Martial Arts and Exercise for Long Lasting Health
The upper floor of our Helping To Heal building at 192 3rd Street in Tracy is devoted to education of a type designed to increase the emotional and physical health of our students and clients. Master Wu teaches both Kung Fu and Wu style Tai Chi at our facility.
Kung Fu
The English translation of “Kung Fu” is “A skill achieved over a long period of time”. More practically, it is the name given to the martial arts of China. It is one of the oldest of the Asian self defense systems. Master Wu teaches the northern Chinese form, known as Kung fu Shaolin. Kung fu Shaolin involves straight-line attacks and retreats, emphasizing strength and speed. In addition to its effectiveness as a self defense system, Kung fu is also known for its many health benefits.
For Children
Kung fu can increase the child’s confidence, courage, strength, and flexibility. Children can also learn traditional discipline and ethics principles, not to mention being capable of self defense when needed.
For Teens
Shaolin Kung fu allows teenagers to practice more a more effective form of exercise. Kung fu also helps teens to focus on maintaining body balance and sharpen their thinking. Kung fu also enhances overall body fitness.
For Adults
Regular practice of Kung fu can help to relieve stresses you sustain in everyday life, and can also help reduce tensions encountered in stressful and dangerous jobs. Kung fu trains both body and mind, in a healthful way.>
T’ai Chi
T'ai Chi Ch'uan, pronounced ty jee chwahn, is also a form of Chinese martial arts. The name means “Grand ultimate fist”. The art is characterized by slow, continuous movements that harmonize with breathing to help circulate the individual's chi. According to Chinese medical and philosophical theory, chi is internal energy that runs through all living things. Although t'ai chi ch'uan may be used for combat, it is chiefly used as a method of mental and physical relaxation. The beginnings of t'ai chi ch'uan are obscure. Historians believe it has been practiced for about 1,000 years.
Students first learn to relax and find good posture. Then they practice a form, an unbroken sequence of postures and movements that is the heart of the system.
Wu Style T'ai Chi Ch'uan
Master Wu teaches Wu Style Tai Chi Ch’aun.
Wu Style Tai Chi Ch’uan is an exercise discipline known throughout the Orient for many centuries. The movements are based mostly on circular motion and flow at a smooth even tempo, making for perfect balance as the weight of the body is shifted from one side to the other. If practiced carefully it will bring about a high level of body control. This in turn results in greatly increased powers of mental concentration. To practice the art you need nothing more than the floor space of an average room. Tai Chi Ch’uan teaches how to conserve and increase your energy flow. For this reason it is suitable for people of all ages. When practiced properly, one is less tired at the end of a session than at the beginning. It is indeed a wonderful tonic for the mind and body.
Below are some pictures of our younger members learning and practicing their skills!
