Kung Fu

The Karate Kid, Real Kung Fu

As a Kung Fu Master I feel that The Karate Kid which is called Kung Fu Dream in China is a great movie portraying the true meaning of kung fu. Honor, Respect, Discipline, Loyalty, Focus and dealing with Bullies is the message of The Karate Kid, the top box office hit on opening week brings us. Yet, it also shows the moves and techniques of real kung fu such as punches, kicks, elbows, knees, throws, sweeps and fighting on the ground. I’m a great fan of the Karate Kid movies. The original Karate Kid in 1984 gave us a great message and all parents were looking for a real life Mr. Miagi to change their child’s life as he did for Daniel.

The Karate Kid is the story of a kid Dre (Jaden Smith) who moves to China with his mom and as soon as he gets there gets beat up by a few bullies that train in Kung Fu. Dre had practice some Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and Capoeira in Detroit and after getting beat by up by bullies tries to learn to defend himself by taking karate lessons on TV. Mr. Han (Jackie Chan) helps him by stopping the bullies from beating up and starts teaching him real kung fu. Han teaches him the true meaning of kung fu which is life skills. Han tells Dre that  “Kung Fu is Everything!” Mr. Han is correct Kung Fu translates to hard work and everything that you do is kung fu. Since 1998 we have been teaching children in Doral authentic kung fu. We always ask parents why they want their child to learn kung fu. The most common answers are Honor, Respect, Discipline, Loyalty, Focus and how to defend against Bullies. This and more you’ll find in the Karate Kid movie and at our kung fu school.

With shows like The Ultimate Fighter showing the dark side of the martial arts The Karate Kid is bringing back the true meaning of the martial arts to the silver screen. In The Karate Kid the villain school the Fighting Dragons’ foreshadows today’s MMA gyms. Could the traditional kung fu philosophy of The Karate Kid change the negative image that the UFC/MMA and the Ultimate Fighter reality TV show have done for the martial arts? After watching the thug like attitude and lack of respect, lack of loyalty, cursing and bad sportsmanship shown in MMA matches and in the MMA reality TV shows many parents feel the martial arts have become a violent sport just like the Fighting Dragons. At Anta’s Fitness and Self Defense we also have MMA, grappling and Muay Thai classes taught with bowing, respect and traditional values. Yet, with the negative image of the typical MMA fighter and MMA gyms it is hard to convince parents that we can teach MMA in a positive, non violent and productive manner.

I remember in 1972 watching the pilot for Kung Fu the TV series on ABC. Even though the kung fu techniques were terrible the message was amazing. Later the Bruce Lee and other kung fu movies came to America. I stopped doing karate and had to start studying kung fu, over 30 years later I still have the kung fu bug. For this generation we have The Karate Kid and coming in July the Last Airbender. Kung Fu is back just when we need it the most to help teach our youth values, fitness and self defense!

 

Learn Kung Fu Like in The Karate Kid

You don’t have to go to China to learn the true meaning of authentic Kung Fu. You can learn “Respect, Discipline, Loyalty and Self Confidence” the essence of the new Karate Kid movie featuring Jaden Smith and Jackie Chan right here in Miami (Doral) at Anta’s Kung Fu. Since 1998 Kung Fu Master Julio Anta has been changing children’s lives by teaching the true meaning of Kung Fu right here in Miami. Anta teaches students 3 years old to adults respect, discipline, loyalty, self confidence and how to deal with bullies. His tool is the ancient art of Chinese Kung Fu, philosophy, traditional forms, weapons, sparring and self defense just like in The Karate Kid.

When most people think of martial arts today they think of cage fighting since the Ultimate Fighter is the highest rated TV show on Spike and the UFC out sells all pay per view events. In these events MMA (mixed martial arts) fighters show lack of respect and discipline. The violence of MMA has given a false image and has hurt the martial arts. This movie is a great parenting tool in an era where martial arts are getting negative publicity with the violence that the movies and video games portray and the growth of MMA.

Set in modern day China, The Karate Kid tells the story of Dre Parker (Jaden Smith), an American 12 year old that moves to China with his mother and finds himself unexpectedly affected by his encounters with the local bullies. Luckily he meets Mr. Han (Jackie Chan) a kung fu master who teaches him the fighting art and self defense techniques of kung fu along with the true meaning respect, discipline and loyalty.

Julio Anta Kung Fu Master and owner of Anta’s Fitness and Self Defense said “Most parents enroll their children in a martial arts program to teach them respect, self defense, to learn to deal with bullies, discipline, virtue, perseverance, to learn to succeed and get good grades. Yet, when they see a UFC match they feel that martial arts are all about violence. I love the UFC yet not the lack of respect that some of the competitors have. This movie will educate people of the values and philosophy taught in Kung Fu just like the Karate Kid did in the 80’s giving Kung Fu and the martial arts a positive image.”

Anta’s Fitness and Self Defense is a family ran and operated business. Anta’s wife is the programs director and teaches Piloxing and Pilates, their son Julio teaches at the center and at Dr Rolando Espinosa K-8, his cousin Hector Arcia also teaches at the center and at Divine Savior Lutheran Academy and their youngest son Jon Paul also teaches at Anta’s Fitness and Self Defense.