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This is the forth and final page of the interview that Mike Chen did at the end of 2005 with Lu Yan
Due to the size of the interview it has been split over 4 pages thus:
- Part 1: Advice for students and Coaches
- Part 2: How to improve your Wushu
- Part 3: The Beijing and other international teams
- Part 4: Compulsory forms and other interest
On this final page of the interview Mike first asks Lu Yan about the relevance of the old Compulsory forms.
To finish off with Mike asks whether Lu Yan has any plans for the future, and if she feels that training and coaching Wushu for over 30 years has benefited her.
Mike: How important are the compulsory forms now?
Lu Yan: Compulsory forms in the past were used to promote Wushu internationally. They were useful for countries without good teachers.
There were videos and books for them to learn from. Compulsory forms gave them a set of standards. One kind of tournament has compulsory forms while the other has
individual forms.
As more countries get into Wushu, of course things change. As standardized moves are deemed too easy, we must raise the level. As Wushu spreads, I think compulsory
forms will be phased out. Originally, we all had to learn compulsories and also individual forms. But now it's not seen as useful. Our country decided it no longer
has a place and changed the rules.
Mike: Which countries still use compulsory forms? What about individual forms?
Lu Yan: Most countries still use compulsory forms, especially Western nations. Asian countries have more exposure to Wushu and change more
quickly with the times. It would be difficult to suddenly switch foreigners to the individual forms system. Some find it adequate to just work on improving compulsory
forms.
Mike: What other interests do you have now?
Lu Yan: Interests? Not many. My website, teaching... my interests all relate to Wushu. I can't escape Wushu.
Mike: What other interests did you have when you started learning Wushu?
Lu Yan: I was too young... I liked singing and dancing. I was good at following music. We did some dance and music-related activities that
helped our physical control of our bodies and helped us do Wushu better.
Mike: What do you intend to do in the future?
Lu Yan: In the future I'll continue teaching Wushu.
Mike: Before you began to learn Wushu, what did you originally think you would be doing in the future?
Lu Yan: When I was little, I was too young to think much about that. And even after getting into Wushu, I didn't think too much about it.
I just thought since I was training I had to train well. Gradually I gained interest in Wushu, and came to understand it and like it. Originally I didn't get into
Wushu because of liking it. Back then we didn't know about it. We were chosen. It was like playing. We had nothing better to do anyways. It was neat being among
the chosen to go have fun with Wushu. I stuck with Wushu and eventually understood and liked it. I was willing to endure hardships in order to do well in it.
After about half a year into training, a colleague and I collided head first and I needed 2 stitches. My family was worried and wanted me to stop Wushu. However I
wanted to go on and my family supported my decision. My personality is the strong and unyielding type. If I do something, I must do it well and won't let small
things stop me. Ever since I was 8 years old I thought this way. I didn't think about it too much back then but I knew I wouldn't let anyone discourage or sway me.
I knew I would persevere and train on. Looking back, I believe it was this unyielding personality that got me to keep on improving my physical and mental ability as
well as tournament scores. I think it turned out ok. I'm healthy and I scored well in Wushu. Wushu benefited me well. I'm glad I never gave it up. I feel I chose
the right path.
Mike: Before you decided to learn Wushu, what influences led to your decision to learn Wushu?
Lu Yan: When I started there wasn't much to do anywhere. It was around the time of China's cultural revolution. At that time, there was
school but not much else. No recreational outlets, no entertainment TV. Everyday there were government broadcasts but no music or other fun things on air.
Apparently the government had put a stop on recreational activities. Childhood was dull. So the sudden opportunity to do Wushu was seen by my family as a good
chance for me to have something to do, so they let me try it. They figured there wasn't much fun for me to do at home either. Therefore the chance to be with
other kids and play together was great.
A typical person’s life (in China) back then was to go to school until about middle school and then go work in a farm. My family decided I should go learn (Wushu)
and figured it would be great if I didn’t end up in a farm. So I went for it.
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Want to learn more about Lu Yan's Wushu Career? Visit the
Wushu Career pages
Want to learn more about training with Lu Yan? Visit the
Train with Lu Yan pages
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