You will find some possible answers that you may have in regards to Martial Art Weaponry Training. And if you do not find the answer, please e-mail us by clicking on this line!
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Sijo Robert Z, Chief Instructor and Manager of the Shaolin Academy
What is Traditional Chinese Weaponry?
It is difficult to date when the first items was used for a Weapon but we do have fairly accurate records of when we first had metal. Europe started with Copper around 5 thousand years ago; Asia around 10 thousand years ago. So from this point of view, Chinese (cold, ancient, traditional) metal Weaponry has one of the longest history's second to none. In this time the Chinese have developed some of the most interesting and bizarre Weaponry and thus making it perfect to use as a training tool for understanding the nature of Weapons and for keeping Weaponry Training for health, fitness and fun Interesting! If you would like to see some of these Weapons or a listing, please click on this link (again, just close the page to come back here and resume reading.)
Never Trained Weaponry Before
Good, we really do not want to teach people how to be thugs and attack people with Weapons. Half of our students who train Weaponry Kung Fu (the ones that stay) are those who might possibly be found on a historical recreation group, trainee or active actors, fire twirlers, street performers and the like. The other half are those who wish to learn to defend against Weaponed attacks or just see the Weaponry training as a supplement to their kung Fu training. A way to keep it interesting and varied. Most all of our students will not have handled a Weapon before in their lives. As such, we have a great teaching skill to ensure that our training is safe, in the right (and legal) spirit and fun. We have not had a Weaponry Injury yet (other than a bruise or such but never to a new student)!
I don't want to be Whacked & Hit
Nobody really does; and those that do like it, we generally send to train somewhere else. We have a high percentile of student with a brain in their head who know that causing pain is not really good for anybody. It may happen, that at a later, more senior level you may wish to train harder, that is fine. But every student is treated as if they do not wish to be hit or touched; especially new students who are considered untouchable. We have a very good record in almost 20 years of operation and 0% complaints.
How long before the morning muscle pains stop?
There are a lot of subtle advantages in being taught by a Master Level Instructor such as Sijo. With almost 50 years of Training (since 1962) and over 30 years of teaching (since 1975), real army experience, professional education qualification and experience, you will see that working to be fit, strong, enduring and tough does not require pain. In a way this is good and bad. Some people believe that the only way to be fit and tough is to cause yourself pain. This is 'a' quick way, but also a cheep way. Most experienced Martial Artists instructors and masters will tell you that the pain method is for pain junkies; normal people resent pain. Pain is a signal and sooner or later you will resent it and stop doing what is causing you pain. if your lucky, you have not cause you serf permanent injury and chronic problems.
So, there will not be any Morning-after-pain or problems. We do not want any of our students training in such a way that they cause themselves or others any pain. The Shaolin Academy has a full 30 minute warm-up at every beginner class. Based on the publication "Exercise Danger" and Master Robert Z's years experience as martial art teacher, coach and master. The essence of the warm-up exercises derive from elements of Chi Kung, Yoga, Feldenkrais, Tai Chi, Meditation, and just some plain old sport & wellness stretching. What this means is that with 13 classes a week, each with between 8 to 15 students, 50 weeks a year for over 17 years, we have had maybe 2 strained muscles
But i am so unfit
Well, that seems like a good reason to start training! With the Shaolin Academy, any student can stop at any time and take a break without any concerns. We have students with a variety of chronic health issues including Asthma, Shallow Breath even things such as MS, Autism even Narcolepsy that get through a beginners class most of the time. We also have several students over 40 that have never done a days of exercise before they came to us. No problems. We teach the skill of Shaolin Kung Fu first, then you work on the fitness and health, when you know what you are doing!
Ring Ring
No, we will not be calling you back weekly, fortnightly or even monthly or yearly just because you tried us out and chose not to stay. We know how annoying and awkward such calls are and frankly, we would not want to subject anyone to make these calls for us. But, never say never unless it is the past . . . so. Since the founding of the club in 1992, we have Never called students for marketing purposes. And, if you have tried out with us and do not wish to continue, and do not wish us to keep your records, tell us and we will fully and completely expunge any information we received from you about you.
I don't want to continue anymore
That's too bad but not a problem. You can start and stop anytime you want. You can either Freeze your membership or cancel it entirely. There are no penalties. Just talk to us or talk directly to the accounts managers and cancel it yourself. If you do not wish to continue your training; we will not stand in your way. As a matter of fact, if you change your mind a week, month, year or even 10 years later, you will be welcomed like an old friend!
I have a complaint!
Shit can happen. We at the club are very flexible and when in doubt decide your way. But, and it has not happened so far, you should want to go to a higher authority, you have two choices
Contact Sijo on his mobile 0458 742 654 that is 0458 SHAOLIN
Or contact the Martial Art Industry Association by e-mailing admin@maia.com.au or phoning the National President Walt Missingham on 02 8116 9822.
I am broke
Job loss, moving home, changing positions, special occasions, extended holidays, demise of a family member or just a bad time of the year. As mentioned above shit can happen. You have several options when this happens;
Freeze your membership for as long as you like. This means, even if you are away for a few months or even years, when you resume, your training fee will not have increased. That is one of the Academy's guarantees. As long as you are an active of Freeze member, there will be NO PRICE INCREASES!
Stop your membership and cancel it. We will not hold it against you no matter what the reason. You want to stop, we will help.
Float your membership. This means that you continue training but we reduce or even halt any payments until you can catch up. Then when you are back on top, we decide together by how much you increase your normal payments to bring yourself up-to-date. We don't mind; even if it take a longer while. We would rather keep you as a student and friend.
Blood???
Shaolin Kung Fu CAN be a contact sport but not for beginners! When and if you chose to work on contact you will have a full set of protective gear. If there is blood spillage, well we are well prepared and trained. We follow the Victorian Government Blue Book "Procedure for managing spills of blood and body fluids/substances". This includes a full first aid kit, put together by Dagmar (Shaolin Academy co-founder and nurse of 35 years) which includes all the right materials. All said and done, the procedure is relatively simple and Shaolin Academy Instructors are fully Trained 1st Aid Officers.
Spot or Small Spills -Spots or drops of blood or other small spills (up to 10cms) can easily be managed by wiping the area immediately with paper towelling and then cleaning with warm water and detergent followed by rinsing and drying the area. Dry the area as wet areas attract contaminants. After wich we use a disinfectant to make sure!
If something does happen, we follow the 'National Code of Practice for Martial Arts Centers & Instructors'. As part of this we have your Emergency Contact information and if you are not able we will contact the person you nominated first, unless it is an emergency at which time we will call the Ambulance. We will tend to err on the side of caution!
Do you have any suggestions for content?
Visit, us in Caulfield, Mordialloc or Camberwell or call us on 1800 SHAOLIN that is 1800 742 654 or e-mail us! We give you the first three session of training for free, no tricks, no problems. Our number is 1800 SHAOLIN which is 1800 742 654 between 11am to 5pm Tuesdays to Fridays and all day Sunday!
