书城旅游和老外聊文化中国(升级版)
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第27章 中国武术Chinese Martial Arts(2)

Xingyiquan uses five basic techniques: piquan (劈拳, splitting or cutting fist), zuanquan (钻拳, drilling fist), bengquan (崩拳, crushing fist), paoquan (炮拳, cannon fist) and hengquan (横拳, crossed fist). Various drills and two-man sparring set-patterns are used to give practitioners the initial feeling of how to apply each technique and transform one technique to another.

Notes:1)harrier猎兔狗;2)ostrich鸵鸟

7.什么是八卦掌?

What is Baguazhang (the Octagon Palm)?

Baguazhang is literally translated as“eight-diagrams palm”or“octagon palm”and it is one of the three primary Neijiaquan (内家拳) or internal styles of boxing of China. Baguazhang uses many distinctive methods that contain unfathomable changes of palm. It was created during the Qing Dynasty and is still practiced daily and enjoyed by wushu artists in China and overseas.

The foundation of Baguazhang is meditative walking in circle and the“Single Changing Palm (单换掌)”exercise that was developed in Daoist monasteries over 4,000 years ago. As a meditation practice, it allows one to achieve a stillness of mind in the midst of intense physical activity.

Baguazhang emphasize the use of spiral movements and sophisticated footwork and fighting angles. Technically, the correct performance of this exercise increases the practitioner’s energy through simultaneous circle walking, performance practice and breath control.

Notes:1)octagon八边形;2)unfathomable深不可测的;3)meditative沉思的;4)breathing呼吸;5)simultaneous同时发生的

8.什么是太极拳?

What is Taijiquan?

As a major form of Chinese wushu, Taijiquan is one of the most popular and widely practiced health exercises in the world. It combines posture, physical activity, relaxation, coordinated breathing and mental focus, and it thus has beneficial effects on balance, flexibility, cardiovascular, respiratory function and immune system. Taijiquan was born towards the end of the Ming Dynasty, and there are several schools, including

the Chen Form (陈式太极拳), the Yang Form (杨式太极拳) and Simplified Taijiquan (简化太极拳). The first two forms focus on attack and defense, which determine the movements. Their common movements of foot-stamping, running, jumping and explosive exertion do not fit the sick, the old or the weak. Simplified Taijiquan is a new form based on the first two styles. It possesses 24 movements and is easy to learn, simple in structure and beneficial to people of all ages and conditions.

Notes:1)postural姿势的;2)relaxation放松;3)coordinate使配合;4)cardiovascular(病等)心血管的;5)respiratory呼吸的;6)immune免疫的;7)explosive爆发性的;8)exertion费力;9)beneficial有益的

9.长期习练太极拳对身体有益处吗?

Does regular Taijiquan practice benefit health?

Taijiquan has a reputation as a good treatment for chronic ailments, and this reputation is not groundless for it has the following health benefits:

a. Each movement is executed in the mind, so Taijiquan requires one to concentrate one’s mind on practice without distracting thoughts. Such concentration has proved to be effective and beneficial for the central nervous system.

b. Regular practice is conducive to the good health of cardiovascular system in the prevention of hypertension and arteriosclerosis.

c. One breathes slowly and evenly in pace with rhythmic movements. Sometimes this requires deep breathing controlled by the diaphragm. Regular practice helps to improve the elasticity of lung tissue, resulting better lung ventilation and the metabolism of carbon dioxide.

d. The movements are conducted in a slow and continuous flow, so regular practice helps strengthen bones and tendons.

e. Regular practice helps elderly people maintain the health of their kidneys.