KUNG FU (WUSHU)
Chin Woo Wushu
GMax Academy is an official UK representative of Master Teng's Northern Shaolin Chin Woo Wushu Centre.
Our Kids Kung Fu & Kickboxing Classes
teach children self-discipline, confidence, respect and strong leadership skills. Additionally, they will learn how to focus, avoid being bullied, and develop a positive attitude.
Adult Kung Fu Classes
teach traditional Shaolin kung fu routines from the Chin Woo Wushu syllabus.
Lessons include fitness training, muscle conditioning, stretching, pad work, self defence applications and gymnastics. As the student progresses, training will include jumping techniques and weapons routines, including broadsword, cudgel, spear, and straight sword.
Junior and Adult GMax Kung Fu Students have won multiple Gold Medals at various National Championship Tournaments.
The Chin Woo (Athletic) Association was founded by Grandmaster Huo Yuanjia (1868 – 1910).
Towards the end of the 19th Century, many foreigners were in China, and some referred to the Chinese as the “Sick Men of Asia.” Master Huo believed that “in order to strengthen the country, you must first strengthen the people”, and established the Chin Woo School to allow all Chinese the opportunity to learn Chinese kungfu.
Famously in 1909, a European wrestler was sent to Shanghai to challenge any Chinese that would accept. Master Huo accepted the challenge and emerged victorious. This incident escalated Master Huo’s reputation to that of a national hero.
Master Huo died from suspected arsenic poisoning on 9th August 1910. After the death of Master Huo, Chin Woo was reorganised to make it available to other parts of China and Asia. In 1920, Shanghai Chin Woo sent representatives to Southeast Asia. They opened the first Chin Woo School in Saigon, Vietnam, and later in parts of Malaysia and Singapore. To prove their skills, they were often required to give demonstrations or accept challenges. By 1923, these five Chin Woo Masters had opened Chin Woo schools all over Southeast Asia and visited nine different countries.
Currently, Chin Woo is one of the largest martial arts organisations in the world with branches in Argentina, Australia, Canada, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Italy, Japan, Malaysia, Netherlands, New Zealand, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Russia, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Switzerland, Thailand, United Kingdom, USA and Vietnam.
The stories of Huo Yuanjia and Chin Woo have been fictionalised in many popular movies, including Bruce Lee’s “Fist of Fury” and Jet Li’s “Fist of Legend” and “Fearless”.
The Chin Woo wushu forms or routines, are primarily a “Northern” style. The main difference between northern and southern styles of wushu, is that the northern styles tend to emphasise fast and powerful kicks, high jumps and generally fluid and rapid movement, while the southern styles focus more on strong arm and hand techniques, and stable, immovable stances and fast footwork. Chin Woo weapon forms include spears, cudgels, straight swords, and single and double broadswords, to name but a few.
"Fearless The Story of Chin Woo Kung Fu" by Glen Stanway, available in paperback, illustrated with over 100 photos, and text-only on Kindle.
Contact
Please feel free to get in touch if you have any questions or would like to enquire about any services offered by GMax Academy, or to book an instructor.
tel: ++44 (0)7563 755 199
e-mail:
gstanway@gmail.com
