Instuctors in the west of England?

[Tzuan]

Hi all,

Are there any instructors in the west of England?
About 2 years ago I was looking to join Sifu Jordan Francis class but he stopped teaching for some reason. Since then I've been practicing Hsing I which I really enjoy but my fascination with Shaolin kung fu continues and I would feel it a rare honour to be able to attend an intensive course with Sifu Wong (as well as benefitting my Hsing I practice). If Sifu Wong would accept me I could learn the material needed from his books and videos but learning from an qualified instructor and getting corrections is always so much better.

Thanks for any info

Andy

[namaste]

Hi all,

If Sifu Wong would accept me I could learn the material needed from his books and videos but learning from an qualified instructor and getting corrections is always so much better.

Thanks for any info

Andy

Hi Andy,

I am not sure if there are any instructors in your area but you have an opportunity to learn from Grandmaster Wong himself as he is in Brighton this year for the UK Wahnam Summercamp. You will find all the details you need here: http://shaolinsummercamp.co.uk/. The chi kung courses on offer would be an excellent place to start!

All the best.

Richard

[Charlieo]

Master Yan Xin Teaches in Bristol and Southhampton -

http://www.shaolintemplegongfu.co.uk/

[Charles David]

CharlieO,

I had a look at the website you linked to. It is especially interesting to note the differences between Master Yan Xin's school and ours. I am, as always, impressed with the very high level acrobatics and physical prowess of Modern Shaolin monks.

That being said, in our school we feel it is vital to point out that what is being practiced today in the Shaolin Temple is not genuine traditional Shaolin Kung Fu, which emphasizes cultivation of internal force, combat efficiency, and spiritual cultivation, but rather is modernized Shaolin Wu Shu implanted in the temple by the Chinese Government, over one hundred years after the razing of the temple. It is clear that Master Yan Xin is practicing this form of New Shaolin.

If Andy wished to practice modern Shaolin Wu Shu, it looks like he could do well visiting the school you are promoting. Since he has expressed an interest in traditional Shaolin Kung Fu, Master Yan Xin's school would not be the best choice for him.

While not wanting to be an ungracious host, I would also like to point out that perhaps you should spend a bit of time chatting and getting to know us before you start advertising another school here in our virtual kwoon. Doing so would be a little closer to traditional kung fu etiquette.

Good Morning,


Charles

[Charlieo]

Sorry man I had a quick look here and thought I could help! I'm nothing to do with Master YanXin's school.

One note just to leave on, If what is seen as 'authentic' Shaolin is that which was taught in the time before Shaolin's reformation and promotion worldwide, at which point do you say that it became authentic in the 1000 or so years of its development? Although certain elements have changed, and for different purposes, surely these changes are similar to the hiring of Shaolin monks for the defense of Government or involvement in the repelling of coastal invasions?

Seeing as we do not live in feudal times, in my opinion the greatest application is that which promotes happiness, health, and spiritual understanding, something which I dare say it is the ultimate weapon against violence. If all is in constant change, then the 'modern' Shaolin Kung Fu that we see today is still just as authentic and credible - it's just its context which has changed.

Like I said I'm nothing to do with YanXin's school - train hard and peace to all of you!

[Charles David]

Apples and Oranges (Coke and Beer)

Hi Charlieo,

No problem. In fact you may have helped. Perhaps Andy will review what he wants from a martial art and decide that he likes what Master Yan Xin has to offer. Perhaps he will see more clearly what our school offers that others don't. It is most important, however, that he, and others, understand that there is a fundamental difference between genuine, traditional Shaolin Kung Fu and "new" Shaolin Kung Fu.

I agree with you that

the greatest application is that which promotes happiness, health, and spiritual understanding,

But your statement that

the 'modern' Shaolin Kung Fu that we see today is still just as authentic and credible

could be misleading. I agree that it is an authentic martial sport that bears some resemblance and similarities to traditional kung fu, but I disagree that it is authentic Shaolin Kung Fu. Perhaps an analogy will help?

Imagine all the Rolls Royce factories were destroyed.

Over a hundred years passes, but still the legend of Rolls Royce excellence persists in people's minds. The government decides that it would be a good idea to again continue manufacturing Rolls, so it hires experts to do so, and the new motorcars are rolled off the assembly line. The only difficulty is that the new vehicles are not the same as the old ones. In fact they are quite different, for the experts, in fact, are using blueprints which are different from the old ones. Perhaps the cars even resemble Toyotas more than Rolls Royce.

Are they still genuine, traditional Rolls Royce? Personally I would say that they are not.

Would it not be fair to make a distinction between the new Rolls Royce and the old? I think it would.

This situation is, to our understanding, what has happened at the Shaolin Temple. Over a hundred years passed between the burning of the temples and their re-population by the government, and the experts that were brought in to teach Shaolin Kung Fu were not actually practicing what was taught there previously! It may be kung fu, and it may be taught at the Shaolin Temple, but that does not make it Shaolin Kung Fu, any more than brewing beer at a Coca-Cola factory makes that beer become coke.

It is not my purpose to denigrate "new" Shaolin Kung Fu. But I do think it is crucial to distinguish what has been practiced there for the last thirty years to what was practiced there for well over a millennium. Your host may prefer to serve you apples, but they should not call them oranges.

I'm off to practice now. All my best to you!

Still,

Charles

P.S.

Andy, Many people have succeeded on Intensive courses by first learning from other schools (for me it was a Wu Shu school!) and then from Sifu Wong's books. Whatever you decide, I do hope that you find a rewarding and life changing practice.

[Daniel Jimenez]

Good evening!
I have taken Chi Kung courses with Sigung Wong and Chi Kung / Tai Chi Chuan with Sifu (Piti); I would like to know if any Sifu is coming to latinamerica to teach Kung Fu? Maybe to "La Montaña Azul"?
Regards
Big Smile!
DAN