The Impact
of
Martial Arts
Martial arts is a broad word, including the different styles and cultures of kung fu, taekwondo, karate, and many more.
One of the most popular martial arts types is kung fu, which originated in China and came to the U.S. with Chinese immigrants during the 1820s and 1830s. Kung fu and other martial art forms are practiced and taught throughout America, especially near San Francisco and the Bay Area where it is prominent.
Pure Shaolin Kung Fu's group lessons on Saturdays, at San Carlos' Pong Planet, above, Shifu Grace Yan teaches a group of yellow belts.
Yellow belt form includes memorizing a staff form and some basic self-defense. "As the plant [student] adjusts to the white light [beginnering/white belt] it's exposed to the yellow sun, " said Jesse Enkamp, a karate and martial art specialist.
Many students at Carlmont have learned or taught kung fu with many of the studios and dojos here.
Some very popular and high-rated studios include Pure Shaolin Kung Fu in Belmont and Twin Dragon Kung Fu Academy in San Carlos.
Pure Shaolin Kung Fu
Terminology
Twin Dragon Kung Fu Academy
Pure Shaolin Kung Fu was founded by couple Shifu David Xu (who is a former monk at the Shaolin Temple where kung fu originated) and Shifu Grace Yan (who is from the Chinese National Wu Shu team). They both graduated from and taught at Wuhan Sports University. Pure Shaolin Kung was founded on April 24th, 2012, and teaches kung fu, tai chi, and multiple styles of martial arts.
Shifu- Mandarin: 师傅- means skillful person or master.
Sifu- Cantonese: 师傅, essentially the same respect and title as "Shifu."
Wushu- Chinese: æ¦è¡“, means martial arts (also includes Tai Chi, Hung Gar, Wing Chun, ect. )
Kung Fu- Chinese: 功夫, means acquired skill and is another word for "martial arts" or "wushu, " and is also a type of martial arts.
Shaolin Temple: Chinese: 少林寺, is a monastery in Henan, China, and is the founding place of kung fu.
Twin Dragon Kung Fu Academy was founded by Sijo John Oliva who is a 6th Dan in Kochi Kali Kar (which also includes Wing Chun fundamentals), Hung-Gar Kung Fu, and Kali-Serrada Escrima Cabales. Twin Dragon originated in 1993 yet moved to its recent location in 2007.