Chans Martial Arts News
CMA 25-01 18th January 2025
Fresh start
Despite 2024 being another challenging year, we managed to make the most of it. I would like to encourage everyone to lift their spirits and take opportunities to progress in 2025. This year is especially significant with the 50th Jubilee year for Chans Martial Arts and the 30th Anniversary of Sing Ong Tai Chi and is cause to be reminded of how far we have come in our training together.
As with all serious challenges, we must try not to stress out for too long so we can pick ourselves up and tackle the future with positivity. Unrelenting stress can lead to serious psychological and physiological problems, but it can be effectively decreased by meditation and exercise. The results are best achieved, when the activity is enjoyed in a sociable environment.
Our Shao Chi Chuan training fits the bill very well as we train to stay calm, whilst mentally working towards the objectives of the drills and maintaining focus on our body. The stretching exercises improve our flexibility, and also help with relaxing both physically and mentally. Training the dynamic combinations, speed-distance-timing & reaction-power-focus drills provides both aerobic and anaerobic exercise for combat fitness and boosting mental health.
Tai Chi Chuan not only provides gentle exercise, balance and fine tuning of the nervous system. It specialises in mental calmness to deal with both physical and psychological pressure. Besides being an enjoyable health enhancing exercise, it can be trained to be a peerless martial art.
Besides the regular events on the calendar this year, we are introducing a special Tai Chi weapons class and a special Kung Fu injury prevention and recovery workshop.
Tai Chi Jian Course
This year we are conducting a Tai Chi Jian course starting on the 21st of January. The course will be conducted at HQ on Tuesday nights from 7:00pm to 8:30pm over 40 sessions. (Some Tuesdays will be reserved for Tai Chi Exercise Gradings) The first two sessions will be on the fundamentals of Tai Chi Jian. A section of the form will be completed in every six sessions, with all six sessions being completed within 38 sessions. The two final sessions will be for reviewing the whole form and the finer points about Tai Chi Jian.
Training: HQ on Tuesday nights from 7:00pm to 8:30pm
Eligibility: Those who have completed the 1st section of the 42 Form.
A) Whole Course Fee: $240
B) Pay per part: $60/part (6 parts in all)
C) Zoom Whole Course fee: $120
Jian: Bring your own jian if you have a suitable one. HQ has a few spare ones you can use. We can help you order one later on, if you wish to acquire a suitable sword.
Please enrol as soon as possible as places are limited. Please send e-mail or text and pay through CMA account 03-0866-0381094-00 stating name and options.
Christchurch Sing Ong Tai Chi Camp
Grading 1: Friday 7th March 6:00am - 8:30pm and
Grading 2: Saturday 8th March 9:00am -11:30am.
Students Camp: Saturday 8th March 2:00pm - 9:00pm. ($120)
Instructor Training: Sunday 9th March 9:00am - 11:30am ($150)
Level 1 Instructor Training: March Sunday 9th March 2:00pm -. ($180)
Please mention (Zoom) if you are attending the online training.
Please sign up through your instructor by the 1st of March.
Injury Prevention & Recovery Workshop
Even though our training system is highly safe compared to most other martial arts, there are times when accidents or technical errors can cause injuries. Some of you may also have injuries from other activities or a combination of longstanding physical problems and limitations which affect your training.
Ms Suyi Chan
Registered Physiotherapist New Zealand & Australia
Saturday of 15th March
2:00pm to 3:30pm
Headquarters
$25 before the 14th of March
$45 on the day
Zoom
Register your interest in this survey (https://forms.gle/sH5w7mCAgReGL1qD8) whether or not you are available to attend as she is collecting some basic injury data.
Women Self Defense Session
We are holding a self defense course for women on the
Saturday the 22nd of March
2:00 to 4:00pm
Headquarters (14 Iversen Tce, Waltham)
Free for CMA & SOTC students and immediate family
$25 fee for members of the public
Please register for the course by the 14th or March
Reviewing 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, or have unnecessary flourishes without worthwhile combat functions.
Secondly, our training must be sustainable without suffering unnecessary repeated stress injuries to our joints, as well as contact injuries, such as brain, bone and soft tissue injuries. Training should also not generate traumatic mental stress to students.
Thirdly, It should be practical for students of all sizes, gender and ages. Techniques should not only work for the young, big and strong students. Older students or those limited by injury are not required to do demanding acrobatics. However, this can be achieved by learning to understand how to modify their drills and techniques to still be effective within the confounds of their varying physical limitations. This in itself is an individual skill set which we can gradually work towards to improve our training.
Fourthly, our training is not just about fighting ability. We work hard on personal development, and cultivating a focused mind that is calm under pressure. We practice determination, patience, self confidence, tolerance and respect.
It is advantageous to develop the habit of training regularly. Regular and focused training will develop ‘the feel’ that is necessary for making gradual adjustments to improve. With regular training, flexibility, health & fitness targets can gradually be achieved.
Your ability to defend yourself when you are under attack depends on how well trained you are physically and mentally to respond to it. To have the appropriate techniques to protect yourself and disable your assailant, you must repeat and refine the moves thousands of times, till it becomes a reflex action.
May Qi be with you,
Grandmaster Chan
Chans Martial Arts