Monday, September 5, 2011

Emerald Dragon Newsletter

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. 

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