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| Instructor Paula Lyons in Hsinchu, Taiwan |
About us
We offer instruction in the traditional Chinese martial arts we learned while living in Taiwan, Republic of China, one of the few places in the world where these ancient arts are still taught in their authentic form. It is our goal to establish a school where these cultural treasures can be preserved and passed on, as they have been for centuries.
The core of our system, around which all else is built, is the training of martial art. This training is not only for self-defense, but also for the promotion of health and well-being, the strengthening of character, and as a means of self-improvement.
What is Kung Fu?
Chinese martial arts have a history of development spanning thousands of years. Over that time, hundreds of different styles have been created, many of which are still practiced today. Despite their differences in approach and function, they are bound by a common grounding in principles central to classical Chinese philosophy, such as the role of complementary forces in nature (yin and yang) and the importance of balance.
Because they are so well known as fighting arts, it is easy to overlook the much broader scope of what is gained through Kung Fu study. It has long been practiced for personal cultivation - as a means of realizing one's inner potential. It is as much about cultivating virtue and nurturing health and longevity as it is about defending oneself and preventing violence. This is evident in the Chinese character for martial, which is formed by combining the characters for stop and weapon:
Because they are so well known as fighting arts, it is easy to overlook the much broader scope of what is gained through Kung Fu study. It has long been practiced for personal cultivation - as a means of realizing one's inner potential. It is as much about cultivating virtue and nurturing health and longevity as it is about defending oneself and preventing violence. This is evident in the Chinese character for martial, which is formed by combining the characters for stop and weapon:
武 wu - martial
止 zhi - stop
戈 ge - weapon
Literally, and in their original usage, the words kung fu refer to the "true ability gained through long-term, dedicated effort," and in that sense can also be applied to ability gained in any discipline that can be taken to the level of mastery, such as painting, dance, or even cooking.
Today however, Kung Fu is most often used as a general term referring to the many styles of traditional Chinese martial arts, such as those originating at the famous Shaolin Temple, as well as the various styles of Tai Chi.
Furthermore, in North America the words Kung Fu are also used to distinguish traditional styles of Chinese martial arts from performance-based variants known as Wushu.
Why the emphasis on "traditional"?
Why the emphasis on "traditional"?
The word "traditional" is used to distinguish between styles of Chinese martial arts that have retained their original, complete methods of training and Wushu, a performance-based variation created in communist China during the 1970's. At that time original training methods, which had long been used to develop internal power and train real martial ability, were replaced in favor of techniques emphasizing style and flair, thus establishing a more performance-based art. Since that time, Wushu has become very popular in mainland China, while traditional styles have been kept alive largely by masters who escaped to places like Hong Kong, Singapore and Taiwan. When referring to Kung Fu, the word "traditional" should not be understood to suggest "old-fashioned," but rather "authentic."
Is Kung Fu difficult to learn?
In our classes we focus on providing an encouraging, non-aggressive environment that inspires our students to challenge themselves and bring out their best. Concepts are introduced gradually, only when a student is able to apply and benefit from the new information. It does take time to excel in Kung Fu, and while true ability can only come from dedicated effort over time, every day of practice brings a student one step closer to realizing their full potential. Along the way, the student will feel dramatic improvements to health, fitness and well-being, as well as a growing capacity for self-defense.
Can anyone learn Kung Fu?
Is Kung Fu difficult to learn?
In our classes we focus on providing an encouraging, non-aggressive environment that inspires our students to challenge themselves and bring out their best. Concepts are introduced gradually, only when a student is able to apply and benefit from the new information. It does take time to excel in Kung Fu, and while true ability can only come from dedicated effort over time, every day of practice brings a student one step closer to realizing their full potential. Along the way, the student will feel dramatic improvements to health, fitness and well-being, as well as a growing capacity for self-defense.
Can anyone learn Kung Fu?
It's a common misconception to think of Kung Fu as something that only some people are suited for, or that a person must start learning from a very early age to gain any benefit from. This couldn't be farther from the truth. While remaining true to original methods, our pace of training is no longer dictated by lifestyles of the past. Because we today live in a more stable, less strife-filled environment than that of ancient China, we are able to adapt long-established training methods to best benefit our modern lives and to help us reach our own, individual goals. Students as young as four and as old as sixty-four have thoroughly enjoyed and benefited from our classes, but by no means should these be seen as absolute age limits. Results depend most on a student's own efforts, patience and determination.
