May, 2016 - Martial House

Catch the “Shaolin” Show in Singapore!

November 30, 2017May 30, 2016 by

https://youtube.com/watch?v=oHW5ylPBcYo Catch the breathtaking performance by the Shaolin monks “live” in Singapore! From 13 to 24 July 2016, the cast will be showcasing their formidable skills and moves at Marina Bay Sands! In collaboration with BASE Entertainment Asia, all Martial House Star Card members are entitled to an EXCLUSIVE 15% DISCOUNT!* *All members should have receive an email with the directed link for you to click and purchase the tickets at the discounted rate. If you did not receive the email, kindly drop us an email to [email protected].* Furthermore, we will be giving away 3 PAIRS OF TICKETS for the show on 13 July 2016, 7:30pm! Simply show us your best Shaolin Kung Fu pose on Instagram with the hashtags #MartialHouse and #ShaolinSG to stand a chance to win! Before joining the Martial House “Shaolin” Tickets Giveaway contest, kindly read our terms & conditions. TERMS & CONDITIONS These Terms and Conditions apply to all participants of the Martial House “Shaolin” Tickets Giveaway. Participants who take part agree to and are bound by all the terms and conditions as stated below: 1. Who can enter? Open to all Singaporeans and Permanent Residents of Singapore and any residing in Singapore at time of the contest. 2. How do I enter? Simply post a picture of you in your best Shaolin Kung Fu pose with hashtags #MartialHouse and #ShaolinSG to stand a chance to win a pair of “Shaolin” tickets. 3. When is the contest period? The contest has started and will end on 26 June 2016 at 11:59pm. Any photo post after this time will not be considered. 4. Can I submit more than once? You may submit as many entries, however, you will only be able to win 1 prize. 5. What are the prizes? 3 Winners x 1 Pair of “Shaolin” Tickets 6. How will you know if I have won? We’ll be announcing the 3 winners on Martial House Instagram and website on 28 June 2016. You’ll have until 1 July 2016 to respond with your personal particulars. If we don’t hear back from you within that time period, we’ll have to pick another winner. Winners will be contacted via Instagram message. All prizes will be collected on 13 July 2016 at the Box Office of Marina Bay Sands. Tickets not collected during the allotted duration will be forfeited. PLEASE CAREFULLY READ THE PROVISIONS BELOW BEFORE PROVIDING YOUR PERSONAL DATA TO PARTICIPATE IN THE CONTEST. BY PROVIDING YOUR PERSONAL DATA PURSUANT TO THE STATUTORY REQUIREMENTS OF THE PERSONAL DATA PROTECTION ACT 2010, YOU ACKNOWLEDGE THAT YOU HAVE READ AND FULLY UNDERSTAND THE CONTENTS OF THE PROVISIONS AND YOU HEREBY GIVE YOUR CONSENT AS SET OUT BELOW. By submitting your personal data via “Instagram” (which includes names, photographs, recorded audio/video, written communications and/or any other data attribute establishing the personal identity) you consent to Martial House Pte Ltd collecting, using, disclosing and/or processing your personal data for the purpose of “Martial House “Shaolin” Tickets Giveaway”. During your course of dealing with us, we will process your personal data for the above mentioned purpose, including, to communicate with you, provide products and/or services to you, respond to your enquiries or complaints, provide you with information and/or updates on products, services and/or promotions offered by Martial House Pte Ltd, identify you (including publishing your name and photograph) when you participate in the contest organised by us and other purposes required to operate and maintain our business.

The Wushu Landscape in Singapore

November 30, 2017May 22, 2016 by

Previously, we discussed about how Wushu has evolved into a modern sport we see today. In this post, we will shift our focus to Singapore to understand the local Wushu scene. The Singapore Wushu Dragon & Lion Dance Federation (SWDLDF) is the governing body for Wushu in Singapore. Along with the International Wushu Federation (IWUF) and other organisations, SWDLDF seeks to develop and promote Wushu within and beyond the country. In Singapore, the more prominent events to advocate Wushu are competitions. Each year, there are numerous competitions organised at the national and international levels. Here are some of the well-known national competitions: 1. National Primary Schools Wushu Championship – an annual Wushu competition organised by the Singapore Primary Schools Sports Council (SPSSC) for students who are in primary schools under the Ministry of Education (MOE). 2. National School Games Wushu Championships – an annual Wushu competition organised by the Singapore Schools Sports Council (SSSC) for students who are in secondary schools and junior colleges under the Ministry of Education (MOE). 3. National Wushu Championships – a Wushu competition organised by the SWDLDF for Wushu practitioners from affiliated clubs of the SWDLDF, organisations under the People’s Association and schools under the Ministry of Education (MOE). 4. Institute-Varsity-Polytechnic (IVP) Wushu Games* – a Wushu competition which primarily focus on Traditional Wushu for students from the local Institutes of Technical Education, Polytechnics and Universities. *The name of the competition varies with the hosting institution each year. Through these local Wushu competitions, the SWDLDF may invite selected outstanding athletes to attend selection trials to enter the National Youth Team and/or National Team. Besides competitions, organisations and associations also organise various events and activities to promote Wushu, including: a. Chingay Parade 2015 – organised by the People’s Association, brought together 1,000 Wushu practitioners across Singapore to deliver a magnificent contingent display. It was one of the few events in Singapore’s history where different Wushu associations and schools unite together for a massive performance. b. Mass Taiji Display – organised by the SWDLDF, gathered 3,818 participants to perform the 13-Style Taijiquan routine together in unison at Yio Chu Kang Stadium. The event also set a new Singapore record for having the largest number of people doing Taiji together in 2014. c. National Wushu Display – a biennale event organised by the SWDLDF where top-notch performers across the world come together to deliver world class martial arts performances at the Singapore Indoor Stadium. The last edition of this event was held in 2012. There is no doubt that the Wushu scene in Singapore is indeed vibrant and the popularity of the sport keeps increasing! So what are you waiting for? Be a part of the Wushu Singapore movement today!

The Evolution of Wushu – What You Need to Know

November 30, 2017May 15, 2016 by

Very often, I receive feedback from students and parents about them being confused over the different types and classifications of Wushu. Hence, in this post, I shall attempt to provide an overview of the history of Wushu in a concise manner as much as possible. So, here we go!

Wushu, otherwise known as the Chinese martial arts, is widely practised by many around the world. From a system of defence and attack, Wushu has since evolved into a form of philosophy and eventually, progressed to become a modern sport.

Today, Wushu can be classified into 2 major categories, namely:

1. “Taolu” – routine made up of a series of choreographed movements.

2. “Sanda” – duel involving combative techniques of the Chinese martial arts.

The “Taolu” category is further classified into 2 sub-categories of “Traditional” and “Contemporary”.

During the ancient days, the need for hunting, self-defence and military attributed to the birth of Traditional Wushu. Some people imitated movements of animals or subjects to develop combative techniques while others created systems of defence and attack based on philosophies and principles, contributing to the wide variety of styles in Traditional Wushu we see today.

Besides the fist routines such as the Eagle Claw, Drunken Fist, Fanzi Quan and Baiji Quan, Traditional Wushu also includes the different weapon routines such as the Long Tassel Sword, Double Broadsword, Pu Dao and Nine Section Whip.

However, for Wushu to be recognised as a competitive sport and to be included into major sporting events such as the Olympics Games, standardisation of routines, rules and regulations were required. As such, this led to the formulation of Contemporary Wushu which narrowed the diverse styles into 3 main branches of Changquan, Nanquan and Taijiquan.

The routines of Contemporary Wushu can also be sub-divided into 2 levels, namely:

1. “Compulsory” – fixed and regulated.

2. “Freestyle” – choreographed according to a fixed set of rules and guidelines.

Other than the individual fist and weapon routines which are commonly seen in competitions such as the Asian Games and the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games, Freestyle routines also include duel and group events.

With the rapid evolution and rise in popularity of Contemporary Wushu, it is often argued that the original value of Wushu is loss as athletes today tend to place more emphasis on perfecting acrobatic movements and jumps to earn high scores in competitions rather than mastering the practical applications of Wushu.

Today, this argument has remained as one of the most debatable controversial topics in the world of Wushu.

Frequently Asked Questions @ Martial House

Q1. What style and classification of Wushu does Martial House teaches?

The Martial House Wushu training curriculum focuses “Taolu”, inclusive of both Traditional and Contemporary Wushu.

Q2. What type of Traditional Wushu does Martial House teaches?

Being an affiliate, Martial House adopts the Traditional Wushu syllabus from De Wu Pugilistic Association which expose students to a wide variety of styles including Gong Li Quan, Lian Bu Quan, Cha Quan and Baji Quan.

Q3. Should I learn Traditional or Contemporary Wushu?

This depends on your training objectives. For Wushu enthusiasts who are keen to understand the practical applications of Wushu, Traditional Wushu may be your preferred choice. For aspiring athletes who aim to practise Wushu as a competitive sport, Contemporary Wushu may suit you better.

Q4. If I learn Traditional Wushu, can I also go for competitions?

Yes. There are competitions which include Traditional Wushu routines as well.