Frankfurt Chamber of Shaolin

Last week I was lucky enough to spend a few days visiting Shaolin Wahnam Frankfurt. Germany is fortunate enough to host not only one of the most senior Wahnam disciples in the form of Kai Jettkandt but also his 'Special Chamber'.

Taisipak (eldest older brother) Kai has a training kwoon or dojo attached to his acupuncture clinic.
Recently another building next door has been going through a transformation into a 'special chamber' containing all the traditional training devices associated with Shaolin Kung Fu.

The most eye catching are of course the 'plum flower' posts. These are great for 'moving through the woods' as you move through the forest of poles. Later, after starting on circles drawn on the floor, students progress to moving on top of the posts!

Kung Fu Comes Shortly in Shoreditch...

January 8th 2008 sees Shaolin Wahnam return to Shoreditch.

Kung fu classes Tuesdays and Thursdays, a short walk from Old Street tube, just off the A10.



Details of free taster session can be found here.

Shaolin Wahnam is the international school of Grandmaster Wong Kiew Kit.
Scroll down or check out our links for more information about us.

Events in 2008

Saturday 26th January- All Nations Gathering
The All Nations is annual gathering of Wahnam Students from across the UK and Ireland. Hosted first by Brighton, then Manchester, the event has now moved north to Scotland and the beautiful city of Edinburgh.
There will be '8 hours' of teaching throughout the day, along with 'Review/Q & A Sessions'. The cost - £50
Further details will soon be posted at here.


Saturday and Sunday 19th & 20th April- UK Warrior Project
This is your chance to learn directly from Taisipak (Eldest Big Brother) Kai of Frankfurt. The weekend covers using kung fu against other styles of martial arts. In 2008 this event will be held in the Brighton area. Details will be announced nearer the time. Students must have reached level two in the syllabus to attend.

July 2008- UK Annual Summer Camp
This is the yearly visit of Grandmaster Wong Kiew Kit to our shores. Over the duration of a week he'll be teaching the following not to be missed courses:

Tuesday 15th July – 18th July
Southern Shaolin Kung Fu – Introduction to Internal Force and Combat Application – 24 hrs of tuition.

Saturday 19th July
Generating Energy Flow – Essential Introduction to Shaolin Cosmos Chi Kung skills and techniques – 6 hrs of tuition.

Sunday 20th July
Massaging Internal Organs – Using Energy Flow to Massage, Nourish and Heal Your Internal Organs – 6 hrs of tuition.

Monday 21st July

Cosmic Shower – Discover How To Tap Energy From the Cosmos and Channel It to Cleanse Your Body of “Energy Blockages” – 6 hrs of tuition.

Tuesday 22nd July
Sinew Metamorphosis – Also Known As Merging With The Cosmos – 5 hrs of tuition

Wednesday 23rd July
Shaolin Internal Force – Internal Force Is Not Just For Martial Artists You Can Use It To Enhance Health, Promote Mental Clarity and Gain Glimpses of Cosmic Reality – 6 hrs of tuition.
More details can be found here.
Saturday 2nd - Saturday 9th August- Mountain Retreat Levels 1-4
Saturday 9th - Saturday 16th August- Mountain Retreat Levels 4-6

Meditation, Chi Kung and Kung Fu with Taisipak Kai all taking place half way up a Swiss Mountain. Not to be missed.
More details can be found here.

Swiss Weekend Warriors

Last weekend the small town of Winterthur played host to this year's Swiss Warrior project.
So many new faces and a few old timers gathered to learn the tricks of the trade from Taisipak Kai of Frankfurt.
As always a good time had by all and as always never enough sleep.

Gold Medals at International Wushu Championships

Naoko Yamada, Hubert Ruzack and Sifu Michael Chow, all from Shaolin Wahnam Canada, won gold medals in Optional Empty Hand Routines II, Traditional Northern Empty Hand Forms and Optional Empty Hand Routines I respectively at the 2007 Wushu International Championships held on 21st and 22nd July at Hamilton, Canada.

It is no surprise for Sifu Michael Chow, who has won many gold medals before, to win again, but for new comers like Naoko and Hubert to win gold medals the first time they competed in wushu championships, it is a remarkable achievement. Much credit goes to their coach, Sifu Emiko Hsuen, who herself is a former wushu international champion.

Shaolin Chi Kung Comes to London

Here at Shaolin Wahnam, Chi Kung and Kung Fu have always gone hand in hand. In fact, they are the same hand but that's a long story. While it is impossible to practise Kung Fu without Chi Kung, the same is not true the other way around. Chi Kung can be taught and practised as an art in its own right.

For those who want to enjoy the benefits of Chi Kung without taking on the vigours of learning a martial art, the Shaolin Wahnam Institute is pleased to announce a free evening of Chi Kung with Sifu Marcus Santer.

When: Thursday 20th September 2007

Where: Lancaster Hall Hotel, 35 Craven Terrace, London, W2 3EL (5 mins walk from Paddington)

Time: 19:00 hours

Sifu Marcus has said, "My presentation will focus on health, vitality and longevity and how Shaolin Cosmos Chi Kung can overcome so called incurable illnesses. I aim for my presentation to last no longer than 1 hour. At 20:00 hours refreshments will be served, so feel free to hang around and chat, ask questions etc. I have the hall until 11pm, so there's no rush.
I look forward to seeing you, bring your family or bring a friend. If you can't make it but know of someone who could benefit from learning more about the benefits of Shaolin Cosmos Chi Kung please let them know about this presentation."

Email: marcus.santer@shaolinwahnam.co.uk for any questions.

Swiss Shaolin Mountain Retreat

This year's retreat saw Wahnam members from across Europe gather in the beautiful setting of the Swiss mountains for six days of meditation, chi kung and kung fu. With students working together to cook and clean and, with the bonding that comes with sharing such intensive training, many new friendships were made.

Taisipak (Eldest Brother) Kai of Germany, once again, proved himself not just a master of the Shaolin arts but also as a teacher of those arts. I cannot recommend next year's retreat highly enough.

Pictured is the sunset from the Judohaus where the retreat was held, Olaf of Germany celebrating the climbing of the local peak and a group picture of the first batch of students (the second week's students are still there!).

Cross Border Raid

Last weekend a wet Edinburgh hosted one of Taisipak (oldest older brother) Kai's warrior projects. A good number of students from Manchester, London and Worthing made the journey north to take on the Scotts, a few Italians and a couple of Germans. Many thanks to Sifu Mark Appleford for all the organisation, Taisipak Kai for making the journey over and for everyone who took part and made it another great weekend.

Wahnam Hits Channel M

Last Saturday saw a group of London students pay a visit to sunny Manchester to partake in the filming of a short documentary about Shaolin Wahnam. The concept was the work of a final year film student and was backed by Manchester's very own Channel M.

The programme will feature footage of a regular class as well as interviews with Sifu Michael Durkin and both Manchester and London students.

Thank you to everyone who made the early start, bought shoes and made t-shirts. What better way to spend International Chi Kung Day.

Next Free Introduction Class Tuesday 28th August

The next chance for you to join the South London classes and practise the wonderful Shaolin arts will be at the start of September.

Before you sign up for the three month term you can visit us on Tuesday 28th August for a free taster session.

Regular classes are held every Tuesday between 7.30 and 9.30 pm just a few minutes walk from Pimlico underground station. For further information and to register for the free session, please visit our classes page.

Inside Kung Fu Magazine Cover Story!

This month's copy of Inside Kung Fu magazine carries an acticle by Grandmaster Wong Kiew Kit entitled 'The Ultimate Technique'. Master Wong has a regular 'Ask the Master' column in the magazine and this is now the second full article.

A selection of the 'Ask the Master' questions and answers can be found online at the Inside Kung Fu website.

Frankfurt Warrior Project Feb 2007

Another fine weekend in Frankfurt. One kwoon, two days, three countries, four sessions, five... err... days to recover?

May: Warrior Project Edinburgh 2007

Taught by Taisipak kai of Germany.

May 12th & 13th

For students at Level 2 or above. The courses are aimed at those who either wish to increase their Combat Efficiency or are thinking of making a career in tournament competitions. Participants will learn how to apply Shaolin Kungfu against other arts (Muay Thai, Kickboxing, Mixed Martial Arts, Grappling, etc.) and can also find out about Sanda competitions.
Please refer to link for details.

July: 2007 Annual UK Summer Camp Canterbury

Taught by Grandmaster Wong Kiew Kit

7th - Generating Energy Flow
8th & 9th - Shaolin 18 Lohan Hands
10th & 11th – Shaolin 18 Exercises for Health and Vitality
12th – 15th - Introduction to Kung Fu Internal Force and Combat Application
16th – 20th – Lion Dance
21st – 24th – 3 Classical Kung Fu Weapons

Please refer to link for details.

August: Shaolin Wahnam mountain retreat Switzerland

Taught by Taisipak Kai of Germany.

1st retreat:
August 4th - 11th 2007

2nd retreat:
August 11th - 18th 2007

Every day, 6 - 8 hours Shaolin Kung Fu, Chi Kung and Meditation. Students of Level 2 and above.

Please refer to link for details.

Happy New Year!

Shaolin Wahnam South London would like to wish everybody a very happy Chinese New Year! The coming year of the Boar is traditionally a good time for bearing children as the boar is associated with fertility and virility. Children born this year will be happy and honest. Chinese communities the world over will today celebrate with Lion dances to bring good fortune for the coming year and Dragon dances to ward off evil spirits. Pictured here is a typical Lion's head and a giant pig from celebrations in Sydney earlier today.

All Nation's Gathering- Manchester 2007

January 27th/28th saw the second successful gathering of students from around the UK at the 'All Nations' event in Manchester. This annual get together is a meeting ground for students from across the UK to train together, share experiences and meet new faces. The teaching is carried out by instructors and assistants from each centre in the UK who take the group for a one hour slot. Subjects this year ranged from footwork to pressing attacks to stretching and setting aims and objectives. A full review of the two day event can be found on this Discussion forum thread. Next year's All Nations Gathering will be taking place in Scotland. Watch this space for details!

Look Out for New Logo!

The South London logo has now been reworked so the figure's arm does not cover up any of the Chinese characters! A much better design I think we'll all agree. T-shirts will follow soon...

Wahnam film feature !

This short film is the work of Juan Carlos, a film student who use to come to the London classes. Myself and assistant instructor from Brighton, Mark Tranter volunteered to help out. The ideas, story and production are all Juan's. The fighting sequences are a jumble of Shaolin Wahnam Combat Sequences and were roughly put together by Mark and myself on the morning of the shoot. The quality of the uploaded film isn't great and next time we do a film it'll be Mark made to wear the turquoise suit!

Shaolin Wahnam Family Join Wedding Celebrations

7th and 8th of October, members of the worldwide Shaolin Wahnam family gathered for the wedding of Sifu Wong's second daughter Wei Foong to Peter Kow Chee Wooi. Around seventy students travelled from South America, Europe, Australia, Canada, Japan and South East Asia to the two wedding dinners, one in Sungai Petani, the other in Penang. Sifu Wong took the opportunity to teach for the six days leading up to the wedding. Students enjoyed two days of Shaolin Kung Fu, two days of Wahnam Tai Chi and two days of Shaolin Cosmos Chi Kung. Yet another memorable trip to Malaysia!