Martial Arts in Uganda!

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 (11^th 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

Email: martialarts@countrywinggroup.com

http://countrywinggroup.com/2015/11/18/country-wing-martial-arts-schools/

References

(a)  Country Wing Martial Arts Schools, data base.

(b) The New Vision Newspaper of December 2012

(c)  www.iwuf.org

(d) www.google.co.ug/kungfuinuganda

(e)  www.youtube.com/kungfuwushuuganda/videos