Kung Fu World

Try a move with Kaixin

Warm up first, make some space and go slowly. Grown-ups, please watch and help the little ones.

Pick a move

Horse stance

马步 mǎ bù

The first stance every kung fu student learns. It builds strong legs and a patient mind.

Stand with your feet about two shoulder-widths apart, toes pointing forward.
Bend your knees and sink down, as if sitting on a small horse.
Keep your back straight and your chest open.
Make fists and rest them at your waist, palms up.
Breathe slowly and hold for ten breaths.

Kaixin's tip: Keep your knees over your toes, not in front of them.

Kaixin in a deep lunge in front of the red calligraphy wall

Bow stance

弓步 gōng bù

A long, strong stance for moving forward. The front leg bends like a bow, the back leg stays straight like its string.

Take one big step forward.
Bend your front knee until it is above your toes.
Keep your back leg straight, with the heel down.
Turn your hips to face forward.
Push one palm forward and hold.

Kaixin's tip: Your front leg is the bow, your back leg is the string.

Crouching stance

仆步 pū bù

A low stance that stretches the legs and teaches balance close to the ground.

Start with your feet wide apart.
Bend one knee and sink low over that leg.
Stretch the other leg out straight to the side.
Keep both feet flat on the ground.
Lift one arm up and look along the straight leg.

Kaixin's tip: Go only as low as feels good. You will get lower a little every week.

The splits

劈叉 pǐ chà

Flexible legs make every kick higher and every stance easier. Kaixin stretches a little every day.

Warm up first: jump, swing your legs and march on the spot.
Slide one leg forward and one leg back.
Put your hands on the floor to hold your weight.
Lower yourself slowly while breathing out.
Stop when you feel a stretch, never pain.

Kaixin's tip: Stretch a little every day and never bounce.

Kung fu words

Little words with big meaning. Say them out loud with Kaixin.

功夫

gōngfu

Kung fu

Skill earned through hard work and time. Any skill, not only fighting.

师父

shīfu

Teacher

A teacher who looks after you like a father.

武德

wǔdé

Martial virtue

Respect, honesty and kindness. The first lesson in every school.

抱拳礼

bàoquán lǐ

The kung fu salute

Right fist against the open left palm, to greet and to thank.

梅花桩

méihuā zhuāng

Plum blossom posts

Wooden posts set out like a flower, used to train balance in Meihua Quan.

One root, two paths

The styles Kaixin is learning, and where they come from.

少林

Shàolín

Shaolin kung fu

From the Shaolin Temple on Mount Song in China. Strong stances, discipline and a calm mind.

梅花拳

Méihuā Quán

Plum blossom fist

One of the oldest styles of northern China, traditionally practised on wooden posts set out like a plum blossom.

太极

Tàijí

Tai Chi

Slow, flowing movement for balance, breathing and patience.

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