Do Not Blame The Form-Only-Practicing School

Lately, I had read some articles and comments on the internet regarding the development of traditional wushu both inside and outside of China. I had came across some criticisms on some traditional wushu learning centres had been labeled as form-only-practicing school for the reason such school didn’t teach or giving their students the exposures of sanda(sparring). These schools are said to be the ones responsible for the deteriorating standard of traditional wushu nowadays. While at the other end the are schools that just run sanshou or sanda sessions where the practice of traditional taolu(routine set) had been set aside. The one that don’t practice sanshou or sanda seems to be the one who has to take the blame. Anyhow, I don’t think everybody will agree with such point of view.


In order to address this matter, we need to study the traditional Chinese education system first that is totally different the European models. Take an example, the young student who studies Confucious will usually begins with the texts like Di Zhi Gui, San Ji Jing and so on. The young students have to spend six years at the primary level (xiao xue) before moving on to higher level (da xue). The traditional Chinese education system does not have intermediate or middle levels. So, at the primary level, the Confucious students work hard to memorized the classic texts. They go on write and read, read and write until they are well versed with every of the classic texts. Then only they proceed to the higher level. At this higher level the teaching of Confucious really begins. Usually the teacher will bring his students around for a study trip from time to time. The teacher and students do not bring books along the study trip! This is because all the classic texts are already inside their head. So what’s the purpose of having to bring the books along? Along the journey the teacher will expound in detail each part of the classic text and the students have got no problem in following the lesson. So this is the way that traditional Chinese education is being conducted through generations. This had also influenced other branch of discipline as well. And, Chinese martial art were also the one among them.

If I were to make comparison here, the traditional wushu routines or taolu is equivalent to that of the classical Confucious text. Everybody must practice it, everybody must read it without exemptions. Taolu is the root of any particular Chinese martial art school. Without it the knowledge and skill could not be passed down systematically or in a complete manner. So, do not blame those who only practicing the form (taolu) only. Who knows maybe they have got their very own reasons for not venturing into sanda or sanshou. Practicing the taolu only without the applications exercises would not cause the downgrade of the quality of traditional wushu. Traditional wushu stress on long term practicing. If you practice the taolu attentively, then over a length of time, you will come to master the essential skills of martial art. Of course the only thing that you may have lack is the experience of putting into use of what you had learnt. But no one can deny that with a sound foundation in taolu would enable you to master the applications of form much more faster. So, you are not lagged far behind. But only one step left to be taken forward to be standing on the same line as other martial artists.

Lets take another example. If you’re learning Trigonometry. What do you think you should learn first? The formulas of course. How many formulas are there in this particular topic and how each formula works and what are the governing mathematical rules? These groups of formulas can be equated to a taolu with a number of forms (tactics) inside it. As you practice the taolu oftenly would gradually making you well versed with it. And the same thing applies to Trigonometry also. After you are well versed with the formulas, then only you are able to try solving the mathematical problems. It’s the same with wushu, that is only when you are well equipped with the basic know how then should you venture into the applications of the form. From the elaborated example given, now you could see the importance of taolu practicing in traditional wushu. Although the taolu may looks rigid from its outlook, but it never meant to be so if you continue to delve into it. Soon or later you’ll find the logic why the forms/ tactics are composed in such a way in any particular taolu. Taolu enables you to learn both form and skill in a systematic way without anything being left out. It also serves as a reference for forms/tactics vocabulary of a particular wushu school.

Lets take a look at Japan, where the karate-do practitioners would immediate switch back to their curriculum of kata practicing once their tournament days are over. This shows the significance of kata in karate-do and taolu in traditional wushu. So, what do we understand from this is that kata practicing and taolu practicing is about making a journey. It can lead way beyond that of self defence, it can teach you things about yourself you may never have known, had you not began training.

Traditional wushu and its taolu training principles is a vehicle that can transport you beyond the training arena and into your day to day life. Gradually it would enable you to look at things differently from the way you used to. Until nowadays you can still find traditionalist old masters in the Far East training on kata/taolu everyday until the day they died, and no one would tell you that they did it just to stay fit in old age. So, traditional wushu can be whatever the student wants it to be.