TRAINING

Martial Arts Overview

Traditional Chinese schools of martial arts, such as the famed Shaolin monks, often dealt with the study of martial arts not just as a means of self-defense or mental training, but as a system of ethics. Wude (pronounced woo-deu) can be translated as "martial morality" and is constructed from the words "wu,"  which means martial, and "de," which means morality. Wude deals with two aspects: "morality of deed" (which refers to Humility, Sincerity, Politeness, Loyalty, and Trust) and "morality of mind"(which refers to Courage, Patience, Endurance, Perseverance, and Will). The morality of deed concerns social relations; the morality of mind is meant to cultivate the inner harmony between the emotional mind and the wisdom mind. The ultimate goal is maintaining balance (Wuji, closely related to the Taoist concept of wu wei), where both wisdom and emotions are in harmony with each other.

Kung Fu Styles

Chinese Martial Arts, also known as Kung Fu, has a rich history and a diverse range of styles. Each style has its own unique techniques, philosophy, and training methods. These styles have been developed and refined over centuries, reflecting the rich cultural and philosophical traditions of China. Some of the most notable Chinese kung fu styles include Shaolin kung fu, Taiji (or Tai Chi), Sanda (or Sanshou), Qigong, Wing Chun, Baji, and Xingyi. Each of these Chinese Kung Fu styles has its own unique characteristics, philosophies, and training methods. While some styles focus on external techniques and physical conditioning, others emphasize internal energy cultivation and relaxation. The diversity of Chinese Kung Fu styles offers practitioners a wide range of options to explore based on their interests and goals.

maser bao jumping high and performing a side punch-kick in the air

Shaolin

Shaolin kung fu is perhaps one of the most famous and widely practiced styles, originating from the Shaolin Temple in Henan province. Known for its physically demanding and comprehensive training methods, Shaolin kung fu incorporates a wide range of fighting techniques, including strikes, kicks, grappling, and intricate forms or "tao lu."
Shaolin Kung Fu Master teaching foreign students taichi

Tai Chi

Taiji, which is also known as Tai Chi, is characterized by its slow, deliberate, and flowing movements. This style emphasizes the cultivation of internal strength, balance, and harmony while promoting overall health and well-being. Taiji is often practiced as a meditative exercise, and its gentle, circular movements are used for both martial arts applications and therapeutic purposes.

Sanda

Sanda is a modern Chinese hand-to-hand combat style that combines full-contact fighting with elements of self-defense.

Qi Gong

Qigong is a holistic system of coordinated body posture, movement, and breathing, used for health, spirituality, and martial arts training.
Shaolin Kung Fu Master teaching foreign students kungfu

Wing Chun

Wing Chun is a traditional southern Chinese kung fu style known for its close-range combat techniques and efficient, direct striking.
Shaolin Kung Fu Master teaching foreign students taichi

Baji

Baji Quan, also known as Eight Extremities Fist, is a Chinese martial art characterized by its explosive power and aggressive techniques.
Shaolin Kung Fu Master teaching foreign students kungfu

Bagua

Baguazhang, or Eight Trigram Palm, is a circular and evasive martial art known for its intricate footwork patterns and continuous flowing movements.
Xingyi

Xingyi

Xingyiquan, or Form-Intention Boxing, is a Chinese martial art renowned for its direct and aggressive fighting techniques.

Training Plan

Kungfu learning is an endless process, and you are never too old or too late to learn. If you wish to learn for more than one year, you are always welcome at the Academy! In order to give you a general idea of what you can learn during different periods of time, we provide you specific training plans as stated below:

One - Two Months

For one - two months of learning, you will learn the Shaolin basics, and rudimentary movements of Shaolin fist, staff, and broadsword. One traditional short-fist form is what you have to master. You can also learn a basic Tai Chi form according to individual preference.

Basic Qi Gong movements and postures, Qi feeling may differ based on individual aptitude.

Form-learning Examples:

  • Five-step Fist
  • Continuous Fist or Tongbei Fist
  • 24-style Taichi
  • Yinshou Staff
Three Months

For three-months of learning, you will learn some more advanced Shaolin fist and weapon forms (either a long weapon or a soft weapon), the wrestling techniques of Sanda (Chinese kickboxing), the law of attack and defense, sparring, and hard Qigong.

Form-learning Examples:

  • Xiao Hong Fist
  • Yin Shou Staff or Ying Yang Staff
  • Xiao Luo Han Fist
  • Jing Gang Fist
  • 42 Chen-style Taichi or 56 Yang-style Taichi
Six Months

For six-months of learning, you can learn at least four weapons, six fists, and three Tai Chi forms, and applications of all the forms. You will become more skilled at Sanda combat and takedowns. In Qi Gong, you will be able break a brick with a single hand or your head. You may also learn flying needle and/or two-figure Zen.

Form-learning examples:

  • Da Hong Fist
  • Da Luo Han Fist
  • Canon Fist
  • Liu He Fist (by two persons)

Four Weapons:

  • Qi Mei Staff
  • Mei Hua Broadsword

And a choice of 2 more hard or soft weapons, including:

  • Double Broad Sword
  • Straight Sword
  • Spear
  • Pudao
  • Chain Whip
  • Shaolin Fan
  • Hook Swords
One Year

For one-year of learning, you will be exposed to most Shaolin Kung Fu customs and ideas. You will utilize advanced hard and soft Qigong techniques, including breaking an iron bar or steel board and balancing your weight on a spear at your throat, Ba Duan Jin, and Yi Jin Jing.

Your flexibility, stability, and endurance will all greatly improve. You will learn advanced traditional Shaolin forms selected from the famous Shaolin 18-weapons and 72 secret skills. 

Additional form-learning examples:

  • Mantis palm-blossom Fist
  • Drunken Fist
  • Tiger Fist
  • Monkey Fist

Additional weapons may include:

  • Double hook swords
  • Three-section staff
  • Rope dart
  • Yue Ya Chan/Monk's Spade
  • Miao Dao

Class Schedule

Class Schedule

The styles of Bagua, Baji, Xingyi, and Wungchun, are optional classes at the Academy. This is because, so far, there are comparatively fewer people who come to the academy to learn these styles. When there are too few people in a group, training can become monotonous, finding a training partner becomes difficult, etc. However, if you wish to learn one of these styles, it’s still possible to get training on it, just let us know.

All the training plans can be adjusted to individual body conditions and preferences, and the speed of personal improvements. For instance, if you favor a particular weapon, then you can learn the forms of that weapon during your stay. Or if you prefer specific styles, like Sanda, you can spend more training time on it. When you finish learning a set of movements or a form, masters will teach you all its practical applications to ensure you understand its underlying meaning.

Calendar

Holidays and events to note when planning your trip to China! On certain holidays, such as Lunar New Year, classes will be reduced as masters go home to visit their families. If you have questions about whether or not these holidays will affect your planned travel dates, shoot us a message! 

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