With the philosophy of “an open mind, open heart, open arms,” the Vietnamese form of martial arts, Cuong Nhu, founded under Grand Master Ngo Dong, is alive and kicking at N.C. State.

Mind over matter is the key element to success in the martial arts, with potential killers out on the street; the philosophy behind martial arts is mental discipline over physical domination.

“We learn how to kill people by green belt, a little earlier,” Wolfpack martial arts club Sensei Obi Mbah said. “Just don’t put that in the article.”

Martial arts teaches practitioners to be capable of defending themselves, not to aggressively attack an opponent.  Cuong Nhu is based around the core philosophy of restraint, mental harmony, and personal growth.

“[Martial arts] teaches [you] to push yourself to be the best you can personally be,” junior James Upright said. “It teaches us physical discipline and mental discipline.  It’s not about going around punching people in the face when you’re crunked out or something.”

Being capable of resolving conflict before it becomes a physical matter is the essence behind martial arts. That is why you never hear about two kung fu masters battling it out to the death in the streets.

“I’ve learned about the character of buddho,” black belt Mbah said.  “Martial arts are used to stop fighting, not to initiate it.”

Cuong Nhu, meaning hard-soft in Vietnamese, is a form that incorporates elements of seven different forms, notably boxing, judo, and karate. The vast styles allow for a variation in methodology and practice.

“[Cuong Nhu] incorporates seven different styles — hard, soft, kicks, punches, throws, weapons, you name it, it’s in there somewhere,” Sensei Cameron Parsons said.  “[Cuong Nhu] doesn’t care what technique it is.  It’s all applicable somewhere.  It’s all about when you use it and how you use it.”

The technicalities behind Cuong Nhu and the reasoning behind action are what make it so unique.

“I like the technical aspect of it, it’s really scientific,” Mbah said.  “It comes down to what happens between the moves and why we move this way instead of that way, and being technical minded.”

The martial arts club meets Monday and Wednesdays at 7 p.m. on court 10 in Carmichael.  Supplemental training is given at the Shiwa Dojo in Raleigh Fridays at 6:30 p.m. and Saturdays at 10:30 a.m. under Master Robert First and Sensei Elizabeth Roman.

Beginning May 22, N.C. State will host the 2009 Cuong Nhu International Annual Training Camp.  Here martial arts enthusiasts will meet at University Towers and Carmichael to spend Memorial Day weekend training with legendary Cuong Nhu masters. Sessions offered will be everything from yoga to gun disarmament.  For more information about training camp, contact Robert First or Elizabeth Roman at [email protected].