Hey Team;
I believe it is essential to understand the guiding principles of wushu. If you understand the principles, the formula, then you don't need any moves or any form. Let us as a group try to come up with a list of the essential principles of Wushu, as a team effort. I'm not looking for lots of random small ideas. The fewer principles the better, the more profound. See if we can amalgamate several ideas into one more profound principle.
I'll Get the ball rolling;
1. NATURAL MIND: Wushu is innate. Just like the animals, we all know wushu without having to study any. We know what weapons we have and we know how to hurt an opponent. We simply have to unlock this ability in our minds.
2. NATURAL MOVEMENT: The stances in kung fu are abstract ideas to teach us. In combat we should move naturally, just like walking. How many steps do you take a day? 1000? 10,000? How many times do you practice xu bu? 1, 10? Natural movement. When you understand the essence of a stance, you can capture the essence without using the actual stance. I.e Gong Bu can be Xu bu if you feel in your mind the front leg is empty.
3. THE CROSS PRINCIPLE OF THE GUARD: (Shi Zi, in chinese the character for '10' is a cross, called Shi). This principle states that To defend from a strike, The defending arm must have a component of force that is Perpendicular to the line of attack. I.e You if the opponent punches forward, you need to block across, or up. Actually only a 'component' of the force needs to be perpendicular. I.e if the opponent punches straight you can move your hand along the same line of force, but rotate it. This rotation will create a component of force strong enough to deflect the strike.
4. THE CROSS PRINCIPLE OF WEAKPOINTS: If you imagine looking at a person from above, then draw a cross over them. The weak points of the human body are along the lines of this cross. SO a centerline vertically down the center of the body needs to be defended. There is also a vertical line down each flank of the body, from the temples and neck, down the armpits, side of the ribs, side of abdonem. These are also weak points. THere is also a centerline down the back of the body. These are the lines to defend and to attack on the opponant. They form this cross drawn on the top of the head.
5. PRINCIPLE OF THE 3 EXTERNAL HARMONIES: The body is at its most powerful when correct structure of the body is used. THere is a simple rule for acheiving this structure in every stance; The hand must not extend past the foot. THe elbow must not extend past the knee and the shoulder must not extend past the hip. THese joints should move together and balance each other. For every movement on the left there must be a balancing movement on the right. Picture when you strike someone, if your foot is already inside their stance your strike will be much more powerful than if your foot is back but your hand extends way out. YOu can strike outwards but only momentarily, you must return to this equilibrium position. With preference you should strike as close to this position as possible for power. Look at the coffee mug on your desk. Tip it up and roll it. Notice how it rolls smoothly until the handle hits the desk and it stops. THis is because the handle is extended past the equilibrium of the mug. Many people do the same with their hands during combat. Its not a problem for a momentary strike, but if you leave the hands their too long....
6. PRINCIPLE OF SHENFA: This principle states that you should concentrate on moving the body, not the hands. Do a move, like an uppercut. No do the same move, but don't move the arm at all, keep it locked in shape and only move the body. You will find you will still be able to do the full range of movement. Correct shenfa is kind of like this, only not so extreme. YOu can still move the arm, but you must move the body also.
I have more.... ANyway, take a look at these, what would you add? what do you take issue with? all open for discussion. A principle of circular movement? Straight line attacks?