Exploring the Connections Between Traditional Chinese Martial Arts, Medicine, and Religion

Under the supervision of Dr. Jean DeBernardi my research explores the connections between traditional Chinese religion, martial arts, and medicine. I did my MA thesis on the modernization of traditional Chinese religion in Taiwan, have been practicing White Crane kung fu since 1999, and worked for the Natural Health Practitioner of Canada. I am examining the role that culture plays in creating different conceptualization of health. Particularly, I am looking at how cultural and religious concepts in Daoism and Buddhism shape perceptions and experiences of the body. For comparative purposes I am doing fieldwork at Frank Lee’s Muai Thai Kick Boxing and MMA in Edmonton and at Wudang Mountain in Hubei province, China. Wudang Mountain is world renowned as a center for Chinese martial arts and is the divine birthplace of Xuan Wu, a martial god in traditional Chinese religion.

Faculty Supervisor:

Jean DeBernardi

Student:

Partner:

Chinese National Academy of Arts

Discipline:

Sociology

Sector:

University:

University of Alberta

Program:

Globalink Research Award