THE WAY OF THE WARRIOR: MARTIAL ARTS IN SOUTH TAIWAN

--By Yuta Lee, Peiling Wu, Sebastian Thomas and Pieter Vorster Translated by Annie Liu

We all watched in amazement as Stephen Chow did the mythical "Buddhist Palm from Heaven" in the movie Kung Fu Hustle. Then we held our breaths as Thailand's Tony Jaa went up against a gang of elephant-killers in Tom Yum Goong 2. And who can forget Bruce Lee's calm demeanor as he fought the evil boss with the metal claw in Enter the Dragon? The list of Kung Fu heroes goes on and on.

But movies are movies, and we live in the real world. To become a skilled martial artist takes years of hard work. Respect, dedication and a belief in yourself has to be combined with humility, constant practice and self-control. The reward, however, is worth the effort. Confidence, good health and a higher form of happiness are trademark characteristics of those who practice martial arts-in whatever form.

FYI South had a look at what forms of martial arts are available to Kaohsiung residents. We sincerely ask that our readers note that the places featured reserve the right to accept or decline students according to their own regulations, and that this feature is merely an indication of what is available. It is not a complete guide to all schools of martial arts in South Taiwan. Ed.

Taekwondo
Chinese Kaohsiung Taekwondo Training Station
Address: 2, ShouChang Road, 5F, Sanmin District, Kaohsiung
Tel: (07) 392-6529
www.tkd.idv.tw

In 2004, Taekwondo competitors Chen Shih-hsin and Chu Mu-yen brought home Taiwan's first-ever Olympic gold medals. They were portrayed as national heroes and spotlighted this martial art at a national level. Ever since, the popularity of Taekwondo has been on the rise. Originating in Korea, Taekwondo means "the way of the foot and the fist". One of the world's most practiced martial arts, Taekwondo, which emphasizes self-discipline and respect, is a distinctive combination of combat techniques and self-defense.

The Chinese Kaohsiung Taekwondo Training Center is the closest you can get to the Olympics as you train with Olympic-class coaches. Among the seven instructors (six men and one woman), Jackie Chang, who was a coach at the Athens games, is the head teacher. He has a 6th Dan black belt, speaks English, and has over 15 years of teaching experience. Other instructors all have a 4th Dan black belt or higher and over five years of teaching experience.

With branches in SanMin, TsuoYing and NanZih, the school emphasizes its contemporary facilities, which make the learning of this martial art as innovative as possible. One of its modern fixtures is the web cam that allows parents to monitor their kids' progress and performance from home. Additionally, students receive a "learning passport" to record individual development, physical stamina and flexibility-and instructor's comments on discipline. Adhering to conventional principles and the philosophy of Taekwondo, the school modifies its practices to incorporate other martial arts and to devise a blend of movements unique to the center. Annual membership is around NT$22 000 for unlimited scheduled lessons. Prices and class times vary depending on the student's level, starting with the beginner class at NT$1,800/month with three one-hour lessons each week.

Embrace Taekwondo, be it for the perspiration and physical challenge, or for the mental and spiritual guidance. As coach Jackie emphasizes, Taekwondo interprets force as an aesthetic expression, and instills self-discipline and tolerance. It is a way of life.

Martial arts at Mindful Phoenix
Address: 165, JhongJheng 2nd Road, 2F, LingYa District, Kaohsiung
Tel: (07) 223-0581
www.mindfulphoenix.com

The Chinese meaning of the term kung fu relates to work and skill. It is the art of doing something well. Kung fu practice involves cardio-vascular fitness, strength, stamina and flexibility. There are various parts of a training schedule, including empty hand and pad techniques, footwork, forms, weapons and sparring.

The senior instructor at MPA is Sebastian Thomas, who has studied various martial arts since childhood. For most of his twenties, he trained full time at the Australian Jow Ga Kung Fu Academy under Master (Sifu) Randy Bennett, an acknowledged direct disciple of Jow Ga Grandmaster Chen Man Cheung (see www.jowga.com.au). Jow Ga Kung Fu is a dynamic, practical style, which blends the hard driving power of Hung Gar and the swift footwork of Choy Ga with northern Shaolin longfist. Included in the curriculum is Yang style Tai Qi Quan, judo, jiu-jitsu and grappling, yoga postures and sparring. Students study a core of basics and are able to practice specialty forms. Weapons are an integral part of kung fu training, and as well as the foundation skills of staff, broadsword and spear. Students can also train with daggers, kwan do, straight sword, fan and more.

Kung fu is a lot of fun. The people at MPA jump around a lot, stretch themselves into ridiculous positions, practice beautiful, complex movement forms and laugh. It is both good exercise and a great community. Mindful Phoenix has classes for adults on Tuesdays and Thursdays, both daytime (11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.) and at night (7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.). There are free training sessions on weekdays and Saturday afternoons, and they have a kids' program for kung fu midgets aged 5 to 15. Training twice a week costs NT$2,000 per month.
If you'd like to try some kung fu (or yoga, belly dance or salsa) in a relaxed Western environment, call 0922 391 856 or email mindfulphoenix@gmail.com. (The Mindful Phoenix Arts space is listed in FYI South magazine, and indicated on the map.)

Brazilian Jiu-jitsu at The Forge
Address: 53, JhongJheng 4th Road, 11F, Kaohsiung
Tel: 0910 622 266
There is nothing more fulfilling in life than finding the space to pursue your passion. So what do you do if it doesn't exist where you live? Faced with this problem, five guys started The Forge Grappling Club in order to have a place to train with fellow martial artists in both striking and grappling arts. Established in 2004 by Ben Price, Luke Dore, Henry Fougstedt, Mike Harrington and Nathaniel Amacker, The Forge today has 20 members. The club also offers Aikido and Muay Thai training sessions, but is primarily based on Brazilian Jiu-jitsu.

Jiu-jitsu originated in India, from Buddhist Monks who created techniques based on principles of balance and leverage, and a system of manipulating the body to avoid relying upon strength or weapons. Jiu-jitsu spread from Southeast Asia to China, finally arriving in Japan where it gained popularity. Brazilian Jiu-jitsu developed from Japanese Jiu-jitsu, which arrived in Brazil in the early 1900's as Japan expanded diplomatically. Jiu-jitsu master, Esai Maeda Koma, befriended an influential family, the Gracies, to whom he taught the art of Jiu-jitsu.

The Gracie family modified the art over time with particular emphasis on ground fighting. Carlos Gracie Jr. founded the Gracie Barra Academy in Rio de Janiero and today it is synonymous with Brazilian Jiu-jitsu. In March 2006, The Forge became an official Gracie Barra club, the first in Taiwan. This milestone was marked by a visiting black belt, Kazeka Muniz, who taught a week-long seminar. As a Gracie Barra club, The Forge will regularly schedule black belts for seminars.

The Forge's monthly membership fee is NT$1,000 for Brazilian Jiu-jitsu, or NT$1,500 for access to all training sessions. Sessions are typically 10 p.m. - 12 p.m. on Mondays and Thursdays - and 12 a.m. on Saturdays. For more information, call Ben Price at 0910 622 266.