Our school is proud to bring you the some of the finest instruction available in Chinese Martial Arts. We offer five different programs to choose from:

Tien Shan Pai Kung Fu 

Children's Kung Fu

Yang Tai Chi Chuan

Gao Baguazhang

Hebei Xingyiquan

More information on these programs follows below:

Tien Shan Pai Kung Fu Program:

Our Kung Fu program is in the Tien Shan Pai (Heaven Mountain Style) system. Tien Shan Pai was founded by the late Grandmaster Wang, Jyue Jen (1910-1990) in Taichung, Taiwan during the 1940's; Si Jo Wang based Tien Shan Pai's curriculum largely on the Northern Shaolin system of training. As such, the movements are generally far-reaching and flowing with sudden bursts of Fa Jing (Explosive Energy.)

Si Jo Wang, Jyue Jen, founder of Tien Shan Pai

   Tien Shan Pai  was first introduced to the U.S. in 1970 by Si Fu Willy Lin (Lin, Shih Kuang), the senior student of and assistant instructor to Si Jo Wang. When he arrived in the U.S., Si Fu Lin opened his school in the Washington, D.C. area. During the 1970's, Si Fu Lin also sponsored the relocation of several of his classmates to the U.S., including Si Fu Liu Chao Chi.

 Si Fu Liu opened his school, Hua Shing Kung Fu School, in Washington, D.C.'s Chinatownin 1978. This is where Si Fu Robert LaPointe, the founder of the first White Birch school, studied during the 1980's. Today, many students of both Si Fu Lin and Si Fu Liu have carried on the tradition and Tien Shan Pai is now one of the most widely practiced styles of Kung Fu in the mid-Atlantic region.

    Si Fu Willy Lin                      Si Fu Liu Chao Chi

  As a system of physical and mental conditioning, Tien Shan Pai training can be divided into four main areas of study: Basics, Technique, Form, and Sparring; more details follow. 

   Basic training can include, but is certainly not limited to, stance training, hand strikes, and kicking techniques. Numerous conditioning exercises and drills are also used to develop strength, speed, stamina, flexibility, and overall fitness.

   Some of the Techniques we practice are from a Chinese system of leverage and joint manipulation called Chin Na (Seize/Control.) Chin Na techniques generally involve subduing an opponent by locking joints, separating muscles or tendons, or attacking pressure points. Chin Na requires little force to be effective, which makes it ideal for dealing with larger or stronger opponents. Chin Na is well suited to close-range scenarios where it's more likely that you could be grabbed by an attacker.

   The Forms we practice are the empty hand, weapon, and two-person sets established by the late Grandmaster Wang Jyue Jen as curriculum for his school, Lei Sheng Wu Yuan (Sound of Thunder Martial Arts Garden), in Taiwan. Several of our forms share a common heritage with other Kung Fu systems, while some of our advanced forms were created by Si Jo Wang himself. Most martial arts systems practice some type of form. Kung Fu forms can be thought of as training patterns designed to condition the mind and body, improve coordination, and introduce the student to self-defense options.

The Sparring skills we teach are based on the Shaolin method of combining hand techniques and kicks with sweeps, throws, and takedowns. Techniques and applications of movements found in our forms are also trained to further develop the student's understanding of Kung Fu theory. For the safety of our students and instructors alike, we do not engage in full-contact sparring. We also do not practice the more sport oriented point-sparring. What we do offer is a program of controlled, continuous sparring called San Shou (Random Hands) with an emphasis on the development of skill and technique.

Kung Fu classes are held Mondays and Fridays from 7:00-8:00pm, Tuesdays and Thursdays from 8:00-9:30pm, and Saturdays from 12:00-1:00pm. 

Children's Kung Fu Program:

Separate classes are conducted for children, which are similar in most ways to the adult Kung Fu classes.

   Your child will learn Basic, Technique, Form and Sparring skills that will help build his or her confidence in time and with regular class attendance. We also strive to instill a sense of responsibility of those skills through character-building and an awareness of the difference between fighting and self-defense.

   The major difference between the children and adult classes are the self-defense techniques taught to children. The children's curriculum is more limited in scope and focuses on scenarios a child is more likely to encounter. With our younger students we emphasize escapes and restraints that are effective and easy to learn rather than encourage them to use punches and kicks in an encounter with another child.

Children's classes are held Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays from 6:00-7:00pm, and Saturdays from 11:00am-12:00pm.

Yang Tai Chi Chuan Program:

   Our Tai Chi program offers instruction in Yang Family Tai Chi Chuan. Yang Tai Chi was founded in the mid-1800's by Grandmaster Yang, Lu Chan (1799-1872), who is thought to have based his system of training on Chen Family Tai Chi. His grandson, Yang Cheng Fu, is credited with helping to promote the Yang system to its current wide-spread student base through his teachings and students.

Si Jo Yang, Lu Chan, founder of Yang Tai Chi Chuan

Yang Tai Chi is generally known for it's large, open postures and graceful execution. Unlike the Chen system, which often displays sudden, explosive movements (Fa Jing), the postures of the Yang forms are linked together at a slow, even pace as if the practitioner is "pulling a thread of silk." For this reason, many students of the Yang system train the forms as a way to alleviate stress as well as gain a degree of martial skill. For it's many known health and self-defense benefits, Yang Tai Chi has become one of the most widely practiced Tai Chi systems in the world today.  

New students to our Tai Chi program begin their training with the 24-movement Yang Short Form. This form was created in the 1950's by the renowned Yang Tai Chi Master Cheng, Man Ching (1902-1975), a student of Yang, Cheng Fu. Other forms available as the student progresses include the Yang Straight Sword (Jian) and Broad Sword (Dao) Forms, the original 108-movement Yang Long Form, and the rarely taught Yang Two-Person Form.

   In additon to forms training, our Tai Chi program also incorporates Chi Kung (Breathing Exercise) and Nei Kung (Internal Exercise) exercises into the routine to devleop effective control of the breath and body posture. Relaxation is also emphasized to instill a sense of calm and well-being.

The sparring component of Tai Chi training is known as Tui Shou (Pushing Hands.) Tui Shou exercises will help the student develop sensitivity, reflex, coordination, and good body positioning. Tui Shou teaches students to neutralize and redirect an opponent's incoming force as well as improving timing and power generation. Becuase we learn to move in harmony with our opponent, Tui Shou is considered valid practice of the principles of Yin and Yang, which is the Taoist philosophy at the core of Tai Chi training.

      The self-defense techniques taught to Tai Chi students are the martial applications of the postures in both the 24 and 108-movement forms. Where most Tai Chi instruction available leaves off at forms training, we teach Tai Chi as a system of martial arts. As such, no area of the system is neglected, giving our students a more thorough martial arts experience and understanding. 

Tai Chi classes are held Tuesdays and Thursdays from 7:00-8:00pm, and Saturdays from 10:00-11:00am.

Gao Baguazhang:

   Baguazhang (Eight Trigram Palm) is an internal style of Chinese martial art emphasizing the development of the whole body and mind in training. It is most recognizable for its core practice of walking in a circle and emphasizes all manner of striking, control, locking and throwing with all parts of the body. Baguazhang takes ancient Taoist theory and thought and puts it into physical practice in the human body.

   Specifically, the Gao style of Baguazhang is taught as it was passed on to George Wood by his teacher, Luo Dexiu. Gao style Baguazhang has become famous among martial artists the world over not only for its excellent health and mental benefits, but also for its proven track record in producing excellent fighters and martial artists.

For more information on our Bagua program, you may also visit www.zongwumen.com.

Bagua classes are held Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 8:00-9:30pm, and Saturdays from 2:30-4:00pm.  

Master Luo Dexiu practicing Baguazhang

Hebei Xingyiquan:

   Xingyiquan literally means form and mind fist. As such, it's training emphasizes the combining of form, body and movement together with the tempered use of mind and intent. Xingyiquan is probably the most direct, the most outwardly martial, and potentially the most quickly learned of the three internal martial arts of China (Xingyiquan, Baguazhang and Taijiquan.)

Master Luo Dexiu demonstrates long-staff technique

   Xingyiquan stresses control of centerline, direct hard-hitting attacks and exacting simplicity. The core training of Xingyiquan consists of standing meditation methods and the training of the five element fists to forge one's understanding of the base structure, techniques, principles and strategy of the system. Much of the basic fighting attitude of Xingyiquan revolves around aggressive occupation of the opponent's territory. Later, one will move on to the training of more advanced forms in the system, as well as two person forms, weapons and advanced fighting and training methods.

For more information on our Xingyi progam, you may also visit www.zongwumen.com.

Xingyi classes are held Wednesdays from 7:00-8:00pm, and Saturdays from 1:00-2:30pm.

For more information about our school, or to schedule a FREE introductory course, please call us at (703) 834-2733.