Melbourne University Taichi & Wushu: Fun at Cross-Training

The Melbourne University Taichi and Wushu Club and WTF Taekwondo Club had their first ever Cross-Training on the 23rd and 24th of April!

23rd April 2013: WTF TKD tries out Taichi and Wushu!

Led by our instructor Master Lily Sun, some tkd students tried out wushu and/or taichi. We began with a few stretches and then went straight into lines (image below is of lines). For those who don't know, lines involve almost all of our wushu basics, from front kick to butterfly! These basics grow in difficulty as the lines progress. We practise these lines because, among other things, they are the foundation of the many forms we practise. Our tkd friends who were thrown into our training responded amazingly to all of the movements in lines.

Alicia, Marketing Manager:
"It was really fun to check out tai chi and wushu. It made for a good break from just doing tkd. It was interesting to see that some of the kicks were similar to tkd though the application was different. For example the outward kick, which master lily sun said is used as block in wushu, is used as an attack kick in tkd. There was some really cool stuff too! the butterfly kicks, cartwheels, and the leg sweep! Taichi was a nice change of pace as well though it definitely took more energy then expected!"

Lei, The Treasurer:
"The cross training was definitely a great experience. It was very interesting to try a different martial art and there was a lot to be learnt. It allows us to see the combative arts from a different perspective, and teaches us to understand more about our own style. It also helps to form good relationships between our clubs and our respective members and we look forward to more events like this in the future!"

24th April 2013: Taichi and Wushu try out WTF TKD!

Led by Sabumnim Tuan Truong, thirteen of our members tried out tkd. Personally speaking, this was painful...who would have thought that there would be forceful contact in martial arts? But honestly everyone in tkd was welcoming and we really enjoyed the exposure to a new way of striking and kicking. By the end of class it was evident that no one really wanted to stop training tkd. We were fortunate enough to be allowed to follow the white and yellow belts who were learning their first form and the three step sparring sequence. After this we got to try out kicks with chest pads, this is something that is not done in our form-based wushu training and was greatly enjoyed by our visiting students.

Paul, The Treasurer:
"It was great to learn about some techniques from them that we don't learn in wushu, like roundhouse kicks."

Jia Hui, Junior Member:
"It was interesting and fun! The form we learnt focuses more on hand blocks from possible attack directions which is practical in sparring."

Ben, Taichi Instructor:
"It was good to experience being hit - we don't get that much at wushu"