Oswald Rivera

The aspect of teaching for Mr Rivera is a lifelong process.

In order to BE a teacher .. a person must BE a student .. for a long time.

Master Oswald Rivera has been a member of the Chinese Kung-Fu Wu-Su Association located on 28 West 27th St, New York , NY since 1973. The phone number is 212 725 0535

Master Oswald Rivera teaches his official class on Tuesdays and Thursdays, 6pm-8pm. He also teaches in the Sunday class.

(below is an excerpt from yiwushu.com website ( Good Information )

What are the different styles of Wushu?

Over 128 styles have been recorded.

Chinese Wushu* has many different styles which, if traced back through the lineage of masters, seem to start in the Yuan, Ming and Qing dynasties. The categorization of these styles varies greatly.

For example, some say Wushu falls into "Southern Style", "Northern Style", and "E Mei Style"; others say the division should be "Yellow River Style", "Yangtze River Style", "Zhu River Style"; some say the styles fall into internal and external styles, ... Moreover, within each style, there are many forms. In 1984, there began a national research program to excavate all the styles of Wushu so that, at present, the history of Wushu has been clarified, the styles have been delineated and specialties identified.

Why are there so many different weapons in Wushu?

The weapons used in Wushu play a central part in the Wushu forms and culture and have likewise gradually developed over time. Every weapon has a characteristic period, place, material, and use associated with it. Wushu contains a dazzling array of weapons which play different roles in various styles. According to the style and school in which it is used, every weapon has a different method of use and application. Through constant usage and mastery one can appreciate how one's specific mood, personality and environment all demand certain special characteristics of a weapon, hence the large number of different weapons used in Wushu.

How is Wushu related to other martial arts?

As with other branches of Chinese culture, Wushu, upon introduction into other cultures, mixed and adapted to those cultures. It's easy to see! As a matter of fact, Japanese Judo has its origins in China. At the end of the Ming Dynasty, Chen Yuan Yun left China and voyaged to Japan , where he settled in Guo Nei Temple. There, he gave instruction in how to catch criminals and convicts, but essentially this was teaching Chinese Wushu. Today, we can trace back the lineage of Tokyo Japanese Roushu back to Chen Yuan Yun based on inscriptions in tablets . Japanese Karate also has its origins in China. In fact, it quite clearly is a derivative of some styles of Nan Quan (Southern Style). Zong Dao Chen, having studied Shaolin Temple Style upon returning to Japan initiated a hybrid of Shaolin and local styles. The extensive Shaolin Style over the past thousand years has acted to bring together many different styles into new ones. But such fusion of styles is not ablsolute; the exchange of different cultures, styles and forms throughout history is, one could say, without end. Isn't Chinese Wushu a clear example of this?

Who can learn Wushu?

Wushu is for everybody! Old and young, male and female, all can learn! More specifically, according to one's age, physical health, and other qualities, one can choose an appropriate style and form of Wushu to practice.

*For example*:
1- Older people can study Taiji (or Taichi) in a number of ways .

2- Younger people can begin a more rigourous training emphasizing speed, jumping, acrobatics, and athletic power.

3- Children are the most suitable for studying Wushu because in the early years, the body responds, adapts and grows in step with one's practice.

Why is it useful?

If you want to practice Wushu correctly, you must follow the ancient Chinese proverb:

"Before you study art, study etiquette. Before you study Wushu, study manners,"

Which is to say that to study Wushu one must study the customs, be polite, respect your elders and take care of children, be humble and prudent. You must adjust your behavior here and there, little by little, and only then are you doing your best to practice Wushu.

Through practicing Wushu, one can improve one's body and immune system, agility, muscle balance, reflexes; and at the same time strengthen your mental will and confidence, determination, bravery, spirit of challenge, resistance to submission, and drive for success.So now that you see Wushu has so many beneficial sides,why don't we all practice!?!?! ( --Yi Shi Xiong (Sean E. Yi)-- )

(End excerpt from from yiwushu.com website ( Good Information )

http://www.yiwushu.com/Questions.htm

(excerpt taken from the Virginia Wushu Club) (Good References)
http://www.student.virginia.edu/~wushu/

What is Wushu?

Wushu (or Kung Fu) is a general term given to all forms of Chinese Martial Arts and is regarded as the origin for many of the Asian Martial Arts. Wushu can be Internal (such as Taiji Quan) or External (such as Shaolin Long Fist). Wushu can be used for competition and sparring as well as physical health, and can incorporate barehand or weapons techniques. More information on some of the more popular styles of wushu can be found below, although there are thousands of other styles not covered.



External Styles

With hard work, one can attain increased strength and stamina, weight loss through diligent practice, learning to relieve stress, increased flexibility and learning self-defense.

Modern Wushu

Since 1949 China has established Modern Wushu as a competitive sport based on the jump, the speed of the technique, the complexity of the moves, physical strength, visual expression and the beauty of the performance. Wushu's most famous champion is Jet Li.

( video of Jet Lee) (8 minutes and 37 seconds on High speed)

NOT RECOMMENDED FOR DIAL-UP CONNECTION

Here's an excerpt from Jet Li's biography from his official website.

Born in Beijing, Li began studying the art of Wushu (the general Chinese term for martial arts) and was enrolled in the Beijing Amateur Sports School at the age of 8. After three years of extensive training, Li won his first national championship for the Beijing Wushu Team. As part of a world tour in 1974, he had the honor of performing a two-man fight for President Nixon on the White House lawn. For the next five years, he remained the All-Around National Wushu Champion of China.

(back to class)

Chang Quan

Chang Quan, also known as Long Fist boxing emphasizes speed to defeat an adversary and also concentrates on the concept of Yang overcoming Ying using high-energy forms with fast actions. Stretching and reaching moves characterize this style.

Nan Quan

Nan Quan (Southern Fist) has two definitions. The first definition incorporates all styles from the south of China; the second definition refers only to Modern Wushu from the south. Nan Quan is built on stable, low stances from which it launches powerful hand barrages.



Internal Styles

The Internal martial arts have been known to aid in curing illness and promoting health, enhancing vitality and developing internal force. They also promote youthfulness and longevity as well as expand the mind and aid in spiritual cultivation.

Taiji Quan

Taiji as a Chinese martial art dates back to written history to the 1600s, although references to this style have existed for much longer. Historically Taiji has sought to combine martial skills with qigong, meditation, basic health and long-life principles of Taoism.

Bagua Zhang

Sharing the same principles and philosophy of Taiji, Bagua appears simpler but relies more on one's focus and concentration. With such focus, Bagua basics involve circular motion. The goal is for the individual to understand body alignment and relaxation. At higher levels, Bagua helps fitness, centering and agility and uses quick footwork and turns as its self-defense strategy.

Xing-I Quan

Xing-I is simple and direct, with primary emphasis directing and channeling the body's power and energy into five primary striking methods and then expanding them into the various animal movements. Outwardly more martial appearing, Xing-I is actually the study of one's coordination and execution of body movement, energy and power.

Weapons

There are many different weapons used in Wushu. However, the four most common weapons used in Chang quan are the Jian, Dao, Gun, and Qiang. The two most practiced southern style weapons are the Nan Dao and Nan Gun.

Jian Shu

The Chinese Jian or straight sword, is possibly the most widely practiced Wushu weapon. It is often referred to as the "Gentleman of all weapons" and is considered a short weapon. Jian Shu emphasizes swift and graceful moves.

Dao Shu

The Dao or broadsword is also considered a short weapon like the Jian. Dao Shu contains many chopping and hacking techniques and emphasizes speed and power.

Gun Shu

The Gun or staff is one of the earlist weapons and is known as the "Father of all weapons". Gun Shu comtains many fast harding hitting attacks.

Qiang Shu

The Qiang, or spear is known as the "King of all weapons" and was one of the most favored war weapons useed by the Chinese. The Qiang requires fast and graceful movements with agile footwork.

Nan Dao

The Nan Dao, or southern broadsword, is broader and thicker than the northern Dao. It emphasises deep stabs and cuts.

Nan Gun

The Nan Gun, or southern staff, is thicker then the northern Gun. It emphasizes strong stances and powerful strikes.

Beijing Wushu Team Video:

NOT RECOMMENDED FOR DIAL-UP CONNECTION

(back to class)

Imitation Styles

Eagle Claw

Eagle Claw boxing, is one of the traditional animal styles. Like most other animal styles, it incorporates the movements, techniques and methods of the eagle with traditional martial arts movements.

Praying Mantis

Mantis Boxing imitates the form and actions of the praying mantis and combines them with the attack and defense skills of martial arts. Mantis boxing has both Northern and Southern variations.

Monkey Fist

Monkey Fist can be traced back to the Han dynasty. The modern Monkey style is very vivid, having incorporated even more jumping, aerial techniques, and tumbling.

Snake Fist

Snake Fist is known by three universal characteristics. The snake is strong and fast, the fighter's body represents the body of the snake, and lastly the snake fist is based on speed.

Tiger Claw

Tiger Claw, was originally called the Black Tiger system, and exists as 3 schools all around China.

Drunken

Drunken style mimics a person who is under the influence of alcohol, characterized by clumsy movements with attacking and defensive applications. A good example of this comes from the Jackie Chan movie "Legend of the Drunken Master."

We can't fit all the information on one page.

There is a "Main Menu" at the top left of every page.

There is also a "Menu" at the bottom of every page.

. .