Seattle Wushu Center
offers classes for all age groups:
WUSHU
Adults (18 & over), Teens (13 to 17 years old), & Juniors (8 to 12 years old)
Taolu (routines)
ChangQuan (Longfist): A Northern Chinese kung fu influenced style, characterized by dramatic postures and leaps.
NanQuan (Southern fist): A Southern Chinese kung fu influenced style, characterized by low, stable stances and footwork. Very little gymnastics in comparison to Longfist, and punctuated by powerful upper body techniques and sharp shouts.
Imitative boxing: Routines that mimic animals or people. Such routines include Drunken boxing, Eagle, Monkey, Snake, and Mantis.
Weapons: Straight Sword, Broadsword, Cudgel, and Spear routines.
Self Defense & Martial Applications:
Striking/Kicking training: Drills and exercises involving training apparatus such as kicking shields, focus mitts, etc., to provide a sense of "real" power-striking or power-kicking, and to enhance cardiovascular fitness.
Self Defense: The Martial side of forms routines are taught, empasizing the importance of the 5 elements of Chinese martial arts: Bu (stance), Da (striking), Ti (kicking), Na (controlling & immobilizing), and Shuai (takedowns & throws).
Coach Paul Chen
Mighty Mites (4 to 7 years old)
Our "Mighty Mites" class features fun interactive drills and other age-appropriate activities to enhance coordination, build self-confidence, and develop the sense of "teamwork". Elementary Wushu and Kung Fu movement drills and routines are introduced. More intricate routines are taught as skill level progresses. Mighty Mites have the opportunity to test for rank on a periodic basis, and wear colored belts with earned "rank stripes" to represent their level of achievement within the class. After earning an Orange belt in this class, a student is regarded as a "Mega-Mite".
After turning 8 years old, a Mighty Mites student may graduate into the older Wushu class.
XiXi and Sean, Mighty Mites students
** Coach's Certification training is available for those interested in becoming a Coach in Seattle Wushu Center's Wushu program (Must be at least 16 years to apply). See Sifu Dejesus for details. **
TAI CHI CHUAN
The flowing movements of Tai Chi ("Taijiquan") have been proven to reduce stress, lower blood pressure, improve balance, and provide an overall sense of well being. The nature of Tai Chi allows the practitioner to gently tone and exercise the body without unecessary strain, and to foster the sense of total body awareness.
Yang Style Tai Chi
The Yang Style is one of the commonly seen styles practiced today. This style is characterized by slow, evenly paced movements.
Beginners start by learning basic Tai Chi philosophy and 13 fundamentals. Routines taught are Yang style 10 form, 10 form Straightsword, and introduction to Yang style 24 form (aka "Beijing public form"). Basic Tuishou, or "push hands", an interactive exercise with a partner is also introduced, as well as basic self defense techniques.
Intermediate students continue their studies in Yang style by learning the Yang 24 form and Yang 40 form (a standardized "tournament" form), 32 from Straightsword, and 13 form broadsword. Students also continue learing push hands patterns and self defense applications of Tai Chi.
Advanced students learn 13 form spear, Combined style 42 form Straightsword, and advanced push hands techniques and self defense applications.
Qigong (energy skill, breathing exercises) forms such as "8 sections of brocade", "5 elements Qigong", and "Muscle change classic, are included .
Chen Style Tai Chi (private instruction only, until further notice)
A little more vigorous in comparison to Yang Style, the Chen style is characterized by a blend of slow movements and quick Fajing (energy release).
Classes consist of learning Chan Ssu Jin (silk reeling energy exercises), 13 fundamentals, Chen 18 form, Old Frame 1, Old Frame 2, and Chen broadsword.
Sifu Restita and members of Chinese Wushu Taiji Academy's Tai Chi Team
** Coach's Certification training is available for those interested in becoming an Instructor in Seattle Wushu Center's internal arts program. See Sifu Dejesus for details. **