Martial arts have long been a subject of interest ranging from casual to borderline obsessive in American culture. Kung Fu in particular has become undeniably seared into the consciousness of American pop culture. One need not look very hard to find a Kung Fu reference in the media.

Be it Keanu Reeves’ blank proclamation of “I know Kung Fu” in “The Matrix” or the comedic bliss often derived from Carl Douglas’ classic hit “Kung-Fu Fighting,” one thing is for certain-Americans love Kung Fu.

Many Americans also have little idea of where Kung Fu (which is traditionally known as Wushu) comes from, when it was developed or what it takes to practice it. Students that daydream about becoming the next Jet-Li, wish to get a little exercise or simply attain a better understanding of Wushu are invited to contact the Sacramento State Martial Arts Club.

The club’s Wushu group encourages martial artists to train and hone their skills under the guidance of instructor Michael Chen, a Sac State graduate student and former Wushu tournament competitor.Stephanie Sumner, Ken Ng and Casey Kongpanickul earned silver medals last Saturday at the 14th Annual UC Berkeley Chinese Martial Arts Tournament.

“We offer the same quality courses and teach the same stuff as a lot of the schools outside,” Chen said at the group’s Thursday practice. “We charge less because of the school club. We’re not in direct competition with those (local) guys, but it’s a lot cheaper here because we don’t have to pay any rent.”

Wushu, which literally means “martial art” in Chinese, is generally interpreted in two ways. The traditional use of the word encapsulates the whole of Chinese martial arts. Hundreds of martial arts styles have been developed within China over the course of more than 2,000 years, so the term is a bit vague when describing specific disciplines. Wushu’s origins have been traced as far back as the Shang Dynasty (1766 BC – 1122 BC) when various forms of unarmed combat used in the military were perfected and documented. Eventually the techniques evolved throughout China over centuries, particularly in the temples of Shaolin monks.

Modern or “contemporary” Wushu or “Wushu sport” is the competitive interpretation of the various styles and disciplines typically taught within the traditional Wushu system. It has become less combat-oriented over the past several decades and is a technical spectator sport in line with gymnastics.

Specific styles are differentiated using region or application. Northern Wushu styles put a focus on agility, kicking and fluid movement while southern styles emphasize upper-body strength techniques and more rigid stances. They are also separated by the application of the techniques involved. External styles, such as Changquan (longfist) are combat-oriented while internal styles, such as Tai Chi focus on balance, slow deliberate movements and meditative principles.

Chen teaches a mixture of styles and techniques from the external side of Wushu including weapons and form (choreographed sequence) training at the group’s 6:30 p.m. Thursday meetings in Yosemite 187.

Students that spend enough time training in the program eventually learn to artfully (and practically) wield weapons such as the Chinese straight sword, broadsword and chain whip. Some students even get the opportunity to learn Drunken Fist and Mantis.

Students spend many hours stretching, conditioning themselves, perfecting techniques and forms, and then stretching even more.

Wushu, which when performed at a high level rivals gymnastics in terms of flexibility and athletic difficulty, demands practitioners become limber. Chen admitted that Wushu isn’t something that can be figured out overnight.

“Along with the Brazilian martial art of Capoeira (which resembles professional break dancing), Wushu is among the most demanding martial arts,” Chen said.

The Martial Arts Club is open to anybody. Sac State students pay a $50 club fee and non-students pay $75. The fee covers tournament expenses.

In China, competitive practitioners of Wushu typically begin their training early in childhood. The Sac State Wushu group is composed of men and women of varying ages and skill levels.

Dung Pham, a senior computer science major, has been with the group for two semesters and has progressed so quickly he now competes in tournaments.

Pham said because he’d “always been interested in martial arts” he joined the team with no experience. This summer Pham will travel to study Wushu in Beijing, China.

Chris Shannon, a senior government and philosophy major, has been in the Wushu program for three semesters after initially starting out in the Martial Arts Club’s Tai Chi group.

“I saw them always (practicing) and said ‘I can’t do that,’ but if the average person worked at it, they can do it,” Shannon said.

Chen said situational security of working within the Sac State’s club system gives him an opportunity to teach Wushu without financial influence.

“My students know the practical (self-defense) applications of the techniques,” Chen said in reference to income-focused instruction. “If your motivation is money then you’ll teach them different. That’s not what I’m about.”

Aubrey Henry can be reached at [email protected]