Modern Wushu
Modern Wushu is an international exhibition and full contact sport, based on traditional martial arts, it was originally conceived as a way to standardize traditional Chinese martial arts in the late-1950s. Consisting of individual routines, with or without weapons, paired practice, group practice, and full contact fighting (Sanda).
Actors like Jet Li and Donnie Yen had practiced Wushu since childhood. Jet Li being a part of the Beijing Wushu Team and dominating the competitive scene in the 70s, then retiring to become an actor. Donnie Yen, son of one of the Wushu pioneers in the United States, Master Bow Sim Mark, had practiced Wushu under his mother’s instruction in Boston and then China with the Beijing Wushu Team.
Wushu is comprised of three main styles:
Long Fist (Changquan), taking essentials of Northern styles like Chaquan, Huaquan, and Shaolin Boxing. Known for it’s long-range movements, rising and falling postures, and high jumps.
Southern Fist (Nanquan), combines the five major southern styles: Hong, Cai, Li, Liu, Mo. Known for having stable stances, steady footwork and a strong “bridge.”
Pictured above, Donnie Yen with Master Bow Sim Mark.
On the left, Jet Li with a broadsword.
Tai Chi (Taijiquan), is an internal martial art that focuses on cultivation of spirit as well as building a strong frame. One of the most famous routines is the 24 Posture Taijiquan which is based on Yang Style, and 42 Posture Combined Taijiquan which combines four of the five major styles of Tai Chi (Chen, Yang, Wu, Sun).