Helen Wu (born 1956) is a martial artist living in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The daughter of
Wang Ju-Rong
Wang Ju-Rong (Xiao'erjing: , 1928–2006) was a Chinese-Muslim martial artist and Wushu professor in the Shanghai Institute of Physical Education.
A longtime promoter of Wushu, a teacher, an organizational officer, and a Wushu event-announce ...
and Wu Chengde, Helen began her martial arts training at age three with her mother and her grandfather
Wang Zi-Ping
Wang Zi-Ping (1881–1973, Xiao'erjing: ) was a Chinese Muslim practitioner of Chinese Martial Arts and traditional medicine from Cangzhou, Cangxian county, Mengcun, Hebei Province. He served as the leader of the Shaolin Kung Fu division of th ...
, the world-renowned
Wushu Grandmaster.
Education and research
After she graduated from
Shanghai University
Shanghai University, commonly referred to as SHU, or colloquially Shangda (), is a public research university located in Shanghai. The 555-acre main Baoshan campus is situated in the north of Shanghai, and there are two other campuses in Jiadi ...
, Wu began teaching in the department of
Sports Medicine
Sports medicine is a branch of medicine that deals with physical fitness and the treatment and prevention of injuries related to sports and exercise. Although most sports teams have employed team physicians for many years, it is only since the ...
.
Now, Wu lives and teaches in
Toronto, Ontario
Toronto ( ; or ) is the capital city of the Canadian province of Ontario. With a recorded population of 2,794,356 in 2021, it is the most populous city in Canada and the fourth most populous city in North America. The city is the ancho ...
,
Canada
Canada is a country in North America. Its ten provinces and three territories extend from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean and northward into the Arctic Ocean, covering over , making it the world's second-largest country by tot ...
where she served on the board of the Canadian Taijiquan Federation and United Wushu Federation of Canada. She is a faculty member with the
York University
York University (french: Université York), also known as YorkU or simply YU, is a public university, public research university in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. It is Canada's fourth-largest university, and it has approximately 55,700 students, 7,0 ...
School of Kinesiology and Health Science.
[Nigel, Andrew (2004). Pioneer of Therapeutic Martial Arts in North America. Kung Fu Tai Chi, Jan/Feb, 59-63]
Wu has acted as a consultant on several studies on the benefits of Chi-Kung:
*''The Effects of Vigorous Exercise Training on Motor Function and Functional'', Fitness in Juvenile Arthritis. Dr. Brian M Feldman
[Wu, Helen (2005). Chi-Kung, Tai-Chi and Fan: a step by step training course for wellness and personal development. Helen X. Wu, 50]
*''Feasibility and Impact of Qigong as Compared to Aerobic Exercise in the Treatment of Childhood Chronic Musculo-Skeletal Pain: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial'', Dr Shirley ML Tse MD FRCPC; Dr. Brian M Feldman
Professional accomplishments
Wu is an accomplished wushu coach; her training methods have produced medal-winning athletes.
*Silver Medal, Group Events Category, U.S.A All-Taijiquan Competition (1999)
*19 Medals including Silver and Bronze All-Round Grand Championships, U.S.A All-Taijiquan Competition (2000)
*23 Medals including Bronze All-Round Grand Championships, U.S.A All-Taijiquan Competition (2001)
Wu co-authored with Wen-Ching Wu Tai ''Chi Single Fan for Health and Martial Arts'' and ''Chi-Kung, Tai Chi and Fan: A Step by Step Training Course for Wellness and Personal Development''. There were used as a text for her courses at York University.
Wu has also published articles for martial arts magazines: ''Flying Rainbow: The Fan of Martial Arts'' co-authored with Marsha Zeust for Kungfu Magazine (1999) and ''A Fan for Life'' for Inside Kung-fu magazine (2007).
[Wu, Helen (2007). A Fan for Life. Inside Kung-fu, May, 40-44]
External links
Helen Wu's Official Website
References
{{DEFAULTSORT:Wu, Helen
Chinese wushu practitioners
Chinese Muslims
Living people
Hui sportspeople
1956 births