21 September 2023
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The History of Shaolin Kickboxing

Shaolin Temple Legend has it that an Indian monk Bodhidharma known as Da-mo in Chinese) came to a monastery called Shao Lin - which means 'little forest' around AD 500 where he noticed that the Shaolin monks were in poor physical health and became breathless very quickly when practicing or training. He took it upon himself to teach the monks exercises and breathing techniques to help them promote strength, fitness and well-being. These techniques were subsequently developed over the generations in the Shaolin temples by the monks as a means of survival and by the Chinese military, and serve as the forerunner to all other forms of martial arts.

When westerners first encountered Chinese martial arts in the Buddhist temples, and were fascinated by what they saw, they described them as Chinese or Shaolin Boxing. Yet a more appropriate description of these arts is "Shaolin Kickboxing" which is the name we use for our style. Whilst we are using modern terminology, it is important to recognise that many elements of our current art have been practiced by the Chinese for thousands of years.

Literally translated the term for "martial arts" is Wu Shu although they came to be known as Kung Fu which is a general term that means concentrated effort.

Our modern style of Shaolin Kickboxing is proud of its tradition, which in addition to its Shaolin Boxing roots contains perfected elements of Tae Kwon Do and Thai Boxing (themselves influenced by their predecessors) and Western Boxing. We bring exciting, first class tuition to people from all walks of life, in a dynamic class environment that welcomes both adults and children. Our style is well-structured, contemporary and totally practical and is beneficial to practitioners at any level of competence.

"What you cannot avoid - welcome!"

 

 

王子平
Wang Zi-Ping

Grandmaster Wang Zi-Ping

Born

1881
Changzhou, Hebei,

Died

1973 (aged 91–92)
Due to illness

 

 

Wang Zi-Ping (1881–1973) was a famous Chinese Martial Artist after whom the Shaolin Kickboxing form Tsu(Zi) Ping Chu'en is named.

He served as the leader of the  Shaolin Kung Fu division of the Martial Arts Institute in 1928 and was also the vice chairman of the Chinese Wushu Association.

Wang was known for his mastery of Long Fist Boxing.

Early in his life, Wang was a member of a resistance group known as " The Harmonious Fist” during the boxer rebellion.