Kung fu (wushu)
Kung fu is the common name for the Chinese martial arts; in China they are usually called wushu. There are many traditional styles, such as Shaolin, Wing Chun and tai chi. Modern sport wushu has two sides: taolu, forms — set sequences of movements judged for technique and precision — and sanda (also sanshou), full-contact fighting with punches, kicks and throws.
What it is for
Section titled “What it is for”- Flexibility, strength and balance: deep stances, kicks and, in some styles, jumps.
- Fighting skills: strikes, kicks, blocks and, in many styles, throws and locks.
- Focus and memory — forms are long sequences learned by heart.
- For those who want to compete, tournaments in forms or in sanda.
- A living link to Chinese culture and tradition.
Equipment
Section titled “Equipment”- Light, loose clothes or the school’s uniform — often wide trousers with a T-shirt or a traditional jacket, and in some schools a sash.
- Thin-soled kung fu shoes or light trainers; some schools train barefoot.
- For sanda: gloves and hand wraps, a mouthguard, headgear, shin guards and a groin guard.
- Weapons — staff, sword, broadsword, spear — come later, as training versions; schools usually lend them at first.
How training goes
Section titled “How training goes”- 60–90 minutes, starting with joint mobility, stretching and stance training; basic stances such as the horse stance are held for a while.
- Basics: punches, kicks and footwork, often practised in lines across the hall.
- Forms (taolu), learned a few movements at a time; weapon forms come at higher levels.
- Partner drills that show how the movements of a form are used; in Wing Chun, sensitivity drills such as chi sau.
- Sanda classes look more like kickboxing: pads, bags and sparring with protection.
- Stretching at the end. A first class covers the basic stances and a few simple movements.
Who it suits best
Section titled “Who it suits best”- Children and adults who like athletic, precise movement — kicks, jumps and flexibility.
- People who enjoy learning sequences, as dancers and gymnasts do.
- Those drawn to Chinese culture and traditional training. For a slower, gentler practice, see Tai chi.
- Anybody who wants to compete in forms or in sanda.
- It is less suited to anybody who wants sparring from the start — schools differ, so ask whether they spar, or choose a sanda class. Deep stances and high kicks load the knees, hips and back: with an injury, ask a doctor and tell the trainer.