The preservation of life, respect, peace, and compassion are a martial artist's way of life. Students are taught that self-defense methods are not effective until a student reaches a mastery level (black belt) of the martial arts. In atempting to use such techniques before mastery level a student risks injuring themselves or others. Students are also taught that with the knowledge of martial arts comes the responsibility of self-control, humility, and awareness of the potentially dangerous techniques they now possess.
Choreographed fighting routines are used as a way for students to train in coordination, timing, and proper, controlled execution of techniques. These routines, once mastered, can be used for competition or demonstration purposes. Choreographed Wushu fighting routines are most commonly seen in movies such as The Matrix trilogy, Charlie's Angels, Kill Bill, Fearless, Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon, The One, House of Flying Daggers, Unleashed, War, and many others.
- What are musical choreographed group and individual routines?
Much like modern dance, ballet, hip-hop, and jazz dancing, Wushu has evolved to include these types of performances. Used for stage demonstrations and competition, these routines encourage teamwork, hard work, and camaraderie. Wushu has been used worldwide in stage performances such as Cirque du Soleil's show, "KA," Broadway musicals, and live stage-acting. This avenue of Wushu provides the artist with a way of expressing their emotion using Wushu, dance, and music.
-What is contemporary Wushu apparatus training?
Contemporary Wushu apparatus training is simply the practice of traditional weapons in a safe and controlled manner. Wushu apparatuses include staff (gun), spear (qiang), straight sword (jian), broadsword (dao), nine sectional, three sectional, and others. All Wushu apparatuses are un-sharpened, and meant for practice only, and students are taught proper safety and care of all Wushu apparatuses. Safe use of apparatus is our main concern, and we ensure that our coaches and Sifus diligently watch over students during training. Contemporary Wushu apparatus training is limited to individual forms and choreographed fighting routines only; never sparring or fighting.
-What is lion dancing?
Lion dance is a form of traditional dance in Chinese culture, in which performers mimic a lion's movements in a lion costume. The lion costume may be operated by a pair of dancers. The dancers spring about while energetically moving and shaking the head and operating the jaws, ears, and eyes. The pair of dancers, forming the back and forelegs of the beast, mimic the motions of a single animal. The dance is traditionally accompanied by gongs, drums, and firecrackers which represents the descent of good luck. Traditional lion dance is done on the ground while a more modern variation has the dancer balancing upon a set of poles. Lion dancers of both styles still eat lettuce for good luck.
-What is dragon dancing?
Dragon dance is also a form of traditional dance and performance in Chinese culture. Like the lion dance it is most often seen in festive celebrations. In the dance a team of people carry the dragon which is an image of the Chinese dragon on poles. The lead dancer lifts, dips, thrusts, and sweeps the head which may contain animated features controlled by a dancer and is sometimes rigged to belch smoke from pyrotechnic devices. The movements in a performance traditionally symbolize historical roles of dragons demonstrating power and dignity. Dragons are believed to bring good luck to people, which is reflected in their qualities include great power, dignity, fertility, wisdom, and auspiciousness. The appearance of a dragon is both frightening and bold, but it has a benevolent disposition and eventually became an embalm to represent imperial authority.
-What is Chinese opera dance?
Contemporary and modified Chinese opera is a form of traditional Chinese theatre which combines music, vocal performance, mime, dance, and acrobatics to tell stories of current events and situations as well as old legends of China's past.
-What is Chinese drum, symbol, and gong playing?
Students of Jade Moon Wushu Academy have the privilege to train in the long, time-honored tradition of playing drums, symbols, and gongs which are used along with traditional lion and dragon dance ceremonies.
-What are self-defense strategies?
Jade Moon Wushu Academy prides itself on teaching strategies of self-defense rather than self-defense techniques. This simply means teaching how to avoid confrontation and potentially dangerous situations. We first teach how to avoid the situation; not just how to get out of it. It is our belief as teachers of the martial arts that we hold a responsibility to the community of who we teach and what we teach our students. Our curriculum includes many combat and fighting techniques, however, students are instructed not to use these techniques in actual daily life seeing as how many are very destructive and deadly. Students are taught that confrontation should be avoided. The preservation of life, respect, peace, and compassion are a martial artist's way of life. Students are taught that self-defense methods are not effective until a student reaches a mastery level (black belt) of the martial arts. In atempting to use such techniques before mastery level a student risks injuring themselves or others. Students are also taught that with the knowledge of martial arts comes the responsibility of self-control, humility, and awareness of the potentially dangerous techniques they now possess.
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