Hi (update 15 January 2013)
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Today we welcome back our most junior students to the first, for the year 2013, Kung Fu Koala Kids classes! Hi Guy's and welcome back.
Saturday Weapons Training
I have just completed and updated two of our Weapons Information and Syllabus Pages (WISP). We have had the Shaolin Red Eagle Spear page in situe for quite a while and we have been working of this page in our Saturday Classes. Our next weapon, the Shaolin Long Handled Broad Sword or Shaolin Duan Dao now also has an online page with full Syllabus and Curriculum (9 tests). Have a look at these and tell us what you think (QTIPS [Questions, Thoughts, Ideas, Problems, Suggestions]). The greatest breakthroughs i have had in the past few decades have been based around QTIPS from colleagues, students and friends (oh and also family).
Tuesday & Thursday 2nd class 8pm.
The most direct and honest feedback we get is when you come or don't come to a class regularly. So, when we notice something is not working for you we see if we can keep changing it until it does. And so it is with the 2nd class, it needs to change, so here goes. For the next 2½ months both the Tuesday and Thursday class will be “Kung Fu Form Focused”. Half the time we will focus on one of the 5 Temple Forms; 1-Emei Shan, 2-Kwantung, 3-Fukien Fist, 4-Wudang Hammer and 5-The Lesser Shaolin 5 Animal Form. In support of the forms we will do the 5 Forms Exercises; a-Techniques, b-partner work, c-Impact, d-Forms Sparring and e-Form Work.
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Camberwell 1st Class for 2013, thanks Sihing Martyn
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These will not be the only forms and we will not only be doing form work. We will also do some of the Advanced Animal Forms, Tiger, Panther, crane, Snake and the Greater 5 Animal Form. Occasionally we will work on some of the rarer forms including Iron Wire, Black Panther, Sihing James Cannon Ball Fist, Double Star, Reptile Ground Form, Tiger & Crane, Golden Lion, Shaolin Ssu Form, Eagle Claw Form and there sre some others. And if that is not enough, we will also be dabbling in Free Forms!. What's that you ask? Look below.
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Examples of two Free Forms
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Left; are the two Free Forms we training on the Tuesday & Wednesday of the 1st weeks of training in Mordialloc 2013.
Right; is a special request, one of the non-curricular forms, the Shaolin Academy Double Star Form.
To see the new Shaolin Academy Duan Dao form, as is was most recently updated incorporating the recent developments, the 2009 segment by Sam and Robin and the original segment from 1989 please go to our new Duan Dao page. And if you are interested, we have a special page each for the Shaolin Red Eagle Spear and the Ghost Spear.
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Shaolin Double Star Form
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Changes to 2nd Classes on Tuesdays and Thursdays
For the next 3 months we will (loosely) follow a changed flow to our Tuesdays and Thursdays classes. As usual we will do the warm-up and the 1st 45 mins after that. But then we will break the classes down in 15 to 20 mins segments, mixing up the following; Sparring, Shaolin Dancing, Impact Work, Self Defence, Form Work, Free Forms, Level Focus, Defence against Weapons, non-curricular forms, Chi Kung, iron Kung and some other. This is all part of the trial to make the 2nd classes more interesting to you and thus extend our training times and possibilities.
So, who can attend? for January, February and March, anyone, no extra charge. we just want to see what works best for everyone concerned. AGAIN, QTIPS (Questions, Thoughts, Ideas, Problems, Suggestions) are most welcome by Phone (0458 742 654), e-mail or in person before or after class.
There is though one small complication; for actual Sparring we do require Sparring Gear; at least Mouth Guard, Groin/Chest Guard, Sparring Gloves (Dipped Foam not boxing or other) without impact seams, and head gear if you really want to mix it up. These 'Safety' items are a semi-legal requirement as part of the Insurance i carry to have the Shaolin Academy and Students. We do have a sparring pack, which includes all the above and a few more items including our unique Sparring Safety Bag. To the left you see the full Shaolin Academy Sparring Kit including the Embroidered Bag (has the Shaolin Academy CoA on the other side). It costs $249 and includes all that is pictured except the Wraps (which just take too long to put on during class).
Should you not be interested in Sparring, no problem but if you would like to do Bag Impact Work and Iron Kung, you need at least the Cloth Hand Mitts and if you train Bare Foot, also cloth Ball and Instep covers. We can not allow (legally) for you to impact on Bags and other items without protective gear that will insulate your skin from 'sharing' with other students, their skin and such, which inevitably happens when you impact repeatedly on a bag. The only other option would be to thoroughly sanitize the impact bags every time a new person uses the bags. And i will not have my Kwoons smelling like Gyms, Boxing Studios and MMA Joints.
I sincerely hope you can support this... - Sijo.
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New years Ever 9 February 2013
Chinese New Year is celebrated in Chinese communities throughout the world as one of the most important festival. Wear red clothes and giving children “lucky money” in red envelopes is a common habit as well as thrown open all doors and windows to let good luck enter on the first day of the New Year (after you have scared away the evil spirits with fire works). Families go out to visit friends and worship at temples. Words are carefully watched to avoid saying anything that signifies death, sickness or poverty.
The Chinese New Year festival is believed to date back to prehistory. It marks the start of the new lunar cycle and is called the Spring Festival (in the northern hemisphere) as it falls between the December solstice and the March equinox. China follows the Gregorian calendar for daily business but the dates of the Chinese New Year and other important festivals are determined by the Chinese calendar.
The Chinese New Year, which is the first day of the first month, in the Chinese calendar is assigned to an animal. According to one belief, Buddha promised gifts to all animals that would pay him homage. Only 12 animals came to honor Buddha so, to favor these 12 animals, each one was given one of the 12 years of the Chinese zodiac. People born during one of the animal's years are said to inherit distinctive characteristics of that animal. The signs repeat every 12 years. The animal signs are:
1 – Dragon – robust and passionate
2 – Snake – wise and strong-willed
3 – Horse – attractive and popular
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4 – Sheep – aesthetic and stylish
5 – Monkey – persuasive and smart
6 – Rooster – pioneering spirit and wise
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7 – Dog – generous and loyal
8 – Boar (or pig) – gallant and noble
9 – Rat – ambitious and sincere
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10 – Ox – bright, cheery, and a leader
11 – Tiger – courageous and sensitive
12 – Rabbit – talented and loving.
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The Chinese calendar is based on astronomical observations of the sun's longitude and the moon's phases. It is believed to have been introduced by Emperor Huangdi (or Huang Ti) at some stage around 2600 to 3000 years BCE. According to legend, the emperor invited the calendar in 2637 BCE. This calendar predates the Gregorian calendar, which was introduced in 1582.
Let's do something
We have tried various special activities in the past including going into the City or Southbank for the festival, Beach Picnic's, Rally, BBQ and such. This year we are thinking of having a New Years breakfast on Sunday 10 February at 9am at 1085 North Rd. If you would like to join us, please send an e-mail to sijo@shaolin.com.au!
Kungfu Instructor Training Program
Had you told me when i started the club in 1992 that in 10 years time (that is when i went full-time with the academy and quite my job) that i would be living the life of a professional martial arts instructor and master, i may not have believed you. As a Telstra Engineer, People Development Manager and Major Event Organizer, i had a lot of education through Telstra with the Australian Institute of Management in StKilda. There i acquired many of the skills that would serve me so well now as a teacher and even business manager. When i also became a People Development Manager, i used this to start the Shaolin Academy "Kungfu Instructor in Training" (KIiT) program. For the use within the academy i have created 36 Workbooks (see our Workbook page), 15 of which are dedicated to the Shaolin Academy Instructor training program. There are a lot more subjects than just these and many are essential to be registered with a professional organization which is the only way to receive Sports Insurance and thus be able to teach. All our instructors are covered to $10,000,000 Liability and $2,000,000 through my Insurance. But this insurance required that we have trained instructors. No i am not talking about Martial Artists but actually trained Instructors
Subject such as Communications, leadership, Management, Duty of Care (Very Important), Brain Powers, Presenting, Team Work and many more are covered every fortnight on Sunday Morning between 10am and 1pm. Aside from being an essential component for becoming a professional martial artists, most (if not all) the subjects also teach you how to be a good Leader, Manager and Communicator at work and private life. In addition you will become an assistant to an active instructor, receive some private training and individual attention.
There is a lot to the program. On our KIT Page you can find out a bit more about the program. The page is a bit outdated but the general info is still relevant! If you want to know more, speak to me, Sijo or post me an e-mail and we will meet for a cuppa and talk about options and details.
Is it time to 'freshen' your uniforms?
The Shaolin Academy uniform is great and makes people look good. it was designed that way. We know of many people who wear it as leisure wear because it is comfortable and tough. So it might be time to refresh your uniform, especially for summer and especially-especially if you train more than once a week.
As you know, we do not do any specials. That would be unfair to the people who paid full price for the uniform so the following are the standard prices that will be maintained until the current crop of uniforms runs out!
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- Uniform Tops, all sizes 39
- Uniform Trousers, all sizes 69
- Chinese style Uniform Jacket 98
- Shaolin Academy Caps 29
- Shaolin Academy Polo Shirts, light weight 29
- Shaolin Academy full sparring pack 259
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Order now by sending an e-mail and we will have it there for you by your next class (probably); or call us on 1800 SHAOLIN that is 1800 742 654 or 0458 SHAOLIN (742 654)>
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