Wushu is a martial art that originated in ancient China. It blends fluid movements and exercises into a fighting technique. Focusing on combat skills, wushu students use punching, kicking and throwing techniques as well as joint locks. Wushu can be practiced with weapons such as whip chains, hooks and axes.
Bodhidharma
This form of Chinese martial art originated over 6,000 years ago when a holy man known as Bodhidharma traveled from his monastery in India to spread the Buddhist faith throughout China. After crossing the Himalayas and the Yangtze River, he traveled to the capital of Honan Province, Loyang. Upon arrival, he came upon a temple. He found a cave nearby where he spent the next nine years in meditation.
Strengthening
Bodhidharma was troubled by the fact that the monks living in the temple were weak and in poor health. To strengthen them so they could perform his rigorous meditations, he added calisthenics to their daily training. These early exercises became known as "The change of the sinews," "the marrow washing" and "the 18 movements of the enlightened one."
Development
Over the centuries, the Bodhidharma's methods were practiced and enhanced by many Shaolin masters. Though the original Shaolin Ssu is gone, many branches of kung fu exist throughout China and the Western world, the most common being Northern Shaolin and Southern Shaolin. Northern Shaolin styles focus on long-range fighting techniques, kicking, acrobatic techniques and ground-fighting techniques. Southern Shaolin techniques emphasize hand techniques and higher stances.
Competition
In the 20th century, wushu saw some major changes, including the addition of gymnastics. The Jin Wu Sports Association was founded in 1909 in Shanghai and incorporated gymnastics into its wushu training. The first international wushu competition was held in 1985, and the first world championship was in 1991.
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