Video by: Tang Chee Seng

Synopsis
There are two kinds of wushu being practised in Singapore today - Traditional and Contemporary. But what exactly is the difference between the two? What separates the traditional from the contemporary? In this video, we shall look at the three main distinctions between the two. Firstly, the primary focus of each form; Secondly, the explosive physical movements that characterise Contemporary Wushu; and lastly, the styles practised in the Traditional and Contemporary forms.

What is the difference between traditional and contemporary wushu?

1) Primary focus:
a. Traditional wushu is more combat-oriented. This requires the practitioner to be able to not only analyze his opponent’s fighting styles, but also to adjust his attacks, defence and feints in order to effectively overcome and neutralise his opponent.

b. On the other hand, contemporary wushu is based around the idea of shadow-boxing. Without a primary opponent in mind, contemporary wushu thus focuses on the aesthetics of a particular sequence of moves…. This gets translated into a visible difference, by which I mean…

2) Explosive movements:
a. While talking to one of the contemporary wushu instructors, Matthew, he told me that contemporary wushu is characterised by its focus on explosive movements. For instance, contemporary wushu practitioners are able to jump higher and stay in the air for longer periods of time, as compared to practitioners of the traditional style.

b. Traditional wushu practitioners focus on the horse stance (or ma bu) to build stability and balance. In doing so, they anchor themselves, so to speak, to the ground, thereby making them harder to be toppled over or thrown by their opponents. By having to learn how to maintain a stable centre of gravity while fighting, traditional wushu practitioners thus find it difficult to jump as high as contemporary wushu fighters. This variation in training styles and focus, results in different muscular developments, and hence a difference in physical abilities.

3) Styles:
a. Traditional wushu is based on moves that were inspired by observing the movements of animals. Contemporary wushu, however, focuses on swordplay, fist-movements and so on.

b. This difference in styles is, again, related to the difference in focus between the traditional and the contemporary. Traditional wushu based on animal movements was developed as a means to counter other such animal styles. For instance, one animal style may focus on high punches, and will be thus be unable to counter against the low punches of another style.


c. But in contemporary wushu, swordplay, fist-movements and so on are meant to showcase one’s dexterity, agility and grace.


Legend-(waitforit)-ary Wushu trivia: The legend of the preying mantis style originates from an ancient tale about the rivalry between two brothers. These two brothers were skilled martial artists, but the younger brother kept getting defeated in sparring sessions with the elder brother. Determined to finally defeat his brother, the martial artist spend months practising his wushu. One day, as he laid on the grass after a particularly exhausting training session, he noticed a preying mantis attacking its prey. Fascinated by it, he watched intently as the mantis attacked and killed its prey. Inspired by the downward punches of the mantis, he immediately put it into practise, and eventually the Preying Mantis Style was created. Using the style, this younger brother finally managed to defeat his older brother!


However, despite the differences between the styles, the instructors and shifu agreed that both the traditional and contemporary forms have their pros and cons. Neither is better than the other! With that in mind, think about what other cultural or artistic forms that are facing a contemporary renaissance that creates a style that diverges from tradition. Should things remain rooted in the past? Or should they adapt with the times? Post your comments below!

Credits:
Instructors Aaron and Matthew
Braddell Heights CC

Photos and video taken by:
Tang Chee Seng and Aaron Chan

Narration by:
Tang Chee Seng