Chinese martial arts, also known as Chinese kung fu or wushu, are an important component of traditional Chinese culture. In recent years, many overseas Chinese have opened schools and/or established clubs to teach Chinese martial arts. Chinese martial arts, with their long history and profound heritage, have attracted wide attention, and as such have become an important way for foreigners to understand Chinese culture. 

Promoting Martial Arts Spirit

Chang Chun is a native of Central China's Henan Province. She began learning martial arts at Shaolin Tagou Martial Arts School, in Dengfeng, Henan Province, in 2004. Shaolin Temple, in Dengfeng, is the most highly sought-after attraction for the growing legions of kung fu fans throughout the world. 

After practicing for about a year, she left the school to pursue further studies at a tourism school in Zhengzhou, capital of the province. 

One day, when she returned to Shaolin Tagou Martial Arts School, to visit her teachers and friends, she met Matthew (Chinese name Bai Long), from the United Kingdom, who was in China to study martial arts at Shaolin Tagou Martial Arts School. Given their common interest in martial arts, Chang and Bai became good friends, and eventually fell in love. 

They moved to London in 2008, and they eventually established a martial arts school. "In the UK, compared with taekwondo, karate and other sports, martial arts are less well-known, and they have a relatively smaller audience. I think we have a broader space for development, and we have the responsibility to spread Shaolin culture, and the martial arts spirit. Our students are mainly from the UK, but some are from other countries. We also offer online courses," Chang says. She and Bai married in 2009. They have a son, who practices martial arts, under their guidance. 

Three years ago, a mother enrolled her 18-month-old daughter in the school, which surprised Chang and Bai. "Normally, we only recruit students aged 4 or older. The girl was too young to join the regular training classes. So we established one-on-one courses to meet the different needs of our clients," Chang says. 

The little girl often cried when she started practicing martial arts, but she gradually developed a strong interest in martial arts. Now, the little girl practices vigorously, and regards the school as her second home. Videos of her practicing martial arts have received many likes on social media. 

Chang is impressed by a student who has studied martial arts for more than 10 years. "He drives four hours round trip, every week, to attend a one-hour training session at our school. More than 10 years ago, he almost lost interest in life after his son died unexpectedly. He learned about our school during an activity, and he discovered the charm of martial arts during his first class. In the course of practicing martial arts, he has gradually regained his courage for life," Chang says. 

Bai has received a lot of media attention, by appearing on reality TV shows, on which he has taught British youth basic self-defense skills and Chinese martial arts philosophy. "Even now, some fans leave comments on my social media account saying they were impressed by the reality show … My husband has been practicing martial arts since he was 11. Martial arts are the love of his life," Chang says. 

Charm of Martial Arts

"Ready, go. Horse-riding stance. Bow stance." In a martial arts club, in Barcelona, Spain, students changed their moves, and they performed standard martial arts movements, at the direction of Wang Chaofeng. 

Wang, owner of and head coach at the club, began practicing martial arts when he was 4. He moved to Barcelona when he was 15. He previously worked part-time as a martial arts teacher at local Chinese-language schools, during which time he developed the idea of opening a martial arts club. 

Wang Chaofeng (front) and his students pose for a photo before attending the 2023 Spring Festival gala in Barcelona, Spain

In 2020, Wang's martial arts club opened. To provide accurate guidance to his students, Wang established classes based on the ages of his students. He named the class for under-7 students Kung Fu Panda Class. Children love the name, and they are always in high spirits when they practice. 

One of Wang's adult students, a middle school teacher, has studied martial arts for several years. The student is popular in Wang's adult-training class, and he has gained a deeper understanding of Chinese culture, and of the Chinese way of thinking. 

Wang Chaofeng provides instruction during a martial arts winter camp

Wang and his students often have opportunities to demonstrate the charm of martial arts in Spain. In January, Wang and his students were invited to perform during a gala to celebrate both the 2023 Spring Festival and the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Spain. 

Although they only had half a month to plan and rehearse their program, Wang and his students presented a martial arts feast for the gala's audience. 

"Martial arts are an indispensable part of my life. I hope more people will have a better understanding of Chinese martial arts, and also fall in love with Chinese culture," Wang says. 

Spreading Martial Arts Culture

He Wenyan, who began practicing martial arts at age 4, used to be a professional martial arts athlete in China. In 2015, she moved to Berlin, Germany, where she taught Chinese martial arts at a martial arts club. During that time, He formed a friendship with a martial arts student from Canada. Later, they established a martial arts club, named Wuhun (literally meaning soul of martial arts). 

When she discusses her Canadian student, He says, "She is the most impressive student to me. Several years ago, I returned to China to live for a few months. She followed me to China, and she studied at a martial arts club in Yangshuo, in South China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, for a period of time. That was the first time she visited China, and she fell in love with Chinese culture. Now, she can communicate with me in simple Chinese." 

He Wenyan (back) poses for a photo with her students after they passed their martial arts examination

He mainly teaches competitive martial arts. "Compared with traditional martial arts, the individual style of competitive martial arts is more obvious. Learners can arrange martial arts movements according to their preferences. The process is similar to choreography," He says. 

He believes studying martial arts helps learners foster the spirit of perseverance, and that it helps them become more confident. In the club's junior class, children focus on practicing basic skills, such as pressing legs, kicking and the horse-riding stance. They sometimes cry because their legs hurt while they are practicing, but He always encourages the children. 

"Look, Ms He, I am doing better than the previous time," children often tell He, happily, when they make progress. "I tell them I also shed tears sometimes when I practice hard. But the best part is that you can still finish the action after you cry. It is gratifying to see the children making progress," He says. 

In 2022, He was invited to participate in an activity, organized by Berlin overseas Chinese, to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Germany. He's martial arts performance impressed the audience. Many people rose from their seats to applaud, and many people asked for He's contact information. 

"Before my performance, six children from my club performed martial arts movements on stage. They overcame their nervousness of performing for the first time, and they presented a perfect program," He says.

Photos Supplied by Interviewees and VCG 

(Source: People's Daily Overseas Edition / Women of China English Monthly July 2023 issue)