Cửu Môn Võ ĐườngTraditional Vietnamese Martial Art

"...he decides to found his own School, in order to teach and develop the Vietnamese Martial Art according to his Master's views, and his own beliefs."

The Cửu Môn School is a traditionnal Vietnamese martial art school.

Together with the Song Long and Long Haỉ schools, as well as a few independant associations, it is a member of Union Française de Võ. This Federation's objective is to ensure everlastingness to the styles it represents.

This website provides you with information about the School itself, through its style, Founder and origin.

About Cửu Môn Việt Võ Đao School and Style

André Gazur, Founder of the Cửu Môn School, studied Martial Art with Master Nguyễn Dân Phú.

Son of a well established family in Hà Nội, Master Nguyễn Dân Phú studied Võ (Martial Art) with some of the greatest Masters of the beginning of the 20th century. He volunteered as an interpret during Wold War II, and arrived in France in 1940.

He pioneered the development of the Vietnamese Martial Art in Europe, and founded the Thanh Long Style. In 1972, he is one of the founders of the "Fédération Française de Việt Võ Đạo" (French Federation of Viet Vo Dao), and appointed as the Dean of the Masters in Europe.

He died at the age of 88 on 28 June 1999.

These days, about 5000 people study the Thanh Long Style in different schools.

André Gazur opens his first club in 1978 in the small town of Saint-Pourçain sur Sioule, near the city of Moulins.

On 5 February 1979, he is awarded his diploma of "Ceinture Verte" (green belt, symbol of high achievement in the Thanh Long Style) by Master Nguyễn Dân Phú himself.

He trains many people, to the level of black belt and higher, and prepares them to teach themselves.

On 28/03/1993, André Gazur is appointed to the Council of Masters. The green belt with the wide red stripe, symbol of Thanh Long Masters, is awarded to him. Master Phú gives him the name of Cao Khảo (high research). He is one of the very few people to be appointed as a Master during Master Phú's lifetime, and to have the honour of being sitted next to him with his sons during ceremonys and official events.

A few month after his Master's decease (June 1999), he decides to found his own School, in order to teach and develop the Vietnamese Martial Art according to his Master's views, and his own beliefs.

These days in France, more than 30 clubs belong to the Cửu Môn School, and people train according to the Cửu Môn Style in Việt Nam. Actually, André Gazur travelled to Hanoi with his Master for the first time in 1991. Since then he has been staying in Việt Nam numerous times, to increase his knowledge, both on the technical and on the cultural side. These stays give him the opportunity of many meetings with Masters and experts in different Martial Art Styles.

Young Vietnamese people, witnessing the richness and efficiency of the Cửu Môn Style, asked André Gazur to practise with him. In April 2000, André Gazur had the opportunity to bring together his French and Vietnamese students during a seminar in Hanoi.

Traditional Martial Art

The traditionnal Vietnamese Martial Art was introduced in France at the beginning of the 50s.

It is a very comprehensive discipline, aiming to a full consciousness of one's body through attack and defense techniques (kicks, punches, blockings, throwing out, locks).

These techniques require strength and power, and suppleness and art of dodging too. In the two forms of practising, knowledge of vital points and control of self energy are necessary.

After a few years of training, one studies traditionnal weapons as well : stick, sword, sabre, spear, ...

Everybody can attend the lessons, from children (at least 6 years old) to the elderly. Courses include breathing and concentration exercises, as well as health techniques.

People practising may attend competitions, even on an international level. Nevertheless, competitions are not the main objective. Reaching a good physical and mental harmony, while training as well as in everyday life, is far more important.

Cửu Môn Style

The Cửu Môn Style is based on three families of techniques:

Study and development of the 72 techniques of Bodhidharma, as they were codified by Master Nguyễn Dân Phú for the Thanh Long Style. These are the genuine foundations of the traditionnal Martial Arts : attitude, hand techniques, feet techniques, etc.

Bát Quaí Chưởng (eight hidden hands). This exercise can be done very slowly, as a health technique, close to the chinese Tai Chi. Once one correctly masters movements, moving, and breathing, Bát Quaí Chưởng can be used as a real part of Martial Art. Then, speed and precision make it a formidable fighting technique.

Thuật Dương Lão: health and long life technique, this exercise is beneficial to a good functionning of the organism. It helps to maintain a good harmony of the body, frees from tiredness, eases pain and ensures long life.

Children

The teaching provided to children (from 6 years old) should bring them a general physical training: suppleness, stability, development of the cardiorespiratory system. Children gradually become more aware of their own body. Studying the lessons and series helps memorizing.

Children may, if they wish, take part in small fights (under severe control) with protecting equipment (gloves, helmets, ...). This kind of work provides them with more confidence, learns them to respect the rules and especially to control their aggressiveness.

Children's program also includes an introduction to the handling of the long stick.