THE KUNG FU SCHOOL

NEWSLETTER VOL 3, ISSUE 1

Sun 30th March 2014

A WORD FROM SI GUNG :

An exciting year ahead with lots of activities and events already planned. Most notably we will have three international visitors this year. Tomohiro Susa the head instructor in Japan, Andrew Schwass head instructor in Australia and Grandmaster Lai Khee Choong the head of Nam Pai Chuan worldwide. We are honoured and privileged to have such distinguished visitors. It is recognition of the hard work that all the seniors from New Zealand have put in that we attract such overseas interest. For grading a Chinese proverb:
SI GUNG GARY O'SULLIVAN

Teachers open the door; you enter by yourself. You will have to take the initiative to apply what you are taught to be successful.

Did you know? Gong (used in Kung Fu/Gong Fu)

Literally means work. We practice or exercise to develop a skill or power both internally and externally.

UPCOMING EVENTS:
APRIL th Sat 5 Sparring Class Remuera th Fri 11 Sparring Class Jiu Lian Shan th Sat 12 Auckland Grading & Horowhenua School Fundraiser Dance Party th Thu 24 Black Belt Class Jiu Lian Shan th Sat 26 Jiu Lian Shan Kung Fu Gala MAY th Sun 4 Sparring Class Remuera th Fri 9 Sparring Class Jiu Lian Shan

CONTACT US:
Information in this newsletter as accurate as possible at time of printing; however details may change at any time. For up-todate information on events or news, please visit our website regularly: www.shaolinkungfu.co.nz Questions, comments, or enquiries about workshops or seminars? Please see your club instructor, email us at nampaichuan@xtra.co.nz, or Call 06 358 7309 during business hours.

UPDATED WEBSITE
Check out the New Sections in our website www.shaolinkungfu.co.nz The improved website has extra features such as downloadable newsletters, updated photos and new-look pages. Events are now located under the Kung Fu Zone.

Special thanks to all those contributed to this newsletter.

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News & Events

NATIONAL TOURNAMENT
In June Jiu Lian Shan is set to hold our 4th biannual national tournament. The inaugural tournament in 2008 was a fantastic success, with 46 competitors in the forms division and 30 brave souls taking part in the sparring. Since then the event has gone from strength to strength, and in 2012 we had nearly 80 entrants in the forms, and an amazing 75 people enter the sparring events. We are looking forward to seeing even greater numbers get involved this year. The tournament is a celebration of some of the best parts of Nam Pai Chuan. The spirit shown by the competitors, the grace and power of the forms performances, the tenacity, fortitude and skill of the sparring, and most of all the support given to every person stepping up onto the mat never fails to inspire. This time around will see the seniors competing in a new event weapons sparring. And with several of the previous years champions taking early retirement, the forms and sparring titles are wide open to a new generation so get practicing, get your name in, and help us make 2014 bigger and better than ever.

KUNG FU FUNDRAISING GALA

Clubs will be underway with various fundraising events as we look to August when Tai Si Gung is expected to arrive in the country. We are raising funds for travel and accommodation costs to bring the World Master for Nam Pai Chuan Gao Can Mun Shaolin to teach us here in Palmerston North. As part of fundraising efforts Jiu Lian Shan will be holding a th fundraising gala on Saturday 26 April 2014. When: Saturday 26 April 2014 Where: Jiu Lian Shan, 218 Ferguson Street, Palmerston North What: Kung Fu Fundraising Gala fun, games, raffles, face painting FUN cooking section! sweets, food and a massive garage sale. How you can help: If you have clean working items to donate please see your local club instructor. Other items can be donated such as baking ingredients, books, white ware, baked goods, vouchers or gift certificates, furniture, toys, bric-abrac. Questions/Contacts: Gow Lian Teng 021 169 3142 or Gow Lian Stirling 027 515 6875
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News
WELLINGTON CLUB This term marked the opening of the third Wellington school, located in Karori. It is led by Gow Lian Elliot Gonzales and takes place on Tuesdays with children at 5:30-6:30pm and adults at 6:30-8-30pm. We held an open day on the 18th of February. There were children and adults who attended and they enjoyed themselves learning a few of the things we do. Wellington students can now train 4 nights a week which a few are taking advantage of. A select few had a very special assignment in January: a six year old's dress up party. The theme? Ninja turtles. We donned our costumes, masks and weapons and took down an evil villain to rescue the brainwashed children. Then it was the kids turn, we got them fired up, kicking and punching mitts, there were photos and staff sparring - they had a blast. February saw one of our longest-standing students Bjana start university. Unfortunately, that involved moving to Dunedin. Our school had a dinner together and wished her all the best. We expect to see HOROWHENUA her again in holiday breaks and at the end of the year. On a The club had a really busy start to the year with two demonstrations and grading preparations to be done before the end positive of March. note, two students graded to black belt at the end of year and they The last first demonstration was athave the Medieval Market in Levin. We certainly had some interest shown from the crowds and stepped up to help fill the gap. some interesting characters joined in too! We appreciate those from the Song Shan and Wanganui schools coming
along to participate in our demonstration; it wouldnt have been the same without you.

The theme? Ninja turtles. We donned our costumes, masks and weapons and took down an evil villain to rescue the brainwashed children. Then it was the kids turn, we got them fired up, kicking and punching mitts, there were photos and staff sparring - they had a blast. February saw one of our longest-standing students, Bjana, start university. Unfortunately for the club, that involved her moving to Dunedin. Our school had a dinner together and wished her all the best. We expect to see her again in holiday breaks and at

the end of the year. On a positive note, two students graded to black belt at the end of last year and they have stepped up to help fill the gap. On Saturday the 15th of March our school put on a performance for a local Harvey Norman store, re-opening after fire damage last year. We performed a lion dance and demonstration involving adults and children. The audience really enjoyed it and it was great fun for the performers. It is something we wish to continue to improve on in the future.

On Saturday the 15th of March Our school annual demonstration at the Fairfield School Gala turned out to be another day of good weather. It was interesting our put on a performance to hear the crowd comments from I can do that to ooh and ahh. Everyone did well. Thank you to all those who for a local Harvey Norman turn store, participated in the demonstrations. re-opening after fire damage last year. We performed a lion th The Horowhenua Club will be holding family/friends of the school Fundraiser Dance Party on Saturday 12 April 2014 dance and demonstration from 6 7pm at Fairfield School. Tickets are $5 each and a drink and snack is included with each ticket. All ticket sales involving and children. go towards adults fundraising efforts for Tai Si Gung s travel ticket. For the most up to date information on this event, please The audience really enjoyed see Lance or Anton, or contact theit club horowhenua@shaolinkungfu.co.nz and it was great fun for the performers. It is something we wish to continue to improve on Page 3 of 4 SHAOLIN GAO CAN MUN NAM PAI CHUAN NEWSLETTER VOL 2, ISSUE 4 in the future.

A Mothers Perspective
My Nam Pai Chuan Kung Fu journey began with the purchase of an online Grabone voucher nearly 2 years ago. This was for Jiu Lian Shan in Palmerston North. Since a youngster I always wanted to take up a martial art but never got the opportunity, so I guess I was hoping to live out a childhood dream of mine. I emailed Sifu to find out more information as I thought being in my late 30s I would be far too old to start this type of thing. He told me to come with an open mind, fear is not necessary and to just enjoy it. This put me at ease before stepping into the Kwoon for the first time. I had no idea about NPC kung fu but since it was convenient and just down the road from me, I took the plunge. I first met Sifu Kelsey Chan as she was taking the class that night. I didnt know what hit me as I was so unfit and inflexible, but somehow I managed to last the class (and suffered for it for the next 3 days!) My Grabone voucher entitled me to attend 3 classes so I came back for more the next week. This was when I first saw Sifu and Simo. The class was fun but I was starting to feel very uncoordinated, and the terminology was causing me some embarrassment as I was often calling Sifu Simo and vice versa. I decided to stick with it so I registered and purchased the uniform. I now felt part of this kung fu family as it included people with the same interest as me, but of all different ages, backgrounds and skills. My 2 young children thought that it was awesome and cool that their mum had taken up a hobby. They would quite often catch me around grading time practising in the back garden whilst hanging out the washing, or watching my husband partner up with me so I could do my Eeh Pohs. In fact, nearly every time I move my arms and legs they would ask me Mum, are you doing kung fu? and the answer was usually yes! Hopefully one day they will follow in my footsteps and take up Kung fu, but ultimately that will be up to them. My main goals for taking up NPC were to: Boost my confidence Learn self defence Improve strength and fitness Meet new friends And to show my kids that if you work hard you can achieve your goals I believe that some of these goals are still a work in progress for me, and others have far exceeded my expectations. I love that every class is different and it gives you the opportunity to learn, teach and share your knowledge with others. Sifu reminds us often in class that Kung fu literally means skill from hard work, so in my mind you need to put in the effort to reap the rewards. My childhood martial art dream has now turned into a NPC kung fu reality and I wouldnt want it any other way!

- Brenda -

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