Beijing Milun School of Traditional Kungfu

Xingyi is one of the three major internal martial arts. It is a very direct style designed to invade the opponent’s space with explosive footwork and combined techniques of attack. One Xingyi principle states that "on meeting the opponent, movement is like an exploding volcano". Its movements are based on the 5 element fists and 12 animal forms, and while these techniques are taught outside China, The Beijing Milun School boasts a range of techniques unknown to many Xingyi practitioners. The style combines external “form” which is technical movement, and internal “intention” whereby the practitioner focuses the mind and the qi to direct additional power. On the surface Xingyi movements do not appear complex, but the source of its power is an ongoing search for the student, and persistent study creates a deeper and deeper understanding of the sublime subtlety of the style. Xingyi is suitable for students of all levels.

Some of the Xingyi disciplines taught at The Beijing Milun School of Traditional Kungfu:

China Arts Association Xingyi Information

Zhang style Taiji combines a variety of martial arts, including: Chen style Taiji, Shaolin, Bagua, Xingyi, and Sanda, to form an effective series of techniques which can be used in any combat situation. Zhang style Taiji also adheres to the traditional principles of Taiji, mixing Yin (soft, slow) with Yang (hard, fast). This style requires fitness, controlled breathing, manipulation of the Dantian, and it employs a vast variety of Qinna (seize and control) techniques with kicks, punches and palm strikes. Zhang style Taiji not only focuses on movements of attack and defense, but practitioners also have to unite external movement with internal qi manipulation while also ensuring that the aesthetic nature of Taiji movement is maintained through precise technique.

This style is suitable to students of all levels. Students start with form 1, and as their technique improves they will move on to the other forms of Zhang style Taiji, with each form getting progressively more difficult.

China Arts Association Taiji Information

Bagua can be viewed as the most philosophically complex of the internal styles with its focus on movements made as the practitioner circles around a central point, following the circular motion of yin and yang. Some see it as a magnificent Kungfu dance, with the snake-like twisting motion of the body swaying to an inaudible beat, but its power, like Xingyi, is subtle and the application of Bagua moves are also highly effective in attack/defence situations. Practice of this style will increase the student’s speed of movement, all over body flexibility and the high demands of the difficult footwork will improve balance and leg strength.

Some of the Bagua disciplines taught at The Beijing Milun School of Traditional Kungfu:

China Arts Association Bagua Information

Shaolin Kungfu was developed by the monks at the Buddhist temple of Shaolin in Song Shan, Henan province. In the year 527 AD the Bodiharma came to China from India to spread his philosophy of Zen Buddhism. On his arrival at the Shaolin temple, he discovered that the monks were physically unable to stand the long hours of meditation so he taught them a series of movements to increase their strength and flexibility. The Bodiharma therefore introduced the concept of linking movement to meditative thought and over the centuries the monks developed Chinese martial arts with Zen philosophy. Shaolin Kungfu is fast, aerobic and elegant using kicks, fists, palm strikes and a variety of stances.

All Shaolin lessons are taught by Master Zhao Jinchao, a graduate and teacher from the Tagou School at Shaolin. Master Zhao Jinchao teaches as he was taught, so students are taught the traditional styles of Shaolin - fast, powerful, energetic, aerobic and effective.

Shaolin classes at The Beijing Milun School of Traditional Kungfu include:

China Arts Association Shaolin Information

In order to align Chinese martial arts with boxing styles around the world, such as Western boxing, kickboxing, Thai boxing and so on; China delved into its rich tradition and combined a number of elements to form Sanda. These elements included punching (adapted to Western boxing techniques) throwing, and kicking. Sanda is great for fitness, speed of foot work and students enjoy it as a more direct fighting form and sometimes a welcome break from the routine of learning other disciplines.

China Arts Association Sanda Information

In ancient China, there was not a single term describing Qigong, and there was also no single set of techniques which defined its nature. Different schools of Qigong developed their own system of techniques based on their own individual understanding. For example, Confucian Qigong focuses on the “strengthening of the mind” and believes that Qigong is a way to train the mood or temperament; Daoist Qigong focuses on “upright life” and “enlightenment to the Way” and believes that Qigong is a way to become enlightened to the natural way of the Universe. Medical Qigong focuses on “feeding the body” and believes Qigong is a health practice. The Qigong of the Fang Shu school focuses on the special powers associated with Qigong and see it as a way to grasp a variety of miraculous abilities. These are just some of the Qigong styles in China.

Types of Qigong:

• Qigong (in ancient China called “Tu Na” (“to expectorate and to admit”))
• Guidance
• Moving the qi
• Serving the qi, developing the qi
• Sitting in tranquility
• Meditation

What is Qigong?

Qigong is the guidance of qi and blood around the entire body to prevent illness or to accompany the practice of breathing. Breathing out the old , i.e. “expectorating” and inhaling the new “admitting” is a technique devised for the extending of life, and its history runs deep back into the past of China.

Three main general practices from the history of Qigong:

1. Qigong that has been eliminated through the years - through practice and observation various practices of Qigong were eliminated. These practices may exist but they are very rare because most people agree that the techniques are superfluous.
2. Theory as the base of Qigong – Initially there was theory, and the method of practice grew out of the principles. The techniques were recorded in detail, and nowadays they are the most common forms of Qigong.
3. Classic Qigong – Classic Qigong styles, such as Wu Qin Xi (The Frolics of the Five Animals), Ba Duan Jin (The Eight Section Brocade), and Yi Jin evolved over hundreds of years and were honed by experience and keen observation. The Beijing Milun School of Traditional Kungfu teaches these styles because Classic Qigong encompasses practices from the Confucian, Daoist, Shaolin, Medical and Martial Schools, and therefore offers students the most all rounded training.

China Arts Association Qigong Information