Current location:opinions >>
Chinese Martial Arts Gain Popularity Overseas
opinions258People have gathered around
IntroductionContact Us HomeNewsHighlightACWF NewsSocietyWom ...
- Home
- News
- People
- In-depth
- ACWF
Chinese Martial Arts Gain Popularity Overseas
ByYang Ning and Hu Ping September 9, 2023
Chinese martial arts, also known as Chinese kung fu or wushu, are an important component of traditional Chinese culture. In recent years, many overseas Chinese have opened schools and/or established clubs to teach Chinese martial arts. Chinese martial arts, with their long history and profound heritage, have attracted wide attention, and as such have become an important way for foreigners to understand Chinese culture.
Promoting Martial Arts Spirit
Chang Chun is a native of Central China's Henan Province. She began learning martial arts at Shaolin Tagou Martial Arts School, in Dengfeng, Henan Province, in 2004. Shaolin Temple, in Dengfeng, is the most highly sought-after attraction for the growing legions of kung fu fans throughout the world.
After practicing for about a year, she left the school to pursue further studies at a tourism school in Zhengzhou, capital of the province.
One day, when she returned to Shaolin Tagou Martial Arts School, to visit her teachers and friends, she met Matthew (Chinese name Bai Long), from the United Kingdom, who was in China to study martial arts at Shaolin Tagou Martial Arts School. Given their common interest in martial arts, Chang and Bai became good friends, and eventually fell in love.
They moved to London in 2008, and they eventually established a martial arts school. "In the UK, compared with taekwondo, karate and other sports, martial arts are less well-known, and they have a relatively smaller audience. I think we have a broader space for development, and we have the responsibility to spread Shaolin culture, and the martial arts spirit. Our students are mainly from the UK, but some are from other countries. We also offer online courses," Chang says. She and Bai married in 2009. They have a son, who practices martial arts, under their guidance.
Three years ago, a mother enrolled her 18-month-old daughter in the school, which surprised Chang and Bai. "Normally, we only recruit students aged 4 or older. The girl was too young to join the regular training classes. So we established one-on-one courses to meet the different needs of our clients," Chang says.
The little girl often cried when she started practicing martial arts, but she gradually developed a strong interest in martial arts. Now, the little girl practices vigorously, and regards the school as her second home. Videos of her practicing martial arts have received many likes on social media.
Chang is impressed by a student who has studied martial arts for more than 10 years. "He drives four hours round trip, every week, to attend a one-hour training session at our school. More than 10 years ago, he almost lost interest in life after his son died unexpectedly. He learned about our school during an activity, and he discovered the charm of martial arts during his first class. In the course of practicing martial arts, he has gradually regained his courage for life," Chang says.
Bai has received a lot of media attention, by appearing on reality TV shows, on which he has taught British youth basic self-defense skills and Chinese martial arts philosophy. "Even now, some fans leave comments on my social media account saying they were impressed by the reality show … My husband has been practicing martial arts since he was 11. Martial arts are the love of his life," Chang says.
Charm of Martial Arts
"Ready, go. Horse-riding stance. Bow stance." In a martial arts club, in Barcelona, Spain, students changed their moves, and they performed standard martial arts movements, at the direction of Wang Chaofeng.
Wang, owner of and head coach at the club, began practicing martial arts when he was 4. He moved to Barcelona when he was 15. He previously worked part-time as a martial arts teacher at local Chinese-language schools, during which time he developed the idea of opening a martial arts club.
Wang Chaofeng (front) and his students pose for a photo before attending the 2023 Spring Festival gala in Barcelona, Spain |
In 2020, Wang's martial arts club opened. To provide accurate guidance to his students, Wang established classes based on the ages of his students. He named the class for under-7 students Kung Fu Panda Class. Children love the name, and they are always in high spirits when they practice.
One of Wang's adult students, a middle school teacher, has studied martial arts for several years. The student is popular in Wang's adult-training class, and he has gained a deeper understanding of Chinese culture, and of the Chinese way of thinking.
Wang Chaofeng provides instruction during a martial arts winter camp |
Wang and his students often have opportunities to demonstrate the charm of martial arts in Spain. In January, Wang and his students were invited to perform during a gala to celebrate both the 2023 Spring Festival and the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Spain.
Although they only had half a month to plan and rehearse their program, Wang and his students presented a martial arts feast for the gala's audience.
"Martial arts are an indispensable part of my life. I hope more people will have a better understanding of Chinese martial arts, and also fall in love with Chinese culture," Wang says.
Spreading Martial Arts Culture
He Wenyan, who began practicing martial arts at age 4, used to be a professional martial arts athlete in China. In 2015, she moved to Berlin, Germany, where she taught Chinese martial arts at a martial arts club. During that time, He formed a friendship with a martial arts student from Canada. Later, they established a martial arts club, named Wuhun (literally meaning soul of martial arts).
When she discusses her Canadian student, He says, "She is the most impressive student to me. Several years ago, I returned to China to live for a few months. She followed me to China, and she studied at a martial arts club in Yangshuo, in South China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, for a period of time. That was the first time she visited China, and she fell in love with Chinese culture. Now, she can communicate with me in simple Chinese."
He Wenyan (back) poses for a photo with her students after they passed their martial arts examination |
He mainly teaches competitive martial arts. "Compared with traditional martial arts, the individual style of competitive martial arts is more obvious. Learners can arrange martial arts movements according to their preferences. The process is similar to choreography," He says.
He believes studying martial arts helps learners foster the spirit of perseverance, and that it helps them become more confident. In the club's junior class, children focus on practicing basic skills, such as pressing legs, kicking and the horse-riding stance. They sometimes cry because their legs hurt while they are practicing, but He always encourages the children.
"Look, Ms He, I am doing better than the previous time," children often tell He, happily, when they make progress. "I tell them I also shed tears sometimes when I practice hard. But the best part is that you can still finish the action after you cry. It is gratifying to see the children making progress," He says.
In 2022, He was invited to participate in an activity, organized by Berlin overseas Chinese, to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Germany. He's martial arts performance impressed the audience. Many people rose from their seats to applaud, and many people asked for He's contact information.
"Before my performance, six children from my club performed martial arts movements on stage. They overcame their nervousness of performing for the first time, and they presented a perfect program," He says.
Photos Supplied by Interviewees and VCG
(Source: People's Daily Overseas Edition / Women of China English Monthly July 2023 issue)
32.3KPlease understand that womenofchina.cn,a non-profit, information-communication website, cannot reach every writer before using articles and images. For copyright issues, please contact us by emailing: [email protected]. The articles published and opinions expressed on this website represent the opinions of writers and are not necessarily shared by womenofchina.cn.
Comments
Magazines
Projects
- 2023 Women Science and Technology Innovation Pioneer...
Photos
- People Enjoy Blooming Tulips in Jinan, East...
- Flowers Bloom Across China in Spring
Special Coverage
Tags:
Reprint:Friends are welcome to share on the Internet, but please indicate the source of the article when reprinting it.“International Intrigue news portal”。http://www.ipdilemma.com/html-27a599883.html
Related articles
Emily Henry interview: The secret to having a healthy relationship with love
opinionsNEW YORK (AP) — “Nothing forces you to face your demons like falling in love.”And it’s almost always ...
【opinions】
Read moreFueled by visa
opinionsViking Cruises is planning to introduce multiple inbound cruise routes for foreign visitors this fal ...
【opinions】
Read moreHow China's new energy competitiveness becomes its new sin
opinionsBEIJING/LONDON, April 12 (Xinhua) -- As an old Chinese saying goes, "A common man is not guilty, but ...
【opinions】
Read more
Popular articles
- I know who killed Jill Dando, says her Crimewatch co
- Xinhua Headlines: Key Meeting Sets Tone on China's Financial Development
- Huawei Indonesia opens 5G center to boost digital transformation technologies
- Appliance upgrades to provide big stimulus
- Insider Q&A: Avelo Airlines CEO Andrew Levy describes the challenges of starting a new carrier
- China Focus: Belt and Road Celebrates Decade of Achievements with Fresh Commitments
Latest articles
China ready to strengthen high
China Focus: Belt and Road Celebrates Decade of Achievements with Fresh Commitments
World Intelligent Manufacturing Conference 2023 opens in Nanjing
China's auto exports cruising in top gear
50 migrants reported missing and 9 rescued after their boat overturns off Spanish Atlantic island
CNOOC's major deepwater jacket platform completed
LINKS
- Two critical after incident on Auckland street
- Petrobras reports net profit of BRL 124.6 bi in 2023
- Israel to open three humanitarian routes into Gaza
- Pope Francis calls for ceasefire in Gaza and Ukraine in Easter message
- 'Devastated': Widow pleads for late husband’s dream to be realised
- Chris Hipkins says sick children shouldn't be at school
- Department of Conservation proposes 130 job cuts
- Death toll rises in Taiwan's strongest earthquake in 25 years
- Water tank installation programme changing lives in the Far North
- Grief and anger in Moscow following concert attack