The main difference is their place of origin. Most Martial Arts came from the Chinese arts. They were then transported to Japan, Okinawa, and Korea. Each of the arts developed very much like their culture. The Japanese arts were very strict and rigid. Using maximum effort for maximum results. They worked equal punching and equal kicking. Their fighting style was very linear, strong and straight forward. The Korean styles were predominately kicking styles. They work about 80% kicking and about 20% punching and are very sport oriented. Most Chinese styles work equal punching and equal kicking. You’ll work high kicking as well as low kicking into the legs. You’ll work outside fighting, as well as inside fighting, using elbows and knees. Joint locking, throws, ground fighting, and a full array of weaponry. You’ll do straight line fighting as well as using a lot of side stepping, and evasion. So you learn how to use their power against them. The Chinese styles were usually very complete arts.
It is a combination of both. The ancestors of our system traveled throughout China, and picked up techniques from all over. We start out more Northern, which is a more long arm style or dealing with larger movements. This trains the student to use their waist for all of their strikes. We then become more of a short fisted Southern style, which is good for inside fighting, which is where most fights land up.
Mostly a difference in approach, which ends up very similar. Chinese styles were broken up into WuDong and Shaolin arts. WuDong is considered the internal arts, like Tai Chi, Pa Kua, and Xing Yi. Shaolin was considered the external arts. Tai Chi originated from Kung Fu, which means that the Shaolin arts have the internal components that Tai Chi does. In Tai Chi, you learn how to use the body first, and then we add the arms and legs. In Kung Fu we start by learning to how to use the arms and legs first, and then we add the body into it. Again, they both achieve a similar end result. They just take a different path to get there.
Judo is a throwing art, whose forefather is Swa Jou. Aikido, Hapkido, and Jui Jitsu work throws and a lot of joint locking. The forefather of Aikido is Chin-Na. Most traditional Chinese systems have the throwing and joint locking as part of their complete system. So, you will be learning the throwing and joint locking here, it’s just not our only emphasis.
We have 10 ranks under black belt and 10 ranks over black belt. This is a fairly standardized system of ranking in most Martial Arts styles. Some have different color belts and some have several kyu’s within each rank. They still have 10 ranks under and over black belt. In a lot of traditional Chinese systems, it was just beginner, student, and master. When Grandmaster Pai started teaching in this country, he felt it necessary to adopt the ranking structure that we use. In a school situation, it allows the student to know where they stand.
Fitness:We will work your body internally with breathing exercises and externally through push ups and sit up type exercises. The aerobic or cardio end, is taken care of through punching and kicking drills.
Discipline: Just by coming to classes on a regular basis requires discipline. By doing so, you’ll feel like you have accomplished something. That always feels good; which will incite you to do more. This process develops very growth oriented individuals.
Confidence/Self esteem: We focus on this right from the very start by imitating a confident disposition. This is done by the way you stand, speak, and move, and eventually becomes a part of you. As you develop the ability to defend your self, this will reinforce that confident disposition.
Balance: In their life, the art, the spirit, centering. (Basically they want an activity to change their focus.) This is one of the most important aspects of the training you will relieve here. The study of the art is like a study of life. You’ll discover your strengths and weaknesses, and then work through it. This makes you a stronger more balanced individual. We just use the study of fighting as a way to this.
Focus: Is developed through getting your mind off everything else. In class you want to have time to think of anything else. You will be concentrating on how to properly execute a punch or kick. Focus on blocking so you don’t get hit. If you develop this in one area of your life it will carry over into other areas as well.
Stress Relief: Is achieved in 2 ways. One, you will be able to yell and scream! This lets you release that trapped aggression and aggravation you feel. Second through breathing, meditation and learning what it truly means to relax.
Yes we sell a wide variety of martial arts supplies, equipment and books. Uniforms may also be purchased at the Harrisburg Kung Fu Center.
Under black belt we teach bo staff (con), nunchaku, and Chinese broadsword (darndo or plum sword). With each weapon we deal with different ranges of attack; short, middle and long range. Other weapons such as the three sectional staff, kuando, and iron whip are taught after black belt. Also available are Modern Arnis classes. In this class we deal with stick (escrima) and knife training. Please see the calendar (coming online soon) for times of Modern Arnis classes.
We feel that any style of martial arts is effective and deadly. What students get out of your training depends on the teacher and sincerity of the students training a particular style.
Harrisburg Kung Fu Center 2331 Walnut St (Penbrook) Harrisburg, PA
Telephone 232-6310
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