Wah Lum has a long history, with deeply held traditions that intertwine the school with many aspects of martial and Chinese culture, including philosophy. The importance of the three pillars of Chinese philosophy (Taoism, Buddhism, and Confucianism) to the history of China, and all of its cultural institutions large and small, is difficult to overstate. What’s more, these philosophical traditions continue to permeate, and indeed shape, China and its institutions even today. Beyond the martial knowledge contained in the movements, a culture and worldview is woven into the fabric of traditional kung fu.

What a student won’t find here are shaved heads, monastic rituals, or imposed adherence to particular structures of belief. Though the famous lineage of the school traces its history to more than one monastery, today’s school is led by a kung fu temple, not a Buddhist one. As kung fu in English means “hard work,” what a student will find is a group of dedicated martial artists who value and continually strive to cultivate patience, will power, humility, and fellowship through the physical practice of kung fu. Things of great value require hard work.

The martial path prizes practical philosophy as it is rooted in a distinctly practical art—combat. Through the practice of fighting movements and applications martial artists discover their strengths and weaknesses, and how to improve both. Through diligent practice, you can begin to change your mental habits and framework. At first you may practice a sequence long enough that it no longer takes conscious thought to execute the movements. You may eventually notice that you can use a defense and counter without thinking. Still later, you may find yourself looking at the world around you with a different perspective: whether due to changes within yourself, your relationship to the world around you, or a combination of both. The training of the body has long been recognized as a means to achieve deeper contemplation, to train the mind. Many of the masters who developed kung fu and trained others in the discipline did so with this ultimate goal in mind. This ultimate goal is much larger than the trappings of fighting or the glory of championships. These kinds of changes in perspective constitute the framework for practical philosophy. It’s this philosophy that is at the heart of the traditional martial path.

As a practical matter, you will find a depth of material: hand forms, two person sets, weapons; long range techniques, short range techniques; hard and soft movements; defenses, strikes, kicks, sweeps, and takedowns. Kung fu will challenge you to improve your balance, coordination, range of motion, fluidity, strength, power, endurance—even your memory. Though it’s your path, no one walks alone. There will be plenty of guidance, support, and friendly nudging from all who study and train to better themselves. The community presents a lens through which to see your progression and inevitable stumbles, and insures the system itself does not just exist, but continues to grow and dynamically change. Just as any technique requires a good fighter to work, a venerable system needs a good community to keep it venerable. Such practicality is found in all elements of the martial way.

Just because you practice kung fu does not mean that you will find peace, contentment, physical mastery, fighting skill, or enlightenment. Kung fu can only provide a path; it’s the culmination of your own steps that add up to your success. Though you might be surprised by what you uncover, you will only take from your practice as much as you put into it.

See you in class! ★