Is a part of the Foundation of Martial Arts Dojos (SMAD). This Foundation serves as  a umbrella organisation for the preservation en promotion of Chinese Martial Arts and likewise. By offering trainingspace, financial support and trainingsmaterials SMAD has the purpose to spread Martial Arts because of the art aspect and not the sport. In our Martial Arts we put selfdefence and harmony between body and mind central. Currently our organisation promotes Shaolin Kung Fu. Our goal is to support all members of SMAD in their developement.

Wŭ Yùansú is the name of our school. Roughly translated from Chinees it means: “Five elements”. According to ancient Chinese belief  our world  is build of five natural elements that occur everywhere.

These are: Earth, Water, Fire, Wood and Metal. These five elements are the basis of all our ideas, movements and theories that are practiced in this art..

Shàolín Quán is the name of the fighting style. Shàolín is also the name of an 1500 year old monastery in North China where, according to legends, all martial arts where born. Shàolín Quán is the fighting style prefferd by the monks living at the Temple and has become famous for the television series Kung Fu from the 70 's and movies like Shaolin Temple. Next to that, Shaolin Monks have been touring worldwide performing and demonstrating their art to the public.

Kūng Fū means that we are talking about the traditional Chinese Martial Art.

Nowadays the term Wu Shu is very popular, however this discribes the sport version of the traditional Chinese Martial Arts. They have a different goal, namely to practice sport, win prices and positions. They can not be compaired with the traditional Chinese Martial Art as the many rules and regulations restricts its use.

In the Wŭ Yùansú Shàolín Kūng Fū school classes are taught in the traditionele Shàolín Kūng Fū style, just like the monks still practice today. The Shàolín style comprise of many different styles. You will learn the use of different weapons, like long, short, flexible or projectile weapons. Shàolin Quán as it is officially named, is simple in execution, fast and agile, surprising and hard. The styles motto goes:

“Shàolín Quán moves according a straight line, never fully extended but always slightly bent.”

Classes are taught with the emphasis on a good collaboration and health of body and mind. Classes start at a simple basic level and will slowly grow to the more advanced movements and exercises of the Shàolín style.

Next to the technical part of Shaolin Kung Fu you can also learn:

· theory of the five elements.

· meditationtechniques.

· Tai Chi and Qì gōng exercises.

· outdoor training during the day and at night.

· extra activities.

Classes are structured so everybody can follow them under the guidance of a teacher/coach. Here the beginner learns basics, hand and foot movements positions and greetings. Sparring is only a small part of our training, our emphasis lies on health, technical perfection and mental completion. We see Martial Arts sport as an emotional and technical skill test, rather than the ultimate goal.

We start training with warming up, stretching and agility, conditioning of the body and other specific exercises and basic skills. Following this by practial uses of basic movements, learning new skills and repetition of previous movements.

We pay special attention to expression, explosiveness, condition, agility, strenght, stamina, mental state of mind and use of Qi energy (mostly in the form of breathing).

Classes are set up to teach new and old material together. We encourage pupils to train as much as possible at home or in spare time. This way our classes can function as a corrective instrument to correct mistakes and teach new movements. Self training is the only way to reach a higher level.

Our school doesn't use any graduation system, this because in China people usually expect you to remember and practice what you have learned. During practice fights and in real life it will become clear whether you have learned something or not.

In the West we however demand recocnition for our achievments, that  is why we work with an diploma. These are tot distinguish beginners from advanced pupils. In order to get a diploma the pupil needs to perform the requested exercises well and to answer technical and theoretical questions. Here your personal experience and responsebilities will come in handy.

At the Wu Yuansu Shaolin Kung Fu school we learn and practice the Shaolin style followed by the practical use of the five elements theory. We learn:

Greetings, Positions, Wu Bu LianHuan Quan, Xiaohong Quan, Shaolin Basisctechniques (Ji Ben Gong), escapes, grappling, holdings, small acrobatics and weapons. Non style bound practical (weapon)tecniques, Qi Gong exercises, strategie and tactics, methodes of healing, meditation,  and Buddhist Philosophy.

We allso organise extra activities such as: climbing, rappelling, night exercises, city and woodland survival, lasershooting, Paintball and airsoft. Athletics, modern weapons and communication, security and bodyguarding.

For all you people out there who likes a challenge, culture and exitement, who want to gain more confidence and be active. For people who want to learn to defend themselfs and be more assertive.

Just drop by and make your own mind up, get your own impressions and train the first lesson for free!

I hope you will enjoy it as much as I do.

Maurice Kleijnen

Head coach Shaolin Kung Fu