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Wu Wei Gung Fu (Wu-Wei / Mo-Wai / Mushin Fighting Arts. in Chinese: 無爲功夫) is a non-classical fighting art which incorporates extensive martial arts techniques and relies on the foundations of the Wing Chun Gung Fu, was founded on 1971 by Professor Joseph I Cowles, based on the original teachings of Bruce Lee and on Wing Chun. The system incorporates techniques and concepts derived from western boxing, Jiu-jitsu, Aiki-jitsu, Aikido, Muay-Thai, Escrima-Kali and Sambo.

The basic concept
Joseph Cowles, the system’s founder and a first generation student of the late Bruce Lee, named the system after the philosophical concept of Wu Wei, which was held in high regard by Lee: the principle of spontaneous action and of using that which fits the moment. Not inaction, but rather the effective achievement of a goal with minimal expanse of energy. As Lee wrote in his first book: "...my action is that of Wu Wei (spontaneous act) which is according to the circumstances without pre-arrangement."

The name Wu Wei Gung Fu can be thus translated as "without exertion gung fu" or “the proficiency of non-action”.

Within the system, a Chinese fable is commonly used to illustrate the notion of Wu Wei:

The gray heron, sitting motionless and staring at the charging eagle, seems to be a helpless victim - but as the eagle is about to seize its prey, he often ends up impaled on the heron's sharp beak due to the momentum of its own attack. The heron had but little choice. It chose the only path available to it: pointing its beak at the charging eagle. That was the right choice to make in order to survive.

Centerline
The human body’s centerline is the line drawn along the sagittal plane, through the nose, sternum and genitalia. Wu Wei Gung Fu’s basic stance is built and taught in relation to the centerline, along which are placed the lead foot’s toes, the hind foot’s heel and both hands, thus enabling the user to defend organs along the line; to execute other defensive maneuvers in an economical manner; and to execute the various straight-line attacks common in the system. The stance, Bai-Jong, is derived from Wing Chun Gung Fu.

Range
The system’s technical array aims to cover the various ranges used in hand-to-hand combat: the range relevant to confronting an assailant armed with a stick or a knife, the kicking range, the hands-striking range, the elbows and knees range and the grappling range, both standing and on the ground. Likewise, the system aims to cover the various methods of  transition between the aforesaid ranges and the techniques associated with them.

Forward Movement

The ability to thwart an opponent’s aggressive intent via the closing of range and the demonstration of counter-aggressiveness, if need be, in lieu of an intuitive defensive reaction.

Economy of Motion
The emphasis of practical and economical movements, often at the expense of aesthetics and virtuosity

The Importance of Theoretical Knowledge
Theoretical knowledge in all levels of proficiency is considered to be a necessary supplement to the physical technique, ensuring proper training and optimal internalization of the various techniques.

Simultaneous Attack and Defence (Lin Sil Dai Dar)
Performing a defensive move simultaneously with an attack, rather than having the two moves follow one another. This is usually done by defending with one hand while attacking with the other or with a kick.

Peripheral Vision / Spatial vision
Hostile incidents require utmost awareness and alertness, since immediate threat is often a part of a larger whole (as in the case of multiple attackers). However, under stressful situations, untrained individuals tend to experience tunnel vision, which might leave them vulnerable to other threats from their immediate surroundings. Thus, martial artists should improve both their peripheral vision and their ability to asses and handle their environment as a whole.

Training to Deal with Larger and Heavier Opponents
Martial arts aimed for real-life situations (as opposed to martial arts and sports designed for the ring/cage) require training with partners of various sizes and levels of competence, trying to ensure both the trainees’ awareness of their own strengths and weaknesses in various combat scenarios as well as their knowledge of their own and their opponents’ relative strengths and weaknesses (i.e., experiencing being the larger and heavier opponent and the smaller and lighter opponent, each with their perspective strengths and weaknesses to use and to exploit).

Self-Discipline
Self-discipline is both a necessary provision for safe and effective training, as well as a tool honed by the practice of martial arts in order to be implemented in other areas of life.

Physical Fitness
Physical fitness and physical well-being are a desired by-product of martial arts training, as well as a requirement for its effective execution. Limited physical fitness prevents intensive training. In addition, in Wu Wei Gung Fu physical challenges are also viewed as an invaluable tool for character building. Although the techniques of Wu Wei Gung Fu do not depend solely on strength, power, speed or flexibility, physical fitness certainly helps executing them, especially when having to deal with a heavier, faster or perhaps a more agile opponent.

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