QIGONG (CHI-KUNG)
The category of Qigong involves demonstrations of internal power and strength. Practitioners of this esoteric art demonstrate the powers that internal strength training and breath-training have given them. In recent years, many of China's excellent Wushu teams have demonstrated their skills in foreign countries. These displays of finely-honed martial ability have caused a stir wherever they go. Although these teams have exhibited the performance side of Wushu, many of the other beneficial aspects of Wushu have not been equally extolled. In fact, some detractors of Wushu relegate it to at best a form of gymnastic exhibition, having little to do with actual martial arts. Such thinkers usually assign the term "Kung-Fu" to what they believe contains true, functional martial arts, i.e., if a form is pretty, it is probably not useful.In many North American martial-arts competitions it becomes fairly obvious that the distinction between "Wushu" and "Kung-Fu" is even less clear than in China. In reality, "Kung-Fu" is "Wushu," the major difference being that Wushu training has not only traditional fighting sets, but also difficult tumbling and rigorous basic training of skills. Wushu has some extremely competent fighters among its ranks, as well as those who are more interested in health or performance. Whatever it is called, modern martial arts are evolving and improving...the traditional basics give us a firm base upon which to build.
