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Chicago Wushu
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
17 reviews for Chicago Wushu
My son has been taking the kids classes here for a couple of months now and he loves it! I love it too because I have really seen a difference in his attention span, discipline and enthusiasm for physical fitness and continuing his education in the Chinese language [he takes Chinese at school, too] which is just remarkable to me.
The kids classes are M, W and F from 5:00 - 6:00 and Sat 10:00 - 11:00 all for the ridiculously low price of $75 a month. I have never made it a practice to cut expenses when it comes to people who educate and supervise my child, and I don't think that I am now. I just think we are extraordinarily lucky to have this wonderful place that also just happens to be wildly affordable.
The people at Chicago Wushu Guan are also incredibly helpful and flexible. You can drop your child early and they can also stay up to an extra hour after class to either get extra practice in with the Intro class that follows the kids class or they can stay play XBox with some of the other kids. This has been a boon for me and allows me to go to my gym while The Midget is at kung fu.
Any review of Chicago Wushu Guan would be incomplete without praise for Sifu Danny. He is just so sweet and has been a terrific influence on my son.
I have been taking lessons from Chicago Wushu for a few years now, and it is a fantastic school for learning traditional Chinese martial arts. I love coming here and will keep coming back because of the high level of instruction. Unlike other martial arts schools, the students and Shifu Daniel are not "meat heads" , this is a school that fosters a family enviornment, is very woman-friendly, and not only do you get a fabulous workout, you exercise your brain in learning forms and weapons and self-defense. Shifu Daniel is a highly educated and extremely well trained Wushu and Tai Chi Master who is patient, very articulate and welcoming. I cannot recommend this school highly enough.
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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12/10/2007
Any student of any level is welcomed and encouraged. I have 7 years of martial arts experience… Read more »
I have two sons who have been with Chicago Wushu for around five years now. I enrolled them because I felt the martial arts program was more of an art form, focusing on form and discipline and a way to build confidence and self-esteem. I think my boys feel the same way now. Daniel is wonderful with the children. Firm but a lot of fun. My boys still love to attend class and work both body and soul. The environment is very warm and welcoming, just like family. We'll be here for awhile!
I have been with Chicago Wushu Guan since 2003 and love the instructors, training atmosphere and fellow classmates. I continue to learn on a daily basis and highly recommend to anyone interested in training in true Chinese martial arts. The new location is also great and very convenient to get to. If you are looking for a new martial arts school or just new to the area and interested in wushu, this is the place for you.
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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11/7/2007
Absolutely the best school to learn, practice and train WuShu. I looked at numerous schools in the… Read more »
An amazing place to learn Martial arts. Has a very traditional and relaxed environment. An amazing place to learn Martial arts. Has a very traditional and relaxed environment. I've been training at the Chicago Wushu for a a number of years now and I absolutely love it! The school is great! Head master, Sifu Daniel, is an awesome instructor and coach. Martial arts and teaching are his life and it shows in the way he instructs. He's patient, knowledgeable, and is very detailed in demonstrating the moves. All the instructors give the students solid instruction and encouragement as well.
The camaraderie between everyone is second to none. I consider everyone at the Chicago Wushu my extended family they are my brothers and sisters friends and look forward to each class.
I've been training at the Chicago Wushu Guan for a few years now and I absolutely love it! The school is great! Head master, Sifu Danny, is an awesome coach. Martial arts and teaching are his life and it shows in the way he instructs. He's patient, knowledgeable, and is very detailed in demonstrating the moves. All the coaches give the students solid instruction and encouragement as well.
The comradery between everyone is second to none. I consider everyone at the Chicago Wushu Guan dear friends and look forward to each class, not only for the great training, but the chance to hang out with friends.
Thumbs up all the way around!!!
One of the most authentic martial arts places in Chicago.
Here there are no "belts" and is a very pure study of several types of chinese martial art.
When I looked around Chicago for places to go, most of the places (especially Degerberg) I found were not very authentic.
On a visit to Degerberg (which is the closest martial arts place to me) I saw that many of the people were just strong and athletic and all (doing hundreds of workout whatnots), but they didn't learn any forms, and their martial arts (which is an ART, so its supposed to be... pretty?) looked like... dancing crabs on a beach.
That visit there discouraged me from looking any further for any more martial arts places.
But two months or so later, I realized a friend of mine took martial arts and she referred me to her center (Chicago Wushu Guan) and when I went there, I immediately felt a sense of relaxation. Everyone works together and not only are people athletic, people learn real forms and understand the meaning behind every step.
I've been there now for about 4 months and classes are very thorough. Our laushir (master) is very kind and helpful in every way.
They offer up to two hour Wushu classes, divided into 30 minutes. A great way to work on flexibility, agility and strength all at the same time.
Also, not only does CWG have fundamental Wushu Guan, there are Weapons fundamentals, Children's classes, Tai Chi Chuan, and Bagua Zhang classes... and they all break down into smaller things too, so you should check out their website.
I'm 18 years old and taking the adults class.
http://chicagowushu.com/
Ive been taking at Chicago Wushu Guan for about 4 years and have loved every minute of it. I had taken martial arts at other places in the past and found that those schools focused more on getting into bar fights, and kicking ass. Chicago Wushu Guan seems to focus on the more true and traditional forms.
I recently went to China and took a random class from a monk in the middle of nowhere, and was greeted with a class that was almost identical to what I am learning here in Chicago.
I lived in Chicago for 5 years, and trained with Shifu Daniel for nearly the whole time I was living there. He is a truly amazing instructor and Chicago Wushu Guan is a gem among the schools in Chicago, and is arguably one of the best in the country. In addition to the phenomenal instruction in both traditional and contemporary wushu (kung fu), Shifu Daniel's positive, open, and inquisitive personality infuses the school with a sense of camaraderie and team-work that is hard to find anywhere.
Shifu Daniel's understanding of wushu is amazing in both it's breadth and depth, and it's hard to find anyone with as much knowledge. Despite having such a thorough understanding of wushu, I have always been impressed at how humble he is, especially when learning from other instructors. When we have studied with other Masters together in China, I have witnessed Shifu Daniel soaking up everything so the he can increase his own understanding, and pass what he has learned on to his students. This selfless pursuit of knowledge is unique and precious.
I highly recommend you go by the school, talk to some of the students, try out a class, and see if it's the right place for you. Learning martial arts is not just about the instructor having a lot of knowledge, or the students being enthusiastic about learning there, it requires the combination of an instructor who cares about the growth of their students, is enthusiastic about sharing their knowledge, and has a group of students who want to help each so they can improve together. Chicago Wushu Guan has the whole package, so you should definitely check it out!
As a traveling consultant, it is hard to find time to workout let alone practice martial arts. The training I've received from Chicago Wushu Guan has provided with a wealth of knowledge, which I've adapted into a workout routine that I perform while traveling for work. This routine has kept me fit and able to come back on the weekends and training like I haven't missed a class all week.
The classes at Chicago Wushu Guan are well rounded and founded on same training routines used by martial arts instructors in China. Master Daniel Pesina who is the head instructor at Chicago Wushu Guan is very knowledgeable in the Chinese martial arts system, and posses a skill most martial arts instructors lack - he knows how to teach.
I can go on and on about Chicago Wushu Guan or Master Daniel Pesina but I would suggest you stop by the school take a trial class and judge for yourself.
I've been training at the Chicago Wushu Guan for almost a year now and it has been one of the best experiences of my life. Sifu Daniel is incredibly knowledgable in various styles of Chinese Martial arts and very open about sharing what he knows to those who come to his school. He is a patient instructor who will show you something until you can understand it. I did not have any prior martial art experience so I was quite nervous when I first started. But I was quickly put to ease by the welcoming environment of the school . The other students and instructors are very friendly and supportive of each other. I highly recomend the Chicago Wushu Guan to anybody interested in Chinese Martial Arts.
Being in such a world class city like Chicago, a person has many options when deciding what kind of school to attend. What sets this school apart from the rest? What intangibles do you get that you'll carry on with you for the rest of your life? What does this school have that the others don't have? Does anyone really care if I'm wearing argyle socks with my white kung fu shoes?. All jokes aside, I can tell you that for me personally, I've discovered on the very first day what sets Chicago Wushu Guan apart from the rest. Family, Focus, Friendship and Fun are just a few words that come to mind when i think of this school. No matter what you age, background or level of experience or orientation is, every student considers the next an extended member of their own family. This family is focused in it's pursuit of personal development in the traditional martial arts and each "older brother or sister" to the younger or newer students are always willing to help one another. This extended family offers constant positive reinforcement and encouragement and even a little light hearted ribbing from time to time. The stories that Master Pesina tells the new students help to give the students a better understanding to the "WHY" they are doing a particular movement or just to break the monotony of practice. I've been to other schools where the head instructor only seemed concerned with the "business" aspect of running a martial arts school. Don't get me wrong it's important but at Chicago Wushu, the instructors recognize how far to push a student and when to ease off and really do care about the students physical and mental well being and not just whether or not they're paid up for the month.
A few years ago many of us had the opportunity to travel to China to train with one of the Grandmasters. The quality and level of instruction we received here in the states served us very well when training in China which is extremely important if you're looking for a traditional Chinese martial arts school and not one whose curriculum and forms seem "unrealistic" and loosely based. I've discovered here at Chicago Wushu Guan that learning never stops, that there is always something new to be discovered. An environment that fosters positive reinforcement and encouragement, is concerned for it's students health and well being, allows the students to interact outside of the school and gives the student a feeling that they are a part of something greater than themselves with a history and lineage that goes back for generations. These are the reasons why I've been attending Chicago Wushu Guan for 4 years. Look at the other reviews, reading them all convey the same sentiments and feelings that this school has created and binds us together. Anyone and everyone whose willing to experience what we are all currently enjoying are welcome.
I was at the school for a brief six months. The only reason I left was because of a work related move to San Francisco. I did a lot of research before going to this school. I had also done Karate and Judo previously, so I had been exposed to different martial arts and schools before going to Chicago Wushu Guan.
Going to Chicago Wushu Guan was one of the best decisions I made at the time and my only regret was not starting at the school earlier so today I could be a more advanced student. The school is absolutely packed with talent. The variety of styles mastered by Sifu Daniel and the other Lao Shi (s) is staggering.
Not only is Sifu Daniel one of the most knowledgeable martial artists in the industry with over 30 years of experience, he's also very caring and attentive. Very few schools will give you this level of personal attention and patience. I was never the sharpest tool on the shed when it comes to martial arts, but Sifu Dan and senior students like Dave, Victor, Pek, Jay, John and Yosef were always helping me improve and encouraging me to become a better student. Once I felt and saw the physical improvements I became absolutely obsessed with the school and began attending four times a week.
I lost 20 lbs in the six months I was at the school and significantly improved my flexibility and overall confidence and "body awareness." After moving to San Francisco I had to look very hard to find a school that even came close to appealing to me the way that Chicago Wushu Guan did. While there are many authentic schools here and great martial artists, the true Sifu, as in the meaning, is also a great teacher, and I have not found a greater teacher / coach than Sifu Dan. This was evidenced by the level of knowledge I saw from the other students at the schools I've attended here. I also noticed that other schools that I've attended here in the bay area don't take the time to show you the application of some of the forms and moves that are taught. Sifu Dan and the Lao Shi(s) in Chicago Wushu Guan always took the time to show what the real world application of the sometimes complex looking moves were.
I realize how this may sound, but it's no exaggeration. The hardest part about leaving Chicago for me was leaving Chicago Wushu Guan. I truly feel like they are a welcoming family and the school will forever hold a special place in my heart. And thanks to Sifu Dan I will continue to study Wushu. If you are considering martial arts, please look no further and stick with it. These guys are the best there are.
Being Chinese who grew up watching kung fu movies and reading about wushu, I was certainly skeptical about taking wushu class from a non-Chinese instructor. Needless to say, 6 or 7 years later, that concern has proven to be unnecessary. Coach Daniel brings both passion and expertise for the art like no one else. What I love about CWG is that you can be a part of it regardless of your goal. If you simply want to do it for exercising purpose, all the basics will have you sweating and panting in no time. If you are aiming to compete in the 2008 Beijing Olympic, well, you may be too late. However, CWG has the means to get you ready for the 2012 Olympic. The point is, whatever your skill level or motive is, you will find yourself loving every minute of your time there. Coah Daniel is so confident that he is willing to offer anyone a free trial class with no strings attached. I have studied with other Chinese wushu instructors, all of them were wushu professionals from China, and coach Daniel is second to none.
The training space at CWG is probably the best I have seen. It was converted from an old firehouse, so the space is huge and perfect for wushu. It is great for running a compulsory form, practicing long weapons and class breakouts.
I've taken a few classes at this martial arts school. As someone with a little bit of kick boxing experience, but no martial arts training, I was a little worried I would feel intimated by the other students and teacher. Totally unfounded. They offer open classes and I was warmly received. The sifu (or teacher) was extremely patient with me. He even took time on several occasions to break the movements down even slower for me, and make sure I was really understanding what I was being shown. The gym itself is in a shared space with a gymnastics training facility. While the school has a good amount of space to work with, the building itself is sort of old. But it adds a certain character and warmth. Like your favorite pair of worn in jeans. You can tell the core students see it as a second home, and everyone pitches in to help out. I really enjoyed my experience there and would recommend it for anyone looking for a cool alternative for working out, and certainly anyone looking to explore or expand on their martial arts training.
I started taking classes here just over a month ago. I had been looking for and researching wushu schools for some time and finally came here during a yelp open invite from fellow yelper w.p. I had passed the location a great many times since I grew up in the area so I was very interested in what they had to offer. First I'll mention that the amount of gym space and attention you'll receive here is second to none. Chicago Wushu Guan is definitely a gem amongst a great many duds. In the short time I've been training here (and while only being in the very beginning stages) my mind and skills have grown exponentially. I find myself waking up everyday anxious to attend my next class. For the amount of classes you can take in a month the cost is well worth it. I am still very much in the beginning stages of a life long journey, but I know that training here will one day make me into a well rounded student of this martial art.
Chicago Wushu Guan is a true jewel among schools , and among teachers Master Daniel Pesina is a "Living Treasure". He would never say this about himself , but those of us who have been brought up under his caring and encouraging instruction , don't hesitate to call him such. The Guan is a reflection of Master Pesina's character . The atmosphere is open , inviting and genuine . That's Master Pesina all over , just read the reviews and then go visit . No doubt you will be pleasently suprised and , when you train with Shifu Daniel and his excellent core of instructors , you will be inspired . This is your open invitation to a rare and awsome martial arts school and you'll like what you find !


