China Martial Arts Academy

Martial arts training requires lots of focus, hard work and above all, discipline. So it should come as no surprise that the day starts at the Kung fu Academy with some early morning circuit training, running and Qi Gong meditation before sitting down to a simple breakfast at 7.30am.

This is typically followed by an intensive three-hour morning training session, then lunch at midday before starting on the afternoon session. After an evening meal around 6 pm, which is simple local food but offers a balanced diet, you are free to rest and recuperate ready for the next day. If you are still raring to go you might choose to take a lesson in Mandarin.

Your specific kung fu training programme will vary depending on the length of your stay, your personal fitness and ability. Focused, hard work can help you achieve a remarkable amount in just a couple of months, however for some it can take weeks to accomplish the correct body alignment for a particular kung fu style but perserverance generally pays off.

Fitness

Although no experience is required, to make it easier for yourself to get started at the Academy, before you arrive you should do some of the following exercises; Squats, Push-ups, Sit-ups, Pull-ups, Bike riding, Swimming, Sprints, Long distance running, Hiking, Gymnastics, Aerobics, Yoga or daily stretching. Participants need to be prepared for early morning starts and full-on physical training for 6 hours a day. Also please be aware during the winter months (December to March) it will be cold in China so be prepared to train in colder temperatures.

Training

While this is not a boot camp, it is a serious training academy. Due to the nature of the activities you may return with the trophy bruises to prove it.

Cultural differences
In some situations Chinese can be very direct, open and frank to the point of tactlessness. For some people this may take time to get used to.

Food

The food at the academy consists of similar basic dishes everyday that give you the nutrition you need for your training.

Hot Water

Like a hot shower? You may only get one when the sun is shining as the water is solar heated.

Level of training

Don‘t expect to be an expert at the end – it takes years to master some of the forms.

Gym equipment

While all the gym equipment is fit for purpose, don’t expect it to look like your local gym.

Translators

Although there may be a translator in some classes most training will be based on copying the movements of the master leading the class.

Running

You’ll need to be prepared to do a fair amount of road running for fitness during your training. Make sure that you bring a good pair of running shoes. 

Martial Arts have 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!

This programme gives you the unique opportunity to learn direct from some of the most experienced Masters available.

The academy can teach one or several of the different styles and forms of Chinese Martial Arts. You will learn a variety of the traditional forms, however, the longer you stay for the more you can learn.

Although you can specify the form of martial art you would like to learn or develop your existing skills in, the availability of the form depends on the number of other students wanting to learn that too and cannot be guaranteed. The most popular forms are Shaolin, Wushu, Sanda, Xingyi and Tai Chi.

Chinese Martial Art Forms

Chinese Martial Arts is a term relating to hundreds of styles native to China. Kung Fu & Wushu are the most popular Chinese names used for Chinese Martial Arts. Gong Fu is known in the west as Kung Fu. Wushu literally means Martial Art and both of these terms encompass many styles. In practice the modern sport Wushu is also known as Contemporary Wushu or Modern Wushu.

China probably has the longest history of Martial Arts with many distinctive styles, with their own sets of techniques & ideas. Some focus on mimicking animal movements, some focus on harnessing and projecting Qi (Energy), while others just concentrate on competitions & exhibitions.

Each style offers a different approach to common problems of self defence, health & self cultivation. Chinese Martial Arts can be split into different categories such as External, Internal, Northern & Southern. Northern Styles are fast with powerful kicks, high jumps & generally more fluid and rapid movements. Southern Styles focus more on strong arm and hand techniques, stable immovable stances & footwork.

External includes the hands, eyes, body & stances.

Internal includes the heart, mind, spirit & strength.

Chinese Martial Arts training consists of basics, forms applications & weapons. Each style has its own unique training system with a varying emphasis on each of those components. 

XingYi Quan

XingYi means Form/Mind, the Form of thousands of things that show outwardly and the heart and the thought of the Mind inwardly.

Another of the 3 major internal Chinese Martial Arts, Xingyi’s attack goes straight through the centre, Bagua goes around the centre and Tai chi gives up the centre.

Xingyi is based on the Taoist concept that natural forces are composed of 5 elements. This view of nature is related to TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine). In relationship to the Martial Art principles, each of the 5 elements applies to a specific organ as well as to different energies expressed by the forms of balance, and by the cycles of creating and destroying.

Xingyi is characterised by aggressive, seemingly linear movements and explosive power. Xingyi Quan features aggressive shocking attacks and direct footwork. The linear nature of Xingyi hints at both the military origins and the influence of spear technique alluded to in its mythology. Despite its hard, angular appearance, cultivating soft internal strength or Qi is essential to achieving power in Xingyi Quan.

The goal of the Xinyi fighter is to reach the opponent quickly and drive powerfully through them in a single burst, this is achieved by coordinating ones body as a single unit and the intense focus of ones Qi.

Modern Wushu

Wushu sport is both an exhibition and a full-contact sport derived from traditional Chinese martial arts. Created in the People's Republic of China after 1949, Wushu has spread globally through the International Wushu Federation (IWUF), which holds the World Wushu Championships every two years.

Wushu is composed of two disciplines: taolu (forms) and sanda (sparring). The forms are similar to gymnastics and involve martial art patterns and manoeuvres for which competitors are judged and given points according to specific rules. The forms comprise basic movements, stances, kicks, punches, balances, jumps, sweeps and throws based on aggregate categories traditional Chinese martial art style and can be changed for competitions to highlight one's strengths. Competitive forms have time limits that can range from 1 minute, 20 seconds for external styles to over five minutes for internal styles.

Shaolin Kung Fu

The ShaolinSi (Shaolin Monastery) a Buddhist Temple located in Henan province was founded by Indian Buddhist Priest, Bodhidharma (Damo), over 4000 years ago, it is considered to be the oldest Martial Art in the world therefore the root of all Martial Arts.

In the early years immediately following the founding of the Shaolin Temple in 495 AD, the first Soldier Monks created a set of eighteen different fighting actions - the original Kung Fu - which utilised all parts of their bodies. These were combined with the use of various weapons made from simple farming tools and were initially a means of providing daily exercise and as a form of meditation. Later they were used as a means of self defence.

Northern Shaolin Kung Fu, known as an external Martial Art emphasises long range techniques, quick advances & retreats, wide stances, kicking & leaping techniques, whirling circular blocks, quickness, agility & aggressive attacks. Shaolin Kung Fu, also famous for its amazing hard Qigong performances by Shaolin Monks such as bending a spear on the throat, breaking wooden poles over the body, smashing stones and bricks to pieces with bare hands and standing on 1 finger. There is also Southern Shaolin Temple located in Fujian province which is 6 hours drive from our School.

Fujian Yong Chun Bai He Quan – Wing Chun White Crane Fist

Fujian White Crane Is a Southern Chinese martial art which originated in Fujian province, it is one of the seven different kinds of martial arts in Fujian. It was created by a female martial artist called Fang Qi niang. Qi niang’s father new the Southern Chinese martial arts and taught them to his daughter when she was young. The Fang family lived in a place where there were many cranes. Qi niang carefully studied the movements of cranes and combined these movements with the martial arts she learned from her father, creating the White Crane style of Fujian Province.

White Crane focuses on attacking vulnerable pressure points on the body. Some of the features include a combination of Internal and External, short strong rooted stances, close range fighting tactics, sticky hands, quick and triangular stepping, and many different fists like crane claw, tiger claw, eagle claw etc.

The Breathing in White crane is very different, short quick exhalations with an empty air sound. (part of a special qi gong) Japanese Okinawan Goju Ryu Karate also traces much of its roots back to White Crane and one of the forms is almost identical. White crane forms are very short in the beginning stages but they become longer as you progress.

Yong Chun White Crane is practised throughout the world and is becoming more and more popular.