Wushu, a full-contact sport derived from traditional Chinese martial arts, was developed in China after 1949 in an effort to standardise the practice of traditional Chinese martial arts. Wushu is Chinese for martial arts and is derived from Wu (military or martial, Shu (art).
It has become an international sport and has two disciplines — taolu and sanda with movements like stances, kicks, punches, balances, jumps, sweeps and throws based on aggregate categories of traditional Chinese martial art styles. It is a disciplined fitness form that helps in improved health, self-defense skills, mental discipline, and body awareness.
Wushu is an important aspect of China’s cultural heritage and is the most popular sport in China today, with budding clubs and competitive arenas in almost every country around the world taking inspirations from it and is now popular in India.
The movements exhibit both combative applications and aestheticism. These Wushu steps are not just to fight, but also to stay fit. Here are a few simple steps that help you stay fit and its benefits.
— Lee is the founder of Shaolin Lee Kung Fu.
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Upper abdomen exercise
- Lie back comfortably with both hands lying on the floor pointing towards the foot.
- Breathe normally while lying down as mentioned in step one.
- Raise your foot and head for about half-foot above the ground (keep your feet straight and toe pointing downwards).
- Bring head and bent knee close as you breathe in.
- Release yourself slowly to position two.
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Lower abdomen exercise
- Lie down with the knee bent and hand stretched above the head with toe and knee closed.
- Now, spread your bent knee and toe for about one feet. Continue to breathe in and breathe out.
- Slowly raise your body and try to touch your partner’s hand. While doing this you must breathe in until the next step.
- Now, slowly release yourself to step two by breathing out.
Note: It is best to perform this form of workout in the morning in an empty stomach for best results. Do not practise this exercise immediately after consuming food. Give a gap of half an hour to eat food after this work out. Do not drink water for about 15 minutes after the exercise. Beginners can start with five counts as one set and then move to more counts.
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Benefits
- Burns fat stored in the upper and lower abdomen areas.
- It has no side effects.
- It gives strength to lower back.
- It is simple and easy to practise.
- You can burn around 800 calories from 60 minutes of Wushu workout
