WUSHU - KUNG FU FITNESS CENTER 尚 武 體 育 會

Wushu is literally translated as “martial arts” and, when written, is comprised of the two Chinese characters “wu” (martial/military) and “shu” (arts).  Chinese characters are based on pictograph, where words were originally represented by their physical appearance.  The character for “wu” is the result of two simpler characters, when separated, has been interpreted as “self-defense”.

The term “wushu” comes from Mandarin Chinese, the national language of China, while the term “kung-fu” comes from Cantonese, a dialect of the Chinese language, and both are often used interchangeably to refer to Chinese martial arts in general in English.  It was created in the People's Republic of China after 1949, in an attempt to nationalize the practice of traditional Chinese martial arts.  Wushu is often used to refer to modern competitive taolu (choreographed forms) and sanda (sparring/fighting) while kung-fu refers to the classical counterpart from which wushu is derived.

The Chinese martial arts are made up of numerous styles which are often categorized into internal (nei jia) and external (wai jia) arts.  Internal Chinese martial arts focus on the use of the relaxed body and is used to describe styles such as Tai Chi Quan, Bagua Zhang, Hsing-I, and Baji.  While typical physical characteristics of external Chinese martial arts include physical development, speed, and explosive movements as is found in Long Fist, Southern Fist, Ground Tumbling Boxing, and Eagle Claw - both internal and external arts require coordination of the mind and body, and it has been said that they have the same destination while simply taking different paths.

On January 8, 2020 the IOC announced that wushu will be included as an additional sport in the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games (YOG). A tremendous milestone in the development of wushu, and the result of the hard work, longtime efforts and substantial global promotions of the IWUF and its 155 members over the past 30 years. Wushu was listed as a candidate for the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games twice in 2011 and 2015. Under the auspices of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), the International Wushu Federation (IWUF) successfully held the "Beijing 2008 Wushu Tournament" during the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games and the "Nanjing 2014 Youth Wushu Tournament" during the Nanjing 2014 Youth Olympic Games. Wushu was accepted in the World Games, World Combat Games, World University Games, African Youth Games and many other competitions. IWUF actively promotes anti-doping work and has established assistance programs to promote the development of wushu internationally. The IWUF established World Wushu-Kungfu Day, expanded its media, marketing, and live broadcasts. It also worked diligently to promote global sponsorship programs and the continuous expansion of funding sources.

WHY WUSHU?

For children in their formative years, self-discipline is important and by implementing repetition, hard work, rhythm, details, and rules, wushu is a fantastic way to improve the learning process.  Wushu will provide an activity to do all year round to compliment your other seasonal physical activities and help you become a well-rounded individual since it requires thought in addition to its physical components.  Because wushu is skill-based, it is a great way for friends and families with diverse physical talents and abilities to participate in together. It is also an amazing way to develop friendships with interesting people that can last a lifetime.

For professionals who are at your desks or vehicles all day, exercise is absolutely essential.  In addition to looking better, exercise has been shown to stimulate chemicals in your brain which can also make you feel better.  Numerous studies show that exercise helps to combat depression while improving self-esteem.  Wushu can also strengthen your heart and lungs; help improve the quality of your sleep; improve your concentration and focus at work; and has been known to prevent type II diabetes, osteoporosis, and types of cancer. Besides improving the quality and longevity of your life, wushu is simply fun!

For athletes, wushu is a powerful way to cross-train because it is a comprehensive art form that involves running, jumping, kicking, punching, flexibility, explosive linear and circular movements, and much more that will make you the most effective athlete you can be.  Additionally, the mental focus, emotional clarity, and physical awareness will enable you to reach your full potential as an athlete.

For performers, your presentation and being in shape are both imperative. Wushu’s performance aspects prepare you to be in a highly competitive position if you would like to be considered for parts involving action sequences, while helping you get in shape like a top athlete.  Wushu training helped make Jet Li, Jackie Chan, Keanu Reeves, Jason Statham, Donnie Yen, Zoe Saldana, Carrie-Ann Moss, Milla Jovovich, and Uma Thurman international super-stars.

WHO CAN DO WUSHU?

Anybody can do wushu!  Wushu is skill-based, so regardless of your age, gender, physical attributes, or experience, you can be taught wushu through our systematic teaching process. 

 To find out how you can achieve your goals, Contact Us NOW!​

Wing Chun (詠春) is a Chinese martial art utilizing both striking and grappling while specializing in close-range fighting techniques and self-defense.

HISTORY
The earliest known mention of Wing Chun date to the period of Red Boat Opera in the late 1800s / early 1900s.  The common legend as told by Yip Man involves the young woman Yim Wing Chun during the period after the destruction by the Qing government of the Southern Shaolin Temple. Having refused a marriage proposal from a local warlord, Yim Wing Chun said she would reconsider if the warlord could defeat her in a fight. She soon met a Buddhist nun named Ng Mui of the Shaolin Temple and asked the nun to teach her to fight.  According to legend Ng Mui taught Yim Wing Chun a new system of martial art inspired by the nun's observations of a battle between a Snake and a Crane.   Yim Wing Chun was then able to beat the warlord in a fight. Yim Wing Chun afterwards married Leung Bac Chou and taught him the style, which was later named after her.

CURRICULUM

Hand Forms
Wing Chun forms consist of individual exercise routines with offensive and defensive movements for developing self-awareness, reflex, sensitivity, and balance.  Forms also train the practitioner how to generate proper force when applying Wing Chun techniques.

The first, and most important form in Wing Chun, Siu Lim Tao (小念頭) is the foundation from which all succeeding forms and techniques are based upon.  Fundamental rules of balance and body structure are developed here. 

The second form, Chum Kiu (尋橋) focuses on coordinated body movements and entry techniques to "bridge the gap" between practitioner and opponent and move in to disrupt their structure and balance.  Close-range attacks using the elbows and knees are also developed here. It also teaches methods of recovering position and centerline when in a compromised position where Siu Nim Tao structure has been disrupted.

The third form, Biu Jee (鏢指) is composed of short-range and long-range techniques, low kicks and sweeps, and "emergency techniques" to counter-attack when structure and centerline have been seriously compromised, such as when the practitioner is seriously injured.  As well as pivoting and stepping movements, more upper body and stretching is developed to increase power. These movements include very close range elbow strikes and finger thrusts to the throat.

The Muk Yan Jong (木人樁) form is performed against a “wooden dummy", a thick wooden post with three arms and a leg mounted on a slightly springy frame representing a stationary human opponent.  Wooden dummy practice aims to refine a practitioner's understanding of angles, positions, and footwork, and to develop full body power. It is here that the open hand forms are pieced together and understood as a whole.

Weapons
Upon completion of learning the open-hand forms, the student is ready to progress to weapons.  Wing Chun weapons consist of a Long Pole form called "Luk Dim Boon Gwun" or "6 1/2 Point Pole" which uses the shoulder as the centerline and is usually taught first.  The power from the long bridge of the two arms is concentrated into one point and thrust out to different positions in the form which only has six and one-half techniques - the last being the half, a rapid downward movement from the chest.  The Long Pole is followed by a Knife Form called "Baat Cham Dao" or "Eight Cutting Blades".  "Baat" is the number eight, "Cham" is to cut or slash, and "Dao" refers to a single edged blade such as a knife or sword.  This is usually the final form taught to a Wing Chun student.

Chi Sao (Sticking Hands)
Chi Sao (黐手) or "sticking hands” are exercise drills used to develop automatic reflexes upon contact and the idea of "sticking" to the opponent ("sensitivity training”).  The objective is to protect your centerline while simultaneously attacking your opponent's centerline.  In Wing Chun, this is practiced by two individuals maintaining contact with each other's forearms while executing techniques, thereby training each other to sense changes in body mechanics, pressure, and momentum.  The increased sensitivity gained from this drill helps a practitioner attack and counter an opponent's movements precisely, quickly, and with appropriate techniques.

Chinese Lion Dance has a very long history and there are many versions of its origin, some based on fictional stories passed down for generations and others based on historical facts.  The lion dance has existed in Chinese culture for more than a thousand years. Lion dance originated in the Han Dynasty (205 BC - 220 AD) and reached its peak during the Tang Dynasty (716 - 907 AD).  Lions are considered a divine animal of nobility and dignity.  It is a symbol of strength, wisdom and courage in Chinese culture.

The Lion Dance has two different types - northern and southern.  The two differ in the style and appearance of the lion.  The northern style lion dance is mainly performed for entertainment during festivities and the colors of the lion are typically red, orange and yellow with a shaggy appearance.  The southern style lion has a distinctive head, displays a variety of colors, has a single horn and mirror(s).  The northern style lion is popular in northern China while the southern style lion is popular in southern China, particularly in Guangdong and neighboring provinces.  The tradition of lion dance continued with the Chinese immigrants who settled in different parts of the world, including the United States, Canada, and Latin America.  Lion dances are seen in Chinatowns everywhere especially during Chinese New Year celebrations, business grand openings, other festive events, and competitions. 

The presence of a lion is regarded as an auspicious sign and the lion dance plays a significant role in all cultural festivals in China. Traditional lion dance has a close relation with martial arts and the dancers are typically kung fu practitioners.  Southern systems of kung fu do not consider a training hall to be complete without having a lion dance team.  With this honor comes great responsibility to train hard and conscientiously as the training hall is often judged by the skills of its lion dance team in performances and competitions.  The colorful lion and its skillful acrobatics along with the dramatic musical accompaniment of a drum, cymbals and gong make for a very exciting and memorable experience of a unique and traditional aspect of Chinese culture. 

Depending on its place of origin in China, the head of the lion can take one of two shapes, the Hoksan (Crane Mountain) and Futsan (Buddha Mountain) lion.  The Wushu-Kung Fu Fitness Center teaches the traditional Futsan style, which incorporates powerful moves and stances often used in kung-fu, thus requiring strength and stamina from the dancers.  The southern lion is a composite of magical and mystical elements.  Features of the Southern lion include the horn of the phoenix, the ears and tail of the unicorn, the beard of a dragon, and a mirror on its forehead to ward off evil or demons.  The southern lion head and body come in various color schemes.  Traditional color schemes give the lion type its name, which are based on the “Three Generals (or Heroes)” also known as the “Three Sworn Brothers of the Peach Garden” from Chinese history and immortalized in the Chinese classic novel, "Romance of the Three Kingdoms".  Their names and hence the lion's names (based on the color theme) are Liu Bei (colorful face, white beard), Gwan Gung (red face, black beard), and Zhang Fei (black or green face, black beard).  These Generals were sworn brothers and are also known as first, second and third sons - Liu Bei being “big or first brother”, Gwan Gung being the “second brother”, and Zhang Fei being the “third brother”.  Liu Bei is the wise lion and used in performances by long established kung fu training halls or associations where good luck and prosperity want to be ensured.  Gwan Gung is the brave and loyal lion used by newly established kung fu training halls or associations, while Zhang Fei is known as the fighting lion because of its brash and pugnacious nature and is used by new training halls or associations wishing to establish themselves in the community. 

Popular Folklore

The story of Guan Yin’s Compassion

Another origin story places the lion as a mystical creature that existed in the heavens.  The lion was a playful and mischievous creature, so much so that one day it caused too much trouble for the King of Heaven to control.  As punishment, the Jade Emperor chopped off the lion’s horn (the source of its life) and it died.  Guan Yin (the Goddess of Mercy) felt sorry so she tied the lion’s horn back on with a red sash with golden leaves and chanted to bring it back to life.  If you look closely at any lion, you can see a red sash tied on its horn.

The story of the Nian
The legend says "Nian" was a fierce monster that liked kidnapping children and terrorizing villages.  Eventually, a lion defeated and chased the monster away but Nian vowed to return the next year.  This time the villagers did not have a lion to protect them.  They solved the problem by creating a costume likeness of a lion and two villagers used it to scare Nian away.  This is the reason the lion dance is performed every Chinese New Year.  The legend also says that loud noises from the drum, other instruments, and firecrackers helped to scare the Nian away.  Red is worn during the New Year’s celebration because it was believed Nian was afraid of the color red.  "Nian” has become the Chinese word for year.

The Story of the Monk

Once upon a time a monk had a dream in which there were many sorrows and evils plaguing the land.  The monk prayed and asked the gods how he could prevent these evils from occurring.  The gods told him that a lion would protect them and fight back the evils.  The Chinese people had never seen a lion before, but had heard stories that the lion was the king of all the other animals.  The monk then combined all the lucky or magical animals he could think of and created the lion.