Tuesday, August 5, 2014

Kung Fu: Origin, History and Benefits


Kung Fu: Origin, History and Benefits
written by: Master McCorry

How Kung Fu Came into Being
Though Kung Fu has become popular throughout the world, it is a martial art that keeps the essence of Chinese tradition at its core. As defense techniques, Chinese martial arts took birth during the ancient quasi-legendary Xia dynasty under the reign of mythical King Huang Di, who promoted them as an essential skill to be used in battles. Many of the rulers who followed kept these combat techniques as a core strategy in their defense planning. During the reign of the Ming and Qing dynasties, these rudimentary Chinese arts got consolidated to a somewhat modern form called Wushu, also known as Kung Fu.
Bodhidharma
Throughout the centuries, these arts imbibed the Chinese philosophies, traditions and religious heritage, which led to their expansion beyond the original aim of defense. Kung Fu, in its modernized form, developed a philosophical base of its own. There was also focus on the peaceful aspects of the art, and a subsequent reduction in the aggressive defense aspects. Elementary forms of Kung Fu were taught since its origins in Shaolin Temple, a famous Buddhist monastery of China. The many forms taught there were refined by a monk named Bodhidharma. The new style became renowned as Shaolin Kung Fu. Gradually Kung Fu started becoming popular and numerous branches, sub-branches and styles developed with subtle differences.

Bruce McCorry at the Shaolin Temple
Learning Kung Fu: The Benefits Today, Kung Fu is one of the most admired martial arts of the world. It has found aspirants, learners and teachers all over the globe. This journey of Kung Fu from the status of a combat technique to a globally-loved martial art is not without reasons. There are many reasons why new learners are attracted to Kung Fu.
· Kung Fu for Fitness: Kung Fu burns off calories faster than many other workouts. It can give you a toned and fit body as it redistributes accumulated fat to where the body needs it.

· Kung Fu for Health: Kung Fu reduces the chance of lifestyle diseases. It boosts overall health by improving blood circulation, cardiac health and immunity.

· Kung Fu for Defense: Though it is not as defense-oriented as it used to be, Kung Fu can still help you out of a danger. You can protect yourselves by learning new moves as well as enhancing physical strength.

· Kung Fu for Self-Esteem: Martial arts in general, and Kung Fu in particular, have been proven to increase self-confidence and self-worth.

· Kung Fu for a Calm Life: Kung Fu reduces stress and does the benefit of a meditation. You can use Kung Fu to sooth yourself and prepare for another day effectively.
Choose Bruce McCorry’s Academy for Quality Kung Fu Lessons Bruce McCorry’s Martial Arts Academy (Peabody MA) offers Kung Fu lessons that are aimed at the inclusive development of the learner. The lessons at Bruce McCorry’s concentrate on how a student’s natural abilities can be boosted with learnt movements of hands and knees. The classes at Bruce McCorry’s follow a comprehensive approach that includes the basic moves of Kung Fu, hand-based and weapon-based styles, an introduction to the historical and philosophical aspects, as well as meditative sessions. Experience the goodness of professional Kung Fu at Bruce McCorry’s Academy!

Friday, August 1, 2014

Self-Defense to Prevent Bullying

Self-Defense to Prevent Bullying: The Martial Arts Way
written by: Master McCorry
On the eve of 31st July, the Twitter users around the world were amused to see 'Tomorrow is August' trending. It turned out to be a trend made up of the tweets of schoolchildren worldwide, who realized that school was just a month away. Apart from the usual complaints and jokes on Twitter, it sadly points out how our children have started dreading school. If we think about it, this does not come as a surprise. Unlike the old times, it is not only the summer homework and exams that make children dread school.
The most recent statistics in the United States shows that the percentage of bullying incidents reported in 2014 was 83% and 79% in girls and boys respectively. This includes both 'real life bullying' as well as the newer and more destructive cyber bullying. This report by the Health and Human Service Department (DHHS) is not a happy read for the parents who are getting ready to send their children to school in a month. It shows how important it is to teach children to defend themselves.
An Easy-to-Master Self Defense: Martial Arts There are many benefits of learning martial arts, including health, immunity and mental development. Beyond all that, martial arts is the best self-defense training. It can be used to combat bullying. Defending oneself from bullying does not just mean being physically stronger. Of course, martial arts make children stronger. More than that, martial arts gives them the self-confidence and courage to stand up for themselves and their friends. It is proven by psychologists that martial arts can encourage positive feelings like self-esteem, courage and optimism. When kids have these qualities along with the basic physical skill for self-defense, no one can take advantage of them.
Eventually, bullying is not just the one challenge that awaits children at school. There are many of them – peer pressure, stress from class work, competitive atmosphere and exhausting school hours. Martial arts can aid children in surpassing each of these hurdles. It can help them to assert themselves positively and work without stress. Martial arts can also prevent the usual teenage worries including the concerns of growing up. Afterschool Martial Arts at Bruce McCorry’s Afterschool martial arts lessons are a fitting and practical way to learn martial arts. It is suitable because it does not take up the precious weekend time of children. It is practical, because afterschool hours are the right time for children to engage in something relaxing and stress-busting. An hour of martial arts will refresh them after their school.
The Afterschool Martial Arts Program (AMP) is a notable venture by the Bruce McCorry’s academy. With a structured syllabus that is nationally recognized, AMP is a good alternative for the common afterschool care systems. Children can learn something unique, and their thought process will broaden as a result of the interaction with seniors and instructors. Bruce McCorry's offers transport facility from the school to the Bruce McCorry’s campus, which is an added benefit. In Bruce McCorry’s afterschool program, the teachers target the comprehensive development of the health and character of the child. Admissions are now open to the program, with a new syllabus refined by experts. 

Learn martial arts at Bruce McCorry’s and learn how to stand up to bullying with Bruce McCorry's Martial Arts Afterschool Program as well as all their other martial art programs tailored to both children and adults.   www.BruceMcCorrys.com