What is White Phoenix Kung Fu?

Kung Fu refers to a discipline that is practiced diligently over time.  So one could practice flower arranging as their “Kung Fu.”  Kung Fu then is a very personal experience.  Kung Fu is often associated with the fighting/martial arts due to the physical and mental commitment that they require.

How does White Phoenix define a Martial Art?

This question is extremely important to any student because the answer will dictate what is studied and how the material is applied to a given situation.  For example is “Boxing” a martial art or is it a “sport?”  Obviously it uses martial techniques and concepts in its execution.  (i.e. punching, body movements, and strategy) But we define an “Art” as a course of study that has no prohibitive rules of conduct when facing an attacker.  A boxer would not be able to throw a kick, elbow, sweep, or pressure point attack without being disqualified, so these concepts are not “studied” and practiced as part of their curriculum.  Judo, Karate, Taekwondo, Aikido, kickboxing, MMA are considered martial sports or martial ways/philosophies because their focus is on methodology rather than creative strategies that their opponent is unprepared or unable to deal with.  (i.e. a boxer does not expect to be attacked with a sword inside the ring).  This does not mean that a boxer would be unsuccessful against an armed assailant, it just means that defending against such an attack is not part of their course of study.  Another example is the Gracie Jujitsu System is excellent in developing ground based attacks and defense but they do not promote going to the ground when in a street fight.

White Phoenix embraces all aspects of the combative realm.  We are always learning.  We seek to produce the smartest most well rounded students that we can – at every level. Because we are a “Family Style Art” we are not limited by content or context thus we often seek to understand other’s materials to better defend against those techniques.

Overall what can I expect to learn from White Phoenix Kung Fu?

We include in our training: punching, kicking, striking, trapping, locks, holds, sweeps, throws, ground fighting, and weapons.

To study and make effective this list of strategies is a very ambitious undertaking.  This is the essence of Kung Fu.  But it requires personal commitment and time.  There is always more to learn and never enough time to learn all the things we want to.  So the true Kung Fu is in the striving and working towards the goal with the understanding that complete mastery is always elusive.