Chinese Martial Art

Chinese Martial Art is an important part of the cultural heritage of China, with a rich content over the centuries. The Chinese word "Wu" means military, and "Shu" means art. Wushu therefore means the art of fighting, or martial arts. Martial training includes Ti (kicking), Da (punching), Shuai (throwing), Na (controlling), Ji (hitting), Ci (thrusting), Related to each style are basic forms, or sequences, which may involve defense ,offense, retreat, mobility and immobility, speed and slowness, hard or soft postures, emptiness and fullness, with or without weapons.

Martial Art was born and has steadily grown perfection as an important part of Chinese culture, because it was influenced by other forms of culture, first and foremost by philosophy, art and literature, and religion. Wushu gets as one of the most traditional and popular national sport in China, practiced by the young and old alike.

Wushu was a kind of military training method, bearing a close relationship with ancient combats. Practical skills, such as strength training, staff sparring, spear training, etc., are still used now by policemen and soldiers. Today Wushu was systematized into a formal study in the performance arts and has become an athletic and aesthetic performance and sport. Every movement must exhibit sensible combat application and aestheticism.
Chinese Martial Art was classified intodifferent styles according to different regions, different schools and families, as well as fightingskills. Routines are performed solo, paired or in groups, either barehanded or armed with traditional Chinese weaponry. Wushu can be viewed in terms of two categories, including Taolu (Forms with or without weapons) and Sanshou (Free Sparring).
Taolu is a performance of set offensive and defensive Wushu movements based on Chinese Wushu principles. It includes the following four main categories: Bare-Handed Forms, Weapon Forms, Duilian, and Group Forms.

Duilian form consists of sets of offensive and defensive movements for two or more practitioners in mock combat routines. Group Forms are usually for demonstrations only and performed with or without weapons by a group of six or more persons.
It has shifted from combat to performance, which is practiced for its method of achieving health, self-defense skills, mental discipline, recreational pursuit and competition. In 1986, Wushu was choosen to be an official medal event in the Asian Games.