Study Martial Arts in China
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Study Wushu in China - Beijing Sport University

With its location on a 70 hectare site in the northwestern part of Beijing’s’ Haidian district, (near the Summer Palace) Beijing Sport University was founded in 1953 and has become the premier sport education institution in China. Over the years the university has helped mould some of Chinas’ greatest athletes and coaches. Those who are keen on Chinese martial arts will find this and ideal location to hone their skills and learn many new ones under the tutelage of some of China’ top masters, these can be taken in conjunction with Chinese language courses.

The University is one of the major education establishments in China. Its aim is to train highly qualified education teachers, coaches, sport science researchers and other physical education personnel. Students and other physical education personnel enjoy the services given by their respective departments. They include the department of Human Kinesiology and Science, Sports Administration, Wushu, Sports Training, Physical Education, Science Research, Correspondence, Section and the Graduate Studies. The University has its own publishing house. The facilities for training, teaching and science research are abundantly equipped including a sports information center, scientific research and audio-visual education center. Besides there are 15 indoor training halls and 68 out door courts and fields.

There are 24 teaching and research sections in the university. There are 144 lecturers, around 200 professors and associate professors in the university. The faculties are qualified and experienced with academic level. The university has been authorized to award the Master's Degree on most of the subjects and Doctor's Degree on some subjects. Science its establishment, the university has turned out more than 20000 physical education personnel, many of which have become the backbone of sports of China. Quite a few of them have set national and Asian including world records.

The university attaches great importance to international academic exchange programs. At present it has an exchange program with 14 universities in the United States, Canada, Germany, Japan, Australia, Russia, Korea, Bulgaria, and Poland. Over 500 long term foreign students have successfully graduated from this university not including 2000 more who come here for academic exchanges for short term advanced studies every year.

The campus of our University is quiet, clean and beautiful. There is 1 dormitory building for foreign students to live. There are altogether 145 ordinary rooms and 3 standard rooms. There is a TV set, an air condition, a telephone, a desk and bedding, bathroom in each room. There is a public kitchen and a laundry in each floor.

Wushu Classes for Foreign Students

Aim and Task

1. Through the instruction of the practical and theoretical knowledge of wushu, foreign students are encouraged to acquire knowledge of the history of Chinese wushu. According to tradition, practicing wushu can cultivate a healthy body, soul, and perfect one's morality. At the conclusion of the programs, trainees will have a deeper understanding of the essence of Chinese wushu and increase their physical skills and abilities.

2. The knowledge gained at BSU will enable foreign students to correctly demonstrate wushu movements and teach or train in Chang Quan, Tai ji Quan (Tai Chi Chuan), Sanda/ Sanshou, Dao Yin Yan Sheng Gong, or be a judge in a wushu competition.

3. The university runs a variety of classes for foreign students: Chang Quan, Tai ji Quan (Tai Chi Chuan), Sanda/ Sanshou, and Dao Yin Yan Sheng Gong. Most courses last for 2 years. Foreign students may either follow the training program starting from the first grade or join in the class in the middle of the course according to his/her skill level.

Training program

Class Type:               Course:

Tai Ji Qian                  Simplified style of 24 forms Tai Ji Qian, 32 forms Tai Ji sword, yang style Tai                                   Ji Qian, chen style Tai Ji Qian, wu style Tai Ji Quan, sun style Tai Ji Qian, 42                                   forms comprehensive Tai Jib Qian, 42 forms comprehensive Tai Ji sword,                                   Tai Ji pushing hands, xing yi quan, ba gua zhang, wushu theory

Chang Quan              Si lu chang quan, chang quan, nan quan, broadswords, sword, spear , staff,                                   dual fight, xing yi quan, pu dao, dual fight of weapons

Sanda/ Sanshou

Dao Yin Yan Sheng Gong

Teaching times

8:30-11:00AM(Monday - Friday)
There are 15 classes each week for 38 weeks every year.

Program and Course Descriptions

Changquan

The first Major of Chang Quan deals with what is referred to as "wai jia quan" or external fist styles. They tend to display much faster and energetic moves, and are characterized by flashy moves, explosive demonstrations and big jump techniques. Emphasis is mainly on competition forms. Certainly the most aerobic of all the majors offered. A student learns to live their whole life in just a minute and twenty seconds, which is the Ideal time of most competition sets. The Basics up through advanced are covered and touched upon, depending on what the student is capable of. After proficiency in the International Competition forms is gained, then some traditional sets are integrated to round off the student's grasp of the forms.

The following classes are all offered as part of the Chang Quan conentration:

Changquan (Long Fist)
The conglomeration of several northern traditional styles, chiefly "Cha quan," "Hua quan," and "Pao quan." Modern Changquan is a generally taught in China as the basis from which a martial artist will branch off from. Inside the basic forms Kicking and stances are drilled strongly, as well such fighting techniques are emphasized as punching, throwing dodging and integrated footwork. Changquan is most easily recognized by it's beautiful and extended stances as well as many energetic leaps jumps and sharp rhythmic tempo. Most beginners will learn basic sets, and eventually the international compulsory form.

Modern Nanquan (Southern Fist)
The combination of many Southern styles, with techniques borrowed chiefly from "Hung Gar" and "Choy li Fut." It also borrows from southern "Tiger and Crane styles" but this is only a short list of what makes up the techniqes inside. In Chinese martial arts It is said " Nan quan he bei tui." Which means: "Southern fists and northern legs." While the Northern styles in Chang quan emphasize leg techniques the southern styles rely mainly on the fists and upper body strength. Nanquan practitioners are noted for their tight, fast and powerful movements. The form is a rapid strong set with very firm centered footwork.

Qiangshu (Spear)
The King of weapons in the Chinese martial arts world, this weapon is said to resemble a dragon in flight when in the hands of a master. It is said that this weapon is the most difficult to master. The history of this weapon goes back to the early pages of Chinese history. Early spears were made simply of sharpened bamboo, later metal heads were added, then tassels were added, serving two purposes first distracting the enemy with rapid movements, and stopping blood flow to the wielders hands which would disrupt proper movement of the weapon. Now though, the form practiced is merely a reenactment of those days on the battlefield, with techniques including thrusting, body wrapping, slashing, chopping, numerous parries, blocks and attacks, all of which give the spear the most versatility of all the weapons.

Gunshu (Staff)
Called the "Grandfather of all weapons," and glorified in films such as Shaolin Temple, the staff is quite a sight in the hand of the trained practitioner. The staff is the most basic weapon of all, yet it's uses and techniques seem endless, the staff is characterized by it's swift powerful circling, jabbing and chopping techniques. Many figure eight techniques and circular parries also makeup the basics of this simple yet versatile weapon.

Daoshu (Broad Sword/ Sabre)
The main military weapon of the Chinese army for many years. Curved slightly the techniques emphasize chopping, and slashing, as well as wrapping around the body to rapidly string together defenses and attacks. The form emphasizes the basics learned in Changquan and sharpens them with a sword. Many beginners find moving on to this short weapon after mastering the basics to be very agreeable.

Jianshu (Straight Sword)
called the "King of the short weapons" by most practitioners this weapon has a long history as a dueling weapon, and an equally log list of styles used to wield it. The techniques are extremely precise and depend very much on acute vision and visualizing your attacks. If a practitioner can bring his energy and spirit to the tip of the sword then success is near. Recognized by it's stylized parries and thrusts, combined with fast changeable footwork, this weapon style shows the practitioner grace and artistic rhythm.

For more information contact wushu@chinastudyabroad.org