Newsletter 2023-1

Chans Martial Arts News

CMA 23-01 1st March 2023 

Challenging start

This year started with a very wet few weeks due to Cyclone Gabriele. It was very destructive for many up north. So far, we were lucky that none of our people was affected directly. 

As with all serious challenges, we must try not to stress out, pick ourselves up and face the future with a positive attitude. We know that unrelenting stress can lead to serious psychological and physiological problems. It is scientifically proven that stress can be most effectively decreased through meditation, yoga, Tai Chi Chuan and exercise. The results are the best when the activity is enjoyed by the individual. 

Our Shao Chi Chuan training should fit the bill very well, as it trains us to stay calm, and focused on our body and the objectives of the drills. The stretching exercises can improve our flexibility and help with relaxation both physically and mentally. Training the dynamic combinations, speed-distance-timing & reaction-power-focus drills will provide both aerobic and anaerobic exercise for combat fitness and mental health.

Training Objectives 

It is important that we review our main training objectives besides maintaining good health. 

The first and foremost is efficient self-defence. We are not bound by techniques that are just traditional and have unnecessary flourishes without worthwhile conditioning or combat functions.

Secondly, our training must be sustainable without suffering unnecessary contact injuries, such as brain, bone and soft tissue injuries, as well as repetitive stress injuries to our joints. It should also not generate traumatic mental stress for students.

Thirdly, It should be practical for students of all sizes, gender and ages. Techniques should not only work for young, big and strong students. Our older students are not required to do acrobatics. 

Fourthly, our training is not just about fighting ability. We work hard on personal development, cultivating a focused mind that is peaceful and calm under pressure. We practice determination, patience, self-confidence, tolerance and respect.

The most important thing is to have the habit of training regularly. Regular and focused training will develop the feeling necessary for making gradual adjustments to improve. It is only when you train regularly that flexibility, health & fitness targets can be achieved.

Your ability to defend yourself when you are under attack depends on how well you respond to it. To use the appropriate techniques to protect yourself and disable your assailant, you have to repeat and refine the moves many hundreds of times, till it becomes a reflex action.

Tai Chi Camp

Tai Shiye (Prof Yek) and Michael Shiye are coming to Christchurch next week!

• The Christchurch Grading in (14 Iversen Terrace, Waltham), starts at 9:00am - 12:00pm Saturday 11 March 2023.

• The Students Camp starts at 2:00pm Saturday 11 March - 9:00pm Saturday 11 March 2023. ($120)

• Instructor Training start at 2:00pm Saturday 11 March - 10:00am Sunday 12 March 2023 ($150)

• Level 1 Instructor Training starts at 2:00pm Saturday 11 March - 11:30am Sunday 12 March 2023. ($180)

• Please mention (Zoom) if you are attending the online training.

• Speak to your instructor for info on how to sign up, Applications end on Monday!

Women Self Defence Course

We are holding a self-defence course for women on the 22nd of April, 2:00 to 4:00pm at HQ. It will be free for our students and immediate family. It is $25 for friends and members of the public. Booking will be necessary for the course by the 14th of April.

Seminars & Tournament

In the regional seminars, we will be working on relaxing with the side kick.

Annual seminars on 3rd June, we will follow up with the side kick and timing. Breaking & conditioning will be covered in this seminar.

Annual Seminar BB session 3rd June, we will talk about the unnecessary fear regarding pressure points and how to train without hurting your partners.

Tournament 4th June. We had a very successful tournament last year and this year should be even bigger and better. Your instructor will prepare and invite students that are suitable to participate in the Patterns or Fighting competition.

Annual Kung Fu Camp

Check the enrolment form for more enrolment details:

https://forms.gle/FJKPJN3xbsxRPdkTA

It should be a great camp on August 25th, 26th & 27th, the previous camp in Nelson was a great success and no doubt this one will be too!!

The confirmed camp list is already starting to grow: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1PfNwZkZNcgHI28vSOz9_OIjRC0s-TRQV3VEnGfjTjyY/edit#gid=0

May Qi be with you,

Grandmaster Chan

Chans Martial Arts

Newsletter 2022-4

Chans Martial Arts News

CMA 22-04 28th Nov 2022

Black Belt Grading

We had a wonderful weekend with instructors congregating at HQ on Friday for the annual Chans Martial Arts instructors meetings. As usual, we celebrated the positive shape of the organisation with a sumptuous dinner afterwards.

The grading was a tough one as usual. It is very good to see how determined and fit the candidates were. They were well supported by family, friends, classmates and instructors from all over New Zealand and even from Sydney. The new HQ was up to the task and provided an atmosphere that we have not felt since the old Lawson Street HQ. Thanks to the grading officials, everything went very smoothly.  A big “Thank You” to everyone who contributed to the improvements at HQ as well as the help in organising and running the awards function. We believe almost everyone who was there enjoyed the occasion very much. 

One notable absentee was Master Lord who had to attend a family wedding. He sent his apologies for missing the first Black Belt grading in thirty years. We had many black belts who are not actively training come in to support the grading. It was particularly great to see Master Paul Reid who has been working in the USA for several years.  

We had a very nice ten-course dinner at the South Garden Restaurant before going back to HQ for the awards. The senior instructors enjoyed their traditional ‘post-awards summit meeting’ very much. 

We are happy to announce that the following were promoted at the 2022 Annual Awards.

1st Degree:  

Brendan Paris - HQ

David Joker - HQ

George Tsingos - Sydney

James Day - West Melton

Mandy Simpson - Lower Hutt

Michele Trott - Lincoln

Poppy Cuthbert - Lincoln

Zahra Shahtahmabesi - North Shore, Auckland

2nd Degree:

Mr Steven Taylor - Invercargill

Mr Scott Connelly - University of Canterbury

Ms Kirsty Petersen - Parklands

Mr Joseph Van Zoomeran - North Shore, Auckland

Mr Keith Van Niekerk - Lower Hutt

Candidates for 4th Degree:

Mr Craig Allan - North Shore, Auckland

Mr Alan Logan - HQ

Mr Kirk Maxwell - Whangaparoa

I hope our successful candidates will continue to train regularly, as it is at the Black Belt level that we get into our special techniques such as Labyrinth footwork, weapons training & close-range fighting. In the last decade, we have been gradually transforming the Black Belt training, from just having the best bio-mechanics, to a higher more effective level, where internal energy and pressure point techniques are the main apparatus. 

Our system was developed from contact fighting like many other martial arts to one that is quite different. Our stress-free way of training paves the way for us, to stay healthy and continue to improve even as we age.

Penelope Lake Trophy 

The prestigious Penelope Lake award was presented to Ruth Sutton from the University of Canterbury branch for her dedication to training and supporting her instructor and classmates.

Alistair Kidd Instructor of the Year Award

We have also established a new award to acknowledge our most hardworking instructors as well as being a memorial for the late Mr Alistair Kidd. The shield is crafted by our talented Mr Rex Scott, technical advisor of the Greymouth branch. 

The first recipient of the Alistair Kidd Chans Martial Arts Instructor of the Year Award is Mr John Avei of the West Melton branch. Mr Avei is one of our most dedicated instructors who works hard to provide the best training, guidance and encouragement to his students. He often tells me enthusiastically about the plans for his students, may it be about training, a student of the month award, or a social event. He also shares his grief when his students fail to achieve his standards. His students are very lucky to have such a passionate instructor.

How to reach objectives in training

The most common objectives in training are health & fitness, self-defence and enjoyment of improving skills. 

The most important and easiest thing to do is to have the habit of training regularly. Once you are training regularly, you can develop the feeling necessary for making the gradual adjustments to improve. It is only when you train regularly that flexibility, health & fitness targets are automatically achieved.

Your ability to defend yourself when you are under attack depends on how well you respond to it. You have to use the appropriate techniques that are necessary to protect yourself and disable your assailant. For it to work, you have to repeat the moves many hundreds of times till it becomes a reflex action. Unless you are training regularly this will not happen.

Therefore, regular training is the key to all your objectives in training. For the best results, you have to stay focused and feel the positioning, stability and timing in your techniques. 

End-of-year barbecue at HQ

We will have a barbecue at HQ on Saturday 17th December. We will cancel the usual Tai Chi class on that day and start the barbecue at noon. The social club will provide some meat. Please bring your drinks and if you like salads or dessert to share. Branch members are welcome.

The last training for the year will be on Wednesday the 21st of December. We will resume normal classes from Wednesday the 4th of January 2023.

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year

We will like to wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas & Happy New Year. Have a wonderful holiday and refresh yourself for the challenges of 2023.

Do keep up with the stretching exercises and practice your forms so you can hit the ground running when classes resume next year.

Best wishes for your training and hope to see you at the regional seminars next year.

Keep safe, train well & may Qi be with you,

Grandmaster SC Chan