Albany Martial Arts Bridges Gap

Between U.S. and China

by: Jackie Orchard

Photo Credit: Jackie Orchard

Lucas Geller, owner of the Chinese Martial Arts Academy in Latham, NY, with his wife, Zoey Geller.

Tensions between the U.S. and China are high. China recently ordered all foreign computer equipment be banned from government offices. There are continued sanctions between the U.S. and China worth billions of dollars in what the media calls “the trade war.” Video footage of police brutality at the Hong Kong protest spread like wild fire. China is becoming “the other” in America.

But in a small martial arts school in Latham, NY, young people are coming together and learning that the people of China are so much more than the actions of their government.

Photo Credit: Jackie Orchard

Children of all ethnicities train alongside each other at the Chinese Martial Arts Academy in Latham, NY.

Lucas Geller is a white American who studied Chinese Martial Arts in China and came back to the U.S. to open his own CMA school in Albany. Geller competed on the USA Wushu Team internationally, has a master’s in Chinese Language, is fluent in Mandarin, and even married a Chinese exchange student, Yu Zoe, who goes by Zoey.

After spending years in China and coming back to the U.S., Lucas and Zoey Geller feel that although the governments of U.S. and China may be competing, the people are not.

“I found that in China,” Lucas said, “If you were an American and you loved Chinese culture and Chinese stuff and you respect it and you tried – no matter how bad you are at using chopsticks or saying a word – if you’re trying and genuinely appreciating their culture – they love you. People will truly embrace your enthusiasm.”

What is Wushu?

The martial arts style that Lucas specializes in is called Wushu.

“We call it Kung Fu but that’s not really what it’s called,” Lucas says. “We think of martial arts in China as Kung Fu, but when the communists took over they re-developed Kung Fu and made it a national sport.”

Lucas says the Wushu forms are more spectacular, with more flips.

“Like gymnastics with swords,” says Lucas.

The fighting was turned into a sport with gloves, a referee, and full contact where you can punch and kick. So it’s called kickboxing.

“But in America we think of cardio kickboxing,” Lucas says, “So at my school we call it Chinese Freestyle Kickboxing.”

The sport is divided into two parts: forms and fighting.

“Two halves of the same coin,” Lucas says.

At the world games, the forms floor is like a gymnastics floor. The fighting area looks more like a boxing ring.

“So Wu Shu is really a modern Kung Fu,” Lucas says. “Karate is Japanese. And Tae Kwon Do is Korean.”

Competitions Bringing China and the U.S. Together

Lucas says that martial arts acts as a unifier between the U.S. and China.

“A few weeks ago was the 15th World Wu Shu games,” Lucas says. “It was held this year in China and in two years it will be held in Houston Texas.”

Lucas says this year’s games were the most connected ever.

“By all accounts, this was the best international competition to date – because of the internet,” Lucas says. “People are all very connected.”

Lucas says that when you compete, your social media “blows up” with friend suggestions of your competitors - who are all becoming friends with each other.

“Everybody is posing together, arm in arm, with peace signs,” Lucas says.

Ironically, fighting is bringing people together.

“On one hand, they fight. It’s combative,” Lucas says. “But those people tend to have a lot of respect for one another. And in forms it’s not combative. We’re going to go out there and show off our skills - and we’re high-fiving.”

Lucas says it’s like grassroots diplomacy.

“The governments can have these tariff wars,” Lucas says, “But you can still go see people in China and get a hug and a high five and become friends on Instagram. China does have a politically motivated government but it’s very separate from the people.”

Lucas says the martial arts family has no borders.

“When I went to China,” said Lucas, “I connected with the U.S. national team members, French national team members, Swedish national team members – the best of the best internationally and they were all like-minded.”

Lucas feels that Americans should not assume that the Chinese government is a reflection of all Chinese people.

“China can be a scary place in terms of its political agenda in general. It’s a consolidated political party. The communist party has power in China so they can do certain things,” Lucas says. “But in general, the people are super nice, super warm, super loving, super welcoming. With Chinese people, my experience has been very positive.”

So positive, in fact, he married one.

A Chinese-American Marriage

“My wife was the president of the Chinese Student Association at UAlbany where she got her PhD,” Lucas says, “And she did a performance for the Chinese New Year and I was the host.”

Zoey says she was oblivious to his interest in her at the time.

“I tried to insert myself into her conversations,” Lucas says. “I would go up and talk to the organizers when Zoey was talking to the organizers and I tried to edge my way in – it didn’t work.”

After the event, Lucas messaged Zoey online.

“But I thought he was just introducing himself as the Kung Fu teacher at the Chinese Community Center,” Zoey says.

Lucas was the Kung Fu teacher, but that wasn’t why he reached out.

“I thought maybe he was contacting me just to [coordinate] something with SUNY,” Zoey says.

“She deleted my request,” Lucas says. “I saw the request being processed. Then I saw it deleted.”

Zoey laughs.

“I thought he just wanted to practice Chinese with me or something,” Zoey says.

“So I clicked ‘resend,’” Lucas laughs.

“And I accepted.”

They are now married with a one-year-old son.

Ironically, Lucas always wants to practice Chinese, but Zoey always wants to practice her English.

“I asked her, ‘Then why did I spend all these years learning Chinese,’” Lucas laughs. “She said, ‘So you’d get to marry me.’”

“The Great Firewall”

Since their marriage, Zoey and Lucas have traveled back to China several times to visit family.

“We travel back to China pretty regularly, about every other year,” Lucas says. “I was shocked last time - I couldn’t get on Gmail. I expected Facebook and Instagram but I did not expect Gmail to be so problematic.”

Zoey says that there is a Chinese version of all these apps rolled into one, called WeChat, so for Chinese people it does not feel like such a big deal.

For Lucas, it is still strange to not be able to communicate with people outside of China while in country.

“You feel very isolated,” Lucas says. “I could not get an e-mail while I was in China. I felt so disconnected. It’s very bizarre. I’ve been over there quite a few times and I was very frustrated.”

But Lucas says that Martial Arts athletes may be an exception to the firewall.

“I am shocked at the number of professional Chinese athletes who all have access,” Lucas says. “The Chinese National Team guys are all on Instagram. There may be special privileges to athletes. They seem to have adequate access to social media without restriction. It may or may not be as universal as we think.”

Not Just For Chinese People

Zoey feels that you don’t have to be Chinese to appreciate – or even represent - Chinese culture.

“There is an event called ‘Festival of Nations’ at The Egg Convention Center [in Albany],” Zoey says. “Immigrants from all different countries will participate to show their culture and celebrate diversity. And every year Lucas brings his team to do a Chinese Martial Arts performance there to represent China.”

The children are mostly Indian, Chinese, and White – all representing China.

“There’s a parade, and I saw [Lucas] holding a Chinese flag,” says Zoey, “And all these diverse kids wearing the Chinese uniform - I felt very touched.”

Zoey says that while watching Lucas on stage, she thought China should give him an award.

Lucas says they did.

He looks at Zoey.

“They gave me you.”

A Bridge For All Cultures and Personalities

When you walk into the Chinese Martial Arts Academy, you can’t help but smile at how all the students from different cultures get along.

“The kids walk in and they are so excited – like they are ready to jump into the pool,” says Zoey. “They can’t wait to drop their jackets and shoes and get right in [to the class.]”

Zoey says the kids get along well.

“They look like a family,” Zoey says. “And we tell them, ‘When you practice Chinese Kung Fu here, you are Kung Fu brothers and Kung Fu sisters.’”

There are some students who come with special needs, such as autism or difficulty focusing. Lucas says this isn’t a problem.

“We have about 50 kids,” Lucas says. “Some [kids] are hyperactive or unable to stay focused and this seems to be the perfect outlet because it requires focus and attention - but it’s in a very active and fun way, so we channel that energy into a more positive direction.”

According to the department of justice, roughly 77% of students are bullied mentally, verbally, and physically in the United States.

“It’s a common phenomenon to have kids come in here who are 8 to 10-years-old who are quiet, shy, sometimes bullied – and [for them to] find a sense of confidence and find a voice at CMA,” Lucas says, “It helps them achieve success and become more proud. When you put those two things together kids tend to thrive.”

Fighting Misconceptions About Chinese Culture

To Lucas, Chinese Martial Arts is more than a sport, a way to stay in shape, or even the culture. He believes CMA can create a more informed, culturally accepting public. This is why he attends so many cultural events.

“To promote diversity in Albany, our school participates in cultural festivals throughout the year,” Lucas says. “The Moon Festivals, The Festival of Nations, the Chinese New Year Celebration, even events at libraries.”

Lucas and Zoey hope that people of all backgrounds come to the school and find common ground.

“Through competition, fostering relationships between the two countries – martial arts has served as a great bridge,” says Lucas.

Lucas feels that we all have something to learn from each other.

“There’s a lot of closed-minded people who think America is superior,” Lucas says. “Of course - we’re the world superpower we’ve got a lot of things that are very good – but China is a very unique and fascinating country with a rich history. You’re talking about a country that is debatably 10,000 years old. America has been around for not even 250 years. We’re a baby.”

Celebrating Similarities, Not Differences

Lucas says that though, politically, the U.S. and China have been at odds, we were once allies.

“Obviously we were on opposite sides during the cold war,” Lucas says, “But in China I found a lot of people were quick to point out that we were major allies during WWII in the Pacific Theater, and to them that’s very significant. And maybe as Americans we haven’t thought so much about that, but we were politically tied at one point.”

Lucas says that people should focus more on personal ties, instead of government relations.

“Once you start meeting people and having relations with people, you learn it’s about interpersonal diplomacy,” Lucas says.

After all, he didn’t start the Chinese Martial Arts Academy to celebrate differences. He thinks these very different countries can find commonalities.

“If you go to Zoey’s uncle’s house, he’s a cab driver in a small town in China, and on his nightstand is a picture of him and my dad. It is very meaningful and very significant.”

Produced by: Jackie Orchard

Photo Credit: Jackie Orchard

Lucas Geller, owner of the Chinese Martial Arts Academy in Latham, NY, warms up for class by practicing forms. Wushu is composed of two disciplines: taolu (套路; forms) and sanda (散打; sparring).

Photo Credit: Jackie Orchard

Zoey and Lucas Geller each laugh about wanting to speak the other's language. Zoey wants to practice English and Lucas begs her to help him with Chinese.