Press Release

Press Release:  New Book Being Published – “Modern Masters of the Martial Arts”

The martial arts have continued to increase in popularity over the last decade due to things like MMA – Mixed Martial Arts and the U.F.C. – The Ultimate Fighting Championship.  Although the public’s perception of the martial arts is slightly changing to the perception that the martial arts are a sport, there are millions of people who look at the martial arts as a way of life!  With thousands of martial arts styles in existence, David Nemeroff – Soke Dai has lifted the veil and helped those that are curious about what makes one martial art style different from another?

In this book author David Nemeroff along with over 50 modern martial art masters share with you what makes their style, philosophy and history so unique. This amazing book is a photographic showcase of over 50 different styles from around the world and the modern masters that teach them. Modern Masters Of The Martial Arts adorns the pages with each instructor sharing their expert insights on their particular martial arts system plus a personal quote from each of them.

Inside, David Nemeroff has presented a compilation of modern legends for you in one volume to show you first hand who is in the forefront of the martial arts community.  This book is both an informative martial arts encyclopedia and a beautiful collection of photographic artwork. 

Adam Woolsey and Wei Fo Jung- Founding Masters of Monk Wise Martial Arts Academy (located in Saltl Lake City, Utah) are both receiving this high accolade of being featured as one of 50 instructors chosen for this book and are honored to be known as two of the modern-day masters of the martial arts.  For more information on the work of Monk Wise Martial Arts Academy you may call 801-833-2727, email MonkWise@MonkWise.com, or visit their website at www.MonkWise.com.  Thank you.

Martial Arts After 50, Is it for me?

Practicing martial arts at Monkwise is demanding, often exhilarating, and a bit addictive.  If you’re among the over-50 crowd, and a baby-boomer looking to beat the ever encroaching physical manifestations of aging, martial arts can bring many challenges. The benefits, however, can be truly amazing.

We are now learning that many aspects of aging can be slowed, or in some cases reversed.  In his book, “Martial Arts over 40,” Dr. Sang H. Kim takes each physical and mental attribute, previously thought to be naturally depleted with age, and explains how exercise, specifically martial arts, can improve those attributes.  Strength, agility, flexibility, balance, and memory are all aspects of martial arts training that can positively affect our health as we reach middle age and beyond.

Many doctors are prescribing Tai Chi and Qi Gong to help patients with health issues ranging from diabetes to arthritis.  Qi Gong is thought to increase hormone production, prevent autoimmune diseases, and improve mental clarity and function.

In an article on martial arts in AARP [8/03], it was reported that:

Tai Chi also can improve balance, posture, flexibility, coordination, and strength. Studies have shown that older people who practice Tai Chi reduce their risk of falls.

Photo/CNS

So why isn’t everyone over 50 doing this?

  I’ve asked many of my 50+ friends, why they don’t try martial arts for their workouts.  The most typical answer has to do with familiarity.  As adults we’ve successfully managed jobs, homes, families, joys and tragedies.  We generally think we are competent at most things and if we’re not, we just hire someone to do it for us.  Our workout routines may include following a leader, a trainer, or solitary work on an exercise bike or treadmill.  So imagine walking into a room with a group of students, all ages, athletic, focused, picking up forms five moves at a time and we think, “I’m old, how can I ever do this?”  We just don’t have that beginners mind any longer; we want to look cool from the very start. 

Diane C. -MonkWise

It takes a special person to face the possibility of looking silly, because at 50+ you really can look quite uncomfortable trying your first mabu (horse stance).  Diane, at 58, is a fit flight attendant doing martial arts at MonkWise.  She told me that looking and feeling “stupid” was her primary concern starting martial arts.  She has since met this challenge and feels like her classes at MonkWise make her feel young.  Diane receives many compliments from co-workers about her newly found confidence and athleticism.

The pressure to excel in everything we do is very strong in older adults. . In an article in the Wall Street Journal regarding older adults and martial arts (5/10) the author wrote,

 Instructors say many older students seem energized by working out with younger ones. And sometimes the energy is contagious.  "Older students can be very inspirational," says Bill Pottle, the owner of the school where Mr. Roe [an older student] trains. "They often have an uncommon determination that can set a great example for younger people."

We have a lot to offer younger students in class.  Whether they choose to take advantage of our wisdom, well… we can still enjoy their energy.

Jean P. -Monk Wise

Jean, at 65 is a retired business manager who tried Tai Chi for the first time six months ago.  Her first experience in class left her feeling intimidated, and guilty.  She explained that she felt like she was holding back other students in the class and taking up practice time for classmates that came to help her.  Her love of Tai Chi won out and she realized that first of all, everyone was focused on practicing and weren’t watching her at all, and secondly everyone has challenges. She learned to take what she likes to call her “baby steps” and she now feels great about her accomplishments.

It’s normal to feel anxious when you begin a new skill and especially surrounded by new people.  It will take some time to get acclimated but most students in class and your instructors are happy to help.

If you are considering martial arts as a form of exercise, whether it be the relaxed and contemplative forms of Tai Chi and Qi Gong, or the more physically challenging courses of Kung Fu, there are a few things to consider:

·       Check with your doctor.  It’s always best to consult a physician before trying a new exercise routine.  Discuss your strengths and weaknesses and be sure to pass the information along to your instructor(s) in class.

·       Check in with your body.  Be sure to take an internal and external assessment of your physical condition before each class session.  Are there any injuries you need to report to your instructor?  Do you have tightness in an area that needs to be warmed up or stretched?  Always spend time warming up then gently stretching before class. 

·       Check in with your mind.  Personal issues such as work, family responsibilities, moods, etc. will affect your performance in class.  If you are angry, upset, or frustrated you may wish to spend time meditating or running through forms before class.  You will likely feel much better after your workout, but releasing negative emotions initially may prevent an injury to yourself or another student.

·       Check your competitive instincts.  You have great potential as an older student but you also take much longer to heal after an injury.  Be patient with yourself and ask for assistance from your instructors and fellow students.  Be sure that you know your limitations and that you express them when doing partner work.  Learn to respect your own journey and not compare yourself to younger and/ or more experienced students.

Other common concerns:

What happens if I get injured?  Surprisingly injuries are rare but if they do happen be sure to give yourself time to heal.  Consult with Shifu Jung or Shifu Woolsey on the proper way to treat muscle and tendon issues.  Shifu Jung is trained in Chinese medicinal techniques and can often suggest dietary changes to help your body cope with the new exercise routine.  Keep practicing.  If your injury is located from the waist down you can work on arm movements or weapons.  If it’s from the waist up you can walk through your routine.  If your back is having issues, go through the routines in your head or create diagrams on paper. [In Kung Fu, you are not required to “spar” with other students until your body has adapted to the beginning workouts.  The beginning routines really will increase your strength and flexibility, both of which are vital to avoiding injures.  Especially the Injuries that can happen if one is not a martial artist, like using muscles long forgotten, or tripping over a rug at home.]

If you are having problems remembering routines, try memorizing one step beyond what you know.  It will help even if you only remember turning in a specific direction, a hand movement, or the next foot movement. With experience you’ll start seeing patterns and will retain more.  Write notes about the forms, the simple act of writing something down will often help you remember.  Practice small sections of a form rather than start at the beginning every time.  Break longer forms down into smaller sets of moves.  Forgive yourself for memory lapses, they happen to everyone.  Don't give up, remember that learning a sequence of movement will actually improve cognitive function over time.  That is why martial arts like Kung Fu or Tai Chi are so often recommended by doctors for those struggling with memory issues.  Our mind, just like our bodies falls under the category "Use it or lose it".

Once you get past the self-consciousness, you will find that the physical limitations will begin to lessen after every week.  You will find balance and confidence, and you can amaze your friends and neighbors with your sword wielding technique.  At Monk Wise you will be accepted as an equal, expected to perform as an equal, and feel like you've found a new healthier person inside your baby-boomer body.

Janet Hough - Monk Wise

By Janet Hough

Janet is 55 years old and studies Tai Chi, Qi Gong, and Kung Fu at MonkWise Martial Arts Academy

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Martial Arts After 40, Sang H. kim Ph.D., Turtle Press CT, 2000, Print

Martial Arts Made Friendly, AARP, 29 Aug. 2003. WEB

Kicking From the Hip, Wall Street Journal, Robert Johnson, 15 May 2010. WEB

A Message To Parents and Those Who Wish To Begin A Fate With Martial Arts

Learning martial arts is like fate. If you or your kids are interested in learning it, then you are starting a fate with the martial art. How long does this fate keep going? One part depends on the kid, but it also depends on the parents. In this modern world everyone’s concerned with how fast we can get stuff done, how we can make things work faster. It is important that parents teach their children to conquer all this stress and trouble, to make sure their kids are able to not jump around and learn to stay so can accomplish something in the martial art.

There are many examples that students give up half way through the program. It is really a pity. Learning martial arts is not going to be fast, easy, or simple. To be able to let your body build it up and to let the movement and technology be still, all this needs time to change. To give up halfway, the kids barely get a chance to feel success; all the hard work that kid put in doesn’t even have results. To quit halfway is letting the kid’s future be: learning everything before, but never be good at it, kids will just feel like they can be able to quit anything they want to.

Don’t say “it’s so easy that my kids learn martial arts and he is really great at it” or say “he learned if before but nothing too special.” Even if the student is doing well, but still not a very high level. If they are not good, isn’t it because you want to quit before the kids can grow? Learning martial arts is to let the body be strong and healthy. That is what most people think about, but that is only one simple result from it. Martial arts is also practicing thinking and mood. This is an important part of martial arts. Chinese martial arts is not like fast food, it is more like Chinese food. You need to spend a lot of time to cook it. When you spend a few hours to cook a soup for sure it will be much tastier, and much more savory, than to just put the flavor powder into the water.  Wushu is one type of kung fu, but what is kung fu? Kung fu is time. It doesn’t matter how much you understand Kung Fu, when you persist it will become a habit for the kids. They will not just gain a healthy body.

To really learn kung fu you need to spend a lot of time studying and practicing it. Getting the experience from practice, without the time to shape yourself, will never bee real kung fu. The way to use the martial art is to root it; it’s also the part that keeps people interesting. This is the most valuable part, the part that we cannot throw away, and the part that we cannot ignore. Without this use, the martial arts don’t have any soul. In life’s journey, there are so many people to thank for helping me become who I am, with the heart to give feedback and thanks, to do their best to pass down the knowledge of traditional martial arts. To pass down traditions is a huge thing, to teach the students is a really big responsibility, but also it is a thing to make my heart happy and enjoy. Life is a big circle, a big tai chi, you need to learn to love other people, which means to love yourself, give more than you will get in return, and what you work on is what you will get.

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1500 years ago Bodhidharma came to China and built the Shaolin temple. Monk Wise martial arts academy started in March 2010, restarting the kung fu legend, Monk Wise is the realest, most traditional martial arts center. Monk Wise is built by my two great students Adam and Wei Fo, who both have a great knowledge about martial arts and life. If you are looking for traditional martial arts and traditional Chinese culture, Monk Wise is the place for you to study.

By Lien-Shun Huang

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學習武術是講究緣分的, 如果您的孩子或是您有讓孩子學習的想法, 這便是與武結緣的開始, 這種緣能持續多久, 一方面在於孩子, 更多的一面在於家長. 在這個繁華浮躁, 急功近利的時代, 首先您有沒有做到氣沉丹田, 克服困難和干擾, 堅定讓孩子能夠學習到哪怕是一點有所成的那一刻.

曾有過好多半途而廢的例子, 很讓人遺憾. 武術學習絕不會是這麼的快速, 簡單. 生理機能的提高和動作技能的形成鞏固 都需要時間的轉化. 半途而廢, 孩子的付出還沒有來得及體驗到成功的感覺, 孩子的努力還沒有得到結果. 半途而廢, 更是讓孩子的將來是: 什麼都學過, 什麼都不精, 感覺學什麼都可以中途放棄的.

別輕易說我家孩子學了武術已如何如何的好,或是輕易說我家孩子學了武術也沒怎麼的。即使學的尚且不錯，但也還沒有達到真正的不錯，如果學的不好，是不是因為您沒有耐心等待便要放棄了呢。 習武強健身體，這個是大家普遍的想法，然而強身健體只是武術的一個最簡的作用了，武術的練習更加煉的是人的思想、心境，而這正是武術一個重要的價值所在。中國武術，不是外國的快餐，它如中國的飲食，是慢慢精心烹調出來的，幾個鐘頭熬出來的湯，是不是要比一包湯料粉兌白開水的味道入口更醇厚、更回味無窮呢？ 武術是功夫的一種，那功夫又是什麼呢？ 功夫是時間…… 無論您對武術瞭解多少，當您的堅持成為孩子的一種習慣時，孩子的收穫遠不止一個強健的身體。

真功夫是需要一招一式細心揣摩的,勤學苦練，在實戰中不斷增加經驗，不經過時間的磨礪不可能練出真功夫。拳的用法是拳術之根本，習武之人興趣之所在，最為寶貴、最不應丟棄、更不能忽視的東西，如沒有拳的用法，拳就沒有了靈魂。生命的旅程中能有今日的成就,要感激的人太多,懷着回饋感恩的心,進一己棉薄之力,為國術薪火相傳而努力,傳承的大事,對後輩的教導是責無旁貸,也是心靈豐滿喜悅的來源.付出越多,收穫越大,生命是一個大圓圈大太極,愛別人就是愛自己,付出什麼,收到就是什麼。

一千五百年前，達摩祖師東渡中國，創設了少林寺。 金剛般若武術學院2010年3月開始，共創少林傳奇,是全美最傳統.最正宗武術學院~ [禪武不二之大門].金剛般若武術學院是在我兩位得意入門弟子 亞當 和偉佛 所開的武館, 他們兩位都有非常好的武術基礎和武術思想,如果你想要尋找的是傳統武術, 傳統文化. 金剛般若武術學院將會是你想要學習的地方.

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