​At ZYKFA we take the study of traditional Chinese martial arts for our Madison, Wisconsin community seriously, where we focus exclusively on the Northern Shaolin Style (北少林拳- Běi Shàolínquán) as taught to Shifu Nelson Ferreira. Chinese martial arts offers a wide range of options within its study, it covers striking with different parts of the body, pushing and checking techniques, seizing and apprehension methods and numerous throwing and take-down maneuvers. It also teaches a variety of classical weapons (18), combat sets, fighting and internal training methods to keep its practitioners well rounded and strong.

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Northern Shaolin is a traditional system of Chinese martial arts that emphasizes large frame techniques in its form (taolu), small frame techniques in its applications (combat), quick and light footwork, clever kicking combinations and circular defensive movements, it also relies on agility, creativity and aggressiveness in its attacks. The system is also known for a large arsenal of weapons that are at the disposal of the student, which not only teaches them how to effectively use short, long, bladed, blunt, double and flexible weapons in combat but it also enhances the students understanding of their hand-to-hand combat and use-of-body skills.

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Northern Shaolin is one of the many styles and systems of China, it shares technical similarities with other styles created in the Central Plains region (中原 - Zhōngyuán) of China, however it is distinct in its use of ten specific taolu (handsets) and that its most famous exponent was the Great Grandmaster Gù Rǔzhāng (顧汝章- 1894-1952) known historically for his feats of Iron Palm (鐵沙掌) and Iron Body (小金鐘罩).

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The system teaches its techniques first through the practice of Tàolù (套路- patterns), or Quántào (拳套 - fist patterns) also known as "forms". Students practice the techniques in the taolu until the movements become instinctual. Two-person partner drills and sets (對練 - Duìliàn) are then added to train certain applications of techniques learned from the sets in a safe and predictable environment. However, to the practitioner of Northern Shaolin, the ultimate learning tool for truly understanding these techniques becomes what is called Sanshou (散手 - free sparring), or full-contact fighting, where a variety of punches, kicks, elbows, knees, locks, grappling and takedowns are all part of the arsenal used by the practitioner to apply all their understanding of the art in a combat environment.

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The practice of Northern Shaolin, by the student, brings together three important aspects in Chinese martial arts:

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健 - Jiàn - Health - It is a great way of exercising your whole body for fitness and health maintenance.

用 - Yòng - Usefulness - It allows you to analyze your techniques and movements to later be used in combat.

看 - Kàn - Looks - It gives you a way to express yourself artistically through movement.