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The Roots of Wuchia

Historical Context

“Kuoshu” means national arts referring to the national arts of China. Traditionally, among educated Chinese, the term “Kuoshu” refers to the three national arts of Wushu or Martial Arts, Cookery and Calligraphy. In times of war, the martial arts (Wushu) will enable the military to protect the nation; cookery will help to feed the soldiers and the citizens while calligraphy will provide spiritual inspiration to the leaders. To refer to the Chinese Martial Arts as Kuoshu is to accord it the highest status and respect. The term “Kung Fu” literally translates as “Skill” – this can be skill in any human endeavour such as dancing, writing, etc. and depending on the context in which it is used may not have anything to do with the martial arts at all! “Kung Fu” is a colloquialism used by martial artists in Hong Kong to refer to each other’s level of skill and is widely used in the West.

In mainland China the term Wushu is used to refer to the Chinese Martial Arts. Elsewhere in the Orient, the term Kuoshu is more widely used by traditional schools of Chinese Martial Arts while Kung Fu is more prevalent in the Western countries. Even where the English translation does not use the term “Kuoshu” you will normally still find that the Chinese writing for Kuoshu is an integral part of the name of the school.

The Plum Flower (Mei Hua)

Within the WIS logo you will find the yellow plum flower, the national flower of China. The five petals of the plum flower symbolises the five major races of China which are Han, Mongolian, Manchu, Tibetan and Sinkiangnese. It also symbolises the five main schools of Kuoshu which are Wutang (Taoist), Shaolin (Buddhist), Lama (Tibetan Buddhist), Mongolian and Muslim. Each traditional Kuoshu school has five main types of techniques (once again referring to the five petals of the plum flower) as follows:-

“Ta” or striking techniques using hands, feet and weapons, etc.
“Shuai” or wrestling and throwing techniques.
“Sou” or sweeping techniques.
“Chin-na” or joint locking and control techniques.
“Tien Hsueh” or knowledge of the vital points of the body which can be used both for inflicting injury and for healing.

Many other Asian martial arts have their roots in Kuoshu. For example, Karate is mainly from the “Ta” branch, Jujitsu from the Chin-Na branch while Judo is from the Shuai branch. One way you can tell whether or not you are learning traditional Kuoshu is to observe whether these five main types of techniques are taught.

Wu Te or Martial Virtue

In a rapidly changing world, it is very easy for us to lose sight of traditional values that have withstood the test of time. In the pursuit of economic survival (never mind prosperity), many traditional values can become watered down. In the rat race to keep up, we sometimes fail to teach and properly pass on the traditional values to the next generation.

The concept of “Wu Te” is a fundamental tenet. Each school or style will have its own definitions but central to all styles is that without “Wu Te” a practitioner is no higher than an animal. “Wu Te” is what distinguishes a gangster from a true practitioner.

According to Grandmaster N M Goh (Raymond Goh’s teacher), “Wu Te” embraces the following five salient values – the five petals of the Plum Flower embodies these values:-

1. Loyalty – Loyalty is important for it is that which binds the student and the teacher. Loyalty means understanding one’s heritage and roots and the responsibility for transmission to future generations.

2. Respect – Respect for Nature is a fundamental Taoist principle. Only where there is respect can each of us have the opportunity to achieve our full potential as a human being.

3. Sincerity – To be sincere means to be free from pretence or deceit. When you are sincere you will not be hiding your true intentions. Instead you will be genuine, honest and frank.

4. Perseverance – A rolling stone gathers no moss. From Perseverance will come Patience. From Patience will come Wisdom. From Wisdom will come Humility. Only from Humility will come Perfection.

5. Ingenuity – Ingenuity is what makes a style unique and clearly different from others. Ingenuity, however, must be tempered by the qualities of Loyalty, Respect, Sincerity and Perseverance.

Parable of the Dung Beetle

Have you ever observed the dung beetle guarding its lump of dung? As soon as you push him away from the dung, he will go rushing back to it at the earliest opportunity!
Strangely many human beings are like that too! The dung beetles has no choice as the dung is its food. Humans are not dung beetles and do not need to rush back to the dung!

Join our training programme to get rid of your “dung”. Change your life for the better.

Change – The Only Thing That Is Permanent!

It would be impossible for you to change the world. Yet, if each person were to change himself (or herself) the world will be changed beyond recognition.
One good deed begets at least ten others.

Watch when you throw the pebble into the pond. The pebble, on its journey to the bottom of the pond, sends out ripples through the water.
When you can snatch the pebble before it reaches the bottom of the pond, it will be time for you to swim!

Conclusion – Is this the time to begin your transformation?

It has been said that the journey of a thousand miles begins with the first step. Take that step now. Remember, your destiny need not be your destination.
Join our training programme to:-

· Realise your full potential as a human being

· Better health and fitness

· Build confidence and determination to help you succeed in life

· Be able to handle physical assaults and help the victims

· Develop mental focus and discipline of the mind and body