There is One Way to do Things

Hi there, my name is Ash, and I am lucky enough to warrant the title of Sihing. Down below you'll find some information about me, my martial arts background, why I chose Shaolin Academy, and a few other bits and pieces I think you might find interesting.

I'm originally from Perth in Western Australia, and I moved to Melbourne to pursue a University degree in Archaeology. As with many kids of my generation, my first introduction to martial arts were "The Karate Kid" films, and I immediately talked my mother into letting me learn Karate. I was about nine at the time, I think. After about half a year, I decided that I didn't like it, I suspect because my instructor hadn't once asked me to wax his car or paint his fence. He was a pretty cool guy, but Mr Miyagi was cooler. After that my interest in martial arts was sated by watching lots of samurai and kung fu moves. The Shaw Brothers, Akira Kurosawa, Jackie Chan, Jet Li, and later on the "Zaitoichi" and "Lone Wolf and Cub" series of movies. When I moved to Melbourne I decided to look for a Martial Arts club, and so reached for my Yellow Pages. I looked at several schools of different martial arts before I chose to join SKA. Largely, at the beginning, I was interested in learning weaponry, but this interest was quickly overtaken by my interest in the unarmed aspect of marital arts, and all the possibilities it presents.

Since joining SKA, I have obtained 2 levels in 72 fists, 4 levels in weaponry and 7 levels in Shaolin 5 Animal Kung Fu. I have also obtained my red tassels, which grants me the position of a Level 1 Instructor. I have been actively teaching since mid-2006, but in 2007 I chose to take a predominately assisting role as I prepare for my brown sash grading at the end of the year. I am also looking forward to the first of the 170 moves Grading's, as well as developing my Tai Chi and meditation with Sibok Dagmar.

In addition to my training at the Shaolin Academy, I have undertaken approximately a year of sports Fencing where I primarily utilized the foil and Epee, although I did dabble briefly in sabre. I intended to revist this discipline and am currently researching historical fencing techniques and manuals.

The reason I have stayed with the Shaolin Academy is because of the scope Sijo allows an encourages in the martial arts. His willingness and eagerness to try new things and explore this wide world of martial arts is a constant inspiration and occasional frustration. I particularly enjoy learning more of the spirit of the 5 animals as I travel down the wandering road of life-long learning in martial arts. I'm currently experimenting with some of my own idea in regards to an animal principle involving a Panther/Snake animal. Ultimately, I would like to pursue all of our curriculums to at least the Black Sash level, and even into the Mastership faze.

If you have any questions or would just like to write to Ash just click on the following line Sihing Ash or if you wish to write to Sijo Robert Z click on the underlined.