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Kung Fu
At Grandmaster Martial Arts Academy, our Traditional Kung Fu program is designed for students ages 8 and up who are ready to take their training to the next level. This class is ideal for the serious martial artist interested in learning the rich culture, discipline, and philosophy behind Shaolin Hung Fut Pai (少林洪佛派). Students study classical forms, animal styles, and traditional weapons while developing precision, focus, and respect for the art’s heritage. Rooted in centuries-old training methods, this program offers a deeper martial journey that builds mastery, discipline, and appreciation for the culture that shaped Kung Fu.
Every Kung Fu student begins in the Basics Class, where they develop strong stances, strikes, and foundational techniques essential for all future training. Once students demonstrate proficiency, they advance to the Handset Class, where they begin learning traditional forms that deepen coordination and understanding of movement. After successfully completing the Five Animals Fist, students become eligible to start Weapons Training, where they apply their foundation to classical weapon forms that enhance control, power, and mastery.
Basic Class:
Foundations of Kung Fu
Students begin with stretching, conditioning, basic stances, punches, and kicks, as well as foundational movement drills. Training develops strength, coordination, balance, and martialdiscipline. Proper alignment and control are emphasized. Forms practice begins in the next level —Handset Class.
Handset (Forms):
The Ten Animal Style
Handsets form the core of the Hung Fut curriculum. Students first form is“Continuous Block and attack , which introduce techniques from the system’s ten animals: Tiger,Crane, Leopard, Snake, Dragon, Monkey, Lion, Elephant, Horse, and Eagle. Each animal offers distinct strategies and energies, fostering adaptability and diverse fighting skills. As studentsprogress, they learn advanced forms like Double Tiger Fist and Pure Monkey Form, known fortheir dynamic power, speed, and precision.
Weapons Class:
18 Classical Weapons
Weapons training begins with the staff, regarded as the "teacher of all weapons." Staff workbuilds coordination, distance control, and body integration. As students develop, they are introduced to a broad range of traditional weapons such as the tiger broadsword, butterfly swords, spear, and straight sword. Each weapon reinforces principles learned in empty-hand forms and becomes an extension of the practitioner’s body.
Grandmaster Martial Arts Academy is an affiliate school of the Shaolin Hung Fut Kung Fu School in Kensington, Maryland, teaching the same traditional Hung Fut curriculum under the lineage of Grandmaster Tai Yim.