Martial Arts
Martial arts or Wushu, have been created and developed for self-defense and survival throughout human history. Correct Chinese Wushu training improves physical ability, health, and willpower; it gives an individual an excellent method of exercise, a personal art form, a competitive sport, and a basis for self-defense and sparring. Related to each style are basic forms, or sequences, which may involve defense strategies, offense, retreat, mobility and immobility, speed and slowness, hard or soft postures, emptiness and fullness, with or without weapons.
We offer expert tuition to all ability levels in two different martial arts, Tai Ji Quan (Tai Chi) and Nan Quan (Southern Fist).
Tai Ji Quan
Tai Ji Quan is one of the internal styles of Chinese martial arts, and is the most widely practiced martial art in the world today. The term "Tai Ji" refers to the ancient Chinese cosmological concept of the interplay between two opposite yet complementary forces (Yin and Yang) as being the foundation of creation. "Quan" literally means, "fist" and denotes an unarmed method of combat. Tai Ji Quan as a martial art is based on the principle of the soft overcoming the hard.
A beginner will usually begin training with very basic exercises designed to teach proper structural alignment and correct methods of moving the body, shifting the weight, stepping, etc. All of the Tai Ji Quan arts have at their very foundation the necessity of complete physical relaxation and the idea that intent leads and controls the motion of the body. The student will also be taught various stance keeping postures which serve as basic exercises in alignment and relaxation as well as a form of mind calming standing meditation. From this starting point, students will be taught stance keeping (Zhan Zhuang), repetitive single movement training, linked form training, power training (exercises which train the ability to issue energy in a ballistic pulse), weapons training (which includes straight sword, broadsword, staff and spear), technique training and various two person exercises and drills (including "push hands" sensitivity drills).
Nan Quan
Nan Quan (also called Southern Fist and Nan Chuan) is another form of Chinese boxing with a rather long history and a lot of schools and one of the more dynamic styles of Wushu. While just as dynamic as the Long Fist style, Nan Quan concentrates more on arm and full body techniques, with less emphasis on the high, acrobatic kicking elements found in Long fist.
Nan Quan, which is relatively popular in various parts of GuangDong Province, has very powerful and intense form and terse postures which enable every part of the body to be fully toughened, so young people are very eager to practice. Practicing the various styles within the Nan Quan system gives one great benefits, both physically and mentally. Students will begin with basic stance keeping exercises and then move on to more advanced technique and power training
