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Yes, it's gym class, grasshopper

York schools add kung fu to phys-ed Martial art teaches conditioning

TESS KALINOWSKI
EDUCATION REPORTER

One of the world's oldest forms of physical conditioning has become the last word in gym class at the York Region District School Board.

The board says it is the first in Canada to introduce Chinese martial arts into its physical education curriculum.

While the kung fu program being introduced this week to some students in Grades 4 to 6 promotes physical conditioning and healthy lifestyle choices, it's also part of the board's effort to make its curriculum more inclusive.

"We're trying to provide as many opportunities as possible for students to have variety in their health and physical education curriculum, but there's a rationale of making the curriculum as inclusive as possible," said Heather Sears, a curriculum consultant, who is one of six teachers trained in kung fu by the Canadian Chinese Martial Arts Federation.

Census data released late last year shows that 18.77 per cent of Richmond Hill residents and 25.89 per cent of Markham's population have a Chinese language as a mother tongue, up 37 per cent and 43 per cent respectively since 1996.

Kung fu is about refining a person's mind and character as well as the body, said Sears, who notes that the martial arts can also be incorporated into other aspects of the curriculum, including the study of ancient civilizations or the human body.

The martial arts federation approached the board last year. Since then, six York teachers have been trained. They will be training 29 of their colleagues this week so that kung fu classes can begin in schools immediately, Sears said. As well, the federation has developed a training manual and video to support the teachers.

Teachers who have taken the training "think that it's innovative. They see it as being a wonderful means to promoting a healthy, active lifestyle and they see it as being inclusive," said Sears.

"It's so different. I've never done anything like that," said Michelle Lang, a 9-year-old student at W.J. Watson Public School in Keswick, who participated in a workshop last night.

"It's supposed to help you build up your body and make you nice and strong and active," said Michelle, who lives in Newmarket.

She has a friend who takes karate, but until now her gym classes have been routine games of basketball and volleyball.

Kung fu master Lee Chi Wai of the martial arts federation, who designed the program, has been practising Chinese martial arts for 30 years.

He stressed that it's a non-violent means of conditioning the body and mind.

"If you want to fight, don't learn martial arts. Only a very small part is about self-defence. Everybody knows how to fight already. That's from nature," he said.

Kung fu teaches how to avoid conflict.

"There's no other sport that teaches that same discipline," he said.

Students learn four aspects of kung fu: the history; the reasons behind the practice of martial arts; the ethical or philosophical aspect, and the foundations of body movement.

Lee points out that the conditioning will help children in various sports, and there's an emphasis on proper stretching and avoiding injury.

Lee says the exercise, which promotes self-esteem, is also an excellent means of keeping girls interested in how and why their bodies move, and encouraging them to stay active.

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