Martial Arts Academy China

Kung Fu has existed for thousands of years, with many different forms evolving from regional styles (Northern and Southern) and varying principles such as internal and external. Some people believe there are over 230 forms of boxing/punching alone!

There are a number of different styles of Kung Fu that the Shaolin Monks are able to teach. In most instances, students will learn traditional Kung Fu, however, the Academy can also teach:

• Tai Chi (Tai Ji Quan) - an internal martial art that looks to use soft internal strengths to overcome strong external power of an opponent.
• Sanda or Sanshou - a Chinese style of Kickboxing that focuses purely on one to one combat without any weapons.
• Qi Gong (Chi Kung) - This style is based upon a philosophy where your life has true balance with nature. To practice Chi Kung, you need to follow 3 principles: a peaceful and balanced mind, perfect physical shape of your body and well maintained breathing.
• Praying Mantis Fist (Tanglang Quan) - sometimes called short fist, it teaches you to be able to defend yourself in close contact combat with 5 main parts of your body (head, shoulder, elbow, knee and fist).
• Bagua - the central theme of Bagua, is understanding the transfer of movement between the stances of the body and palm positions.
• Xingyi (Animal style forms) - based on combining internal and external strengths, to adopt different physical shapes to attack an opponent. These different shapes are the various animal forms i.e. monkey, tiger, snake, cat, horse etc.
• Baji - a style that focuses on actual combat and the development of power and force.

The Masters
The 3 main Masters have studied martial arts for many years, from some of the best instructors of their generation. Each Master is qualified in a number of the different forms to level 7 on the 9-level scale (1 lowest - 9 highest) used by the academy. Level 9 is only achievable if you have dedicated your life to the instruction of Kung Fu. From 3 years full-time study, you can achieve level 3-4.

Each Master will have a limited number of students in their group. This allows there to be a higher level of personal instruction offered than in other martial arts courses. Kung Fu requires a student to understand all of its elements, including the historical, physical and mental aspects, which are all taught on this personal level.

The masters conduct all lessons in Mandarin. However, there will be translators present to help.

Skills Requirement
No experience is required; however, participants need to ensure that they are fit and able to join a programme of this nature.

Training Plan
Below is a typical training plan:

• Theory and history of Chinese Martial Arts with flexibility training
• Introduction to Tai Chi, Qi Gong, Sanda (kickboxing) and 1 to 6 Shaolin fist forms
• Basic punching and kicking
• Low-level weapons training i.e. with staff, sword or whip
• Mandarin lessons

Academy students have the opportunity to learn hard Qi Gong (conditioning of the body for fighting) and if you wish, it is possible to spar with another student (with padding and supervision).

Mandarin Lessons
During your programme, you will have the unique opportunity to have some Mandarin lessons. Working with the academy translators, you will be taken through the very basics of Mandarin and have the chance to learn key terms related to martial arts and daily language. The lessons are not compulsory, however, they add to the overall experience and can enhance your appreciation of the culture and martial arts.

There are 3 lessons each week, on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 7pm each evening. Mondays will focus on basic Chinese words; Wednesdays are spent developing sentences and conversation skills; and Fridays will be a simple test of what has been learnt in the previous lessons.

Please Note: The Mandarin lessons are informal and will cover basic Mandarin. Students should be aware that China, especially the Fujian Province, has many different dialects of the same language and that words used in one place will change to how they are used elsewhere.

Programme Support
During your programme, you will have the support and guidance of our local coordinator. They will provide you with competent field support and assistance, and help you with any questions or support you may need during your stay. In addition, we will provide you with a 24 hour emergency contact number before you depart, so that you can contact one of our UK staff at any time should you need to.

Programme Orientation
Once you have been met and picked up from the airport, you will be taken to your accommodation to settle in. On your day, your coordinators will guide you through the academy and help to answer any questions you may have in your orientation. Your orientation will cover:

• Local culture – social norms, traditions and culture
• Expected behaviour – how to respect the Masters, the academy staff and each other
• Safety – areas and places to avoid, what to do in an emergency
• Locations of important amenities – banks, hospitals, embassies
• Free time – what there is to do in the local area