COUNTRY WING MARTIAL ARTS SCHOOLS
UGANDA
“All
Disciples are Country Wings”
Tai
Chi Kung Fu Wing Chun Sanda (Chinese Kick Boxing) Qi Gong Lion dance Wushu Shaolin Yoga Shaolin Meditation
Contact Dr Wamala
Peter for
details and private lessons
TEL
+256 775 25 99 17, +256 705577823, +256 701 552170
A BACKGROUND TO KUNG FU IN UGANDA
Kung fu and Tai Chi have origins in the famous Shaolin
temple thousands of years back in main land china.
Since then, the practice has greatly increased throughout
China and world over, Uganda in particular.
Chinese Kung fu is
relatively a new game and sport in Uganda.
Its practice officially dates back to nearly 1997 that is 16 years ago,
though some individuals claim to have been practicing it as early as 1988 but
on individual basis.
Kung Fu was first brought to
the attention of Ugandans by the Chinese through their Brothers Kung Fu School
which was located in Kansanga-Muyenga, a Kampala suburb where a number of local
and foreign athletes enrolled for nearly a decade.
It later alone collapsed
citing inconsistence in management.
Among the famous disciples of that school are Prof. Kizito Robert, Dr
Wamala Peter and Master Wong Ivan who excelled in the discipline and courses
offered then.
Those three “Brothers”
attained their respective titles after grading them in various international
kung Fu competitions involving combat (sparring) and demonstrations, where they
won various medals and titles. Countries
visited include: Iran, Hong Kong, Britain, France, Russia, Indonesia, UAE,
South Africa and China among others.
The most experienced Kung fu
practitioners went ahead to open the most successful and famous Kung fu school
called Country wing Chinese martial Arts
Schools which has a number of clubs and branches directly attached to it
and these may include:
Country
Wing Chinese Kung Fu School, Uganda, Country Wing-Wing Chun, Country Wing Tai Chi
School, Country Wing Aerobics & Women Self Defence and Country Wing Sanda(Chinese
Kick Boxing). Country Wing Shaolin Yoga& Meditation etc
Kung Fu practitioners and
athletes in Uganda have featured in various movies, drama and entertainment
functions locally and internationally.
Movies include: “who killed
Captain Alex”, “The Return of Uncle
Benon”, The World of Fighters-“Ensi
Yabalwanyi”, “Rescue Team” and
the latest release “Black” among
others. In drama featured in “The rite of spring”, a piece produced
by Uganda National Contemporary Ballet” at the National Theatre in 2010. They
also performed in Uganda at various functions including Chinese New Year
celebrations.
The school currently has its
head offices in Kololo, Acacia Avenue (John Babiiha Avenue) plot 23A/B, and has
branches all over Kampala with over 100 formally registered active athletes.
Kung
Fu at the international scene
In order to assess the
exercise value of Kung fu, research on various Kung Fu styles has been
done. Beijing medical college studied
the effects of Chang Quan (extended Boxing) and Taiji Quan practices and the
therapeutic value of Tai Ji Quan for the aged, weak and chronically ill.
Kung fu has been placed on
the physical education curriculum of most schools and colleges while colleges
of physical culture now offer kung fu courses.
There are Kung Fu classes in many spare-time sports schools for young people
and kung Fu associations in different localities have set up coaching stations,
attracting more and more enthusiast.
Each morning as the first
rays of the sun appear, people practice kung Fu in parks and squares, by lakes
under trees, in convalescent homes, hospitals and practice rooms, indeed almost
anywhere offering a little quiet and space. Each bears in mind his or her own
particular needs and preference. Some do bare-hand shadow boxing; some exercise
alone, some in pairs and some in groups.
Such a myriad of forms and postures is a lively and inspiring scene.
The
Value of Chinese Kung Fu:
One of the features of
Chinese kung Fu is that throughout its long history, it has constantly
developed because it is a unique combination of healthy exercise, practical
self-defence, self-discipline and art.
1.
A
Healthy Sport
A set of kung Fu exercises
incorporates stillness and movement, turning many other movements requiring
different skills. Its fast and powerful
strikes and agile leaps demand speed, adaptability and stamina. At the same time, the need for concentration
and determination stimulates the mind and spirit.
The Beijing Institute of
physical culture did a comparative experiment on cardio-vascular response of a
group of university students who regularly practiced kung Fu and a second group
of students who did not. Each student
was asked to squat down 20 times in 30 seconds, with the following results:
|
|
Increase
in pulse rate
|
Increase in systolic pressure
|
Kung Fu practitioners
|
Male
|
53.57%
|
13.85%
|
Female
|
59.86%
|
15.53%
|
Ordinary students
|
Male
|
61.21%
|
19%
|
Female
|
63.48%
|
20.15%
|
The above experiment
demonstrates that Kung Fu can improve the performance of cardio-vascular
system, lowering the pulse rate and blood pressure.
Even more marked is the therapeutic
value of Taiji Quan (Tai chi).
This combination of Kung Fu and traditional breathing and physical
exercise use the mind to lead movement, keeping the muscles as relaxed as
possible, allowing the mind to enter a relaxed, controlled state.
In this way it will rest and recuperate. At the same time, relaxed, controlled
movements allow the blood to circulate freely without restriction from locked
joints or tense muscles. Breathing becomes
unrestricted and deep while the gentle exercise gradually stimulates the
internal organs and the cardio vascular system without the practitioner
becoming exhausted or out of breath.
Thus vitality, concentration and strength develop naturally according to
the condition of the practitioner, especially good for the ill, weak and
elderly.
A medical research unit in
Shanghai made a 17 month comparative study on patients with irregular blood
pressure. The results showed that among
the group who, in addition to receiving medicinal treatment practiced Taiji
Quan every day, 43% experienced a significant drop to healthy levels in blood
pressures and 83% achieved a return to normal rates on the
electrocardiogram.
However, among the
groups receiving only medical treatment, the respective figures were on 8% and
20%. Shangai’s Tongsi University also
made a study on 493 regular practitioners
of Taiji Quan among its teachers and students. It discovered that their vitality stamina,
sleep and digestion had all improved.
2.
Self-Defence
Skills
Historically, Kung Fu was
primarily concerned with warfare. It was
a training method developed for self-defence.
Today it still maintains distinct combat characteristics and a few
styles still stress the practice and development of effective combat skills.
3.
The
Beauty of Chinese Kung Fu:
Kung Fu is not just a way to
enhance one’s health and skills. It is a
long association with dance that has led it to an enriching artistic
quality. At the same time, its emphasis
on posture, composure, self-control, spirit and lively exercise imbues it with
a beautifying effect on the physique and a s positive effect on the
character.
These qualify Kung Fu into
wuyi-martial artistry.
Historically, kung fu has
been closely related to the arts, especially music and dance. As early as the Zhou Dynasty (11th
century B.C. – 221 B.C.), dance was used as a stimulant on the eve of battle.
Kung fu can also greatly
enhance the appearance giving a well-proportioned, co-ordinated, agile
physique, and a composed and lively spirit.
In addition to classical times, Kung fu masters were and still praised
as being “calm like an elegant woman, yet
a fierce tiger when disturbed”.
4.
Virtue
and Skill
Another characteristic of
Chinese Kung Fu is its emphasis on self-control and good character. Martial virtue requires that a person
exercises self –restraints, never abusing his abilities for personal
gratification or to oppress those weaker than himself. He should seek to uphold justice, remain
fearless in the fate of brutality and cultivate modesty and a spirit of
co-operation.
The
monks at the shaolin monastery in modern Henan province laid down the ten
commandments of Kung Fu practice, among which was the following:
“let strengthening the body
and mind be the chief aim… proficiency in martial art is only to be used for
self-defence. Guard against all
indulgence in one’s personal vigor. As
to any who shows pleasure in provoking disturbances or displaying unwanted
ferocity, the offender shall be dealt with in the same manner as any offending
the rules of this establishment”.
The spirits of those monks
as well as other kung Fu masters of the past and of today are a model to us.
Kung Fu (wushu) and Tai
Chi practice is a carrier of a
fit and healthy life. It is the
guarantee of prolonging life to keep in good health.
Five thousand years of Chinese culture/Kung Fu renovation
to suit various generations!
Benefits
of Kung Fu (wushu) practice summarised:
Ø Reduced pulse rate
Ø Reduced stress levels
Ø Increased body co-ordination and
physique
Ø Increased body strength and power
Ø Improved fitness levels
Ø Self-defence e.g. against a boda-boda
rider , criminals like terrorists , rapists, defilers and thieves
Ø Improved psychological perception of
life
Ø Meeting of new friends
Tai
chi (Tai ji Quan):
Ø Improvement
in body balance and co-ordination
Ø Improvement
in internal power (Qi/chi energy) and general body strength
Ø Flexibility
N.B: The benefits accrued to the learning and practicing
of Chinese martial arts like Tai Chi & Kung Fu over weigh the demerits by
over 98 per cent according to the research conducted by Beijing Sports
University.
TEL: +256 775 25 99 17, +256
705577823, +256 701 552170
WAY
FORWARD FOR KUNG FU IN UGANDA CALENDER
Dear Chinese Martial Arts (Kung Fu)
enthusiasts and practitioners, we are very glad to have you as our clients and
stakeholders. We wish you a merry Christmas and a happy new 2013.
Our new school premises in addition to the usual ones are John’s Fitness centre.
This has been equipped with modern apparatus, training equipment.
We have introduced a new package of courses offered to you and these include;
Tai Chi, Kung Fu, Shaolin Yoga, Shaolin Meditation, Women Self Defence,
Children’s Tae Kwon Do(ITF) & Wushu-Aerobics. All these have been specially
made for the betterment of your physical, mental, psychological and spiritual
health scientifically.
Changes have been made in the way we conduct our lessons, fees payment and the
conditions of service towards our esteemed clients. Below is a summary of the
new changes:
school lessons;
(a) All lessons last for minimum one hour.
(b) Discounts are given to
only those that bring friends to join, subscribe for a bigger number of classes
and lump sum payments.
(c) Payment per lesson is UGX.
20,000/= for those who want to pay per class while UGX 15,000/= if done in a
lump sum monthly.
(e) Eight lessons a month is equal to UGX.120, 000/= and 16 lessons a month is equal to UGX.240, 000/= that is,
at a discounted rate.
(f) All charges are per head.
Note, Acacia classes 15-20k Lakes classes10k-15k, M.u.k classes 4-5k and personal
negotiations on price are highly welcome!
Private lessons;
(a) Are now available at your
convenience that is you choose your location, and time.
(b) All lessons cost UGX. 60,000/=
each per person and attract a footage allowance of UGX. 10,000/= for every 5 kilometres’
distance from our school premises.
(c) Monthly subscriptions/lump sum payments and
those that bring friends to join
qualify for discounts.
(d) All charges are per person and per lesson.
Special
private lessons (V.I.P)
(a) You should book for classes at
least 6 hours
before the time you intend to have them.
(b) You choose the training place,
style, weapons, and schedule the time of your convenience.
(c) Charges are US$.50 per class for
every person however, an extra person is allowed only if you subscribe for a
bigger number of classes.
(d) Discounts are allowed on lump
sum payments and introduction of a colleague.
(e) A footage allowance of US$.12 for every two kilometers’ distance from our school premises.
Certification and grading are available!
A healthy, focused, controlled and disciplined mind and
body is our standard of measure!
Contact Shifu/Master Peter
Mob: +256 775 25
99 17, +256 705 577 823
Web: www.countrywinggroup.com
References
(a)
Country
Wing Martial Arts Schools, data base.
(b)
The
New Vision Newspaper of December 2012
(e)
www.youtube.com/kungfuwushuuganda/videos
