China has a much more widely developed social and medical background then the UK, also having over three thousand years more of cultural development than the UK. Westerners’ often wonder why the Chinese are so good at everything they take on, from sports to engineering. It is because the Chinese culture trains people from childhood to be more disciplined within their selves and stronger physically and mentally. This is mainly achieved by teaching Wushu in schools and traditionally at home.

What is Kung-fu? Kung-fu is Chinese slang. It means, literally, “Trained skills” and refers to a person’s ability. In another context it refers to “hard work”, as training for skills in Chinese Arts is usually very demanding, requiring much prolonged effort, mental and physical discipline. Wushu means Martial Art Skills and is the modern Chinese name for what most westerners call “Kung-fu”. The proper name for Wushu is Ch’uan-shu (Fist Skills, pertaining to Chinese Boxing, self-defence, or even the prestigious Wudang Taoist Schools). The correct term is Wushu Kungfu, or even Ch'uan-shu Kungfu, meaning, “A person who trains hard in Chinese Self-defence Arts to reach a high skill level.”

Ch’uan-shu can include hard style boxing (like Shaolin, using more muscle power, body hardening, et cetera) or it can be soft style boxing (like Wudang, using posture, control, mental agility and what we call Ch’i – Internal Energy). This includes T’ai Chi Ch’uan, the Taoist philosophical concept boxing set.

How Can This Help Our Children?

A good quality Martial Art, with a good teacher, should be a well structured ladder of training which students of all ages can climb, step by step. Our programme is the ideal replacement for traditional P.E. Lessons: which are non-productive and often outdated. The Principal Master of Tiandidao, known as Academy Tai Chi Kungfu, is Mike Symonds, he has a friend in China who teaches full time in a Guangdong (Canton) Normal School, her name is Associate Professor Huan, Lang Yin. In her school bullying is unheard of and obesity, unauthorised attendance and lack of respect just do not happen. Why? Children learn Wushu Kungfu instead of P.E., as part of the curriculum. They enjoy this as it not only gives them mental and physical challenges, but makes them very fit, strong and supple, as well as healthy and alert. They respect their teachers because they know that their teachers empower them. They win medals at Wushu Kungfu Competitions: Shihfu Huan's students have won over thirty Gold Medals!

General Education Teachers know that students follow a step-by-step routine from the time they begin primary school. As understanding and comprehension expands, so does productivity and ability. It is very important that students should follow a carefully designed syllabus. This should start with the deep foundation work and go on to build a strong “house”.

In T’ien Ti Tao School, a Taoist 'Wudang' System, the syllabus begins with stance work, teaching stability and balance physically but also having a similar psychological effect over time. Unlike other so-called Martial Arts which are only concerned with fighting, ours is concerned with building stronger individuals and graduated (controlled) self-defence through explaining the technical aspects. This encourages thinking and exploration of their own talents as well as development of their own skills. Psychology is used within the syllabus to help students realise that:

1. They have equality with bullies, attackers or competitors,

2. They are able to develop their skills and achieve greater things,

3. They can overcome past traumas and embrace a wider, brighter future.

These are just three amongst many other benefits.

Imagine also that your educational establishment could be ground breaking within the UK. In China they have recognised the benefits for a hundred years, that is why it is taught at school level and that is why the Chinese are running away with sporting and technological advances.

For more information and the rest of this article, Head Teachers can e-mail schools@tttkungfu.f9.co.uk with your full title, name and school address with a request for the Schools Intro document.