About kungfu

Recommended links:
Grandmaster Liu Yun Qiao
Sifu Adam Hsu


Recommended reading:
The Sword Polisher's Record The Way of Kung-fu
By Adam Hsu
First published in 1998 by Tuttle Publishing

Richard Rounke
SFSU 2006
The Way of Kung Fu

The Sword Polishers Guide: The Way of Kung Fu, by Adam Hsu, is a very
insightful book about the history and art of kung fu. “Kung Fu” actually means time and
hard work. Training is thorough and challenging and tests the patience of most students.
It is a very beautiful and graceful. It has also survived through thousands of years of
sweeping change which proves how enduring kung fu is. I find it amusing how Hsu
describes Kung Fu and how beautiful it is and then look at our class and think about all
the practice and disciple we need to master this “art”.

Kung fu, to Hsu, is the most difficult excellent form of exercise that can prevent
illness, create a better life and longevity. Hsu says that there are two parts to kung fu:
Yun and Dong. Dong is movement, action, and mobility. However, you can’t have Dong
without Yun. Yun is internal, meaning breathing, circulation, and focus. The standard
national Chinese wushu skips the Yun and it is described as Chinese Ballet. You cant
have one without the other. You need the outward and the inward which looks at your
body and soul. Yun and Dong work together simultaneously, not against each other.

Yun and Dong share all the same features as Yin and Yang. Most people believe
Yin and Yang are hard to fathom, but instead they are an integral part of out daily life.
Most people find it really hard to understand Yin and Yang. Yin and Yang is the theory
that the universe is full of opposites and that there is a dynamic cycle of creation and
destruction. There is always continual process of change, which is represented by the
curvy line in the middle of the circle. Not only do Yin and Yang always interact, but Yin
also contains Yang and Yang contains some Yin. The movements in Kung Fu contain
aspects of Yin and Yang. The moves start close to the body (the Yin) and move outward
(the Yang). The moves are all continues, going back and forth towards and away from the
body.

There are many building blocks to Kung Fu. Horse Stance builds a very strong
foundation. Empty legs stance is the starting point for all kicks. Kicks do not need the
arms for balance and the entire body finishes moving at the same time. Both fists hit the
target and the punches come from the spine. You must manage different parts of your
body simultaneous and not on a specific area. You most always keep breathing.
Breathing is your energy and you should never hold it in. You should always breathe with
your nose.

The body is a single moving unit in Kung Fu. The strength of power starts at the
ankles, moves up through the leg, into the hips, to the shoulder, and down the arm, to the
fist. This is called Chan Si Jin, Reeling Silk Energy. Spiraling movements rather than
straight ones.

Forms are a great way of learning the movements of Kung Fu. Forms are a variety
of connected movements with challenging transitions. Forms are a complete and
necessary element of a complete kung fu education.

This was a really good book that taught me a lot about kung fu and the history and
art of it. It was cool to read about all the aspects of kung fu: Yun and Dong, Yin and
Yang, the building blocks, and body movement and at the same time perform those things
in class.

The Spring and Autumn of Chinese Martial Arts - 5000 Years

By Kang Gewu - Professor, Chinese Wushu research Institute


Final presentation by Nancy Hsu KIN 248(1)

Introduction: The materials our group is presenting are taken from the book Spring & Autumn of Chinese Martial Arts, written by Kang Gewu. Each of us will be giving our presentation followed by a personal statement about our experience with Chinese martial arts.

What is Chinese martial arts? Chinese martial arts is a physical sport that originated 5000 years ago with its theoretical foundation, offensive and defensive movements. The practice of special skills, routines and fighting skills are the three exercise patterns of Chinese martial arts. Other names, such as Jiji (striking techniques), Wuyi (martial arts), Guo shu (national techniques), Gongfu (practicing techniques), have been used. In 1990, the International Wushu Federation unified these names into Wushu.

What are the goals of Wushu? When we think of practicing Wushu, we often come up with two goals that practitioners can benefit from: health improvement and self defense. First of all, Wushu can impose positive effects on our body's motor, respiratory, cardiovascular and nervous systems. It can balance and strengthen our health internally and externally. From the frequent stretching and retractions of our muscles, it accelerates the circulation of energy through the channels in our body. Therefore, it improves our health and helps us maintain our well-being. Secondly, the practice of Wushu enables us to transform the opponent's greatest strength and speed into weaker strength in which we can defend ourselves and defeat the opponent. In addition, Wushu is not only improving our health and preparing ourselves for self-defense; it is also helping us to cultivate our virtue and morality. By practicing Wushu, we cultivate our bodies and minds, standardize our words and deeds, and evaluate good and evil. It also helps us to understand the concept of holistic Wushu, the theory of Yin and Yang, and Quan theory as perfected by the traditional philosophical concepts.


Personal Experience with Wushu:Practicing Wushu helps me to be more aware of my surroundings and to concentrate better on the tasks I do.


Owl And Snake Soup! I was shocked to return home from an outing on a visit to my relatives in China to find four dead owls lying on the kitchen floor.Once I regained composure, I realized the honor of the specialty dish that was about to be bestowed on me. My 'endangered species' consciousness objected to the owls' deaths, but I also thought that having an owl skull supported the Chinese belief that one takes on the traits of an animal eaten. Markets throughout China are filled with beautiful animals sold as food. My relatives thought well of my wanting the skeleton but my friends have reactions that range from fascination to polite aversion. How does my relatives' kind gesture relate to kung fu?

Kung fu developed through generations of effort and war strategies.Techniques were refined as people fought and died for their communities and countries. Yet, as the logo of my teacher Adam Hsu's school states, "The goal of kung fu is to stop the fight." Among the scope of modernfighting technologies, is the ancient martial art of kung fu effective for defense of the self, community, country?

Kung fu is a complete workout to balance the body, mind and spirit (BMS)and to resolve one's inner aggressions. Stress or tension from a misunderstanding, reading a newspaper or watching TV can upset the BMS equilibrium. People study kung fu for its athleticism, beauty, traditional culture, self defense and just for the allure of learning to fight.

The owl and snake are natural enemies who prey on each other and other animals. When they encounter each other and fight, we understand the protective instinct. If you observe animals as I enjoy doing, you will see their aggressive interplay. But if we are more evolved than animals, why do we fight? Why do we demonstrate aggression?

The media focuses on negative news and the entertainment industry glamorizes aggression and violence. These types of images contribute to confusion, fear and misconceptions. But the real fight is internal. It is our human challenge to maintain in balance the freedom and grace that our lives are capable of.

Ideally, we are content at home, work or school. But if not, if you find yourself driving or walking aggressively, waking up groggy or ornery, saying regrettable things, drinking and eating excessive amounts of alcohol or sweets, counter these signs of BMS imbalance. Drop your newspaper, turn off your television, stop fighting with yourself and others and try a kungfu workout.


Last modified August 16, 2008

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