Learn Sanda directly in China with us and discover the original power of this martial art. Our experienced teachers will help you learn the basics of striking, kicking, and throwing techniques and improve your skills. Amidst the fascinating Chinese culture and history, you will have an unforgettable and intense experience that will take your Sanda practice to a new level and promote your overall well-being. Join our training program and immerse yourself in the world of Sanda.
As a combat and self-defense sport, Sanda is also known as Chinese boxing or Chinese kickboxing, and goes by the name Sanshou. It is an essential part of Chinese Wushu and has evolved over the years into a unique national sport of China. Sanda has a rich history, in which it has been constantly developed and spread over many years.
Sanda originated from ancient hunters and gatherers, who developed their combat and defense techniques by observing animals in order to ensure their survival in combat. These techniques were refined over time and passed down from generation to generation.
Sanda, also known as Chinese kickboxing, has its roots in the Chinese martial art of Kung Fu. This martial art had been practiced in China for centuries and had developed various styles and techniques. Over time, these styles were further developed and adapted to create more effective combat techniques.
In the 1920s and 1930s, a new martial art called Kuoshu emerged in China, which was a combination of different fighting styles, including Kung Fu, kickboxing, and wrestling. Kuoshu was taught in Chinese military academies and was a highly effective martial art suitable for both close combat and the use of weapons.
In the 1950s, Chinese kickboxing was further developed and given the name “Sanda”. The techniques in Sanda include punches, kicks, throws, and locks, as well as knee and elbow strikes. A unique feature of Sanda is that it allows throwing the opponent and fighting on the ground. These techniques are often used in conjunction with wrestling and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
In the 1980s, Sanda finally became an official competitive discipline, represented in national and international tournaments and championships. Today, Sanda is a globally recognized martial art and is practiced by martial artists worldwide.
Sanda is a highly dynamic and action-packed martial art often compared to kickboxing. In competition, two fighters face off in a ring and attempt to either incapacitate the opponent with punches and kicks or defeat them through throws and ground fighting techniques. A match usually consists of three rounds, each lasting two minutes.
Over time, many famous martial artists have left their mark in Sanda. One of the most famous Sanda fighters is Chinese athlete Liu Hailong, who has won multiple world championships. American fighter Cung Le, a former MMA fighter, also has roots in Sanda.
Sanda offers a unique combat philosophy that promotes both physical and mental health. It requires a high degree of discipline, concentration, and physical fitness to be successful. If you are interested in martial arts, you should definitely try Sanda!
Train like Sanda fighter:
Focus on strength, speed and endurance, improve your stability and striking power, train your reflexes and reaction time, and practice various techniques such as throws, strikes and kicks to prepare for a variety of combat situations.
The basics of Sanda go beyond mere knowledge of the different techniques. It’s about creating a solid foundation for training and developing one’s own skills. Footwork, striking techniques, kicks, throws, locks, and holds are just a part of it. It’s also about posture, breathing, concentration, and reaction time. A good Sanda fighter must master all these aspects and be able to apply them situationally in combat.
Striking techniques are an important component in Sanda. They enable the fighter to attack effectively and defeat the opponent. There are different strikes, such as straight punches, hooks, uppercuts, and side punches. The key to successful strikes is speed, precision, and timing. The fighter must be able to react quickly and place their strikes accurately to hit the opponent. Strong posture and good technique are crucial.
Kicks are another important element of Sanda and can be used in various situations. There are different kicks, such as front kicks, side kicks, roundhouse kicks, and axe kicks. These techniques require good balance and body control. The fighter must be able to kick quickly and effectively to defeat their opponent. Kick techniques are also an effective way to keep the opponent at a distance and pursue an offensive or defensive strategy.
Throws and locks are important techniques in Sanda and allow the fighter to quickly bring the opponent to the ground and put them in a disadvantaged position. Throws and locks require good technique and a solid foundation in terms of posture and balance. When used correctly, however, they can be extremely effective and significantly influence the outcome of the fight.
Sanda is not only an effective form of self-defense, but also a popular combat sport practiced by numerous athletes around the world. There are international competitions such as the World Sanda Championships where fighters from all over the world compete against each other. In the competition, two fighters face each other and try to defeat their opponent through strikes, kicks, throws, and joint locks. Competitions require intensive preparation and a high level of physical fitness and mental strength.
"Success doesn't come by itself, but through hard work and dedication." – Manny Pacquiao
Sanda is an exciting martial art that is a mixture of boxing, kickboxing, judo, and wrestling. Sanda training is a great way to improve fitness, develop combat skills, and boost self-confidence. It is also suitable for beginners as it offers training at different levels, from fundamentals to advanced techniques. Even if you have no martial arts experience, you can easily get into the training. Our experienced Sanda trainers will help you improve your techniques and teach you how to execute movements correctly to avoid injuries.
For advanced Sanda fighters, there are many ways to intensify training. Training may involve developing complex combinations of techniques, improving reflexes, and enhancing speed. There are also special training methods for competition that aim to simulate competition conditions as accurately as possible.
Sanda is also a great choice for women to learn self-defense skills and build confidence. Women can benefit from the physical and mental advantages of the sport and feel safer and more confident in potentially dangerous situations.
In Sanda, conditioning training is an important component for success. Conditioning training involves training your endurance, strength, flexibility, and speed. Each of these aspects is important for improving your skills in Sanda.
Endurance training is crucial to maintaining your strength and speed. It involves exercises like jogging, jumping rope, cycling, and swimming to improve your cardiovascular fitness. It’s important to start slowly and gradually increase the intensity and duration of your endurance exercises to avoid overload and injury. Good endurance performance is important in Sanda because fights often last long and being in good physical shape helps you endure training and fight more effectively.
Strength training is also important for building your muscles and strength. Training may involve weight lifting, bodyweight exercises like push-ups and pull-ups. The goal is to build a solid foundation of strength to be able to execute punches and kicks with greater force and effectiveness during fights. Our experienced trainers will show you exercises that target specific muscle groups in Sanda to ensure you have the necessary strength.
Flexibility is another important aspect of conditioning training in Sanda. It refers to how far and how fast you can move. It’s important to stretch regularly and perform exercises to keep your joints flexible and mobile. Our experienced trainers will also show you special exercises to improve your flexibility, such as jump training and plyometrics.
Speed is another important aspect of conditioning training in Sanda. It refers to how quickly you can perform your techniques. A faster reaction and movement are an advantage in Sanda to quickly respond to your opponent’s attacks and execute effective techniques. Speed training may include jump training, sprint training, and specific exercises to improve your reaction time.
Overall, conditioning training is an important component of Sanda training to improve your skills and performance in the ring. Good conditioning enables you to execute techniques more effectively and fight longer, which is advantageous in Sanda. An experienced trainer can help you develop a conditioning program tailored to your specific needs and goals.
All-inclusive Full-time Training
Our all-inclusive full-time training allows you to learn quickly and improve your skills in the shortest amount of time possible. We train in small groups for 6 days a week and over 6 hours per day.
Learn more about our trainingSanda is a martial art developed in China and evolved from various Chinese martial arts such as Kung Fu and Wushu. Although there are similarities between Sanda and other martial arts, there are also some differences that set it apart from other martial arts.
Both Sanda and kickboxing are martial arts based on strikes and kicks. However, the biggest difference between the two lies in the type of techniques used. In kickboxing, only punches and kicks with the arms and legs are employed, while Sanda also includes throws and locks. Sanda is also a martial art that is heavily focused on the combination of techniques and fighting in close quarters, while kickboxing is more focused on long-range fighting.
Muay Thai is a Thai martial art also known as “the art of eight limbs” as it employs strikes, kicks, knee strikes, and elbow strikes. Sanda, on the other hand, does not use elbow strikes and focuses more on throws and locks. Sanda is also a martial art that is often practiced in a competitive setting, while Muay Thai is more commonly viewed as a self-defense technique.
Karate is a Japanese martial art that focuses on strikes and kicks and is often trained with kata, a predetermined sequence of movements. In contrast, Sanda includes throws and locks in addition to strikes and kicks. Karate is also known for its emphasis on discipline and control, while Sanda focuses on aggression and quick reaction times.
Judo is a Japanese martial art that focuses on throws, holds, and locks. Sanda also includes throws and locks, but it also emphasizes strikes and kicks. Judo is often viewed as a defensive martial art, while Sanda is both offensive and defensive.
Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) is a combat sport that combines various martial arts such as boxing, Muay Thai, Judo, and wrestling. In contrast, Sanda is a martial art that evolved from various Chinese martial arts and includes a combination of strikes, kicks, throws, and locks. MMA is often practiced in a cage and has fewer restrictions, while Sanda is often practiced in a ring with stricter rules.
Did you know?
Sanda is also known as a military martial art and is used by the Chinese army as part of their military training.
In Sanda training, it is important to wear the proper equipment and protective gear to prevent injuries and focus on the training. There are various pieces of equipment and protective gear used in Sanda, and we will describe some of the most important ones here.
"Life is like a boxing match. It’s not about how many times you get hit, but how many times you get back up." – Muhammad Ali
Sanda is more than just a martial art – it’s a philosophy of life that promotes both physical and mental health and helps people lead a balanced and fulfilling life. The roots of Sanda lie in ancient China, where it was considered a form of warfare and a means of self-defense. Over time, however, Sanda has evolved into a comprehensive martial art based on the principles of Chinese philosophy.
The principles of Sanda emphasize the importance of balance and harmony in all aspects of life. It’s about bringing the body and mind into harmony and regulating the energy flows in the body. It’s about understanding the laws of nature and living in accordance with them. It’s about breathing naturally and freeing oneself from unnecessary thoughts and emotions. All these elements help calm the mind and strengthen self-confidence.
One of the most important teachings of Sanda is the concept of Yin and Yang. These two terms represent the polarities in everything that exists. Yin represents the feminine, the gentle, the hidden, while Yang represents the masculine, the strong, the open. In Sanda, it’s about bringing these two forces into balance and harmony to create a harmonious and stable foundation.
Sanda as a philosophy of life also emphasizes the importance of meditation and mindfulness. It’s about controlling thoughts and focusing on the present moment. This helps calm the mind and strengthen self-confidence. In Sanda, there are special exercises aimed at improving concentration and focusing the mind. These exercises can also be applied in daily life to calm the mind and improve concentration.
Moreover, Sanda as a philosophy of life also emphasizes the importance of body care and nutrition. It’s about keeping the body healthy and finding the right balance between activity and rest. A healthy diet is an important part of the Sanda philosophy as it helps strengthen the body and regulate energy. A balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains can help keep the body healthy and promote well-being.
"Training was always fun and the atmosphere was very familiar. It has been a great time and we would like to say thank you to all of the Shifus and the other students."
Andi & Anja • from Germany
In our Sanda program, you will learn all the fundamentals of this martial art, including striking, kicking, and throwing techniques. We place a strong emphasis on training quality. Our experienced trainers will help you improve your technique and strengthen your Sanda fighting skills.
What could be better than learning Sanda directly in China, where this martial art originated? Our school is located amidst the fascinating Chinese culture and history, offering you a unique opportunity to immerse yourself deeply in the world of Sanda.
Come and learn Sanda in China – it will be an experience you will never forget! We offer various training programs and courses to meet your needs and schedule.
Frequently Asked Questions about Sanda:
Sanda and Sanshou are essentially the same martial art. The main difference between the two terms lies in their meaning and usage. “Sanda” literally translates to “free fighting,” while “Sanshou” is translated to “free hand combat.” In China, the term “Sanda” is more commonly used in a sporting context, referring to the competitive form of Chinese martial arts. “Sanshou,” on the other hand, is more frequently used in the context of military or self-defense training. However, in practice, the two terms are often interchangeable and refer to the same martial art.
Sanda, also known as Chinese kickboxing, is a martial art that combines elements from kickboxing and Chinese boxing (Sanshou). Unlike traditional Kung-Fu, Sanda is a full-contact sport that also includes throws and joint locks.
To be successful in Sanda, one should train regularly. A minimum of 2-3 times per week is recommended. At our school, we train 3-4 times a day.
The duration to become a good Sanda fighter depends on various factors, such as individual training effort, technique, and experience. Typically, it takes several years to acquire the necessary skills.
To prepare for Sanda competitions, one should engage in regular training with a focus on technique, strength, endurance, and conditioning. It is also important to understand the competition rules and mentally prepare for the competition.
For Sanda training, typically one needs gloves, shin guards, a groin protector, mouthguard, and potentially a headgear. Additionally, it may be helpful to wear training clothes that allow for freedom of movement.
To avoid injuries during Sanda training, it is important to wear the appropriate equipment, properly warm up, and execute techniques correctly. It is also recommended to follow the trainer’s instructions and not push beyond one’s limits.
Sanda can be learned by anyone regardless of age or fitness level.
Sanda training offers numerous benefits for physical and mental health. It improves physical fitness by strengthening muscles, increasing endurance, and improving flexibility. It also promotes mental health by boosting self-confidence, enhancing concentration, and reducing stress.
To improve your Sanda techniques, you should train regularly. Focus on improving the fundamentals such as posture, footwork, and striking techniques. Additionally, use various training methods such as shadowboxing, bag work, and partner drills to enhance your skills.
In Sanda, there are various competition rules depending on the organization and country. Generally, punches, kicks, throws, and locks are allowed as long as they are executed within the prescribed techniques and zones. Competitions also have scoring systems and time limits to ensure a fair competition.
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