KF Newsletter 2018-1

Chans Martial Arts News

CMA 18- 01                                                                       9th Jan 2018

 

Happy New Year

We had a very good end to 2017 with a very successful Black Belt grading and a series of regional gradings. This is a good indication that most instructors and students are moving in the right direction. It will be great if we resolve to sustain our mental focus and achieve all our technical goals scheduled for the rest of this year. 

 

Black Belt Promotions

After a very gruelling grading on the 25th of November we are very pleased to announce the promotion of the following to:

 

1st degree:

 

Sarah Jamieson - HQ

Kirsty Petersen - Parklands

James Scott - Parklands

Adam Richards - University

Ken Hutcheon - Lincoln

Nigel Stanton - Spreydon

Julia Dryden - Dunedin

 

2nd degree:

 

Alicia Harrison - Winton

Helen Haigh - Sydney

Daniel Cox - Spreydon

 

We should appreciate that some of the candidates did exceptionally well to overcome incredible odds to reach the high standard we have established. Their attitude, conduct and spirit had been even more commendable. We had sixty five black belts ranging from Auckland to Invercargill and Australia attending the grading. It is a pity that not more rank and file students were there to learn from it. We must make sure more students appreciate the benefits of attending this event.

 

The Annual Dinner after the grading at the North & South Gourmet was sumptuous and enjoyed by those who were there. The Awards at HQ was equally successful with over a hundred and thirty attending.

 

Successful training

As I have always said: “To be successful in training: you must know how to train and be regular in your training.” To know how to train you must listen carefully to your instructor. The operative word is ‘carefully.’ If you are not careful, it is very easy to misunderstand the information and interpret it in your own way incorrectly. 

 

Therefore, we must begin with a serious attitude to training. As soon as you arrive at training try to calm down mentally and relax physically. Do not engage in boisterous exchanges or banter with anyone till training is over. A little quiet stretching is the best thing to do to relax a bit more.

 

When you train, try to keep good posture: i.e. keep your head up, with eyes level & steady so as not to be easily distracted. Visualise your opponent at all times and respond immediately to the instructors command to train your reaction and focus. 

 

Make sure that you can feel the stability and mobility of your stances. You should also feel the timing of your techniques harmonised with your breathing. Finally you must feel the load you are putting on each muscle as you generate your techniques. 

 

If you train like this and follow the instructors guide to alignment, loadings and flow of movement, you will make good progress with little risk of injury or failure. However, if you interpret it in your own way you will struggle to improve and probably injure yourself often. 

 

With good training you will get to enjoy a state of peace and calmness. You will also enjoy the flow and correct execution of techniques. You will also feel a satisfaction that you are improving your chances of defending yourself with every class.

 

I hope you will have a great year enjoying good training and a good health.

 

       May Chi be with you,   

            Grandmaster SC Chan

 

 

Events

 

3rd Jan:

HQ Normal training resumes

 

10th Feb:

Auckland KF Seminar 

17th Feb: 

Canterbury KF Advanced Grading

20th Feb: 

Canterbury TC Ex Grading

24th Feb: 

Nelson KF Grading & Seminar

25th Feb:

Nelson TC Grading & Seminar

 

 24th & 125th  Mar:

Canterbury SOTC Camp

 

17th Apr: 

Canterbury TC Ex Grading

21st Apr:

Canterbury & Regional KF Grading

28th Apr:

Wellington KF Grading & Seminar

29th Apr:

Wellington TC Grading & Seminar

KF Newsletter 2017-2

Chans Martial Arts News

CMA 17- 02                                                                       29th Sept 2017

 

Annual Camp

In spite of the change of dates which had caused many people to rebook their flights and other arrangement we still managed to have a good number attending camp. The camp commander Nick Haslett Laoshi (Papanui) and his helpers did a great job organising everything.

We enjoyed being totally immersed in training all weekend. By taking training seriously it produces a very different result from a loose and casual approach. We encouraged everyone to conduct themselves formally and stay focused throughout the camp. It is hoped that this practice will be adopted in all classes at Chans Martial Arts.

We have changed our techniques, syllabus radically over the last forty two years. However, I believe that many long-time practitioners still train the same way as they have been training very much like their first few years of training. As our level of skill and age changes, we must change how we train to get the best results. Therefore I emphasise that “Training is not just about the techniques and syllabus, but HOW WE TRAIN and WHAT WE ARE SEEKING in the drills that matters the most.” This is particularly so with the Black Belts of 3rd degree and higher.

David McQueen Laoshi (Rangiora) with the assistance of Mr Rob Wilson (Lincoln) worked the 1st grades hard to assess their strength and endurance. We reviewed the four directional and concept patterns to standardise and refine them with the help of Mr Wai Hoe Chan (HQ). Master Lord (HQ) took the senior Black Belts through their weapon drills, while Master Simons (Dunedin) took the rank and file through their Di Tang, Suai and Chin Na drills. Ms Suyi Chan (Sydney) shared her physiotherapist knowledge with a session on stretching for our training needs.

The rank and file students had a good opportunity to practice with the Black Belts in the Speed, Timing and Distancing drills. The Black Belts also worked hard on their energy releasing in their strikes and kicks as well as their sensitivity drills of listening, following and neutralising.

 

Annual Black Belt Grading

It is the time of the year to announce the list of candidates invited by the Council of Masters to grade to 1st degree or higher. They have been recommend by their respective Laoshi after consideration of the technical standard, good conduct, attitude, regular attendance, participation and teaching duties.

 

1st degree:

Sarah Jamieson                          HQ

Kirsty Petersen                           Parklands

James Scott                                Parklands

Adam Richards                           University

Ken Hutcheon                            Lincoln

Paul Hooper                               Lincoln

Nigel Stanton                             Spreydon

Julia Dryden                              Dunedin

 

2nd degree:

Scott Martin                               Nelson

Alicia Harrison                           Winton

Helen Haigh                               Sydney

Daniel Cox                                 Spreydon

Joseph Van Zoomeren               North Shore

 

Congratulations to all invited. You will be receive an application form and information on about the requirements for the grading. Best wishes for your preparation.

It is important that all students try to attend the grading to take part, help and learn from the event. This is particularly important for the higher intermediate and advanced students as your participation will be monitored for consideration for your future progress.

We have our Annual Dinner and Awards after the grading. The Dinner will be at 5:30pm, North & South Gourmet, Addington Mall, 300 Lincoln Rd. $35 per head, $20 for 9 year olds and under. BYO only (corkage may apply). Branch members please book tickets through branch instructors.

The Awards will be at 7:30pm onwards, HQ - Woolston Club, 43 Hargood Street: turn right at the main entrance, drive around to the Bowling Pavilion. It is free for all Tai Chi and Kung Fu members. There is music and a cash bar available as usual. It is usually a very good night. We look forward to seeing you all there.

Overall, this has been a good year for training. Some branches have made great strides in growth and most students are making good progress. The Black Belts who are training regularly have also been sustaining their steady progress. It is very exciting that we are making strong headway in the right direction in all fronts.

May Chi be with you,

Grandmaster SC Chan

 

 

Events

 

10th Oct:                                 Canterbury TC Ex Grading

14th Oct:                                 Canterbury KF Grading

24th Oct:                                 Canterbury & W. Coast combined training

28th Oct:                                 Wellington KF Grading & Seminar

29th Oct:                                 Wellington TC Grading & Seminar

10th, 11th & 12th  Nov:          Canterbury SOTC Instructor Camp

18th Nov:                                Dunedin KF Grading & Seminar

19th Nov:                                Dunedin KF Grading & Seminar

24th Nov:                                Annual BB Meeting

25th Nov:                                Annual BB Grading, Dinner and Awards

5th Dec:                                  Canterbury TC Ex Grading

9th Dec:                                  Canterbury KF Grading

22nd Dec:                               HQ Last regular training