SANSHANGONG (Adult Kung Fu) classes are now held every

WEDNESDAY from 7pm – 8pm

and every

SATURDAY (starting September 4th) from 530pm – 630pm

An “Absolute  Beginners” is now in-place and is held every

SATURDAY from 3pm – 4pm.    

On the Wednesday and Saturday afternoon, Simon teaches whilst the Saturday evening class is led by Justin.

Interested?

Then  call Simon on: 07877 960 799

For a number of weeks now, Jack Redfern (above) has been having private one-to-one YOUNG DRAGON lessons in a serious attempt to better himself and thus qualify to attend the senior YOUNG DRAGONS class.

This coming October, Jack will be taking his Yellow Sash exam (grading) where, if he is successful, he will then qualify to attend the  senior YD class which is designed for all YDs that are of Yellow Sash status and above.   

The beauty of my private one-to-one lessons is that I can devote the entire one-hour lesson to the student and his/her development.

As one of the parents is normally watching this class, the private lesson allows  the parent to see exactly what I am teaching an how I am teaching it.

The private lesson environment also allows for questions and answers – be they from student to the teacher, from the parent to the teacher or from the teacher to the parent.

At the same time a deeper rapport between the student, teacher and parent may also be developed – and this has always been an important (actually, essential) factor in Mainland China when it comes to teaching traditional Chinese Martial Arts.

In the ideal world, the YOUNG DRAGON student should attend at least one group training class per week whilst also engage the teacher once a week for a private lesson.

 This way the student will get the best of both worlds – the group energy/therapy of the group class and the depth and detail of the private class.

If the weekly one-hour class is not possible then the YD student should try to attend more than one class a week, for YOUNG DRAGONS does not come under the shallow title of  ’sport’  but the far deeper concept of   ’discipline’  into which is tightly woven essential aspects of life such  as awareness and longevity – topics that are rarely, if ever, addressed within the typical day-to-day teachings your typical English school. 

Filling in these gaps – these gaping holes! – the YOUNG DRAGONS class should be seen as being what it is - a crucial part of the “Extended Schools” concept.  Not just another ’interest’, not a mere ‘activity’ or ‘hobby’, but a healthy habit and a Way of life that will empower the individual and thus insert substance the individual in a world where substance is severly lacking.

07877 960 799

realkungfu@talktalk.net

On Sunday July 25th a worldwide Taijiquan lesson took place in Ryde on the Isle Of Wight. 

This event took place the world over and at  the very same time – here it was 11am until 1130am.

It was led by the two most senior and qualified Taijiquan teachers here on the island – Mr Lawrence Bridgeland who has spent many years in the Far East learning this incredible art-form, and Mr Keith Graham, Chairman of the UK leading national Tai Chi ‘body’  (fronted by Mr. Dan Docherty).

There was a fee of £1 which we all paid whilst all the money raised went to “Breakthrough” – a breast cancer research group base here in England.

Although here on the Isle Of Wight we were competing against a “Race For Life” event in Newport and the not-so-great weather (which did improve!) we still had 39 individuals turn-up and so raised £79.

Every litle helps!

All but three members of my Taijiquan group came along whilst some individuals who had never before experienced Taijiquan also turned out.

For us, this event was a success.

Last year, Mainland China had 40,00 individuals all doing Taijiquan at the same time so our bid, this year, was to have 40,000 individuals all practice this unique martial art at the same time and thereby qualify us for an entry into the “GuinnesS Book Of Records”.

Did we manage it?

We do not know yet.

We’ll see.

This event was masterminded by a mainland group called “revitalise taichi” headed by a Mr. Andy Spragg.

Here on the island this event was featured on “Isle of Wight Radio” and in the Isle Of Wight County Press” newspaper. My thanks to those two media sources.

One of my students, Mr. Dave Russell, also covered it for “Meridian” television news although I do not know if his report and filming actually made onto the news.  Regardless as to whether it did or not, thank you very much indeed for that Dave!

Our practice was conducted on the playing field of “Ryde School” (on Queends Road) so I would like to thank Mr. Keith Dubbins who very kindly allowed us to use the premises. It was a perfect spot! For that act of kindness and support I am very grateful indeed! 

Video clips and more photographs to appear shortly on my facebook whilst also here on this website.

As the Summer Holidays get underway there is a now an additional YOUNG DRAGONS class.

This is being held on a Monday afternoon from 2:45 until 3:45 at THE MARSTA starting from today – July 26th – and will continue until the schools re-open in September.

Initially this was intended for my Monday afternoon in-school YD students, but I am now opening up this extra session to anyone that would like to train.

This extra class may serve as a way of making up for lessons missed – or simply serving as an additional weekly training session.

07877 960 799

Last night I taught Chinese Martial Arts and self-defence to two groups of EF students – all Russians. Unfortunately a lot of them were badly behaved so at first it was not, for me, such a pleasant experience. (Having been to Russia myself and having met a number of Russians outside of Russia I was expecting more from these students.)

But after a while certain members began to shine through. These students (pictured above) were outstanding and an abslute pleasure to teach! One of the leaders – Madz, a Briton – was great, too, and she was quite taken by the whole experience!

Next Saturday I am teaching another two classes of EF students and then, hopefully, more throughout the EF IOW Summer season including some more Russians.

The following information explains how the SANSHANGONG grading structure works…

Gradings are held every FIVE MONTHS

From WHITE SASH to BLACK SASH takes AT LEAST five years

Here is an example of how a SSG student who practices under me gets from White Sash through to Black Sash:

Having  joined SSG in May 2010…

WHITE SASH GRADING: October 2010

RED SASH GRADING: May 2011

YELLOW SASH GRADING: October 2011

ORANGE SASH GRADING: May 2012

GREEN SASH GRADING: October 2012

BLUE SASH GRADING: May 2013

PURPLE SASH GRADING: October 2013

BROWN SASH GRADING: May 2014

BLACK SASH  FIRST LEVEL GRADING: May 2015 (one year after the BROWN SASH) however…

a student must be at least twenty years of age before he/she can grade to BLACK SASH FIRST LEVEL

*  *  *

There are a number of different levels of the BLACK SASH. These can be attempted with lengthy intervals in between…

SECOND LEVEL  BLACK SASH  – this can be attempted TWO YEARS after having earnt the FIRST LEVEL BLACK SASH

THIRD LEVEL BLACK SASH – this can be attempted THREE YEARS after having earnt the SECOND LEVEL BLACK SASH

FOURTH LEVEL BLACK SASH  – this can be attempted FOUR YEARS after having earnt the THIRD LEVEL BLACK SASH

FIFTH LEVEL BLACK SASH – this can be attempted FIVE YEARS after having earnt the FOURTH LEVEL  BLACK SASH

SIXTH LEVEL BLACK SASH – thi scan be attempted SIX YEARS after having earnt the FIFTH LEVEL  BLACK SASH

SEVENTH LEVEL  BLACK SASH  – this can be attempted SEVEN YEARS after having earnt the SIXTH LEVEL BLACK SASH

EIGHTH LEVEL BLACK SASH (MASTER GRADE) – this can be attempted EIGHT YEARS after having earnt the SEVENTH LEVEL BLACK SASH

NINTH LEVEL BLACK SASH  – this can be attempted NINE YEARS after having earnt the EIGHTH LEVEL BLACK SASH

TENTH LEVEL BLACK SASH – this can be attempted TEN YEARS after having earnt the NINTH LEVEL  BLACK SASH

For each grading there is a fee with the exception of the First Level Black Sash. For this grading there is no fee! In the event of  a grading failure the candidate will have to wait for the next scheduled grading. Alternatively, he/she can re-take their grading two weeks after their failed attempt although the same grading fee will still apply. There will also be an additional fee for a private one-to-one lesson before the re-take.

The following information explains how the YOUNG DRAGONS grading structure works…

Gradings are held every FIVE MONTHS

From WHITE SASH to BLACK SASH takes five years

Here is an example of a youngster who practices under me from White Sash right the way through to Black Sash:

Having  joined YOUNG DRAGONS in May 2010…

WHITE SASH GRADING: October 2010

RED SASH GRADING: May 2011

YELLOW SASH GRADING: October 2011

ORANGE SASH GRADING: May 2012

GREEN SASH GRADING: October 2012

BLUE SASH GRADING: May 2013

PURPLE SASH GRADING: October 2013

BROWN SASH GRADING: May 2014

BLACK SASH  FIRST LEVEL GRADING: May 2015 (one year after the BROWN SASH)

There are a number of different levels of the BLACK SASH. These can be attempted one year apart so…

SECOND LEVEL  BLACK SASH  May 2016

THIRD LEVEL BLACK SASH May 2017

FOURTH LEVEL BLACK SASH May 2018

and so on…

By the age of fifteen a YOUNG DRAGON will be ready to ascend to the adult Sanshangong class where he/she will then swap his/her YD uniform for the Sanshangong uniform and start, once again, from White Sash and work his/her way through the SSG syllabus.

This may seem somewhat harsh (making the student go back to Square One again) but this is in-keeping with the Oriental concept of “Beginner’s Mind”:

“Shoshin” (初心) is a concept found within Chan Buddhism, Zen Buddhism and Japanese (Martial) Arts and refers to a Beginner’s Mind - a mind and and an attitude of openness, humbleness, eagerness, and lack of preconceptions when studying a subject - even when studying at an advanced level just as a beginner in that subject would. In this way one need never forget that:  In the beginner’s mind there are many possibilities whilst in the expert’s mind there are few!

For each grading there is a fee with the exception of the First Level Black Sash. For this grading there is no fee! 

 In the event of  a grading failure that candidate will have to wait for the next scheduled grading.

Alternatively, he/she can re-take their grading two weeks after their failed attempt although the same grading fee will still apply. There will also be an additional fee for a private one-to-one lesson before the re-take.

As you may have just heard (this morning at 7:40) on Isle of Wight Radio, on Sunday 25^th July

at Ryde School (on Queens Road in Ryde)

there will be a half-hour  Taijiquan (Tai Chi) lesson” taking place from 11am until 1130am. If you interested please email me (realkung@talktalk.net) or call me (07877 960 799) and let me know. You should aim to be there for 1030am.

This event is in support of breast cancer research whilst, at the same time, is encouraging a greater island awarenness as to what Taijiquan is and what it is not. 

Last year in China, 33,000 individuals took part in this co-ordinated event. This year I am involved in trying to get as many island locals participating in this as I can so that  we  may play our part in beating this record (the aim is 40,000 participants, minimum) and so have this achievement entered into the “Guiness Book Of Records”.

So far more than 100 Tai Chi groups have signed-up for this event in this country alone!

I am now trying to get the local paper and local television involved in covering this event.

There is a fee of £1 for each person that takes part in the lesson. All the money will be going directly to further breast cancer research.

I am a co-ordinator for this event and I am assisting my Tai Chi teacher (Master Lawrence Bridgeland) and another island-based Tai Chi teacher (Keith Graham) who is the Chairman of the national governing body for Tai Chi in Great Britain. 

Master Li from Tianjin (northern China) 

may also attend and so lead the goup!

This event is officially called “Revitalize Tai Chi”. Why not visit their website? 

www.re-vitalise.co.uk

Simon Lailey.