About | Wudangshan | Wudang Wushu (original) (raw)
In keeping with the progressions of modern living conditions, people all over the world are looking to improve their health. As a result, many people are becoming aware of different systems of health improvement. China possesses thousands of years of development in self-defense practices, different artistic forms of self-expression and various methods and systems of health cultivation. The reason Wudang Wushu has been able to continuously prosper without being drowned out by modern trends is because it maintains a truly unique cultural character; its primary focus is on its oldest and most practically applicable value – health cultivation.
Ancient Daoist practices are based in the cultivation of body, mind, and spirit through combining internal and external practices, practicing movement and stillness, and committing oneself to the application and study of these arts. These practices are used to balance and fortify the body’s original qi, vitality and spirit. The cultivation of jing, qi and shen, as well as the physical body, are given significant importance in Wudang Martial Arts. For instance, through practice we focus on the meridians and enhancing this natural pathway for energy to travel through the body. Daoist Health Cultivation uses dao yin (Daoist stretching and breathing exercises), qigong, and wushu/gongfu methods in order to harmonize and improve the circulation of the meridians, improve the circulation of qi and blood, and harmonize yin and yang within the body – thereby achieving great improvement in overall health.