Learn Shuai Jiao
Shuai Jiao is commonly referred to as Chinese Wrestling and Chinese Judo. It is considered the oldest of all Chinese martial arts; its origins date back more than 4000 years.
The original translation for Shuai Jiao was Throwing Horns. This term has ancient roots and is believed to have originated by watching two opponents grapple close in. It was said that the fighters looked like two wild animals locking horns. Today, a new character in the Chinese language has been adopted for Shuai Jiao which represents Leg Tripping or Leg Wrestling and is perhaps more descriptive of the art.
It is believed that Shuai Jiao is the predecessor of Japanese Jiu-Jitsu and Judo. Although the art consists primarily of throwing techniques, it also teaches kicking, striking, grabbing, and joint locking. Shuai Jiao is a practical and realistic fighting art, because the practice match is essentially the same as actual combat. Training in Shuai Jiao makes one better prepared for a street confrontation.
Shuai Jiao training is intended to teach students proper break-falling skills and familiarize them with close-in grappling and throwing techniques. Shuai Jiao does not use brute force; rather, it relies on highly developed sensitivity, the redirecting of an incoming force, and unbalancing tactics to apply throwing techniques. Shuai Jiao differs from Japanese Jiu-Jitsu and Judo as it does not employ groundwork. All throwing, sweeping and tripping techniques are executed while standing upright.
Benefits of Shuai Jiao
Every martial arts practitioner should have some fundamental knowledge of throwing techniques and the necessary break-falling skills that are intrinsic to the grappling art of Shuai Jiao, Judo, and Jiu-Jitsu. Knowing how to break-fall is essential to avoid breaking bones when falling or being thrown, and proficiency in a handful of throwing techniques builds self-confidence and expands your martial arts skills.