The Summer term is already underway.
The next chance for beginners to join the classes will be at the start of September when the Autumn term starts. There will be a free taster session at this time where you can join in and find out more about us. To register for next term's free session please use the form below.
More information about Shaolin Wahnam can be found at the main London site.
Regular classes take place:
Seniors 7.30pm-9.30pm Tuesdays
Beginners 8.00pm-9.30pm Thursdays
A map and directions to the Tab Centre are posted below.
Current classes are now underway. New students will have the chance to enrol at the start of the next term. For details and to register please see the post above.
Details of fees, location and syllabus can be found in the posts below. Classes also take place in Glasgow, Edinburgh, Manchester, Bristol, Bournemouth and Worthing.
Visit the UK website for details of the other UK locations.
The Summer term runs for twelve weeks;
Starting week commencing April 21nd until the end of week commencing July 9th.
In order to complete the 12 week term before the start of the UK Summer Camp with Grand Master Wong Kiew Kit, there is no half term break this term.
The first couple of months of your training will cover the fundamentals of Shaolin kung fu. By fundamental we mean, the most important, not the most basic aspects of kung fu. This covers stances, foot work, the first four patterns of attack and defence, chi kung and examples of the application of what you have learnt.
The classes will be hard work but we certainly don't believe that throwing people 'in a the deep end' is a good way of helping you progress.
The classes are normally taught in three month blocks that follow academic term dates. Beginners' classes take place on Thursday nights while senior sessions are on Tuesdays.
The cost of each term is £200. This will cover membership of the Shaolin Wahnam Institute, insurance by and affiliation to the British Council of Chinese Martial Arts.
Shaolin Wahnam does not have a system of coloured belts or a grading system. This more relaxed approach is a good example of Chinese culture contrasting with more formal Japanese traditions. What we do have in Shaolin Wahnam is the syllabus set out below. This basically just ensures that students learn to walk before they can run. Each new level builds on techiques and skills developed in the level below and allows students to keep track of their progress.
Programme for Regular Classes
Level 1: Fundamentals of Shaolin Kungfu
Form: Basic patterns, stances and footwork.
Application: Specific Techniques.
Force: Zhang Zhuang (basic stances), One Finger Shoot Zen, Leg Stretching.
Philosophy: Dimensions, aims and brief history.
Note:
8 basic patterns of hand attack and defence.
Basic stances -- Horse-Riding, Bow-Arrow, False-Leg, Single-Leg, Unicorn, Goat.
Footwork -- forward, backward and sideways.
Specific Techniques against simple punches, kicks, holds on wrist, and throws from standing position. Use Mirror Hand against punches, retreat Bow-Arrow against kicks, circularhand against holds on wrist, and Bow-Arrow stance against throws.
Level 2: Lohan Asks the Way.
Form: Basic set -- Lohan Asks the Way.
Application: 4 basic hand attacks and defence from poise patterns.
Force: Zhang Zhuang with hand forms, Spacing, Timing, Breath Co-ordination.
Philosophy: Principles of Attack and Defence.
Note:
Sparring mode-- pre-choice and self-choice.
Principles -- Three Arrivals, Ask the Way, Safety First.
Level 3: Black Tiger Steals Heart.
Form: Applicaion Set 1 -- Black Tiger Steals Heart.
Application: Hand attacks in three-step sequences.
Force: Flow of movement, Quick decision making, Instant modification.
Philosophy: Principles of Force Training.
Note:
Sparring mode -- changing patterns.
Principles -- Gradual Progress, Perseverance,Techniques and Skills.
Level 4: Fierce Tiger Speeds Across Valley
Form : Application Set 2 -- Fierce Tiger Speeds through Valley, Patterns for kicks and defence.
Application: Further hand attacks in three-step sequences, One-step kicking attacks and defence.
Force: Leg-Stretching Exercises.
Philosophy: Techniques, Tactics and Strategies.
Note:
Sparring mode -- left or right, run-on sequence.
Principles -- Soft against hard, Exploiting opponent's weakness, Avoiding his strong points.
Level 5: Happy Bird Hops up Branch.
Form: Application Set 3 -- Happy Bird Hops up Branch.
Application: Combat sequences with kicking attacks.
Force: Breath Co-ordination., Sinew Metamorphosis Part 1.
Philosophy: Use of Tactics.
Note:
Tactics -- Feign weakness, Pressing attack, Breaking opponent's momentum.
Level 6: Felling Tree with Roots.
Form: Application Set 4 -- Felling Tree with Roots.
Application: Combat sequences with holds and falls.
Force: Sinew Metamorphosis Part 2.
Philosophy: Use of Strategies.
Note:
Strategies based on "Know Thyself, Know your Opponent".
Level 7: Shaolin Staff
Form: Flowing Water Staff or Chin Wah Staff.
Application: Against staff and other weapons.
Force: Hit, Thrust, and Eye sight training.
Philosophy: Principles of weapon combat.
Note:
Safety, certainty and decisiveness, Avoiding strength and attacking weakness.
Level 8: Shaolin Knife
Form: Plum Flower Single Knife.
Application: Against knife, spear and other weapons.
Force: Accuracy and "knife force" to cut an apple.
Philosophy: Characteristics of major weapons.
Note:
Major weapons -- staff, knife, spear, sword, dagger, Big Knife, trident, soft whip.
Level 9: Unarmed against Armed
Form: Empty Hands Enter White Blade.
Application: Unarmed against dagger, staff and knife.
Force: Countering feign moves.
Philosophy: The principles and practice of Apparent and Real.
Note:
"Over Bridge, Flow with Water".
Level 10: Single Unarmed against Multiple Unarmed
Form: Tiger Enters Herd of Sheep.
Application: Single unarmed against multiple unarmed.
Force: "Bamboo Man" or "Through the Woods".
Philosophy: "Back-wall battle" and "Dodge-hit battle".
Note:
Agility stamina and endurance.
Level 11: Single Unarmed and Armed against Multiple Armed
Form: Dodge Hit.
Application: Single unarmed and armed against multiple armed.
Force: Dodging skills and using enemy as shields.
Philosophy: "Catch the Leader First" and "Break Through the Weakest".
Note:
Importance of mind and energy control.
Level 12: Introduction to Specialized Training
Form: Composing own form for training.
Application: Sample application of specialized skills and techniques.
Force: Selection from Abdominal Breathing, Sinew Metamorphosis, etc.
Philosophy: Specialization of force or techniques, or both.
Note:
This is an introduction to further training.
The Shaolin Wahnam Institute is the school of Grandmaster Wong Kiew Kit and is named after two of his teachers, Sifu Lai Chin Wah and Sifu Ho Fatt Nam. With branches in an ever increasing number of countries the institute seeks to spread the traditional Shaolin arts of kung fu and chi kung. Shaolin Wahnam follows it's lineage back through only four generations to the famous Southern Shaolin Temple in the Fujian province of China. The institute now teaches at seven locations within the United Kingdom while maintaining strong links with other centres throughout the world.
