We are extremely proud of the strength and tradition of our Shaolin arts. Ours are the genuine arts of the Fukienese Shaolin Temple (which inspired so many other martial arts, including Karate). We practise our arts the way they were taught by the Nam Yang founder, Master Ang Lian Huat (1924-84). These are not competition arts, gymnastic arts or demonstration arts - these are the real deal! These are the arts which made the Shaolin monks so famous; these are the arts practised by the secret societies which overthrew the last Chinese emperor; these are the secret arts only recently revealed to non Chinese.
Our arts train the body’s ‘chi’ - the energy which permeates all living things and has profound effects on our health and well being.
Our arts train strength in the tendon and transform the muscle and tendon of the body so that it becomes springy and elastic and can snap out techniques with incredible speed and force.
Our arts train us to respond so sensitively to touch that we can feel an opponent’s move before we can see it counter it in a split second.
Our arts train us to strike with a force which penetrates right to the inside of the body and affects the internal organs directly.
Our arts work!
About our arts:
Tiger Crane Combination Kung Fu
Classic Fukienese kung fu! Trains the body’s tendon to knit together into one energised, elastic whole which snaps out devastating power from short range; trains ingenious body mechanics so that small people can overcome the strength of big people; packs chi into the organs to supercharge the body and counteract ageing; centres the mind and boosts confidence.
The Tiger-Crane Combination art is a close range art using mostly hand techniques including striking and seizing.
If you want to learn real Shaolin kung fu to develop your body, boost your confidence and teach you to fight, start learning this now.
Sun-Frost White Crane Soft and Gentle Art, (Shuang Yang Pei Ho Rou Rouan Chien)
Usually referred to as “Shuang Yang” for short, this is the rarely taught soft form of the Shaolin white crane art. It looks similar to Tai Chi but follows the Buddhist Shaolin tradition.
This is a very relaxed, fluid art which develops suppleness, mobility, calmness and balance. It energises the tendons and charges the body with ‘chi’.It massages, cleans and strengthens the internal organs making us healthier and more resistant to disease.
The Shuang Yang art is suitable for most people, even the elderly and unfit, since it is performed in a slow, relaxed fashion. Make no mistake, however, this is a real martial art capable of use in serious fights.
If you want to learn a soft, meditative art that will boost your health, strength, concentration and energy start learning this now.
Shaolin Weapons
The Shaolin weapons have captured the imaginations of many generations of people all over the world and inspired countless movies - and there is no sign of this slowing down! Although the weapons of ancient China are now seldom used for war, we still teach the original fighting forms as taught to Master Ang Lian Huat by Tan Kew Liong (9 dragons Tan) the chief of the herbal medicine peddlers in The Chuang Cho district of Fukien China.
Weapons training is a strong workout for the whole body and develops strength, co-ordination, concentration and balance. It is also great fun!
Soft Chi Kung for Health and Long Life
‘Chi’ is a natural energy which pervades all things. Chinese medical theory is based on the understanding that if the body’s chi is balanced and clean and circulates smoothly health and vitality will result.
Chi kung is the practise of charging the body with fresh chi, eliminating stale chi and circulating chi smoothly around the body.
The location of the MTC was chosen carefully for the exceptional quality of its chi. Hence it is a perfect place to practise chi kung.
Practising chi kung keeps us young and healthy, boosts our energy levels, speeds recovery, calms our emotions, counters stress and enhances our senses. Martial artists tend to practise chi kung because its physical benefits enhance their performance but in fact anyone can benefit greatly. Chi kung is also an excellent basis for spiritual / psychic development.
Here at the MTC we practise tong ling (clearing and circulating) chi kung - an easy and efficient system, suitable for beginners.
Chi Kung for Internal Power
Sometimes known as hard chi kung or martial chi kung, kung fu masters use this chi kung perform amazing feats such as breaking bricks, being hit with hammers and washing in broken glass! (To view demonstration, click here) The famous “iron shirt chi kung”, in which Nam Yang specialises, is an extreme form of martial chi kung.
Hard Chi Kung trains chi energy into the tendons where it is stored ready to be released in a whip like action - rather like letting go an elastic band. It trains all of the body�s tendon to knit together into a resilient, elastic whole capable of absorbing heavy blows and snapping out incredible force.
Hard Chi Kung packs chi into the internal organs, boosting their performance and making them highly resistant to punishment.
The legendary feats of the kung fu masters of old were usually demonstrations of the mastery of martial chi kung.
At the MTC we practise vein tendon chi kung and Tat Moh chi kung. We also develop a great deal of hard chi kung skill through regular practise of the sum chien (three wars) routine from the tiger-crane combination art. Long standing members of good character may be invited to initiate into the iron shirt chi kung practise.
Chinese Boxing / San Da
Chinese boxing is competition kung fu. It is fought full contact wearing gloves and other protection. To view examples:
List of links
Chinese boxing is ideal for people who want to get stuck in and have a go at fighting. It develops distancing, timing, accuracy, stamina and the ability to read and move with an opponent. It uses punches, kicks, sweeps, throws and takedowns. Chinese boxing is an optional part of our training.
Practical Self Defence
To defend yourself should you need to, it is important to know what to expect and how to use your martial arts in a practical context. All of our martial arts are taught in a very practical context, with explanations as to how to apply everything you learn in a practical, martial context. More than this, though, we train a lot of partner drills which teach you to react effectively to common attacks, disarm attackers with weapons, drop people to the floor and apply restraints.
We also teach assertiveness, positive body language and eye contact, and psychology - all of which make a great deal of difference in the real world.
Pushing Hands / Sticky Hands
We react much faster to our sense of touch than our sight (please ask one of our instructors for a demonstration). Hence the white crane art (considered to be the most advanced of the Shaolin arts, since it was the last to be developed before the burning down of the southern temple) always seeks to make touch contact with an opponent at the outset of a fight and use it to manipulate and overcome them. We constantly train touch sensitivity drills usually referred to as pushing / sticky hands. These drills provide direct, hands on contact with an opponent and train speed, reactions and strategy whilst not usually inflicting injuries.
Meditation
Meditation is an optional but recommended part of our training. We teach a number of meditation exercises which support our training, calm our minds, relax our bodies, circulate our chi, enhance our awareness and accelerate our spiritual development.
Training Ethos
We maintain a very traditional training ethos, which we believe leads to the best possible progress for all. This means, for instance:
- we all constantly strive for improvement;
- we train together constructively and co-operatively, trying to help each other progress - not out do each other;
- we practise diligently;
- senior students help teach more junior students and lead training sessions;
- instructors are expected to explain, demonstrate and lead the way, students are expected to follow the teaching and the instructions and practise until proficient;
- we all respect each other at all times and do our best not to cause injuries.
Timetable
Resident students train at least twice daily, morning and evening and are encouraged to put in extra training in the middle of the day if they have the energy. Training takes place five days a week with Wednesdays and Saturdays as rest days. Attendance at training is strongly encouraged but not enforced.
Short courses run between 9.00am and 4.00pm, details by agreement.
Classes for local residents take place at 4.30pm Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday.