PASSPORT WORLD TOUR - Summer 2024 China
Posted: July 25, 2024
WHERE IN THE WORLD
The People’s Republic of China is the second-largest country in the world by land area after Russia. China has the longest combined land border in the world, measuring 22,117 km (13,743 mi) from the mouth of the Yalu River to the Gulf of Tonkin. China borders 14 nations, more than any other country except Russia, which also borders 14. China extends across much of East Asia.
WHAT KIND OF KARATE? LONG FIST/KUNG FU
Long Fist/Kung Fu: Kung-fu and wushu are terms that have been borrowed into English to refer to Chinese martial arts. However, the Chinese terms kung fu and wushu have distinct meanings; Wushù literally means “martial art”. It is formed from the two words wu, meaning “martial” or “military” and shù, which translates into “discipline”, “skill” or “method.” In Chinese, kung fu can also be used in contexts completely unrelated to martial arts, and refers colloquially to any individual accomplishment or skill cultivated through long and hard work. It is only in the late twentieth century, that this term was used in relation to martial arts by the Chinese community. Wushu is a more precise term for general martial activities.
ORIGIN
According to legend, Chinese martial arts originated during the semi-mythical Xia Dynasty more than 4,000 years ago. It is said the Yellow Emperor Huangdi introduced the earliest fighting systems to China. The Yellow Emperor is described as a famous general who, before becoming China’s leader, wrote lengthy treatises on medicine, astrology and the martial arts. The genesis of Chinese martial arts has been attributed to the need for self-defense, hunting
techniques and military training in ancient China. Hand-to-hand combat and weapons practice were important in training ancient Chinese soldiers.
The forms of the Long Fist style emphasize fully extended kicks and striking techniques, and by appearance would be considered a long-range fighting system. In some Long Fist styles the motto is that “the best defense is a strong offense,” in which case the practitioner launches a preemptive attack so aggressive that the opponent doesn’t have the opportunity to attack. Others emphasize defense over offense, noting that nearly all techniques in Long Fist forms are counters to attacks.
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Long Fist uses large, forms are counters to attacks. Long Fist uses large, extended, circular movements to improve overall body mobility in the muscles, tendons, and joints. Advanced Long Fist techniques include qin na joint-locking techniques and shuai jiao throws and takedowns.