2009 Warrior Projects

Last weekend saw the first of this year's 'Warrior Projects' held in Frankfurt.
The Warrior Projects are a great opportunity for Shaolin students to experience fighting other styles of martial arts, a little bit of 'thinking outside the box'.

The weekend events are open to level two students and above. Forthcoming projects this year are:

Costa Rica - Blue Mountain
Date: 14th - 19th (19th - 21st extra training) March
Special WP - Meditation & Guest 'Grandmaster Wong Kiew Kit'
Booking & Information: jardinsintiempo@yahoo.com

Scotland - Edinburgh
Date: 9th - 10th May
Booking & Information: Jamie@wahnamscotland.co.uk

Portugal - Lisbon
Date: TBA
Booking & Information: Diamantino.ferreira@gmail.com

Switzerland - Zurich
Date: 5th & 6th December
Booking & Information: info@enerqi.ch

Further information can be found on the Warrior Project website - www.warriorproject.net
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One Finger Zen

Within Shaolin Wahnam we treat the most basic parts of our art as the most important -hence the most important aspects are also found in the basics!

The art of 'One Finger Shooting Zen' is one of these such treasures that is taught very early on in the Wahnam syllabus. Arts like this may take years and years to develop so the sooner we start the better.

What is the secret of 'One Finger Shooting Zen'? Practice.

Postawa jeźdźca -- na podstawie ''The Art of Shaolin Kungfu'' (sifu Wong Kiew Kit)

Pozycja jeźdźca jest najważniejszym elementem w Shaolin kungfu, w szczególności w południowym shaolin. Jeśli poważnie traktujesz naukę Shaolin Kungfu, to jest bardzo zalecane abyś tę postawę ćwiczył przez okres przynajmniej kilku miesięcy zanim rozpoczniesz naukę właściwego kungfu, tak jak to czynili praktycy kungfu w przeszłości. Ewentualnie
możesz ćwiczyć tę postawę przez dwa tygodnie, a później kontynuować jej praktykę jednocześnie ucząc się innych elementów kungfu.

Są dobre powody dla których praktyka postawy jeźdźca jest bardzo ważna. Postawy tworzą fundamenty na których zbudowane są wzorce Kung fu, i postawa jeźdźca jest jest ich podstawowym i najważniejszym elementem. Siła i umiejętności
będące wynikiem tego ćwiczenia sprawią że będziesz mógł wykonać dobrze także inne postawy. Wspomniane ćwiczenie buduje siłę twoich nóg. Zastępuje twoją "starą`` siłę nową, z pomocą której możesz łamać cegły kopnięciami i przejść długi dystans bez zmęczenia, nie wspominając innych umiejętności, które to ćwiczenie daje. W pewnym momencie kiedy twoja "stara'' siła zostanie wyczerpana, a "nowa`` jeszcze nie zostanie zbudowana, twoje nogi mogą być bardzo słabe, i możesz mieć nawet problem z wejściem po schodach. Ale nie martw się jest to częścią prawidłowego rozwoju tego ćwiczenia i Twoje nogi będą silne po kilku dniach.

Trening postawy jeźdźca także obniża twój środek ciężkości, przenosząc go z okolic "klatki piersiowej'' do podbrzusza,
czyniąc Cię "Świerzym u góry i stabilnym poniżej``, co oznacza, że jesteś czujny i zrównoważony, zarówno fizycznie jak i mentalnie. Te dwa elementy, bardziej niż techniki, których nauczysz się później, są wyznacznikami mistrza KungFu.
W końcu, opisywany trening ''buduje'' kulę życiowej energii w twoim podbrzuszu dan tien, albo polu energii. Tylko gdy masz wystarczająco dużo życiowej energii w swoim dan tien, możesz efektywnie trenować wewnętrzną siłę, ponieważ dan tien jest źródłem z którego płynie wewnętrzna siła.

Postawa jeźdźca jest bardzo wymagającą formą zhan zhuang (postawa stojąca) chi kung, ale wartą włożonego w jej ćwiczenie czasu i wysiłku. Jednym z powodów, które sprawiają że praktycy kungfu nie stają się mistrzami nawet jeśli ćwiczą przez długi czas, jest brak źródła życiowej energii w ich dan tien, i ten brak jest rezultatem niewystarczającego treningu form zhan zhuang, właściwych danemu stylowi.

Oto kilka pomocnych wskazówek dla Twojego treningu postawy jeźdźca. Twoje ciało powinno być wyprostowane, a twoje uda powinny być prawie prawie równoległe do ziemi. Nie powinieneś podnosić swojego ciała kiedy poczujesz się zmęczony - większość początkujących zachowuje się w ten (unosi swoje ciało) sposób, nawet nie zdając sobie z tego sprawy. Pomimo faktu, że Twoje ciało może być częściowo napięte w wyniku trzymania postawy, postaraj się rozluźnić ciało i umysł. Skup uwagę na swoim podbrzuszu. Twoje oczy mogą być otwarte , albo zamknięte, ale nie powinieneś myśleć o niczym. Większość ludzi nie potrafi utrzymać tej postawy przez minutę, ale Ty powinieneś wytrwać aż będziesz w stanie utrzymać postawę przez przynajmniej pięć minut, jeśli chcesz mieć korzyść z tego ćwiczenia. Prawdopodobnie osiągnięcie wspomnianego celu zajmie Ci okres około trzech miesięcy, codziennych ćwiczeń.

Gdy zmęczysz się siedzeniem w pozycji Jeźdźca, możesz (jeśli chcesz) zmienić postawę, np. na pozycję Łuku-Strzały (gdzie ciężar ciała jest równo rozłożony pomiędzy obie nogi) i pozycję Fałszywej nogi (gdzie tylnia noga utrzymuje 95% ciężaru ciała). Po prostu przekręć (przesuń) swoje ciało i zmień ustawienie stóp, bez wychodzenia z postawy. Powróć do postawy jeźdźca kiedy będziesz gotowy na kolejną rundę treningu wytrzymałości. Poświęć także trochę czasu na postawę Jednej nogi oraz postawę jednorożca (gdzie rozkład ciężaru jest 60% z przodu i 40% z tyłu). Wspomniane pięć postaw jest często używane w Shaolin Kungfu i dlatego nazywa się je podstawowymi postawami.


Po treningu postaw musisz poświęcić trochę czasu na rozciąganie nóg, aby twoje nogi nie tylko były silne ale także zwinne i gibkie.

Lion Dance Lifts Off

Our London Club have just started exploring the art of Lion Dancing.
For the past one hundred and fifty years Kung fu and Lion Dance been associated as the Lion symbolically ate then spat out the 'Choy Cheng'. A play on words mixes the term for lettuce or greens and 'Ch'ing', who were the ruling dynasty at the time. When revolutionary groups were driven underground this was an open way to show your support for the previous Ming dynasty.



We have only just started our Lion Dance group but as you can see from the video they are making good progress.

If you have problems watching the clip above it can also be found here.

Keeping Focused

This video shows Sifu Simon Brooks and Taisipak Kai Jettkandt engaged in a little light hearted weapons sparring. It was the first time that they had used those particular weapons (Sabre or boardsword and Butterfly Knives) against each other. Despite the friendly and slowed nature of the action it still ended up with Sifu Simon getting his thumb sliced.



Taisipak (oldest older brother) Kai of Frankfurt once taught that when unarmed sparring we should treat our opponents fists as if they are knifes. This thought was to help keep us focused. It was a valid comment then and obviously even more vital when actually facing sharpened steel.

For safety's sake should we trade our steel weapons for wooden versions?
The danger of fake weapons is that we become blase and careless in our actions in the same way that unarmed sparring fully 'padded up' encourages us to take risks.

Take your sparring gradually one step at a time and keep it real!

Signing Up For Classes

The current Autumn term is now underway.

The next chance to join the group will be at the start of the next April. At this time we will hold a free taster session where you can come along and try out our unique brand of Traditional Shaolin.

To register for this free session just follow this link and fill out the short form.

During this session we'll take a glancing overview of the material covered during your first three months of practice.
This includes chi kung (as known as qi gong), internal force training, kung fu stances and some basic attacks and defences.

Shaolin Mountain Retreat 2008

England may have missed out on the Euro 2008 football championships but they made up for it with a strong attendance at this year's Swiss Mountain Retreat. Shaolin Wahnam students from four countries took the cable car up to Eggberge and spent a week or two enjoying meditation and kung fu in the beautiful Swiss mountains.

Organised and taught by Master Kai Jettkandt from Frankfurt, this is the second year that the retreat has run and high number of return visitors showed it's popularity.

The participants soon slipped into the daily routine of meditation, chi kung and kung fu. While not hard at work cultivating mind and body the time was spent on mountain walks, boat trips or simply sitting on the porch glazing at the stunning views.

Shaolin Chin Na Course

June 8th-15th saw Grandmaster Wong kiew Kit teach a course in the 72 techniques of Shaolin Chin Na.
The course was held in Sabah, Malaysia and gave students excellent advice on wronging bones, separating tendons and targeting meridian points.

This was the first time that this course had been offered and despite the large amount of material to take in, all the students had a great time. As well as internal methods for developing Tiger Claw and One Finger Zen, also practised were the external training methods of jabbing beans, carrying jars and taming tiger push ups.
Despite the obvious dangers of Chin Na all students left with their fingers and meridians intact although most people sported a lovely set of bruised legs; a lot of techniques involved bring your opponent down to his knees, normally by standing on his ankles or lower legs!

Brighton Warrior Project

Congratulations to all those who made it to last weekend's Warrior Project in Brighton. These two day events are taught by Taisipak (oldest older brother) Kai of Frankfurt and focus on the more practical side of our art, especially when facing opponents using techniques from outside our usual syllabus material.

The Warrior project will return to the UK next year. For those Level 2 students and above who are really keen the next three projects are:

Cananda: Toronto, 17. Calendar Week (fourth Weekend in April) the exact date will be follow soon. Further Information Sifu Emiko Hsuen shaolin@shaolinwahnamcanada.com

Spain: Barcelona on Sat 25th & Sun 26th of October. Further Information: Sifu Daniel Perez shaolinbcn@shaolinbcn.com

Italy: Milano 6th & 7th of December. Further information: Sifu Riccardo Puleo riccardopuleo@libero.it

This old photograph shows an elderly Yang Fatt Khun (standing) with Ho Fatt Nam squatting in the foreground.

As a young man Yang Fatt Khun earnt a living from a roadside stall selling medicines. Part of his sales pitch would be a demonstration of his kung fu skills. One evening an elderly passing monk happened upon the performance. The legend has it that after six nights of watching the demonstration the old monk confronted the young medicine seller telling him his kung fu for 'not real and only for show'. Of course the issue was soon put to test in a friendly sparring match in which Jiang Nan, the elderly monk, easily beat his young opponent.

Yang Fatt Khun became a student of Jiang Nan and years later passed what he had learnt to Ho Fatt Nam. One of the last students that Ho Fatt Nam accepted was a young man named Wong Kiew Kit. A hundred years from the start of our story the arts are passed on by the Shaolin Wahnam Institute. For your chance to join the story just click on the 'class info' button on the right.

January's All Nation's Gathering

January 26th saw the third annual All Nation's Gathering take place in Edinburgh. This event is the yearly get together of students from around the Uk and beyond. Instructors each take a one hour slot to teach.

This year's subjects included Tai Chi push hands, Chi Kung, reflective practice, a five animal set and sparring methodology. The day was finished off, as always, with a good meal.

Well done to all those who made it up from London. It was good to see the old faces again and meet so many new ones from Scotland's bulging Wahnam scene. Next year should be back in the UK somewhere, see you then...

Frankfurt Chamber of Shaolin

Last week I was lucky enough to spend a few days visiting Shaolin Wahnam Frankfurt. Germany is fortunate enough to host not only one of the most senior Wahnam disciples in the form of Kai Jettkandt but also his 'Special Chamber'.

Taisipak (eldest older brother) Kai has a training kwoon or dojo attached to his acupuncture clinic.
Recently another building next door has been going through a transformation into a 'special chamber' containing all the traditional training devices associated with Shaolin Kung Fu.

The most eye catching are of course the 'plum flower' posts. These are great for 'moving through the woods' as you move through the forest of poles. Later, after starting on circles drawn on the floor, students progress to moving on top of the posts!

Kung Fu Comes Shortly in Shoreditch...

January 8th 2008 sees Shaolin Wahnam return to Shoreditch.

Kung fu classes Tuesdays and Thursdays, a short walk from Old Street tube, just off the A10.



Details of free taster session can be found here.

Shaolin Wahnam is the international school of Grandmaster Wong Kiew Kit.
Scroll down or check out our links for more information about us.

Events in 2008

Saturday 26th January- All Nations Gathering
The All Nations is annual gathering of Wahnam Students from across the UK and Ireland. Hosted first by Brighton, then Manchester, the event has now moved north to Scotland and the beautiful city of Edinburgh.
There will be '8 hours' of teaching throughout the day, along with 'Review/Q & A Sessions'. The cost - £50
Further details will soon be posted at here.


Saturday and Sunday 19th & 20th April- UK Warrior Project
This is your chance to learn directly from Taisipak (Eldest Big Brother) Kai of Frankfurt. The weekend covers using kung fu against other styles of martial arts. In 2008 this event will be held in the Brighton area. Details will be announced nearer the time. Students must have reached level two in the syllabus to attend.

July 2008- UK Annual Summer Camp
This is the yearly visit of Grandmaster Wong Kiew Kit to our shores. Over the duration of a week he'll be teaching the following not to be missed courses:

Tuesday 15th July – 18th July
Southern Shaolin Kung Fu – Introduction to Internal Force and Combat Application – 24 hrs of tuition.

Saturday 19th July
Generating Energy Flow – Essential Introduction to Shaolin Cosmos Chi Kung skills and techniques – 6 hrs of tuition.

Sunday 20th July
Massaging Internal Organs – Using Energy Flow to Massage, Nourish and Heal Your Internal Organs – 6 hrs of tuition.

Monday 21st July

Cosmic Shower – Discover How To Tap Energy From the Cosmos and Channel It to Cleanse Your Body of “Energy Blockages” – 6 hrs of tuition.

Tuesday 22nd July
Sinew Metamorphosis – Also Known As Merging With The Cosmos – 5 hrs of tuition

Wednesday 23rd July
Shaolin Internal Force – Internal Force Is Not Just For Martial Artists You Can Use It To Enhance Health, Promote Mental Clarity and Gain Glimpses of Cosmic Reality – 6 hrs of tuition.
More details can be found here.
Saturday 2nd - Saturday 9th August- Mountain Retreat Levels 1-4
Saturday 9th - Saturday 16th August- Mountain Retreat Levels 4-6

Meditation, Chi Kung and Kung Fu with Taisipak Kai all taking place half way up a Swiss Mountain. Not to be missed.
More details can be found here.

Swiss Weekend Warriors

Last weekend the small town of Winterthur played host to this year's Swiss Warrior project.
So many new faces and a few old timers gathered to learn the tricks of the trade from Taisipak Kai of Frankfurt.
As always a good time had by all and as always never enough sleep.

What's in a Logo?

The design of the logo is red in colour and the background yellow. These are the colours of our school. Red represents courage and righteousness, and yellow represents compassion and wisdom, manifesting the ideals of a scholar-warrior as well as the ideals of a warrior-monk.

The design of the trident and three-sectional soft-whip makes the letter W and N, indicating "Wah Nam", named after Grandmaster Lai Chin Wah and Grandmaster Ho Fatt Nam, the two sources from which our school developed.

The trident and soft-whip also represent kong (gang in Mandarin) and yow (rou), indicating both the 'hard' and 'soft' dimensions of our training.


The inner and the outer circles represent both the internal and external approaches of our cultivation, and also signify that we pay respect to both our mind as well as our body. The inner circle reminds us of the importance of internal unity, and the outer circle our universality, i.e. we spread our arts to deserving people, irrespective of their race, culture and religion.

In addition, note that Shaolin is a Mandarin translation, whereas Wahnam is Cantonese. Shaolin was chosen over Siu Lam (which is in Cantonese) because it is universally known, whereas Wahnam was chosen over Huanan (in Mandarin) because the names of our grandmasters, Lai Chin Wah and Ho Fatt Nam are generally known in Cantonese.

This shows we can be both idealistic and practical at the same time -- the non-dualistic characteristic of Zen. We are idealistic in our aspiration, but practical in our application. It also reflects that while our origin (Shaolin) was from the northern Shaolin Temple, our development (Wahnam) was from the Shaolin Temple in the south.

The above was written by Grand Master Wong Kiew Kit. Reproduced from www.shaolin.org

When personalising the logo for South London a picture of Grand Master Wong Kiew Kit performing the pattern 'Swimming Dragon Plays with Water' was added. The low stance reflects the traditional nature of our kung fu, the dragon form finger strike highlighting the internal aspect.

Roots and Culture

This was going to be a post about the differences between sport martial arts and other more traditional styles like Shaolin Wahnam. Many arguments have raged over the advantages of one or the disadvantages of the other. Now is not the time to explore these.

A much more worthwhile exercise is to examine and understand the roots of your chosen art and discover how and why it practises in the way that it does.

Gold Medals at International Wushu Championships

Naoko Yamada, Hubert Ruzack and Sifu Michael Chow, all from Shaolin Wahnam Canada, won gold medals in Optional Empty Hand Routines II, Traditional Northern Empty Hand Forms and Optional Empty Hand Routines I respectively at the 2007 Wushu International Championships held on 21st and 22nd July at Hamilton, Canada.

It is no surprise for Sifu Michael Chow, who has won many gold medals before, to win again, but for new comers like Naoko and Hubert to win gold medals the first time they competed in wushu championships, it is a remarkable achievement. Much credit goes to their coach, Sifu Emiko Hsuen, who herself is a former wushu international champion.

Shaolin Chi Kung Comes to London

Here at Shaolin Wahnam, Chi Kung and Kung Fu have always gone hand in hand. In fact, they are the same hand but that's a long story. While it is impossible to practise Kung Fu without Chi Kung, the same is not true the other way around. Chi Kung can be taught and practised as an art in its own right.

For those who want to enjoy the benefits of Chi Kung without taking on the vigours of learning a martial art, the Shaolin Wahnam Institute is pleased to announce a free evening of Chi Kung with Sifu Marcus Santer.

When: Thursday 20th September 2007

Where: Lancaster Hall Hotel, 35 Craven Terrace, London, W2 3EL (5 mins walk from Paddington)

Time: 19:00 hours

Sifu Marcus has said, "My presentation will focus on health, vitality and longevity and how Shaolin Cosmos Chi Kung can overcome so called incurable illnesses. I aim for my presentation to last no longer than 1 hour. At 20:00 hours refreshments will be served, so feel free to hang around and chat, ask questions etc. I have the hall until 11pm, so there's no rush.
I look forward to seeing you, bring your family or bring a friend. If you can't make it but know of someone who could benefit from learning more about the benefits of Shaolin Cosmos Chi Kung please let them know about this presentation."

Email: marcus.santer@shaolinwahnam.co.uk for any questions.

Importance of Skill

During one of my first classes in Shaolin Wahnam many years ago we were all lined up performing a simple straight punch, a punch known as 'Black Tiger Steals Heart'. My Sifu described how, although knowing many techniques, masters would often choose one to specialise in. This would become their unbeatable move.

I loved the idea that such a simple technique like the 'black tiger' punch could be treated this way. It showed that good kung fu comes not from learning more and more techniques or complex series of movements but from skill.

What do we mean by skill? Simply we mean all the other factors other than the technique itself. For example good timing or the ability to always get the distance spot on. On a higher level focusing on a simple technique means that the student can focus on perfecting the three internal harmonies of the Shen (mind), Chi (energy), Ching (structure).

Swiss Shaolin Mountain Retreat

This year's retreat saw Wahnam members from across Europe gather in the beautiful setting of the Swiss mountains for six days of meditation, chi kung and kung fu. With students working together to cook and clean and, with the bonding that comes with sharing such intensive training, many new friendships were made.

Taisipak (Eldest Brother) Kai of Germany, once again, proved himself not just a master of the Shaolin arts but also as a teacher of those arts. I cannot recommend next year's retreat highly enough.

Pictured is the sunset from the Judohaus where the retreat was held, Olaf of Germany celebrating the climbing of the local peak and a group picture of the first batch of students (the second week's students are still there!).

Holiday in China

Sifu Simon is currently enjoying the kung fu retreat in Switzerland. 6-8 hours a day of Shaolin kung fu, chi kung and meditation, as taught by Taisipak Kai of Germany might not seem any kind of holiday! This is just one of many special courses offered to continuing students of Shaolin Wahnam.

While he is away, here are some photos from a trip to China in 2002, the village and temple of Shaolin and Wudang, places of kung fu, tai chi history and legend.

Pictured is the Shaolin temple, the wooden friezes and weapons to be found within and the gateway to the wudang mountains in Hubei province. Finally, there is a glimpse of children practising at a wushu school where Simon stayed in the Shaolin village. Without fail, they were to be found going over their forms from the early hours until dusk. A great example. Keep up the good work!

From Out of India

The text below was written by violinist Yehudi Menuhin and forms the foreward to 'Light On Yoga' by Yoga guru B.K.S Iyengar.
The first patriarch of Shaolin Kung Fu, and indeed the first patriarch of Zen Buddhism, was an Indian prince named Boddhidharma. He renounced his royality, became a monk and travelled the silk road to China arriving in the fifth century AD. Therefore it should not be so surprising that what we read about Yoga below can be applied word for word to our own Shaolin arts.

"The practice of Yoga induces a primary sense of measure and proportion. Reduced to our own body, our first instrument, we learn to play it, drawing from it maximum resonance and harmony. With unflagging patience we refine and animate every cell as we return daily to the attack, unlocking and liberating capacities otherwise condemned to frustration and death.

Each unfulfilled area of tissue and nerve, of brain or lung, is a challenge to our will and integrity, or otherwise a source of frustration and death. Whoever has had the privilege of receiving Mr Iyengar's attention, or of witnessing the precision, refinement and beauty of his art, is introduced to that vision of perfection and innocence which is man as first created-unarmed, unashamed, son of God, lord of creation-in the Garden of Eden. The tree of knowledge has indeed yielded much fruit of great variety, sweet, poisonious, bitter, wholesome according to our use of it. But is it not more imperative then ever that we cultivate the tree, that we nourish it's roots? And furthermore how dangerous is that knowledge to those who, ill at ease with themselves, would rather apply it to the manipulation of other people and things than to the improvement of their own persons.

The practice of Yoga over the past fifteen years has convinced me that most of our fundamental attitudes to life have their physical counter part in the body. Thus comparison and criticism must begin with the alignment of our own left and right sides to a degree at which even further adjustments are feasible: or strength of will will cause us to start stretching the body from the toes to the top of the headin defiance of gravity. Impetus and ambition might begin with the sense of weight and speed that comes with free-swinging limbs, instead of the control of prolonged balance on one foot, feet or hands, which give poise. Tenacity is gained by stretching in various Yoga postures for minutes at a time, while calmness comes with quiet, consistent breathing and the expansion of the lungs. Continuity and a sense of the universe come with the knowledge of the inevitable alternation of tension and relaxation in external rhythms of which each inhalation an exhalation constitutes one cycle, wave or vibration among the countless myriads which are the universe.

Yoga, as practised by Mr. Iyengar, is the dedicated votive offering of a man who brings himself to the alter, alone and clean in body and mind, focused in attention and in will, offering in simplicity and innocence not a burnt sacrifice, but simply himself raised to his own highest potential.

It is a technique ideally suited to prevent physical and mental illness and to protect the body generally, developing an inevitable sense of self-reliance and assurance. By it's very nature it is inextricably associated with universal laws: for respect for life, truth, and patience are all indispensable factors in the drawing of a quiet breath, in calmness of mind and firmness of will.

In this lies the moral virues inherent in Yoga. For those it demands a complete and total effort, involving and forming the whole human being. No mechanical repetition is involved and no lip service as in the case of good resolutions or formal prayers. By its very nature it is each time and every moment a living act."

Take Back The Power!

Every Saturday morning the local park is invaded by an army. An army of tabard wearing sweaty twenty to thirty somethings squatting, star jumping, jogging, pushing, pulling, and looking knackered. All this is directed and enforced by a camouflaged squad of screaming military instructors.

In Shaolin Wahnam we believe that good health is your birthright and anyone can achieve this most basic of aims. The only downfall is that you are the only one who can do this. Often the most profound effects of Shaolin Chi Kung and Kung Fu come from the most basic of exercises. The exercise is the easy part, the constant daily practise is the hard bit.

It could be the aching legs, a cold wet morning or just a racing mind coming between you and your practise. These trials soon teach us that the only battle worth fighting is with yourself. Real progress can only be made from the inside out. Self-discipline is both the means and the measure of real sustained progress. So take the responsibility back!

Pictured are Sifu Inness Maran and Sifu Michael Durkin practising Chi kung in an old photo from Frankfurt.

Canterbury Tales

Another successful Summer Camp has drawn to an end. At various points over the past two weeks students from England, Scotland, Wales, The Netherlands, Switzerland, America, Cyprus and Spain gathered to learn Chi Kung, Kung Fu and Classical Weapons directly from Grandmaster Wong Kiew Kit as he made his annual visit to the UK.

The aim of such courses is always to push your own limits, physically, mentally and emotionally. This is not really surprising when you consider that each student is taught about two years material within the space of three or four days!

The challenge now that we have all returned home is to practise. There is a saying in Shaolin Wahnam that learning is 5%, practice is 95%. This is an important lesson to help us progress in our art and in our lives in general. Make sure there's a book inside the cover!

For most of us this need to practise means having to choose. Some of those who took the Classical Weapons course already had their favourites and remain unchanged in their views. Others are now thrown into a dilemma with each of the Butterfly Knives, Spear and Straight Sword showed their beauty and their own charm.

Toys For The Boys (and girls)

The annual Shaolin Wahnam UK Summer Camp is currently underway. Amongst the various courses taught by Grandmaster Wong Kiew Kit this year is a four day weapons course. The use of traditional weapons opens up a whole new dimension to our practice and the lessons learnt are not only reflected in unarmed practice but also remind us of kung fu's history as a very real fighting art.

Pictured are Sifu Michael Durkin and Sifu Marcus Santer both admiring some of many toys at the camp.

Cross Border Raid

Last weekend a wet Edinburgh hosted one of Taisipak (oldest older brother) Kai's warrior projects. A good number of students from Manchester, London and Worthing made the journey north to take on the Scotts, a few Italians and a couple of Germans. Many thanks to Sifu Mark Appleford for all the organisation, Taisipak Kai for making the journey over and for everyone who took part and made it another great weekend.

Wahnam Hits Channel M

Last Saturday saw a group of London students pay a visit to sunny Manchester to partake in the filming of a short documentary about Shaolin Wahnam. The concept was the work of a final year film student and was backed by Manchester's very own Channel M.

The programme will feature footage of a regular class as well as interviews with Sifu Michael Durkin and both Manchester and London students.

Thank you to everyone who made the early start, bought shoes and made t-shirts. What better way to spend International Chi Kung Day.

Next Free Introduction Class Tuesday 28th August

The next chance for you to join the South London classes and practise the wonderful Shaolin arts will be at the start of September.

Before you sign up for the three month term you can visit us on Tuesday 28th August for a free taster session.

Regular classes are held every Tuesday between 7.30 and 9.30 pm just a few minutes walk from Pimlico underground station. For further information and to register for the free session, please visit our classes page.

Inside Kung Fu Magazine Cover Story!

This month's copy of Inside Kung Fu magazine carries an acticle by Grandmaster Wong Kiew Kit entitled 'The Ultimate Technique'. Master Wong has a regular 'Ask the Master' column in the magazine and this is now the second full article.

A selection of the 'Ask the Master' questions and answers can be found online at the Inside Kung Fu website.

Frankfurt Warrior Project Feb 2007

Another fine weekend in Frankfurt. One kwoon, two days, three countries, four sessions, five... err... days to recover?

May: Warrior Project Edinburgh 2007

Taught by Taisipak kai of Germany.

May 12th & 13th

For students at Level 2 or above. The courses are aimed at those who either wish to increase their Combat Efficiency or are thinking of making a career in tournament competitions. Participants will learn how to apply Shaolin Kungfu against other arts (Muay Thai, Kickboxing, Mixed Martial Arts, Grappling, etc.) and can also find out about Sanda competitions.
Please refer to link for details.

July: 2007 Annual UK Summer Camp Canterbury

Taught by Grandmaster Wong Kiew Kit

7th - Generating Energy Flow
8th & 9th - Shaolin 18 Lohan Hands
10th & 11th – Shaolin 18 Exercises for Health and Vitality
12th – 15th - Introduction to Kung Fu Internal Force and Combat Application
16th – 20th – Lion Dance
21st – 24th – 3 Classical Kung Fu Weapons

Please refer to link for details.

August: Shaolin Wahnam mountain retreat Switzerland

Taught by Taisipak Kai of Germany.

1st retreat:
August 4th - 11th 2007

2nd retreat:
August 11th - 18th 2007

Every day, 6 - 8 hours Shaolin Kung Fu, Chi Kung and Meditation. Students of Level 2 and above.

Please refer to link for details.

Happy New Year!

Shaolin Wahnam South London would like to wish everybody a very happy Chinese New Year! The coming year of the Boar is traditionally a good time for bearing children as the boar is associated with fertility and virility. Children born this year will be happy and honest. Chinese communities the world over will today celebrate with Lion dances to bring good fortune for the coming year and Dragon dances to ward off evil spirits. Pictured here is a typical Lion's head and a giant pig from celebrations in Sydney earlier today.

All Nation's Gathering- Manchester 2007

January 27th/28th saw the second successful gathering of students from around the UK at the 'All Nations' event in Manchester. This annual get together is a meeting ground for students from across the UK to train together, share experiences and meet new faces. The teaching is carried out by instructors and assistants from each centre in the UK who take the group for a one hour slot. Subjects this year ranged from footwork to pressing attacks to stretching and setting aims and objectives. A full review of the two day event can be found on this Discussion forum thread. Next year's All Nations Gathering will be taking place in Scotland. Watch this space for details!

Changing Perceptions of Kung Fu

One of the main aims of Shaolin Wahnam has been the promotion of Jun Zi or the Confucian concept of the ideal person. This notion maintains that we should try and excel in both the scholarly and the martial arts. The tough warrior reading poetry has become a cliche but that should not detract us from the goal of leading a rounded life.

We are lucky in that the three main areas that we develop in our training (see 'The Kung Fu Fire Triangle'), can easily be applied to whatever we turn to. With a healthy body, a sound mind and plenty of energy we are free to engage fully in life. Not only this, but with the open heart that comes from good chi kung, we are more open to the joys of even normally mundane tasks.

The Kung Fu Fire Triangle

Anyone who has sat through a fire safety course will be familiar with the diagram on the left. Even if you are not, the basic concept that all three elements from the sides of the triangle must be in place for a fire to burn is not hard to grasp. In Kung Fu we have a similiar triangle where all elements must interact to produce the goods. Above and beyond the mere kicks and punches, we must have good Chi or energy. We must have good Shen or mind and lastly good Jing which is hard to translate but roughly means structure or physical body.
Everybody pocesses each of these elements to some degree or other, some people may naturally excel in one particular area forming a kind of isosceles triangle. Kung Fu and Chi Kung training (really the same thing) will help you build your abilities in each element letting your own fire burn.

Look Out for New Logo!

The South London logo has now been reworked so the figure's arm does not cover up any of the Chinese characters! A much better design I think we'll all agree. T-shirts will follow soon...

Chi and Internal Force!?

Reading this month's question and answers (found here), I was pleased by Master Wong's down to earth description of our chi kung. He wrote of the importance of the practical results of correct chi kung. Too many people look for "novel effect" and are often frustrated. However, we would hardly be authentic Shaolin if we didn't believe in the real benefits that our training brings us. In the same Q&A Master Wong also describes "internal force" as part of the essence of kung fu. So what then is chi? What is internal force?

Put simply chi is energy and internal force is that energy applied for combat. Even by those within the internal martial arts (Tai Chi, Bagua, hsing-yi etc) there is much debate over what this chi energy actually is. Some try to use Western concepts like bio-electric energy or the movement of body fluids. Others seem to hide under expressions like, "in the ancient Chinese understanding of the body..." without really committing to their actual belief in the subject.
Where do I stand in the debate? My stance is easy and can be used for many situations in life. Basically, I do the exercises and feel the benefits. Maybe if I didn't get the results it would cause me more concern. Maybe if I wanted the benefits without the patience to do the exercises I would be searching for short cuts and "novel effects"?

What Is It About Wahnam? Part 3: Systematic Learning

"Kungfu is not magic. It is scientific. You cannot expect these sophisticated movements to magically work for you just because you practised them alone on the top of a mountain for 30 years. If students follow the prescribed methodology and practice sufficiently, they will find free sparring a natural progression. They will be able to apply their techniques spontaneously not because kungfu is magic, but because they have practised according to a systematic method."

For this post I thought I've cover Shaolin Wahnam's systematic and well-developed syllabus. I settled down to write and then remembered that someone had done a very good job of it already. Click here to visit Zenergy Arts, the home page of Wahnam USA, and Sifu Anthony Korahais's (pictured above) article on Training Sparring Systematically. The Wahnam USA site contains a great deal of information on a variety topics so have a good explore around the site.

Wahnam film feature !

This short film is the work of Juan Carlos, a film student who use to come to the London classes. Myself and assistant instructor from Brighton, Mark Tranter volunteered to help out. The ideas, story and production are all Juan's. The fighting sequences are a jumble of Shaolin Wahnam Combat Sequences and were roughly put together by Mark and myself on the morning of the shoot. The quality of the uploaded film isn't great and next time we do a film it'll be Mark made to wear the turquoise suit!

What Is It About Wahnam? Part 1: Nothing But Genuine Shaolin

The teachings of Grand Master Wong Kiew Kit are the purest form of Shaolin I have ever come across. An antidote to the acrobatics of modern Wushu, Shaolin Wahnam prides itself on being simple, direct and effective. A principle we can apply to everything we do in life.

Shaolin kung fu dates back hundreds of years and today we can utilise techniques that have stood the test of time. Genuine Shaolin is a complete system incorporating every aspect of combat. We see no reason to include kicks borrowed from tae kwon do, punches from western boxing or locks from Jujitsu.

Likewise, we don't substitute traditional training methods for modern day circuit training or use a japanese style belt system. We remain open-minded in our approach to other martial arts and training methods, but if doing star jumps really made you a better fighter then some monk back in 1423 would have already discovered it.

What Is It About Wahnam? Part 2: Application

Second on my list, although not reeled off in any particular order, is the application of techniques found within Shaolin Wahnam. When watching Grand Master Wong Kiew Kit sparring I'm always struck by the completeness of his attack. By this I mean that while one hand will strike, the other will be used to 'tame' or tie up the opponents arms. Meanwhile, with good use of stances or leg work, the opponent finds his or her front leg pressed downward making them unable to kick and limiting their choice of movements. Often with just a little more pressure the opponent will we left in a heap on the ground as their legs buckle in beneath them.

It is clear then that there is much more to effective fighting that just being able to throw a punch. We must develop the skills that allow us to control our opponent and set ourselves up for the optimum delivery of our technique. We must guard against the likely counter attacks and be able to follow up with further attacks as we press forward. The skills to do this can not be learnt by beating punch bags but only through systematic partner training, a subject that will be covered in the next post.

Shaolin Wahnam Family Join Wedding Celebrations

7th and 8th of October, members of the worldwide Shaolin Wahnam family gathered for the wedding of Sifu Wong's second daughter Wei Foong to Peter Kow Chee Wooi. Around seventy students travelled from South America, Europe, Australia, Canada, Japan and South East Asia to the two wedding dinners, one in Sungai Petani, the other in Penang. Sifu Wong took the opportunity to teach for the six days leading up to the wedding. Students enjoyed two days of Shaolin Kung Fu, two days of Wahnam Tai Chi and two days of Shaolin Cosmos Chi Kung. Yet another memorable trip to Malaysia!

Who is Sifu Simon Brooks? From what to where? Part 1

A little history;


Sifu Simon Brooks (left) first started Shaolin Kung Fu in 1998 with the Sussex University branch of Shaolin Nam Pai Chuan. This style traces it's roots back to Sik Koh Sum (1886-1960), pictured below left, a famous Master known for both his devotion to Buddhism and as a Shaolin master. In 1954 one of Sik Koh Sum's students, with the blessings of his master, set up the Penang Seow Chu Sang Association. This student was Quek Hong Choon (below middle), known as the iron palm of Shaolin and famous for smashing marble tables. From 1968-1979 Christopher Lai Khee Choong (below right) studied Shaolin in and around Penang with Master Quek before bringing the system to the UK.


Simon's Sifu in Nam Pai Chuan was Sifu Matthew Gross, to whom he is always grateful for the years of tuition. Also pictured is Sifu Simon and friends at Chinese New Year celebrations 2003 and at the Nam Pai Chuan National competition 2002.

From What to Where Part 2, Welcome to Wahnam!

Back in 2002 a housemate travelled to Bath to attend one of Sifu Wong Kiew Kit's chi kung courses. I thought about it for a while and then went and spent the money on a new sword instead.

The following year classes were started in Brighton by Sifu Dan Hartwright. After years of reading the books, laughing at names like 'precious duck', I was finally going to satisify my curiousity about this Wong fellow.

At first I kept up the Nam Pai Chuan training, however the more I learnt from Shaolin Wahnam, the more unsatisified I became with my former practice. After a few months I decided to 'wash my bowl' and concentrated solely on Shaolin Wahnam.

Since then I've been to Malaysia three times in three years, travelled to Frankfurt four or five times as well as visiting various parts of the UK for training.


The first few years of establishing the system in the UK have had their ups and downs. People and classes have come and gone but never a backward step been taken. After being made an assistant instructor late in 2004 I set up a new wave of Brighton classes taught, first by myself and Sifu Ronan Sexton, and now in the capable hands of Sifu Tim Franklin. September 2005 saw the start of Wahnam first London classes taught by Sifu Marcus Santer, to whom I acted as assistant. The following year I was asked by Sifu Wong Kiew Kit when I would be teaching. The answer is in one of the posts above!

About Grandmaster Wong Kiew Kit

Sifu Wong Kiew Kit is the fourth generation successor from the famous Shaolin Monastery of China, and a grandmaster of Shaolin Kungfu and Chi Kung. He received the "Qigong Master of the Year" award at the Second World Congress on Qigong held in San Francisco in November 1997. He also holds an honours degree in humanities, and is one of very few kungfu and chi kung masters who speaks excellent English. His many books, including "The Art of Chi Kung", "The Art of Shaolin Kung Fu", and "The Complete Book of Tai Chi Chuan", have been highly acclaimed internationally. "The Art of Chi Kung" is a best-seller, reprinted three times within three years, and has been translated into multiple languages.

Sifu Wong, born in 1944, started his life-long training of the Shaolin arts in 1954 when he learned Shaolin Kungfu and lion dance from the famous Shaolin master, Sifu Lai Chin Wah, who was popularly known as Uncle Righteousness. Sifu Wong became his best disciple and helped Uncle Righteousness to teach kungfu. To further his kungfu training, Sifu Wong later learnt from Sifu Ho Fatt Nam, the third generation successor in a line of direct descent from the southern Shaolin Monastery, after its razing by the Manchurian army in China. Sifu Wong also learned Wuzu Kungfu from Sifu Chee Kim Thong, and Wing Choon Kungfu from Sifu Choe Hoong Choy, who were the patriarchs of their respective kungfu styles.

Sifu Wong has taught kungfu and chi kung for more than twenty five years, to more than twenty organizations. Regretting that many masters were withholding "secrets" of kungfu and chi kung with the result that these arts might lose their essence, he founded the Shaolin Wahnam School of kungfu and chi kung in 1982. With the aim of transmitting genuine Shaolin Kungfu, Shaolin Chi Kung and Shaolin philosophy, he named the school after the two teachers who had influenced him most: Sifu Lai Chin Wah and Sifu Ho Fatt Nam. Having won championships himself, Sifu Wong has trained many champions in kungfu (demonstrations as well as all styles sparring) and lion dance competitions, but he has always insisted that while Shaolin Kungfu is an exceedingly effective martial art, its greatness lies in enriching one's daily life and in its ability to cultivate spiritual development.

Sifu Wong is one of very few masters who have generously introduced the once-secret Shaolin Chi Kung to the public, and has helped literally hundreds of people to be relieved of their so-called "incurable" diseases like hypertension, asthma, rheumatism, arthritis, diabetics, migraine headaches, gastritis, gall stones, kidney failure, depression, anxiety and even cancer. Now he has devoted more time to writing and teaching overseas; having successfully taught in Europe, the United States, Canada, Australia, South America and Southeast Asia. He stresses the Shaolin philosophy of sharing goodness with all humanity, and is now dedicated to spreading the wonders and benefits of the Shaolin arts to others, irrespective of race, culture and religion.

The Greatest Art of All

The article below has been taken from Grandmaster Wong Kiew Kit's home page (see the 'links' section).

Shaolin Kungfu is the greatest martial art in the world!
Understandably, exponents of other kungfu styles or martial systems will vehemently oppose this claim, but if they care to read on, are prepared to discard provincial prejudice and reason intellectually, they may even agree. I must clarify that I am far from originating the claim of Shaolin Kungfu as the greatest martial art. A statement to this effect has already been popular in China since the Tang Dynasty more than 1000 years ago!

What criteria should we use to measure the greatness of a martial art? Many people would place combat efficiency as the top priority. In this respect, from the perspective of both practical result as well as theoretical reasoning, Shaolin Kungfu can justifiably claim the top place. The Shaolin school is the single martial art group that has produced the largest number of army generals in Chinese history. Great generals like Yuan Zhong, Yue Fei and Chi Ji Guang, on whom the whole empire depended at their respective times, were Shaolin Kungfu masters.

Since its establishment from the Liang Dynasty, with the exception of the Mongolian and the Manchurian Dynasties, virtually all leading warriors who built or helped the empire founders to build new governments, including the governments of the Kumintang and the Communist in modern time, were trained in the Shaolin tradition. This was related to the Shaolin philosophy of supporting a good government but overthrowing an oppressive one.

The school that has provided the largest group of kungfu masters as well as of kungfu students at any one time during the long history of Chinese martial arts is Shaolin. Considering that one out of four people who existed, lived in China, this claim can reasonably be extended to the world. An overwhelming number of the masters, like Ku Ru Zhang, Huo Yuan Jia, Wang Tze Ping and Wong Fei Hoong, who convincingly defeated foreign masters such as from Japan, Russia and Europe coming to China to test her martial art, were trained in Shaolin Kungfu.

Considering the glorious record of Shaolin Kungfu, may those who practise it today, irrespective of race, culture and religion, even if they cannot emulate a portion of the past masters, do not degrade a great martial art into a dance.

Yet, in line with the Shaolin teaching which actually discourages fighting, although Shaolin disciples will fight well if they must, its claim to greatness can be approached through discursive, non-fighting means. All martial arts may be analyzed through their aspects of form, power, application and philosophy.
From the perspective of form, all the techniques found in all world known martial arts today, such as karate, taekwondo, jujitsu, judo, aikido, Siamese boxing, western boxing, and wrestling, can be found in Shaolin Kungfu! From the perspective of power, the internal force of Shaolin masters, which is not limited by age or physique, is incredible. It is used not just for hurting , but more significantly for healing.

While most other martial arts are principally meant for fighting or as a sport, and sometimes hurting the participants in the training itself but without specifically tending to the injuries, Shaolin Kungfu is a comprehensive programme for physical, emotional, mental and spiritual cultivations, and its benefits enrich our and other people's lives.

A Shaolin disciple, for example, is trained to be courteous and considerate, brave and righteous, assess problems and situations with calmness and clarity, and attend to duties with zest and loyalty. While the philosophy of many martial arts mainly focuses on how to be stoic and hurt the opponent, Shaolin philosophy teaches gentleness and a love for life. The twin pillars of Shaolin philosophy are compassion and wisdom.

The depth of Shaolin wisdom is bewildering, and is hard for some martial artists to comprehend or believe. At the relatively lower mundane level, Shaolin philosophy explains how we are responsible for our own lives, and why the phenomenal world is a creation of mind.

At the highest level in Zen, its wisdom surpasses the intellect, for its accomplishment depends not on verbalization and speculation but on direct experience, and the highest attainment is the direct experience of enlightenment, called variously by different people because of historical, linguistic, cultural and other differences, such as return to God or unity with the Great Void.

It is this spiritual aspect, which transcends all ritualistic religions, that best justifies Shaolin Kungfu as the greatest martial art. You will be in for a surprise if you think that the philosophy of Shaolin spirituality is merely theoretical. All Shaolin philosophy is geared to practical benefits. Spiritual cultivation in the Shaolin teaching may operate at one or more of the following three levels, depending on the student's developmental stage

Leading a morally upright and happy life.
Enjoying heavenly bliss in the after-life.
Attaining enlightenment in Zen.