articles - Martial House

7 Reasons Why Your Child Should Learn Wushu

January 15, 2018 by

By: Kingston & Timothy

1. Strengthen Body

Wushu provides a full-body workout which helps to improve your child’s overall fitness. The gradual process of stretching enhances your child’s flexibility while the physical exercises allow your child to gain more strength and better stamina.

2. Improve Coordination

Wushu involves a wide range of body movements which require the head, hands and legs to coordinate at the same time. Training for such complex movements improves your child’s coordination ability, which can be applied to other sports and activities.

3. Learn Self-Defence

Derived from the traditional Chinese martial arts, Wushu is a system of defence and attack. Regardless of the style or form, there is a purpose behind the movements which your child can apply and use for self-defence.

4. Develop Character

Wushu is not all about actions but it also advocates martial morality. Values such as respect, patience, perseverance, humility and integrity are emphasised during trainings to develop your child’s character which are applicable to everyday life.

5. Enhance Confidence

As a beginner, Wushu may seem difficult. With constant practice, it builds your child’s physical ability and mental strength to overcome challenges. This enhances your child’s confidence in knowing that anything can be achieved with determination and perseverance.

6. Appreciate the Chinese Culture

Wushu is more than just a sport. It is regarded as a representative of the Chinese culture. Your child will not only appreciate the different Wushu styles as a form of art, but also understand how the traditional heritage has influenced the lives of people across generations.

7. Build Relationships

Being a widely practiced sport, your child will not only get to interact with students from around the country but also foster relationships with fellow Wushu practitioners and enthusiasts across the world from all walks of life!

Want to let your child learn Wushu?

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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.

Damien on 8 Days!

November 30, 2017January 28, 2016 by

Martial House Star, Damien Teo is featured on the latest edition of 8 Days, a weekly published local entertainment magazine! In the full page article, Damien shared about his acting experience and the attention he gained from the public. Do grab a copy of the 1319th edition (28 January 2016) of 8 Days magazine to find out more!

Thank-You Reception at the Istana

November 30, 2017August 20, 2015 by

If you were watching the news on television last night, you may have caught a glimpse of a familiar face. He is none other than Martial House Coach & Choreographer, Mr. Wan GuangYao Eric! On 19 August 2015, Martial House Managing Director, Mr. Leo Wen Yeow and Mr. Wan were invited to attend a thank-you reception, hosted by His Excellency, President Tony Tan Keng Yam, at the Istana for the organisers and participants of this year’s National Day Parade (NDP). The event was reported in the news and many could spot Mr. Wan on national television across three different channels, namely: 1. Channel 5 2. Channel 8 3. Channel U Among the guests at the event were: 1. Chairman of NDP 2015 Show Committee, Colonel Tan Cheng Kwee 2. Newly Appointed Chief of Defence, Major-General Perry Lim Cheng Yeow 3. Renowned Returning Officer for the 2011 General Election, Mr. Yam Ah Mee It was indeed an honour for Martial House to be part of this year’s SG50 NDP celebration and to be invited to the thank-you reception. Click here to read the article about the thank-you reception on Channel NewsAsia’s website. Photo Credits: Leo Wen Yeow & Wan GuangYao Eric

Martial House @ NDP 2015!

November 30, 2017August 10, 2015 by

9 August 2015 marks the Golden Jubilee of Singapore as we celebrate her 50th year of her independence! Once again, Martial House was privileged to be part of the National Day Parade (NDP)! Under the guidance of choreographers, Gordon Choy & Wan GuangYao Eric, the Martial House NDP Creative Team was formed. The team, consisting of Martial House instructors and youth leaders, was tasked to plan and choreograph the performance act of Chapter 6 – “Onwards – Bright Future”. After the planning phase, the Martial House team proceeded on to teach the student participants from the Ministry of Education (MOE) the choreography and movements. More than 680 students across 9 different schools were involved in the act. After months of hard work and practices, the student performers have successfully delivered a spectacular performance during NDP 2015! The performance would not be possible without the active participation of the students and the support of the various groups, including the soldiers from the Singapore Arm Forces (SAF), principals and teachers from the primary schools as well as the parents and/or guardians of the students! Martial House would like to thank MOE for believing and engaging the team to be part of this historic SG50 performance and at the same time, express its gratitude to all the instructors and youth leaders for contributing to the success of the performance! Below are some of the media coverage of the performance item: 1. The Straits Times Facebook Page on 9 August 2015. 2. Channel NewsAsia Singapore Facebook Page on 9 August 2015. 3. The Straits Times, page A20 & A21 on 10 August 2015. 4. The Straits Times, page B11 on 10 August 2015. 5. Lianhe Zaobao, page 6 on 10 August 2015. If you have missed the spectacular performance by the students, you may catch it on YouTube by clicking the link below. Chapter 6 – “Onwards – Bright Future” starts from 2:13:29. https://youtube.com/watch?v=lCVpWoOS9KM Besides the main performance at the Padang, a second team of Martial House youths, led by coaches Kevan Cheah & Ng Teck Hong, were at The Float @ Marina Bay for another performance! Coach Teck Hong’s photo was captured and spotted on the Facebook page of Lianhe Zaobao too! Despite all the hectic rehearsals and heavy commitments, it did not prevent the Martial House youths from participating in the performances! Kudos to the Martial House youths! The nation’s Golden Jubilee was indeed a fulfilling one for Martial House! Hopefully this SG50 experience was memorable for all and let’s look forward to a stronger and brighter Singapore! Majulah Singapura!

Martial House Young Stars Featured on Various Media Outlets

November 30, 2017June 10, 2015 by

The young stars of Martial House have been featured on various media outlets once again! Firstly, Star Award winner Damien Teo Zhi Hao was featured on today’s edition of Lianhe Zaobao. In the article, Damien was named one of the most promising young talents in Singapore’s entertainment industry. The article further discusses about the longevity of these young talents in the industry. Secondly, Damien’s fellow school and Wushu team mate, Koh Hao Xuan was featured on a MediaCorp Channel U television “World This Week” on 5 June 2015. In the programme, Hao Xuan was interview for his aerial performance during the 28th SEA Games 2015 Opening Ceremony. Click here to watch the video.

Martial House Stars Yi Xiang & Zoe on the Papers!

November 30, 2017June 9, 2015 by

After attaining the gold medal in the Men’s and Women’s Optional Changquan in the 28th SEA Games, Martial House Stars Yong Yi Xiang & Zoe Mui were featured on various newspapers. Wushu Daze has consolidated some of the news articels here for your reading pleasure: 1. The New Paper, page 12 of the sports section on 7 June 2015. 2. The Sunday Times, page 46 of the Sport section on 7 June 2015. 3. Lianhe Zaobao, page 17 of the sports section on 7 June 2015. 4. The New Paper, page 17 of the Sports section on 8 June 2015. 5. The Straits Times, page B21 of the Sport section on 8 June 2015. 6. Lianhe Zaobao, page 14 of the Sports section on 8 June 2015.

SEA Games: Singapore’s Wushu Exponents Aiming for Three Golds

November 30, 2017June 2, 2015 by

Click here to read article. [From: Malay Mail Online]

5 More Days to the 28th SEA Games 2015!

November 30, 2017May 31, 2015 by

Counting down to the last 5 days before the start of the 28th SEA Games 2015! The final full-dress rehearsal for the Opening Ceremony of the Games was held last evening. Many parents and students of Martial House were present at the National Stadium to witness the spectacular performance put up by more than 5,000 performers, including the Martial House Stars who were involved in the second act of the ceremony. Martial House Star, Koh Hao Xuan, has received quite a bit of media attention for his “aerial role” during the show! He was featured in today’s edition of The New Paper and Lianhe Zaobao. The New Paper, 31 May 2015, page 2 & 3 of the Sports section: Lianhe Zaobao, 31 May 2015, page 26 of the Sports section: Martial House Stars Yong Yi Xiang & Zoe Mui, who are representing Team Singapore for the Wushu competition of the Games were also featured in today’s edition of The Sunday Times! The Sunday Times, 31 May 2015, page 47 of the Sports section: