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ARTicles vol. 2 i.2: Martial Movement
NOV 1, 2003
Chen Shi-Zheng’s staging of Snow in June draws from a number of different Chinese traditions. The following notes, compiled by A.R.T. Institute dramaturgy student Stella Gorlin and Harvard undergraduate observer Zhenzhen Lu, describe two of these influences.
Wushu
“Wushu” literally means “martial arts.” A military fighting technique, this Chinese tradition dates back to the first millenium BCE. Over the centuries, many different forms of Wushu have evolved, including barehanded combat, competitive wrestling, sword-playing, weapon-fighting using lances and rods, and tai chi. Most Wushu movements are developed from a series of basic stances and emphasize a dynamic lower body. There is a great variety of form in Wushu. Combat movements include fist-work, kicks, and flips. Because of its spectacular nature and aestheticism, Wushu was gradually incorporated into Chinese theater.
–Zhenzhen Lu
Tai Chi
Developed in fourteenth-century China, tai chi chuan, also known as taijichuan, is one of the most popular and well-known forms of Chinese martial arts. Based on the Taoist philosophy of Yin and Yang, tai chi promotes spiritual growth and physical strength through slow, continuous movements and deep breathing that emphasize total concentration and relaxation. In order to achieve the physical and spiritual benefits, a practitioner of this gentle activity must concentrate on every movement at each moment. Over the centuries, different variations of tai chi have developed, but they all possess a delicate harmony between soft movement (the Yang element) and a meditative spirit (the Yin element). Tai chi chuan, part of the “inner family” of martial arts, teaches control over the internal chi (life force). “Outer family” martial arts such as Karate, Taekwando, and Kung Fu emphasize muscle strength and coordination for primarily external use. According to practitioners of the soft martial arts, finding a balance between body and mind is essential for good health and well being. Unlike rigorous modern exercises that separate the body and mind, tai chi promotes relaxation through carefully controlled breathing and can result in a rested body, a peaceful mind, and a rejuvenated spirit.
— Stella Gorlin
