Where does our Mizong quan come from?

Shifu Gary Matthews has trained directly under Master Lu Jun Hai since 1999 and in 2004 was chosen to become a 7th generation disciple of Mizong quan and 9th generation disciple of Qingping jian. Master Lu started his training at 6 years old under his father Master Lu Zhen Duo (a well-known full contact Lei Tai champion and bodyguard), training seven days a week and testing his Mizong on the tough streets of Shanghai. Find out more here: Mizong kung fu - Zhen Wei Academy UK (weebly.com)

What does our Mizong quan consist of?

There are various elements to our Mizong quan which include:

1. Taolu: these are our forms or series of techniques, that not only inform us of the techniques and strategies from the Mizong Quan system but are also designed to strengthen the muscles and tendons, fitness and flexibility of the students.
2. Applications: We work on techniques and strategies for both self-defence and sport fighting, studying the difference between the two methods. We look at developing distancing and timing, speed, power and accuracy. How and why a technique works and when it won't. You will learn How to use body structure and leverage to overcome size and strength. Our techniques include punching, kicking, elbows, knees, joint locks, throws and ground boxing.
3. Reeling silk power generation: Mizong quan is a fast and illusive system and has a specific way of generating power via the corkscrewing reeling silk similar to that used by Chen Tai Chi.
4. Iron skills: Conditioning is important, not only for health but so that your body and hands become able to withstand the pressures put on them, basically hit harder and take less damage.
5. Soft bone arts: One of the 72 skills of Shaolin, Mizong quan requires flexible but strong muscles and tendons. We do this through a mix of dynamic, static, isometric and ballistic stretching techniques.
6. Weapons:  We have over 13 weapons/combinations of weapons including sword and staff sparring.
   

 
Our Mizong quan will develop both your aerobic and anaerobic fitness due to the long form work and continuous explosive movements, I was personally fitter training in this style of kung fu than when I was a much younger kick-boxer. We build strong flexible muscles through our forms and stretching routines, a great way to keep your body young and we have plenty of students claiming body shape changes and fitness increases.

2. You will get stronger:

Build muscular strength and muscular endurance. We jump, we crouch, we stand solidly and we move lightly. You will learn to move your body explosively in extreme ranges, building legs and body made of steel and as flexible as elastic. But this doesn't just mean your body, we also develop the mind so that it can be calmer under pressure and better able to deal with life's stresses.

3. You will feel less stressed:

Physical exercise will flood the body with endorphins, a chemical in the body which interacts with the receptors in your brain that reduce your perception of pain. Endorphins also trigger a positive feeling in the body, similar to that of morphine. Added to this our bodies react to stress physically even if our stress isn't physical in nature, by replicating combat through movement or on the pads we trick the body into thinking that we are dealing with the stress in the way it needs.

4. You will learn to defend yourself:

Self defence is a vast and often misunderstood idea, put simply: You will defend your body by making it stronger and healthier. You will defend your mind by making it calmer and less stressed. You will learn techniques proven to work on the streets of Shanghai and in competition. You will learn to develop your awareness. You will learn strategies and tricks to deal with conflict. Having the confidence to deal with conflict verbally or physically along with the achievement of your fitness goals, will dramatically boost your self-esteem.

5. You will make friends:

Traditionally when you trained under a master or teacher in the Chinese martial arts you would join their family and often live with them (don't worry we don't do that anymore,) the teacher would need to be sure that he could pass on his secrets to a trustworthy person and who better than a family member. Joining a class you become a part of a group of people that train together and sweat together with similar interests and goals, no ego, just fun and hard work. This is often referred to as a kung fu family.