Our Classes
KUNG FU is a term that refers to the traditional fighting arts of China. The term itself loosely translates to "hard work", or "skills gained through arduous effort", or "time spent (in getting good at a skill)". Another term used for martial arts in China is "Wushu" (which literally means "martial art"). Kung Fu or Wushu is not a single method, but rather, blanket terms for all the martial systems that are practiced in China.
We have two styles of Kung fu at Seattle Wushu Center:
Kajukenbo: Our curriculum for Adults, Juniors, Teens, Mighty Mites and Tiny Tigers has been developed around a core art called "Kajukenbo". Kajukenbo is considered to be America's first original mixed martial art, which itself was developed in the late 1940's as a method to protect practitioners from the mean streets of the Palama area in Oahu Hawaii at the time. The art consists of the concepts of Karate, Judo, Jujitsu, Kenpo, Chinese Boxing (Kung Fu) and Filipino fighting systems. Kajukenbo has 4 branches: Kenpo, Chuan Fa, Wun Hop Kuen Do Kung Fu, and Tum Pai. Our lineage comes through the Faircloth Method of Chuan Fa and Wun Hop Kuen Do Kung Fu branches.
Around this core, Chief Instructor, Restita DeJesus's Method incorporates drills, techniques and exercises from her other areas of expertise: Tai Chi, Wushu, and Filipino fighting methods. This method provides a comprehensive blend of "soft style" and "hard style, fosters a sense of fluidity in movement and mindfulness, while learning the mechanics of self protection and body mechanics. Classes tailored to each age group, and all activities are age-appropriate.
Kung Fu San Soo: This Kung Fu style, also known as "5 Family Fist", or "Tsoi Li Ho Fut Hung", is an amalgam of Northern and Southern Chinese system, originating from the 5 Family system, that was practiced in the Taishan region of Guangdong province. As with Kajukenbo, San Soo ("free hands") blends techniques from many systems to provide a very effective means of self defense. The choreographed forms also give practitioners a good exposure to Chinese Kung Fu systems. Our instructor, Sifu Kathy Long, is a Master rank instructor in Kung Fu San Soo, and blends her experience in Kickboxing and Boxing in her method of Kung Fu San Soo.
We have two styles of Kung fu at Seattle Wushu Center:
Kajukenbo: Our curriculum for Adults, Juniors, Teens, Mighty Mites and Tiny Tigers has been developed around a core art called "Kajukenbo". Kajukenbo is considered to be America's first original mixed martial art, which itself was developed in the late 1940's as a method to protect practitioners from the mean streets of the Palama area in Oahu Hawaii at the time. The art consists of the concepts of Karate, Judo, Jujitsu, Kenpo, Chinese Boxing (Kung Fu) and Filipino fighting systems. Kajukenbo has 4 branches: Kenpo, Chuan Fa, Wun Hop Kuen Do Kung Fu, and Tum Pai. Our lineage comes through the Faircloth Method of Chuan Fa and Wun Hop Kuen Do Kung Fu branches.
Around this core, Chief Instructor, Restita DeJesus's Method incorporates drills, techniques and exercises from her other areas of expertise: Tai Chi, Wushu, and Filipino fighting methods. This method provides a comprehensive blend of "soft style" and "hard style, fosters a sense of fluidity in movement and mindfulness, while learning the mechanics of self protection and body mechanics. Classes tailored to each age group, and all activities are age-appropriate.
Kung Fu San Soo: This Kung Fu style, also known as "5 Family Fist", or "Tsoi Li Ho Fut Hung", is an amalgam of Northern and Southern Chinese system, originating from the 5 Family system, that was practiced in the Taishan region of Guangdong province. As with Kajukenbo, San Soo ("free hands") blends techniques from many systems to provide a very effective means of self defense. The choreographed forms also give practitioners a good exposure to Chinese Kung Fu systems. Our instructor, Sifu Kathy Long, is a Master rank instructor in Kung Fu San Soo, and blends her experience in Kickboxing and Boxing in her method of Kung Fu San Soo.
---TAI CHI is best known for its slow and flowing movements, Tai Chi has long been valued health and Mind-Body practice. With its roots in martial arts, Tai Chi is a beneficial practice that provides a type of "movement meditation, internal practice, and stress relief and sense of well being. Being a martial art, Tai Chi is practiced by many schools with martial applications as part of the study.
We offer 2 styles of Tai Chi : Chen Style and Yang Style.
Chen Tai Chi: This style is considered to be the "Mother style" of the other popular methods of Tai Chi today. Chen style is a dynamic blend of slow flowing movement, quicker bursts of movements, and internal practice.. Since Tai Chi has strong roots to martial arts, this class is taught as the martial system that it is. However
* Silk Reeling exercises: The foundational Qigong (breathing exercises) of Chen Tai Chi that introduce the footwork and relaxed flow of the art. The silk reeling exercises are considered as the "ABC's" of Chen Tai Chi.
* Choreographed routines (Taolu): These pre-arranged movement sets allow students to learn to flow seamlessly between movements. Beginner routines include the Chen Basic 8 form and the Chen Zhenglei 18 basic form. Other routines are the Chen Old Frame 74 form (Long form), Chen straight sword form, Chen broadsword form, Chen Old Frame 2 form, etc.
An example of one of our short routines is here, performed by me:
https://youtu.be/VAx4ENRs_TA
* Push hands partner drills: These partner drills allow students to learn how to keep proper form when in contact with a partner.
* Self defense application: We learn to use the movements of the choreographed routines in self defense applications. For example, in learning the "kick with heel" technique in the form, we learn to apply the kick on kicking pads to learn to keep balance and stability while kicking.
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Yang Style Tai Chi: This style is consistently slow and flowing, and is the method that many have seen practiced in parks or community centers. Slow movement coupled with mindfulness is great for all ages. This class is taught primarily with health aspects in mind.....we do not introduce the martial arts aspects in this class. We focus on groundedness, centeredness of posture, breathing, relaxation, and meditative mindful movement.
* Choreographed routines (Taolu): Beginner routines include "8 hand methods/5 footwork patterns, Yang 10 form, Yang 24 form, Yang 40 form, Yang straightsword, Yang broadsword, Yang spear/staff. An example of one of our Novice routines: https://youtu.be/36lV2pzh1y0
* Push hands: (See description of push hands in the Chen description above)
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QIGONG is another Mind-Body practice that coordinates breathing, energy, posture, movement, and intention. While Tai Chi is considered a form of Qigong, not all Qigong is considered Tai Chi. This is because Tai Chi has a martial arts background, while Qigong itself is a health practice that focuses on the harmony of breathing and movement....and not all Qigong styles have martial arts as their focus.
Qigong breathing exercises are included in both Chen and Yang style Tai Chi classes.
We offer 2 styles of Tai Chi : Chen Style and Yang Style.
Chen Tai Chi: This style is considered to be the "Mother style" of the other popular methods of Tai Chi today. Chen style is a dynamic blend of slow flowing movement, quicker bursts of movements, and internal practice.. Since Tai Chi has strong roots to martial arts, this class is taught as the martial system that it is. However
* Silk Reeling exercises: The foundational Qigong (breathing exercises) of Chen Tai Chi that introduce the footwork and relaxed flow of the art. The silk reeling exercises are considered as the "ABC's" of Chen Tai Chi.
* Choreographed routines (Taolu): These pre-arranged movement sets allow students to learn to flow seamlessly between movements. Beginner routines include the Chen Basic 8 form and the Chen Zhenglei 18 basic form. Other routines are the Chen Old Frame 74 form (Long form), Chen straight sword form, Chen broadsword form, Chen Old Frame 2 form, etc.
An example of one of our short routines is here, performed by me:
https://youtu.be/VAx4ENRs_TA
* Push hands partner drills: These partner drills allow students to learn how to keep proper form when in contact with a partner.
* Self defense application: We learn to use the movements of the choreographed routines in self defense applications. For example, in learning the "kick with heel" technique in the form, we learn to apply the kick on kicking pads to learn to keep balance and stability while kicking.
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Yang Style Tai Chi: This style is consistently slow and flowing, and is the method that many have seen practiced in parks or community centers. Slow movement coupled with mindfulness is great for all ages. This class is taught primarily with health aspects in mind.....we do not introduce the martial arts aspects in this class. We focus on groundedness, centeredness of posture, breathing, relaxation, and meditative mindful movement.
* Choreographed routines (Taolu): Beginner routines include "8 hand methods/5 footwork patterns, Yang 10 form, Yang 24 form, Yang 40 form, Yang straightsword, Yang broadsword, Yang spear/staff. An example of one of our Novice routines: https://youtu.be/36lV2pzh1y0
* Push hands: (See description of push hands in the Chen description above)
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QIGONG is another Mind-Body practice that coordinates breathing, energy, posture, movement, and intention. While Tai Chi is considered a form of Qigong, not all Qigong is considered Tai Chi. This is because Tai Chi has a martial arts background, while Qigong itself is a health practice that focuses on the harmony of breathing and movement....and not all Qigong styles have martial arts as their focus.
Qigong breathing exercises are included in both Chen and Yang style Tai Chi classes.
FILIPINO MARTIAL ARTS is known by terms such as "Arnis", "Eskrima" and "Kali. We offer a curriculum based around the "Filipino Martial Arts Academy" system (FMAA) and Doce Pares Eskrima. FMAA is based on several Eskrima and Kali styles, as well as the Indonesian concepts of Silat. Doce Pares Eskrima is the oldest school of martial arts in the Philippines, having been founded in 1932. The Filipino martial arts carry a rich history of ancient fighting methods and the incorporation of other arts by immigrants to the island nation.
Our lineage is through the Grandmaster Ciriaco "Cacoy" Canete method of Doce Pares Eskrima-Pangamot-Eskrido. Sifu Restita has been promoted directly in black belt ranks by GM Cacoy Canete. Our lineage to the FMAA method is through Grandmaster Christopher Petrilli, who also was a top student of Grandmaster Cacoy Canete. The FMAA method includes concepts of the arts of Silat and other styles of Filipino martial arts.
KICKBOXING is a combat based sport that is a hybrid of Karate, Western boxing and Muay Thai. The term itself is credited to Japanese boxing promotor Osamu Noguchi, who studied Muay Thai and combined elements of Karate and Muay Thai. In 1966, the first "Kickboxing Association" became the first sanctioning body for the sport. The sport eventually spread to the USA and Europe in the 1970's and 1980's. Our school's kickboxing classes are taught by 5-time World Kickboxing champion Kathy Long. Classes are a great workout that trains strategic thinking, body control and positioning. Participants are not required to 'fight in the ring', however Coach Kathy can train individuals for competition upon request, and has trained many champions.
WUSHU, which literally means "martial arts", refers to the arts of China, however is more commonly known nowadays as the modern styles that incorporate acrobatics and "nandu" (difficult skills such as balance stances, intricate tumbling maneuvers, etc). Our Wushu classes introduce both empty handed and weapons routines, and is taught primarily as a demonstration/exhibition art. Sparring is not taught in this class. This art is currently taught on an individual private lesson basis or small group private class basis.