News & Updates

“My NDP Experience.”

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By: Jennie Toh Yannie 2016 is a very special year as the National Day Parade (NDP) was held in the National Stadium for the first time in 10 years! The National Stadium provided a bigger stage for participants and opportunities for more Singaporeans to catch NDP “live” as the seating capacity was doubled compared to the Marina Floating Platform and the Padang! 14054767_10154002057184209_1574204151_n As a participant, I am really glad to be part of this year’s NDP. Even though I have participated in past NDPs before, I must say my involvement this year was extremely challenging. It was tough managing and coordinating the 6-metre long bamboo poles that it got really frustrating sometimes. However, as a team, we motivated one another to overcome the obstacles together, enriching our journey, contributing to a much more rewarding and memorable experience. 14012207_10154002055884209_1725003824_n Commitment is the most important element to deliver a quality performance. For months, participants have sacrificed their precious weekends to attend practices and rehearsals for the act. Friends often asked why we chose to take part in NDP and what we got in return. The answer, memories. 13934580_10153826881607934_5025091898127130047_n Memories of having having fun together, memories of times we step out of our comfort zone to make new friends, memories of delivering a successful performance together, memories of standing on stage, united as one to feel the Singapore spirit! 13880142_10153979897489209_3051047458522414162_n Through this NDP, I got to meet people from all walks of lives, to forge new friendships, something I appreciate most from the entire journey. I even had the chance to appear on national television for an interview! 13932763_10154000620099209_2503575542772059708_n How often do we get to wear such fanciful costumes to perform for millions? How often do we get the opportunities to be part of the nation’s largest celebration? I truly enjoyed my NDP experience and I am already looking forward to be part of NDP again in 2017! 14030905_10154002058574209_1934951816_n

Wushu Stars Contest 2016 @ Chinatown Point

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IMG_0683 Improve your child’s strength, flexibility, agility, balance, stamina and concentration with Wushu. It will help to build self-confidence and esteem among them as well as courtesy, respect, concentration and discipline. Register now to take part in the Wushu Stars Competition by Martial House and stand a chance to win attractive prizes. Participants are required to showcase a 30-second freestyle Wushu routine which they will be judged based on the creativity, audience and aesthetic appeal of their performance. Registration is FREE! Details Date: 11 September 2016 (Sunday) Time: 1:00pm – 5:00pm Venue: Chinatown Point, Outdoor Plaza (Level 1) Age Category Group A: 8 years old & below Group B: 12 years old & below Prizes (for Each Age Group) Champion: Trophy + Samsung Galaxy Tab A 1st Runner-Up: Trophy + $200 UNIQLO Gift Card 2nd Runner-Up: Trophy + $100 UNIQLO Gift Card 5 x Merit Awards: Medal + $20 UNIQLO Gift Card each Click here to register. The first 50 participants will be given a goodie bag each.  FAQs 1. What if my performance exceeds 30 seconds? There is a 10-second buffer for each participant. Participants will be penalised if the time exceeds 40 seconds. For every second exceeded, 1 point will be deducted. 2. What is the attire for the contest? There is no specific attire. Participants are free to showcase their creativity! 3. Are props/weapons allowed during the performance? Yes. However, participants have to ensure that safety is not compromised. 4. Will there be accompanying music when I am performing? The event DJ will play a music track from his/her playlist unless participants have their own accompanying music in CD.       5. What are the judging criteria for this contest? The performance will be judged based on creativity (25%), entertainment value (25%), audience appeal (20%), skill level (20%) and aesthetic appeal (10%). If you have any further queries, kindly contact us via email at [email protected].

Martial House National Day Promotion!

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National Day Promotion 2016 Celebrate National Day with Martial House by signing up for our Star Card and any of our regular training packages to get a complimentary set of training uniform or attire! This promotion is valid from 1 to 14 August 2016. Due to the high demand, we have expanded our regular schedule with more classes! Kindly refer to the image below for our training schedule. Screen Shot 2016-07-26 at 3.23.46 PM Kungfu Tots, for aged 3 to 6 years: – Wednesdays, 4:00pm – 5:30pm – Saturdays, 10:00am – 11:30am – Saturdays, 5:30pm – 7:00pm – Sundays, 5:30pm – 7:00pm Beginners, for aged 6 years & above: – Thursdays, 7:00pm – 9:00pm – Saturdays, 5:30pm – 7:00pm – Sundays, 8:30am – 10:00am – Sundays, 4:00pm – 5:30pm For more information about our classes, kindly contact us at 6440 5572 or via email at [email protected].

Winners of the Martial House “Shaolin” Tickets Giveaway Contest

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shaolin_24-2-15213439 Congratulations to the winners of the Martial “Shaolin” Tickets Giveaway contest! Each winner has won a a pair of tickets to “Shaolin” for the 13 July 2016, 7:30pm show at Marina Bay Sands! 1. gh.wenwen IMG_2615 2. joanne72 IMG_2618 3. ginakohsk IMG_2619 Martial House would like to thank all who have participated in the contest and once again, congratulations to the prize winners! If you have yet to purchase your tickets to watch “Shaolin”, hurry do so right now! *All Martial House Star Card members should have receive an email with the directed link for you to click and purchase the tickets at an exclusive discounted rate. If you did not receive the email, kindly drop us an email to [email protected].* Do follow us on Instagram (@martialhouse) for more exciting updates and contests!

Catch the “Shaolin” Show in Singapore!

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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! shaolin_24-2-15213614 copy 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

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mmexport1391101030286 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. 11146621_993741013999980_3234837361458832287_n In Singapore, the more prominent events to advocate Wushu are competitions. Each year, there are numerous competitions organised at the national and international levels. NTU IVP 2013 (2) 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). IMG_3241 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). IMG_1728 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). National Wushu Competition 2008 (50) 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. IVP 2013 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. IMG_4415 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. Chingay (2) 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. mmexport1393764186353 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. 1916227_220594355928_6577565_n 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

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11181973_904064972984245_1548545286_o 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.

We are Recruiting for NDP 2016!

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A1 Want to experience performing “live” in front of 55,000 spectators and for the millions of television viewers at home? Want to be part of history for being part of the 1st National Day Parade (NDP) to be held at the new National Stadium? Want to be part of the Wushu Singapore movement? Don’t miss this opportunity! A6 Martial House is currently recruiting performers for the upcoming NDP 2016! If you are aged 13 and above, we want you! Send the following details via email to [email protected] and our NDP team will contact you soon: 1. Full Name 2. NRIC Number 3. Address 4. Contact Number 5. Date of Birth 6. Religion 7. Blood Group 8. Next of Kin’s Name 9. Next of Kin’s Contact Number 10. Next of Kin’s Relationship with You Kindly note that most rehearsals will be held on Saturdays. The rehearsal schedule will be made available once it is confirmed. So hurry, join us in the nation’s biggest celebratory event now! IMG_5381

Damien’s Second Win at the Star Awards!

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IMG_1913 Congratulations to Martial House Star, Damien Teo for winning the “Young Talent Award” at Star Awards for the second consecutive year! He was presented the award for his outstanding performance as “Eden” in MediaCorp Channel 8 drama “The Dream Maker II” which he co-starred with renowned celebrities such as Zoe Tay & Huang Biren. Once again, congratulations to Damien! Do continue to work hard so that we can see you more frequently on television! Click here to watch Damien’s acceptance speech at the Star Awards 2016. Click here to watch Damien’s exclusive interview with Toggle.

Martial House June Holiday Programmes 2016

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img_9124 The June Holiday is here! Looking for some fun and enriching activities? Join us in our holiday programmes!

1. Wushu Day Camp A day camp for new practitioners and/or beginners where they will be introduced to the basic fundamentals of Wushu, to better understand and appreciate the cultural art and sport. During the 2 full days, besides improving their strength, flexibility and coordination, participants will also learn about martial morality, the guiding principles behind Wushu. img_9415 Venue MHQ Date Session A: 30 – 31 May 2016 Session B: 2 – 3 June 2016 Time 9:00am – 6:00pm Price Star Card Member: $198.00 (1 session) Non-Star Card Member: $220.00 (1 session) 2. Intensive Training The Intensive Training is specially catered to Wushu athletes who are preparing for competitions at both national and international levels to improve their technical knowledge and skills. IMG_0652 Venue MHQ Date Changquan: 6, 8, 10, 14 & 16 June 2016 Nanquan & Taijiquan: 7, 9, 13, 15, 17 June 2016 Time AM Session: 9:00am – 12:00pm PM Session: 1:00pm – 4:00pm Price Star Card Member: $360.00 (2 sessions) / $198.00 (1 session) Non-Star Card Member: $400.00 (2 sessions) / $220.00 (1 session) If you have any queries about our holiday programmes, feel free to contact Timothy via email at [email protected].