Wushu in Dublin?

DeletedPencil

Hey guys! I have a question, and I think I'm in the right place!

Are there any wushu clubs in Dublin? Or is wushu just a part of kung fu in general? Pardon my ignorance. :P

I've always wanted to try wushu, but I could never find any info on it here in Ireland.

paul moran

Hey,

Wushu is a sport using Kung Fu techniques in a gymnastic format. Entertaining to look at and has great benefits but is not a martial art as such.

I believe there was someone teaching Wushu in UCD. I don't have any contacts for them. Where are you based??

If you are looking to learn to fight Wushu is not suitable. If you want to learn to fight and learn the traditional techniques from a Kung fu style make sure you join a school that pressure tests it techniques in a sparring environment.

Best of luck with your search, I hope someone less here can be of more help to you.

DeletedPencil

Hey Paul thanks for the reply. I did tae kwon do for quite a few years, and although I still train by myself, I find myself missing the formality of classes. I'd like to try something different though...something that's less 'fight' oriented and more about performance and visual flair, so I was thinking about wushu. I thought about Capoeira too, but it's too much like breakdancing LOL

So Wushu isn't really a whole martial art in itself then? More of an extension of traditional kung fu? I'd love to give it a try. I live in South Dublin. Yeah I'm aware of the kung fu club in UCD, but I didn't think they taught wushu... Actually I used to know someone who taught at that club, but I'm not sure if he still does.

Thx again for your help

Robert Bannon

Hi guys.

Wushu [Competition Wushu] is taught in UCD by Professor Zhenjuan Liu. She was the wushu teacher and director of coaching in the Capitol Institute of Physical Education in Beijing.

Details of what she teaches are available here: www.ucd.ie/wushu

Best regards,

Robert Bannon

Dawei

Hey guys, wushu 武术 means martial art, in fact wu means fight, shu means skill. The meaning of kung fu is broader than Martial art. I think this answers you, if you have any chinese related questions , feel free to ask me since I am a native Chinese.

FiannaGym.com

Deleted Pencil,

WuSHu is definately NOT an extension of Kung Fu but a less effective more gymnastic style. Developed out of the Cultural revolution to keep the health and sporting benifits of Kung Fu while taking away the threat of legions of well trained fighters... Which is shameful.

There was another guy teaching Wu Shu in Dublin called Edwardo, he was from Belarus I think. He also did San Shou, but that was a long time ago.

I mean you could learn Wu Shu off youtube if you like training by yourself.

Peace

Dawei

I don't about you guys. but in China Kung fu is Wushu , Wushu is Kung fu. same content.

wudangclan

my understanding is that although wushu may translate into english as fighting,people learning wushu are just learning forms,(modified to look cool in competitions) while people learning sanshou/sanda are learning ow to fight.

Dawei

wudangclan wrote: »

my understanding is that although wushu may translate into english as fighting,people learning wushu are just learning forms,(modified to look cool in competitions) while people learning sanshou/sanda are learning ow to fight.

I think it is because that the word wushu more often used in the competitions than Kung fu. In fact it is the formal way, for instance that when you train some one you would say glutes, rather than ass. Wushu is martial art. Kung fu can mean time , hard work etc. For example, in China people say " wait until I have kung fu. it means wait until I get a chance. But don't say it in English , it just sounds weird.

Black Jack

Well, look Wushu is part of Kung Fu, it is a form of Kung Fu,

I am also looking to learn Wushu and will start these class's come the New Year, I contacted this guy

i will go to his class

http://www.jilindragon.com/

DeletedPencil

Robert Bannon wrote: »

Hi guys.

Wushu [Competition Wushu] is taught in UCD by Professor Zhenjuan Liu. She was the wushu teacher and director of coaching in the Capitol Institute of Physical Education in Beijing.

Details of what she teaches are available here: www.ucd.ie/wushu

Best regards,

Robert Bannon

Hi Robert,

Thanks for that info. I was hoping to get into some of that 'competition' style wushu, with the acrobatic movements. Is that the what's taught in UCD? Also, who are the classes open to?

Thanks

FiannaGym.com

Geez guys,

I dunno, if I was gonna sweat and bleed for hundreds of hours I'd actually do a little research.

Wu Shu, yeah translates most properly to Martial Art and yeah Kung Fu can mean "work - skill" "time" "breath" and so on.

Wu Shu, and you can twist this fact anyway you like, as it is known today encompases a group of forms that are in no way related to Kung Fu, they dont posses timing, reflex, chi kung, sparring, conditioning (in terms of hardening parts of the body) and a whole load of stuff.

As I've said before, and keep avoiding this fact if you like, "Wu Shu" (and forget the translation - I mean if I call a martial art super killer do it doesnt mean its for super killers) was developed post Cultural Revolution to make fit flexible athletes with national pride but without the capacity to fight.

That is why in China you have loads of "Wu Shu" and it claims to encompass "Kung Fu" but outside China in Hong Kong and Tawain you have Kung Fu.

Thats the simple fact. I know Wu Shu is very difficult to learn, like the floor routine in gymnastics, but it is NOT a martial art in its true form and not "real" Kung Fu. That doesnt mean dont do it or its not fun I just think you should know.

Peace

DeletedPencil

FiannaGym.com wrote: »

Deleted Pencil,

WuSHu is definately NOT an extension of Kung Fu but a less effective more gymnastic style. Developed out of the Cultural revolution to keep the health and sporting benifits of Kung Fu while taking away the threat of legions of well trained fighters... Which is shameful.

There was another guy teaching Wu Shu in Dublin called Edwardo, he was from Belarus I think. He also did San Shou, but that was a long time ago.

I mean you could learn Wu Shu off youtube if you like training by yourself.

Peace

So, the practise of the national sport of around 1 billion people in China, in the opinion of one European, is shameful? Gee, maybe you should fly over there and tell them the error of their ways.

FiannaGym.com wrote: »

Geez guys,

I dunno, if I was gonna sweat and bleed for hundreds of hours I'd actually do a little research.

Wu Shu, yeah translates most properly to Martial Art and yeah Kung Fu can mean "work - skill" "time" "breath" and so on.

Wu Shu, and you can twist this fact anyway you like, as it is known today encompases a group of forms that are in no way related to Kung Fu, they dont posses timing, reflex, chi kung, sparring, conditioning (in terms of hardening parts of the body) and a whole load of stuff.

As I've said before, and keep avoiding this fact if you like, "Wu Shu" (and forget the translation - I mean if I call a martial art super killer do it doesnt mean its for super killers) was developed post Cultural Revolution to make fit flexible athletes with national pride but without the capacity to fight.

That is why in China you have loads of "Wu Shu" and it claims to encompass "Kung Fu" but outside China in Hong Kong and Tawain you have Kung Fu.

Thats the simple fact. I know Wu Shu is very difficult to learn, like the floor routine in gymnastics, but it is NOT a martial art in its true form and not "real" Kung Fu. That doesnt mean dont do it or its not fun I just think you should know.

Peace

'Martial Art' doesn't have to always mean clobbering someone. The routines and movements in wushu are borrowed from traditional kung fu, yes, and may not be of any use on TODAY'S battlefield, but it doesn't make it less of a martial art. Gymnastics is a martial art - it was originally used to train cavalry officers and give them good core and leg strength which would serve their horsemanship well.

Horse riding itself is a martial art, and was one of the disciplines of the Japanese Samurai. Just because something doesn't quite fit YOUR definition of what a martial art is, it does not make it any less of a martial art.

I know full well what wushu is. Sweating, yes, bleeding, no. I'm not interested in clobbering people 3 times a week and walking around with bruises the rest of the time. I want something that will really challenge me physically, and test the limits of my abilities. Wushu, gymnastics and even ballet dancing is twice as hard as training for MMA.

I've been there, done that - I've practised combat sports nearly all my life, but I never really found what I was looking for.

For some, 'martial arts' is some sort of fear based preparation for the day they end up in a fight outside a nightclub. For others, it's about acquiring the skills to challenge others and settle scores the 'real' way. I suppose it's a bit of both for others. MMA classes could be like a sort of 'Fight Club' for some people. It's definitely the 'in' thing these days, that's for sure.

The way I see it, nobody attacks you for your own good. If you find yourself in a fight, kick the balls, elbow the solar plexus, go for the throat, the eyes...etc. Fights don't last very long (unless the other guy is a grappler who was simply out looking for a fight - that's another topic I think). Violence isn't pretty - in a real fight, chances are somebody is going to the hospital. Violence should be avoided at all costs.

I want to train in wushu for many reasons, but none of those reasons include living in fear of an attack. The real question is: How much 'martial art' is really in 'Mixed Martial Arts'? Isn't it just ordinary kicking, punching and wrestling?

FiannaGym.com

DeletedPencil wrote: »

So, the practise of the national sport of around 1 billion people in China, in the opinion of one European, is shameful? Gee, maybe you should fly over there and tell them the error of their ways.

Now DeletedPencil, if I was gonna interpret so much out of your statements as you did from mine I would suggest your use of the term "European" in that sentence is racist, implying that my opinion on this subject is somehow less valuable based on me being european.

You can try an misunderstand my use of the term shameful but I'll try help you understand what Im saying. The practice of the national sports is not by any means shameful. It also isnt trained by anything like 1 billion people. What is shameful is an organised genocide of cultural artifacts in one of the oldest cultural areas in the world. The town of York in England has more historical buildings than the whole of China. If you dont consider the Cultural Revolution in China as shameful then I suppose you also support Stalin and Hitler?

Anyway,

DeletedPencil wrote: »

'Martial Art' doesn't have to always mean clobbering someone. The routines and movements in wushu are borrowed from traditional kung fu, yes, and may not be of any use on TODAY'S battlefield, but it doesn't make it less of a martial art. Gymnastics is a martial art - it was originally used to train cavalry officers and give them good core and leg strength which would serve their horsemanship well.

This is a really good point because it is so similar to Wu Shu, it is exactly not a martial art, it is no longer trained for combat.

DeletedPencil wrote: »

Horse riding itself is a martial art, and was one of the disciplines of the Japanese Samurai. Just because something doesn't quite fit YOUR definition of what a martial art is, it does not make it any less of a martial art.

No it doesn't make it less of a martial art. I suppose if I play boxing on a nintendo wii Im boxing too. Intent of training is a very important element.

DeletedPencil wrote: »

I know full well what wushu is. Sweating, yes, bleeding, no. I'm not interested in clobbering people 3 times a week and walking around with bruises the rest of the time. I want something that will really challenge me physically, and test the limits of my abilities. Wushu, gymnastics and even ballet dancing is twice as hard as training for MMA.

Funny that your lecturing me on MMA and Wu Shu, you dont even train!!!?? I mean what the hell kinda attitude is that. I've done Wu Shu, I've trained in China - if any of that means anything. Whats funnier is the fact that your telling me (someone who has done Kung Fu, Wu Shu, San Shou, Karate and MMA) what is harder. Maybe if you had trained any of this you'd be able to tell me. I'll wait to hear how "I did a bit of TKD" is gonna turn into more martial arts experience.

DeletedPencil wrote: »

I've been there, done that - I've practised combat sports nearly all my life, but I never really found what I was looking for.

DeletedPencil wrote: »

I did tae kwon do for quite a few years, and although I still train by myself

Those two statements are at odds.

DeletedPencil wrote: »

For some, 'martial arts' is some sort of fear based preparation for the day they end up in a fight outside a nightclub. For others, it's about acquiring the skills to challenge others and settle scores the 'real' way. I suppose it's a bit of both for others. MMA classes could be like a sort of 'Fight Club' for some people. It's definitely the 'in' thing these days, that's for sure.

Is it? or is it horse riding and gymnastics?

DeletedPencil wrote: »

The way I see it, nobody attacks you for your own good. If you find yourself in a fight, kick the balls, elbow the solar plexus, go for the throat, the eyes...etc. Fights don't last very long (unless the other guy is a grappler who was simply out looking for a fight - that's another topic I think). Violence isn't pretty - in a real fight, chances are somebody is going to the hospital. Violence should be avoided at all costs.

Thanks for that, I see you've missed most of these arguments on this board. I dont know why you decided to introduce all this to the discussion.

DeletedPencil wrote: »

I want to train in wushu for many reasons, but none of those reasons include living in fear of an attack. The real question is: How much 'martial art' is really in 'Mixed Martial Arts'? Isn't it just ordinary kicking, punching and wrestling?

Woah... the reason you want to train Wu Shu is "How much 'martial art' is really in 'mixed martial arts?' - a question about something you know nothing about, that doesnt make sense does it?

In any event, it seems you've lumped me into your perceived notion of what a n MMA fighter, but that notion is seriously wrong. I dont ever claim or pretend to train for self defence situations. I am a sportsman, I see MMA as being as related to self defence or "fighting" as darts, rowing, boxing, weightlifting, basketball, etc.

All in all I think you have brought a wealth or personal experience to this discussion. But you are factually completely lacking when it comes to the Cultural Revolution (and feel free to wikipedia it now and come back and prove me wrong - the fact is it you were aware of those facts you would have known exactly what I was referring to when I used the term "Shameful"), by your own admission you have very little "martial arts" expereince, a bit of TKD and training by yourself is pretty much nothing compared to some people on this board. Again your own admission - you know nothing about Wu Shu (sure you may have read up on it abit lately) or MMA.

So until you get yourself into a gym and train you pretty much have no business lecturing me... especially considering all I have done on this topic is give you information. I dont edwardo's number anymore and I doubt he is still on it anyway. If you had looked for Kung Fu info I could have given you lots of info too. I trained in UCD 7(ish) years ago but decided not to voice my opinions on that. And my point about sweating and BLEEDING was an in joke with people who train for "combat" or whatever, as Capoeria is definately closer to combat than Wu Shu, regardless of you thinking it looks a bit too much like break dancing.

It seems to me that you took issue with what I had to say FROM expereince about Wu Shu because it was at odds with what you wanted it to be. Anyway, Ive shared my knowledge and Im not going to argue with you about this.

As always, I hope you enjoy your training! Also dont forget to check out the olympics!!

Peace

DeletedPencil

I started this thread looking for info on wushu, and your main contribution was to tell me to do something else, as wushu isn't a real martial art, and to do some research. I ignored you first time around, but you posted the same thing again.

FiannaGym.com wrote: »

Now DeletedPencil, if I was gonna interpret so much out of your statements as you did from mine I would suggest your use of the term "European" in that sentence is racist, implying that my opinion on this subject is somehow less valuable based on me being european.

You can try an misunderstand my use of the term shameful but I'll try help you understand what Im saying. The practice of the national sports is not by any means shameful. It also isnt trained by anything like 1 billion people.

My point was that you, living thousands of miles away in another country, don't have much place asserting what is a shameful practise for other people in their own country.

What is shameful is an organised genocide of cultural artifacts in one of the oldest cultural areas in the world. The town of York in England has more historical buildings than the whole of China. If you dont consider the Cultural Revolution in China as shameful then I suppose you also support Stalin and Hitler?

Hitler? Stalin? LOL Is that the calibre of this debate...? Please....

Here's what you originally said:

"Developed out of the Cultural revolution to keep the health and sporting benifits of Kung Fu while taking away the threat of legions of well trained fighters... Which is shameful."

FiannaGym.com wrote: »

No it doesn't make it less of a martial art. I suppose if I play boxing on a nintendo wii Im boxing too. Intent of training is a very important element.

You surely can't be equating wushu with playing video games, can you?? Is that what you think of it? And you trained in it yourself?

Anyway, wushu is more of a martial art than any of the UFC toughman sports out there.

Funny that your lecturing me on MMA and Wu Shu, you dont even train!!!?? I mean what the hell kinda attitude is that. I've done Wu Shu, I've trained in China - if any of that means anything. Whats funnier is the fact that your telling me (someone who has done Kung Fu, Wu Shu, San Shou, Karate and MMA) what is harder. Maybe if you had trained any of this you'd be able to tell me. I'll wait to hear how "I did a bit of TKD" is gonna turn into more martial arts experience.

Well, I didn't say I "did a bit of TKD". I said, verbatim, "I did tae kwon do for QUITE A FEW years", and yes, I left it at that, because nobody is interested in my life story. What does 'quite a few' mean to you?

Since you're waiting to hear about what else I've done: I've also done kickboxing. I started kickboxing and gymnastics in my childhood and did those quite happily for about 5 years. I had to do something else, because I didn't like rugby. Sure, there have been some years without formal training, but I think my statements about training all my life are still fair. As it happens, I DID also do horse riding, but hey, we're getting OT now.

In any event, it seems you've lumped me into your perceived notion of what a n MMA fighter, but that notion is seriously wrong. I dont ever claim or pretend to train for self defence situations. I am a sportsman, I see MMA as being as related to self defence or "fighting" as darts, rowing, boxing, weightlifting, basketball, etc.

I share that opinion of MMA.

All in all I think you have brought a wealth or personal experience to this discussion. But you are factually completely lacking when it comes to the Cultural Revolution (and feel free to wikipedia it now and come back and prove me wrong - the fact is it you were aware of those facts you would have known exactly what I was referring to when I used the term "Shameful"), by your own admission you have very little "martial arts" expereince, a bit of TKD and training by yourself is pretty much nothing compared to some people on this board. Again your own admission - you know nothing about Wu Shu (sure you may have read up on it abit lately) or MMA.

So now we're talking about the Chinese Cultural Revolution? LOL. Given what you said was shameful (and you can read it further up), was it unreasonable for me to think you were talking about wushu? This IS after all a martial arts forum. Should I not assume that the word "shameful" is referring to the fact that most of the combat elements were taken out of wushu? After all, that seems to be what your main grievance with it is.

So until you get yourself into a gym and train you pretty much have no business lecturing me... especially considering all I have done on this topic is give you information. I dont edwardo's number anymore and I doubt he is still on it anyway. If you had looked for Kung Fu info I could have given you lots of info too. I trained in UCD 7(ish) years ago but decided not to voice my opinions on that. And my point about sweating and BLEEDING was an in joke with people who train for "combat" or whatever, as Capoeria is definately closer to combat than Wu Shu, regardless of you thinking it looks a bit too much like break dancing.

But that isn't 'all you did'. See the start of this post.

Although I don't go to a gym any more, I still train in most of the disciplines I studied earlier in life, and I'm in excellent condition. Yes, I think Capoeria looks too much like break dancing for me... so? Anyway, the whole 'I'll take no lectures from you, because you are X, Y or Z' is an old and tired fallacy, used by cornered politicians. You have to refute people with logic and fact.

It seems to me that you took issue with what I had to say FROM expereince about Wu Shu because it was at odds with what you wanted it to be. Anyway, Ive shared my knowledge and Im not going to argue with you about this.

See the beginning of this post.

wudangclan

wushu is not a martial art in my consideration.
a martial art is a system of training for combat which wushu (gymnastics) isnt,although many wushu practioners are under the false belief that it is (i know this having once practised wushu myself).to use an analogy it would be like somebody isolating one aspect of flight training,say,using a flight simulator,becoming very proficient in the use of said simulator,thinking they can pilot a plane.not so.
conversely ufc/mma is a martial art,by virtue of the fact it's combat ,hence martial,though maybe at times it looks less artistic than the contrived froms of wushu, one is martial the other is not.
and as for wushu or ballet training being harder than training mma??,forget about it,not even close.go to any club some night and spar for a two or three minute round and see how you feel.then as you lie in the corner trying to catch your breath consider that these guys are fighing for 3 or 5 rounds,sometimes upto 25 minutes in the ufc