ZIRANMEN KUNG FU SCHOOL

KUNG FU is a Chinese word meaning, “Skill derived through time and effort.” In proper Chinese, it is pronounced, “Gong Fu.” Today, Kung Fu is commonly used to replace the word “Wushu”, which is the actual translation for Martial Art. Many styles of martial arts exist in China, some as young as 100 years and others as old as 500 years. These styles, with lineage, tradition, emphasis on self-defense, and health, are known as “Traditional Styles.” In the last few decades, the Chinese government created and promoted a “Contemporary” version formalizing and systematizing the study of Wushu. This Contemporary version breaks its links with lineage and tradition, and is much more of a competitive sport and performance art. Within China, this distinction is easily made with the use of “Traditional” or “Contemporary” before the word Wushu. Outside of China, particularly in English speaking countries, “Wushu” is often used to refer to the Contemporary version, while “Kung Fu” is used to refer to the Traditional Arts.

ZIRANMEN means Natural School or Natural Style. It is a rare and unique traditional martial art that includes methods of flexibility, nei gong, self defense, forms, weapons, and body conditioning. It calls for the use of the entire body in an integrated way that exercises and strengthens all the muscles, tendons, and ligaments. It has similarities to both Shaolin and Wudang styles meaning it has the strong points of both internal and external styles. Classes teach confidence, patience, and discipline while improving your grace, strength, agility, and self defense skills.

GRAND MASTER WAN LAISHENG'S SCHOOL CURRICULUM INTRODUCTION
There are many different styles in Chinese martial arts–internal and external; southern and northern; broad and straight sword, spear and staff; long and short fist–each with its own merits. To practice martial arts is, in fact, to practice the coordinated movements with one’s hands, eyes, shoulders, elbows, wrists, thighs and knees-thus Kung-fu! Through the use of “Jing-Qi-Shen” (essence-energy-spirit, some would say body-mind-spirit) as the foundation, and hands, eyes and body as the root to nourish “Qi” to a pure and natural energetic force, one will not be easily stirred by external influences and will be able to use one’s gongfu to face and conquer his opponent.

Ziranmen emphasizes three styles of gongfu–soft, hard and light. It teaches three character traits–wisdom, benevolence and courage, and four virtues–trustworthiness, righteousness, chivalry and bravery. Ziranmen, as indicated by its name, calls attention to a natural state during practice. As in learning any skills, in the beginning one will feel very unnatural (which is but a necessary precursor) before one can attain naturalness. Without following the rules coupled with hard work, how can one achieve that day of natural fulfillment which is Ziranmen Kungfu? With time spent practicing the set forms and adherence to the principles, over time one shall attain this natural state.

In addition to defense and conditioning, martial arts also helps one get rid of bad habits and can increase one’s energy and spirit. It can offer ten times the benefits of any other hobby. It promotes people’s mental and physical health, and enhances friendship through joint efforts in international research and friendly competitions. Essentially, martial arts is a practical study for self-enhancement and the foundation for nurturing a strong will.

Chinese martial arts are profound, the more one learns the deeper one finds it. When one can reach the point where “essence” is developed in the bones and “qi” in marrow, long-life and long-lasting vision will result. Martial arts does not only help one build a healthy body, it also helps build a dignified personality and a joyous charitable spirit. As learning progresses, boundless energy and hand and eye dexterity will be attained, and one’s character will become flexible and honest. To this end, one can easily achieve goals of helping others, benefiting oneself, and living in harmony with all. In a word–different.