Kwoon
News- Emerald Dragon Newsletter
The
meanings of some terms used at our Kwoon
“Maintaining
traditional terms is as appreciation of the heritage of Kung
Fu”
Sifu-
Teacher / Master
Sihing-
Big Brother (Black Sash)
Sijai-
Big Sister (Black Sash)
Ting-
Stop and Listen
Quie-
Fast as you can
Kwoon-
Place of
training
Chi –
Internal Energy
Dan
Tien- Centre of your energy located below the navel and inside the lower
abdomen
Qigong
(Chi- Kung)- Energy Work
Kung Fu-
The term original term for martial arts that roughly translates to “A time to
learn” or “Great knowledge”
Tai Chi
Chuan- Grand Ultimate Fist
We also
count in Mandarin (Chinese) out of respect for the origins of Kung Fu / Tai
Chi
Kwoon
Etiquette
It is
important to understand when learning Martial Arts knowledge and skills, one
must learn respect and humility and Kung Fu comes with great responsibility.
As a
student, some Kwoon etiquette included:
-
Bowing- understanding our bows and when to bow
- Not
interrupting a Sifu or Sihing when they are
training
- Do not
question or challenge direction
- To
respect the Kwoon at all times
- To
understand Respect, Integrity and Honesty
- To
understand the Shaolin Chant- Avoid rather than restrain, restrain rather than
hurt, hurt rather than maim, maim rather than kill
-
Respect yourself, your Sifu, Sihing’s and any visiting
masters
- Not
gossiping in the Kwoon
-
Training to learn and improve yourself
- Be
early for training
- Do not
show aggression
Tips
for increasing your training potential
-
Hydration- Hydrate your body with quality water
-
Nutrition- Fuel your body with nutritious food
-
Practise- Practise your Kung Fu / Tai Chi daily
-
Condition- Exercise daily for strength and
flexibility
- Clear
the mind- Practise Qigong or meditate daily
- Rest –
8 hours of interrupted sleep in a dark room
-
Attitude- Sustain a positive attitude
Bowing
Bowing
is a traditional expression of respect and manners in martial arts. When bowing
onto the Kwoon “place of training” floor you show respect for the place of
training and personally finalising your mind set of “a time to learn”, basically
leaving your personal issues at the door and focusing on training. When you bow
to the instructor at the start of the class, you are signalling that you are
willing to learn and give your attention and best efforts. When you bow out
from the Kwoon floor you are showing respect for your place of training. Bowing
to your Sifu or Sihing is showing gesture of good manners, mutual respect and
humility. It is also appreciation for their knowledge and experience.
Bowing
to your partner in sparing is signalling you are ready to spar, ready to try out
your Kung Fu skills, but most importantly showing your are in control of your
actions and emotions.
Originally
at the Shoalin
Temple, the monks would
first look for manners and respect before accepting disciples. To truly bow
with genuine honour and respect shows that one is ready to undertake the
required discipline and hard work to learn Kung Fu.
An
old Chinese saying is. When you drink a glass of water, you should always think
of the source, next time you bow, remember that this is the key to understanding
the respect and etiquette of the martial arts”
Yi
Jin Jing
Yin Jin
Jing translates to muscle, tendon changing scripture. It is believed to be the
set of exercises that forms the base to Kung Fu. Introduced to Shaolin by
Budhidrama (Tao Mo)
We use
Yin Jin Jing as part of our warm up because performed correctly, correctly will
stretch the body, increase cardio capacity, enhance chi flow, strengthen the
body and prepare the body and mind for training.
For best
results Yin Jin Jing should be practised daily in its full form (this takes from
30 minutes upto 1 hour daily)
We will
be including movements from Ba Duan Jin Qigong in our Kung Fu classes from this
month. Ba Duan Jin means eight section brocade. This movement provides
stretching, meditation and chi flow.
New
Classes / Timetable Changes
In June
we started open an Open Kung Fu class. This class is for all ages and gives an
extra class option to those who’s work or family commitments do not allow them
to make the weeknight classes as the Open class is held on Saturday afternoons
at 1pm. It also encourages the opportunity for parents to train along side
their children, fantastic stuff!
Due to
the recent issues in our federation regarding OH&S and weapons, we have no
choice other than to teach them in a separate class. We are currently going
through a transition period to separate all weapons from the regular Kung Fu
classes and will keep you updated. We have allocated a second weapons class in
our timetable to cater for this.
Sanda
(Chinese Kickboxing) class has been moved to Friday evenings at 7pm. Technique
and sparing class.
We have
introduced a new Training Package Structure that streamlines the options to
three different training packages as a lot of members were getting confused with
all the options. Current registered members who are already entered into a
current registration have the choice to stay on the previous structure or you
can elect to change to the new one. At the completion of your current
registration period, you will automatically be transferred to the new
structure. Please advise us of your choice on your next visit to Emerald Dragon
Martial Arts Academy. Remember you can change you package plan each month.
Weapons
& OH&S
We were
recently advised by our federation, the AKWF (Australian Kung Fu & Wushu
Federation), that the teaching of weapons will now have more restrictions in the
way of environment and safety factors. The impact the schedule of our grading
criteria as currently taught will not effect the overall requirements for each
grade. We will endeavour to run the weapons class with the required weapon in
conjunction with the current schedule, but as some grade weapons overlap some
alterations will have to be made.
Circuit
Class
Fitness
Circuit class will be held at Emerald Dragon Kwoon on Sunday’s by Sihing Rod
(Qualified Personal Trainer, fitness boxing coach). Bookings required, please
see notice board for details.
China
Tour
Sifu
David, Sihing Ben, Sihing Rod, Sihing Andrew, Instructor Dorothy and some of the
assistant instuctors will be joining Master Zhang Hao’s tour group this year.
As part of the tour we will be visiting the Shoalin Temple, the birth place of Shaolin Chuan
(Kung Fu).
Grand
Championship Challenge
Congratulations
to everyone who completed the last challenge! Prizes were awarded for the top
point scorers and Sifu’s pick in each Little Dragons, Kids Kung Fu, Youth Kung
Fu and Adult Kung Fu. Prizes include personal lessons with Sifu and Massage
Vouchers for Mum or Dad is most cases!!
The
Grand Champion Leader Board will be updated with points from July attendance and
June Challenge, results will be announced in class and posted on our Facebook
page.
ISKA
Tournaments
Emerald
Dragon has entered the IKSA circuit this year with the main objective to have
the opportunity to compete in the World Cup that is being held in Liverpool,
Sydney in
October. Although, this sport is martial arts based, we have adapted to the
rules quite well and we have been very successful individually and overall as a
team.
Upcoming
Competitions
- August
20 & 21- Hunter Valley Challenge,
Maitland
-
September 18- Country Championships, Singleton
-
October 21, 22 and 23rd- World Cup, Liverpool
Training-
Anyone can join our team
Tuesday’s-
5pm-6pm- Sword Sparring
Tuesday’s
– 5pm-6pm- Continuous sparring techniques, training for youth and
adults
Saturdays
11am-12pm- Grappling, Sumo, Forms, Kids Sparring, Self Defence and showmanship
events
Adults
and Youth competing in the Point and Continuous sparring are encouraged to take
Sihing Ben’s Chinese Kickboxing Class Friday evenings 7pm-8pm where he will be
conducting IKSA sparring.
Term
3 Holiday
Closure
We will
be closed for the term 3 school holidays for normal classes, last class Saturday
24th September and reopen for classes Monday 10th October
due to the China Tour. At this stage it is best to do additional classes in
advance and or after this period, but there is a chance we may have some
classes running in this period.
Natural
Health Therapies Clinic
Remedial
Therapies and Natural Health Products
Remedial
/ Deep Tissue / Sports Massage / TCM / Acupressure / Cupping and Moxa. Hot
stone massage, Warm Bamboo Massage and Ionic Food Detox.
