of Wushu
Author and Photographer Lily Liu Chung
Co-Author Melody Chung
Visual Designer Jessica Liu Brookshire
Think Big Publishing
of Wushu
II
the beauty and sophistication of Wushu,
Lily Liu Chung and Jessica Liu Brookshire
collaborate to form this unique project.
Inspired by
Published by Think Big Publishing
Copyright 2006 Think Big Publishing
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced without the written
permission of Think Big Publishing.
ISBN: 0-9774063-0-X
Website: www.joyofwushu.com
email: info@joyofwushu.com
FAX: 1-408-257-5547
Author and Photographer Lily Liu Chung
Co-Author Melody Chung
Visual Designer Jessica Liu Brookshire
Book Cover Designed by Jessica Liu Brookshire
: 0-9774063-0-X
: www.joyofwushu.com
: info@joyofwushu.com
: 1-408-257-5547
:
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III
Calligraphy by Au Ho-Nien
IV
Acknowledgments
Authors Note
Part 1 Introduction to Wushu
What is Wushu?
Contemporary Wushu and Traditional Kungfu
Defnition of Kungfu
Standardization of Wushu
Differences Between Wushu and other Martial Arts
Benefts of Wushu
Wushu Classifcations
Usage Note
Personal Refections:
Collin Lee
Tiffany Reyes
David Chang
Part 2 Chinese Martial Arts in the United States
Infux of Masters from Overseas
Grandmaster Pui Chan
Sifu Mimi Chan
Master Hao Zhi Hua
Coach Li Jing
National China Wushu Team Performs at the White House
Wushu Meets Hollywood
Collegiate Wushu
Coach Phillip Wong and Coach Zhang Hong Mei
Personal Refections:
Tomas Chi
Alfred Hsing
Michele Chen
Contents
VII
VIII
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3
4
6
7
8
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21
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36
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48
V
Part 3 Wushu Training
Pushing the Limits of Human Potential
Recipe for Success
What age is best for learning Wushu?
Basic Wushu Movements and Curriculum
Contemporary Wushu Styles
Personal Refections:
Jeffrey Lee
Charles Shao Hwang
Part 4 Competitions and Performances
Competitive Wushu
Major Competitions in the United States
The Art of Performing
Shaolin Performances
One Finger and Two Finger Chan
Personal Refections:
Cheri Haight
Jennifer Haight
Jack Tu
Part 5 Philosophy and Culture
Chinese Philosophy and the Martial Arts
Shaolin and Buddhism
Martial Arts Schools Mottos
The Salute
Martial Arts Altars
Lion Dancing
Personal Refections:
Sifu Walter Zuazo
Vara Reese
Sifu Jamel Brown
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Part 6 The Art of Taiji
What is Taiji?
Benefts of Practicing Taiji
Basic Taiji Terms
Taiji Martial Applications
Master Shu Dong Li
Sifu Bow Sim Mark
Personal Refections:
Paul Brennan
Part 7 The Power of Sanshou
What is Sanshou?
The Rules of Sanshou
Coach Cung Le
Coach Brent Hamby
Part 8 The Wonder of Qigong
What is Qigong?
Hard Qigong
Painting While Standing on Eggshells
Iron Head
Personal Refections:
Sifu Eric Bernsdorf
Sifu Bob Rosen
References
105
106
108
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112
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115
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141
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VIII
I would like to dedicate this book to my loving parents,
who never stop encouraging and supporting me.
Also to my beloved husband Scott, who brightens and
colors my canvas of life with his enduring love.
And lastly to my cousin Lily, for giving me
this amazing book project opportunity and
inspiring me with her exceptional energy and
passion for Wushu.
Jessica Liu Brookshire
I would like to dedicate this book to
my loving parents, my brothers Bill and
Bruce, my husband Alan and my three
precious children: Eric, Melody and Katie.
You all are the sunshine of my life.
Lily Liu Chung
IX
Acknowledgments
Gigi Oh
Grandmaster Dao Yun Chen
Grandmaster Pui Chan
Venerable Shi Quolin
Grandmaster Jin-Sheng Tu
Master Patti Li
Coach Li Jing
Coach Phillip Wong
Coach Zhang Hong Mei
Master Tony Chen
Master Fei Chen
Coach Brent Hamby
Master Shu Dong Li
Gwong Yih Lee and Angela Lee
Ernie Lee and Fay Lee
Au Ho-Nien
Dr. Hsing Kung
Jentai Tsai
Howard Lee
Ginny Soong
Mary Carson
Scott Brookshire
Sheng D. Chiu
David Yu
Phillip Pai
Han-lin Peng
Maria Chen
Maggie Li
Barbara Monroe
Daniel Brookshire
Michelle Wu
Karen Quach
We would like to thank all the sifus, coaches and students who contributed to this project.
In addition, we would like to acknowledge the following individuals who kindly offered
their time and knowledge to help us to accomplish this book.
X
I
n December 2002, I introduced my daughter Melody to Chinese mar-
tial arts. Thoroughly convinced that the aesthetic yet challenging art
would beneft her physically, I had also hoped that she would acquire a
deeper understanding of her Chinese roots.
Her frst practice, however, ended in a miserable feeling: while the
other students pressed their temples against their knees, leapt across
the mats, and practiced full sets, Melody struggled with basic kicks and
stances. Not only was she deeply intimidated, but she also refused to
go back. I told her, however, that I had already paid the months tuition,
and so I encouraged her to try a few more times before giving up.
Thank goodness she did, because her frst-glance failure blossomed
into a blessing. Three months after her frst encounter with Wushu, she
told me, "Mom, thank you for giving me the best gift in my whole life."
Aside from developing a passion for Wushu, Melody has more endur-
ance, better time management skills, and a pride in her life. Wushu has
truly become the love and source of happiness for both of us.
Like other parents, I am a "voluntary chauffeur." Even after two years,
I still enjoy watching my daughter train. I am always touched by the
interaction between the coach and students, the training that the stu-
dents endure, and of course the power of Wushu. The martial art truly
challenges a persons potential, patience, and endurance. Whenever I
have the chance, I always recommend other children to begin learning
Wushu. As time wore on, I started to practice Taiji myself. I came to
a startling realization: I wanted to write a book about Wushu. Driven
by motivation and gut, I collected and organized information, snapped
photographs, and conducted interviews. The goal of the project was to
use a modern way to portray the beauty and spirit of Wushu, so as to
attract and educate the community.
In July 2003, I visited Boston with Melodys teacher, Grandmaster
Dao Yun Chen. There, I met and interviewed Wah Lum Kungfu Sifu
Pui Chan, the founder of over 30 branches of the Wah Lum Kungfu
system! Whats more, approximately 90% of the students werent of
Asian descent. I was amazingly touched by the fact that they were
so sincere and respectful towards Chinese martial arts. The students
truly believed in the motto, "Respect ancestors, respect the teacher,
respect the teaching, learn the kindness, learn the art, and learn
Kungfu." I felt they were more Chinese than Chinese!
Since that time, I have encountered over a hundred of coaches and
students, spanning from the east coast to the west coast. Although
these coaches and athletes may differ in age, gender, ethnicity, and
religion, everyone shares the same passion and is so hopelessly in
love with Wushu. This passion reinforces my opinion that Chinese
martial arts is a wonderful subject to work on.
Working on the project, however, was not a simple task. The diffculties
surpassed my imagination; with such a broad topic, it was arduous to
edit and select from thousands of photos, write a bilingual manuscript,
and contact dozens of people. Although I often spent my holidays and
nights working on the project, I enjoyed the entire process. With the
tremendous contributions of my cousin Jessica and daughter Melody,
we made the mission possible.
Joy of Wushu project took us over three years to accomplish. We hope
that readers will cherish the opportunity to learn more about Wushu
from our efforts. Wushu is a deep art and has become so popular
throughout the world. Theres a Chinese saying that goes, "Your sifu
introduces you to the art, but it depends on your own effort to make
it work." It truly depends on an individuals effort and consistency to
succeed in life. Bless everyone: happily practice Kungfu and enjoy
Wushu learning.
Author's Note
XI
2
00212
20037
of Wushu
Part I
Introduction to Wushu
2
Jeffrey Basilio Pagtalunan
Opposite: Jeffrey Lee, Jennifer Haight and Cheri Haight
I
n many ways, Wushu represents the soul of China.
Deeply rooted in spirituality and philosophy, Wushu is a
term used to classify all Chinese martial arts styles under
one name. Literally translated, wu means military and
shu means art or skill. Wushu therefore means Chinese
martial arts.
The Chinese character that represents wu is composed of
two parts. The frst part, means to stop. The second,
is a pictograph of a spear. When combined, the term
symbolizes the idea of using military power to subdue
violent disorder. By promoting peace, Chinese martial arts
serve and protect while avoiding confict.
Wushu is a national sport in China, much as Tae Kwon
Do is for Korea, football for the United States, or soccer
for Brazil. The most popular sport in a country of over 1.3
billion people, Wushu is practiced in nearly every province
of China.
1.3
What is Wushu?
?
3
Contemporary Wushu and Traditional Kungfu
C
hinese Wushu can be categorized into two main groups: Contem-
porary Wushu and Traditional Kungfu. The frst, which focuses on
training and competing, is a highly gymnastic, technical dem-
onstration sport that emphasizes complexity of movements,
higher jumps and visual expression. Key elements include
speed, fexibility, balance, coordination and presentation.
In contrast, Traditional Kungfu broadly encompasses
the ancient fghting practice. The application-based
fghting of Kungfu emphasizes techniques of
style, physical conditioning, the relationship
between internal and external power, and the
healing tradition. Kungfu is characterized by
several styles, such as Shaolin, Wudang,
Omei and hundreds more.
Although Wushu has been with
the Chinese for well over 1,500
years, only recently has it spread
to other countries. In the last few
decades, the captivating art has
increasingly become more popular
throughout the world, with over 97
nations participating in the Inter-
national Wushu Federation (IWUF).
Moreover, the sport was inducted as an
offcial medal event in the Asian Games in
1991. As the sport steadily expands its global
presence, people across the world are gradually
discovering and appreciating the art of Wushu.
4
Cheri Haight
Jeffrey Lee
97
1991
5
6
K
ungfu does not actually translate into Chinese martial arts. Instead, it literally means
skill from highly concentrated effort, or simply hard work. Used as a general term
in the Chinese language, Kungfu therefore means the mastery of any art. Consequently, an
accomplished writer or a competent chef can have good Kungfu.
An alternative defnition of Kungfu
is a disciplined person, with
kung meaning discipline and fu
meaning person. By executing
martial art techniques, students
become disciplined through rep-
etition, practice and concentration.
Although Kungfu is multi-faceted,
the ultimate goal is to strive for a
harmonious blending of the body,
mind and spirit.
With the popularity of Hong Kong
Films, Bruce Lee and Kung Futhe
television series, the unknown
term Wushu became familiar to
the mainstream English commu-
nity in the 1960s. Before that, the
term was primarily referred to as
Chinese boxing.
Left to right: Vara Reese, Melody Chung, Jeffrey Lee, Sifu Shi Quolin and Shi Xiao Long
Denition of Kungfu
1960
7
Standardization of Wushu
I
n order to create a universal standard, Wushu was modernized by the Peoples
Republic of China in 1949. Masters and coaches across China gathered to
produce compulsory movements for the competition foor.
Todays routines (taolu) are no longer compulsory and instead, are tai-
lored toward individual strengths. Routines include long fst, southern
fst, broadsword, straightsword, spear, staff/cudgel, Taiji and south-
ern broadsword.
1949
Sifu Tony Chen
8
Differences Between Wushu and Other Martial Arts
NAME
ORIGIN
TRANSLATION
BRIEF DESCRIPTION
Wushu
China
War arts
A general term for Chinese martial arts
Tae Kwon Do
Korea
Way of hands and feet
Primary form of Korean unarmed combat
Karate
Japan
Empty hand
All parts of the anatomy used to punch, strike, kick or block
Aikido
Japan
Way of spiritual harmony
Based on aikijutsu, non-aggressive self-defense, harmony and
grace of movement
Judo
Japan
Gentle way
Art of self-defense similar to wrestling, adapted from jujitsu
Sifu Fei Chen
9
T
here are numerous benefts to practicing Wushu. Practitioners
both young and old can experience the physical, emotional,
mental, social and spiritual benefts of this lifelong art. Wushu
strengthens the body, improves fexibility, toughens the mind and
rejuvenates the spirit.
According to Sifu Thomas Haase of Wah Lum Kung Fu of Tampa
in Florida, people beneft from their training in more ways they can
imagine. Many benefts are subtle changes or shifts in your per-
sonality and viewpoints, he says. These gradual changes slowly
begin to alter your outlook and attitude towards life and the people
in it. That is why Kungfu is a lifelong art. The longer you practice,
the further you grow and the more you realize how little you have
learned.
Tampa
Benets of Wushu
Grandmaster Dao Yun Chen
