"In life, failure comes many times before success; it is the choice of man whether he fights for success or accepts defeat"
Shifu Shi Yan Kun
WELCOME
Welcome to the official website of Shaolin Temple Academy. We are a full time academy that is dedicated to the practise of Chinese Martial Arts and Chinese culture. We run a wide range of charitable projects throughout the UK, Europe and China that has benefited children, youths and our elder generation.
The Academy specialises in a range of Chinese Martial Arts that is beneficial to children and adults such as Shaolin Gong Fu, Tai Ji, Soft & Hard Qi Gong (Iron Body Conditioning), Qin Na (Joint Locking), Shaolin Weapons, Shaolin Gymnasticss and San Da (Chinese Free Fighting).
Please enjoy the experience of the site and we look forward to hearing from you.
OUR MISSION
As a full time academy we aim to teach Chinese Martial Arts, culture and martial morals to a high degree. We intend to be able to facilitate and coach a vast number of children and adults at a high standard and build their ambition towards big achievements and goals such as the Olympics.
We want to be able to help combat youth gang culture and street crime and give a better opportunity to socially and economically deprive children and their families. We are committed to helping families build stronger bonds, spend time together by participating in fun activities and become more engaged with their communities.
We want to help youths with problematic backgrounds such as anger problems and turn their negative energy into positive energy with the discipline of martial arts. We aim to teach the students to an Olympic standard and for the students to be able to reach the best of their potential.
We aim to get the community more into fitness and healthy living and help prevent childhood and adult obesity by teaching students to look after their health through the power of exercise and healthy eating as we believe the greatest wealth is health.
SPECIAL OFFERS
30 DAY TRIAL OFFER - TRAIN UNLIMITED IN ALL THE CLASSES AVAILABLE TO YOUR LEVEL FOR £40!
Only available to new students, offer expires 31/01/2012. This offer works on a first come first serve basis, please contact the academy in order to reserve your place for the 30 day trial as places are limited.
EVENTS
•23 Jan Chinese New Year of the Dragon
•21-29 Jan Chinese New Year performances
(Nationwide)
•18 Mar Orange, Green and Purple sash
grading
•25 Mar BCCMA San Da Novice competition
•29 Apr BCCMA Forms Competition
•20 May Sparring Championships
•22 May 2nd Year Anniversary of academy
•24 Jun Orange, Green and Purple sash
•23 Sep BCCMA Novice San Da competition
•Oct Shaolin Temple China Trip and
International Shaolin Wushu Festival
Competition (Zheng Zhou)
•7 Oct San Da Open Day
•14 Oct Orange, Green, Purple & Blue sash
•18 Nov San Da Championships
NEWS
NOTE: No adults class Saturday 4th Feb - classes as usual on Sunday 5th Feb! However there are still kids class on Saturday from 11am - 1.15pm.
Congratulations to Sam Roberts for being selected for the European Championships to fight in Estonia representing Great Britain on 25th - 31st March 2012.
We are proud to announce that San Da will be an Olympic sport for 2016 held in Brazil, this means that Britain will have the opportunity to compete and show their skills. Shifu Yan Kun is offically on the BCCMA executive San Da committee board. The executive San Da committee will be selecting top fighters to compete and represent Great Britain in the Olympics. The committee aims to promote San Da and raise the standards in the UK and give people a better understanding and awareness of this great sport.
© All rights reserved Shaolin Temple Academy 2009 - 2010
SHAOLIN TEMPLE ACADEMY
Shaolin Temple Academy is officially affiliated with the Shaolin Temple of China, and known to them as the UK Shaolin Temple Warrior Monks training base.
All classes are personally taught by Shifu Yan Kun in the traditional Shaolin way. Shifu Yan Kun’s aim is to bring Chinese Culture and the Chinese teaching of traditional Gong Fu to the UK and to train students to an Olympic standard.
The Academy invests all efforts to each individual student and gives people full encouragement by teaching respect, martial morals and training to be the best.
We are the first and only full time Shaolin Martial Arts Academy in South East London and offer over 30 hours of training a week, open 5 days a week from Saturday - Wednesday.
We offer classes in Shaolin Gong Fu (Kung Fu), San Da (Chinese Free Fighting), Tai Ji, Qi Gong, Shaolin Gymnastics, Shaolin Weapon forms and Qin Na (Joint locking). All members are welcome to use the facility for self practice.
We offer classes for children and adults, we accept children from the age of 4 years old
CHINA ACADEMY
Shaolin Temple Academy has united with the Shaolin Temple Warrior Monks Training Base (China). Both schools are very disciplined and aims to spread the culture of Shaolin. The China Academy is based in the Shaolin Temple, China, the home of Shaolin Martial Arts.
The China Academy has a great reputation in Chinese Martial Arts and has a total of 90 students who train diligently. The school is small, warm, welcoming and very humble. As the Academy is small it allows the coaches to give their time and teaching knowledge to each student which allows the student to excel in Gong Fu (Kung Fu).
Every year, Shaolin Temple Academy invites our students to China to train in Shaolin Temple Warrior Monks Training Base and to experience the training and living of a Shaolin Monk.
SHAOLIN TEMPLE ACADEMY PERFORMANCE TEAM
Selected advance students are specifically trained intensely for performance level to perform and the team is run by the Head Master of the Academy; Shifu Shi Yan Kun.
We have special weekly performance training for the team that consists of traditional Shaolin Gong Fu forms, Shaolin Weapons, Shaolin animal forms, Tai Chi, Shaolin Acrobatics (head flips, butterfly kicks, no-hand cartwheels & more) and hard Qi Gong (breaking metal bars and bricks on body).
Our team consists of advance children from the age of 6 years old to adults, for more information on performances please contact us.
STUDY IN CHINA
Our students embarked on an amazing journey to China at the Shaolin Temple in 2009, 2010 and 2011. The students’ intensive training consists of running up steep mountains from 5am and training until 6pm for 6 days a week. The students trained in the Shaolin Temple grounds and were surrounded with the admirable Chinese students who have been training at an Olympic Standard.
Each student had one-to-one training with the coaches and was privileged to have the 80 year old grand master guiding and watching upon them. Every year we bring our students to train in China for those who wish to experience this intense cultured training.
Students train within the fresh mountains of China (Song Mountain) with the other Chinese students. The students are taught discipline, respect and the traditional applications of Shaolin Gong Fu, Tai Ji and San Da. If you are interested in experiencing an amazing journey of the intense and cultured training in China, we welcome those to come with us on our yearly return to the Shaolin Temple in Henan, China. Please contact us directly for more information on the dates and training. Please note that we do not arrange individuals to stay at the Temple for a long duration as people can only attend through invite by Shifu Yan Kun.
WHY JOIN US
At Shaolin Temple Academy, not only do we teach students at high standards but we also care about each individual student. The academy is known for its warm family environment and we give our personal attention to all students. We have a very welcoming atmosphere at the academy and aim to help our students achieve results and help them with their goals no matter how big or small.
The academy has positive team spirit and all students motivate one another and support each other. We understand that each student is unique and have different abilities therefore we push all students to their own level.
We're very serious about what we do and not only do we physically train our students; we also mentally train them. Each class that is taught, it is taught with passion and heart.
Gong Fu translates to 'hard work', we teach our students Gong Fu, not only at the academy but also with their school work, college work or at the work place. We teach our students to continue their 'Gong Fu' outside the academy and to work hard within their everyday life.
At Shaolin Temple Academy, we're more than a martial arts academy, we're a family and we welcome you to become a part of our growing family.
MASTERS
ABBOT SHI YONG XIN
The world renowned Abbot Shi Yong Xin, who is the Abbot of the famous Shaolin Temple in China, is a 33rd Generation Disciple of Shaolin Temple. In 1981, he moved to Songshan Shaolin Temple at age 17. There he received the Dharma name Yong Xin under the discipleship of Former Abbot Xing Zheng (32nd Generation Disciple).
Master Yong Xin took over the Shaolin Temple Management Committee and started to run the monastery in 1987 when the former Abbot Xing Zheng passed away.
In March 1993, he was elected as the Henan Provincial Political Consultative Committee and appointed as Director of Buddhist Association of China. Four years later he was then re-appointed as the director of Shaolin Temple Management Committee and was the head of Shaolin Temple.
Abbot Shi Yong Xin is greatly involved in promoting, protecting and reviving the tangible and intangible heritage of Shaolin Temple. In 2002, he was elected as Vice Chairman of the Buddhist Association of China and in 2010 he was elected as Director of Overseas Communication Committee of Buddhist Association of China.
Abbot Shi Yong Xin promoted Shaolin by renovating the ancient architectures to compiling and classifying classic books of Shaolin Temple, such as The Secret Book of Shaolin Kung Fu and Medicine, Shaolin Kung Fu and Works of Shaolin Kung Fu, Chan Dew Collections, Selected Papers on Shaolin Study, Shaolin in My Heart and many more.
The Abbot is greatly involved in many Buddhist projects worldwide. He donates his time and effort in developing Shaolin culture and brings awareness to people of Buddhism and Shaolin history and culture.
He has passed on his knowledge and theories onto his disciples who are the 34th Generation of Shaolin. He proudly made Shi Yan Kun his 34th Generation disciple and selected the name 'Kun' for him. The Abbot entrusts Shi Yan Kun to promote and continue his work by positively passing on Shaolin culture, spirit and knowledge worldwide.
SHIFU SHI YAN KUN
Shifu Shi Yan Kun has been practising martial arts for over 21 years and he was selected as a 34th Generation Disciple of the Shaolin Temple China by Abbot Shi Yong Xin. The Abbot chose the name 'Kun' after a famous mountain from Shandong Province.. This moutain represents endurance, strength, courage, unfailing loyalty and determination. The Abbot selected this name as he believed this represented Shi Yan Kun.
Shi Yan Kun has trained internationally from the UK to the Shaolin Temple in China (training in China just over three years). He discovered his talent for martial arts at the young age of six and he is now the Head Master of Shaolin Temple Academy.
"Teachers open the door but you must enter by yourself"
In June 2009, he was proudly awarded by the Shaolin Wushu Association of Henan (China) to be the highest ranked non-Chinese in the world to achieve the Shaolin Wushu Duan Wei Level 6 (Dan 6). Shi Yan Kun has won many competition titles in the UK and in China. He has had the pleasure by being awarded many ‘Certificate of Excellence’ by Government Officials and also being featured in many newspaper articles and televised on national and international TV.
Shi Yan Kun is on the BCCMA (British Council for Chinese Martial Arts) Executive San Da Committee and has an important role in standardising this future Olympic sport. The Committee will be selecting top fighters to compete and represent Great Britain in the Olympics. It is Shi Yan Kun's aim to raise the standards in the UK and to ensure Great Britain has a winning team as he will be coaching them for the Olympics.
Shi Yan Kun has trained his students to high competition standards and has cultivated National Champions in Traditional Shaolin forms (Northern style), Long Weapon Shaolin forms (Northern style) and in San Da. His student was selected for the World Championships for San Da 2011 in Turkey to compete for Great Britain. Shi Yan Kun will continue to train more Champions in the making from children to adults in Shaolin Gong Fu and San Da.
Shi Yan Kun has selected 35th Generation Disciples; Shi Heng Shan (Sam Roberts) , Shi Heng Li (Danny Ta), Shi Heng Cong (Charles Donald) and Shi Heng Long (Ryan Ta). His Disciples represent him and Abbot Shi Yong Xin greatly, the disciples are passionate about Shaolin culture and heritage and they aim to continue to train and teach the high standards of Shaolin just as their Master Shi Yan Kun has done.
SHAOLIN GONG FU
At the academy our main syllabus is based on traditional Shaolin Gong Fu. The training at Shaolin Temple Academy replicates the training in China and focuses on flexibility, fitness, power, speed and agility. It is an external martial art and is very dynamic. Shaolin Gong Fu is non contact and has fighting applications in the forms that is taught. We teach a full range of traditional Shaolin fist forms, 18 Shaolin Weapons, Tong Zi Gong (flexibilty skill) and imitation boxing (animal forms, such as mantis, tiger, monkey and eagle form).
Our Gong Fu has a reputation for excellence as all students are taught to a high standard and the traditional way. Each student is taught all manoeuvres precisely and explained the technicality of each movement and form.
Shaolin Gong Fu is an ancient martial art that has been around for over 1500 years and was originally practiced by the Shaolin monks in China. Shaolin Gong Fu is a generic term that refers to a number of different types of Gong Fu that all trace their origins back to the famed Shaolin Temple.
Shaolin Gong Fu is an excellent skill to learn as it teaches discipline, respect and culture. We aim to train the mind as well as the body. In order to become a good student; it begins with the mental motivation and self belief. No matter what level the students are, we believe every student can become a great student with effort and determination.
This martial art is suitable for all ages, starting from the age of 4+. We offer children and adult classes, Shaolin Gong Fu Adult Level 1 is suitable for beginners and this class is taught 5 days a week.
SAN DA (CHINESE FREE FIGHTING)
San Da is the main fighting system taught at the academy, it is taught for street self defence and for competitions. The word San Da translates to free fighting, it is a Chinese hand to hand combat, self defence system and combat sport. San Da is a modern day form of defence and we teach to a full contact level. Our techniques involve timed outdoor runs, hardcore circuit training, intense punches, powerful high kicks, explosive low kicks, high speed take down and throws.
Our classes focus on stamina, fitness and conditioning. This class is an excellent way to get fit as well as learning techniques for self defence. Students who have been training to an intermediate and advance level are allowed to spar at a full contact level. When preparing for a competition our students aim to lose weight and gain muscle. The students not only train intensely, they also incorporate a healthy high protein diet in order to fight in a certain weight category.
San Da will be an Olympic sport for 2016 in Brazil and Shaolin Temple Academy will be training hard for the worldwide event in five years time.
We offer children and adult San Da classes, the class is mixed ability, all the classes are suitable for beginners and we accept students from the age of 4 years old.
TAI CHI
Tai Chi is an internal martial art that focuses on balance, strength and being centred. Tai Chi is translated as ‘great ultimate fist’, the movements of Tai Chi is soft and graceful yet contain powerful hidden fighting applications which are explosive and dynamic.
Tai Chi is known be a healing art and we have worked with the Stroke Association teaching Stroke survivors Tai Chi and soft Qi Gong in order to help their movement, coordination and balance. Tai Chi is an excellent way to build up the body’s immune system and to cultivate the body’s vital energy known as ‘Qi’ (Chi).
Tai Chi’s soft martial techniques benefit health, longevity, blood circulation, breathing, balance and concentration. Meditation is incorporated in our Tai Chi classes, Tai Chi practitioners benefit from low stress levels and find they become more energetic in their daily lifestyle.
We specialise in Chen style Tai Chi which is one of the oldest documented methods of Tai Chi and originates from the Chen family village in Henan Province of China.
This class is suitable for all especially for those who are looking to get back into exercise, recovering from an injury, pregnancy or haven’t exercised in years and it’s a great way to build up the confidence to exercise more frequently.
Suitable for all beginners, children and adults can participate in this class, age of 10+
weapons and gymnastics
SHAOLIN WEAPONS
Weapon training is suitable for students who are at an intermediate and advance level. We teach the traditional Shaolin Weapons from the Shaolin Staff (stick) form to the Da Dao (big heavy sword) form. The first four weapons that are taught are the staff, broad sword, straight sword and spear. Shaolin Weapon Forms is part of our grading syllabus, this class demonstrates excellent co-ordination, speed and power.
SHAOLIN GYMNASTICS
Our Shaolin Gymnastic classes focus on the acrobatic aspect of performing Shaolin Gong Fu and is mainly used for performances. We teach back flips, back tucks, jump kicks, no hand cartwheels, no hand head flips and more. This class is an additional part to our syllabus and is taught hand in hand with Shaolin Gong Fu. This class is suitable for all ages, teaching adults and children from the age of 4+.
styles
MONDAY
17:00 - 17:45 Gymnastics (all ages)
17:45 - 18:30 Shaolin Gong Fu Kids (all ages)
18:30 - 19:30 Shaolin Weapons Level 2+
19:30 - 20:30 Shaolin Gong Fu Adults Level 1
20:30 - 21:30 San Da Adults
HOW TO JOIN
If you would like to come to the academy to train, please contact us by email or phone to book in your training session.
We offer flexible payment options from pay as you go on each class to weekly, monthly and quarterly subscriptions. For more details please contact us for a price list.
Call now to reserve your place at the academy as spaces are very limited.
Please visit the 'Testimonial' page (under Achievements section) to see student comments and reviews.
SATURDAY
11:00 - 11:45 Shaolin Gong Fu Kids (4 - 7 yrs)
11:45 - 12:30 San Da Kids (4 - 7 yrs)
12:30 - 13:15 Shaolin Gong Fu Kids (8 yrs +)
13:15 - 14:00 San Da Kids (8 yrs +)
14:00 - 15:30 San Da Adults (Sparring session)
15:30 - 16:30 Shaolin Gong Fu Adults Level 1
16:30 - 17:30 Shaolin Gong Fu Adults Level 2+
17:30 - 18:30 Performance team/ Competition
training
TUESDAY
17:00 - 17:45 Shaolin Gong Fu Kids (all ages)
17:45 - 18:30 San Da Kids (8 yrs +)
18:30 - 19:30 San Da Adults
20:30 - 21:30 Shaolin Gong Fu Adults Level 2+
SUNDAY
11:45 - 12:30 Gymnastics (all ages)
14:00 - 15:00 San Da Adults
15:00 - 16:00 Shaolin Weapons
16:00 - 17:00 Shaolin Gong Fu Adults Level 1
17:00 - 18:00 Shaolin Gong Fu Adults Level 2+
WEDNESDAY
17:45 - 18:30 Gymnastics (all ages)
18:30 - 19:30 Tai Chi
GALLERY
Click Image to Enlarge
COMPETITIONS WON
SAM ROBERTS:
20/11/11 BCCMA San Da Novice 1st Place Gold San Da under 65kg male
(Milton Keynes, UK)
10/06/11 ISKA Championship Kickboxing 3rd Place Bronze under 65kg male (Birmingham, UK)
29/05/11 BCCMA Traditional Forms Championship 2nd Place Silver for Long Weapon Northern form
3rd Place Bronze Northern Hand form
(Milton Keynes,UK)
08/05/11 BCCMA San Da National Championships1st Place Gold for under 65kg male
27/03/11 BCCMA San Da Novice 3rd Place Bronze for under 70kg male
21/11/10 BCCMA San Da Novice 1st Place Gold San Da under 65kg male
25/10/10 International Shaolin Festival for San Da Competition 3rd Place Bronze medal 65kg male
(Zhenhzhou,China)
07/11/09 Kuo Shu Lei Tai Championships 1st Place Gold San Da under 65kg male (Luton, UK)
DANNY TA:
10/06/11 ISKA Championship Kickboxing 2nd Place Silver male 16 -17years (Birmingham, UK)
21/11/10 BCCMA San Da Competition 2nd Place Silver San Da under 75kg male
RYAN TA:
19/06/11 BCCMA San Da Fight Night 2nd place runner up Silver male 11years
(Surrey, UK)
10/06/11 ISKA Championship Kickboxing 3rd Place Bronze male 11years (Birmingham, UK)
27/03/11 BCCMA San Da Competition 2nd Place Silver San Da under 11 yrs old
29/05/11 BCCMA Traditional Forms National Championship 1st Place Gold Northern Long Weapon
CHARLIE DONALD:
29/05/11 BCCMA Traditional Forms National Championship 1st Place Gold Northern hand form
KIERAN HANSEN:
29/05/11 BCCMA Traditional Forms Championship 2nd Place Silver Northern hand form
NICKYLE TAYLOR:
27/03/11 BCCMA San Da Competition 2nd Place Silver San Da under 70kg male
CHIWAY SAN:
20/11/11 BCCMA San Da Novice 2nd Place Silver San Da under 65kg(16 17years) male (Milton Keynes, UK)
PAUL SU:
20/11/11 BCCMA San Da Novice 2nd Place Silver San Da under 65kg male (Milton Keynes, UK)
BRANDON TRAN:
19/06/11 San Da Fight Night 1st place runner up Gold male 13- 14 years (Surrey, UK)
"I feel very lucky to have such a welcoming place to come to every week and I feel quite blessed that I am supported so much and we are all pushed in equal measure - Thank you Shaolin Temple Academy"
Ariane, 25, Sidcup (Actress)
'I feel as if I have a second family at the academy. The people are kind and although the age gap from myself to the adults may be rather considerable, I feel as if I fit in. I began Shaolin Gong Fu just over a year ago after I was mugged, since then my body and mind has evolved in character and strength. I have grown in strength with the body, but also the mind. Shifu, not only teaches us forms and strength, but discipline and respect for others.
In a society full of alcohol and drugs I have been offered these intoxicants in the past, I have simply refused and replied “I have my own drug.” My drug is Shaolin, it is my fuel and my light that keeps me'
Charlie, 14, Wanstead (Student)
“Shifu is a man that pushes us to the max and at the same time the school is the highest in community values and has family togetherness”
Jordan, 20, Dulwich (Cricket Coach)
"My son, Gareth (8) has been trained by Shifu for a couple of years now. Under Shifu's excellent instruction, he has gone from a shy introvert child to a more confident out going boy with a lot more fitness and stamina. He has learned how to defend himself but also how to respect and help others. I wholeheartedly recommed people visit the academy and see the amazing work being done. "
Dave, 44, Romford (Business Man)
"I am amazed with what I can do, if someone told me 6 months ago that I will be kicking my leg to my face I wouldn't have believed them. I can't believe the amazing things that I can do especially at my age. It is truly an enlightening experience."
John, 47, Catford (Builder)
Shaolin Temple is like a second family for me. Everyone helps to create an atmosphere that is perfect for training. Encouraging, motivational and focuses. I attend Gong Fu, San da and Tai Chi and they all work extremely well together to give all rounded fitness and skill. I started in November and the improvement I have seen is more than I ever would have thought possible.
I feel that I have grown as a person, physically and mentally from the experiences I have had there and will always be greatly to Shifu for being such a great mentor and role model.
Sam Grigg, 21 , Abbey Wood (Designer)
ACHIEVEMENTS
CONTACT FORM
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Address: Shaolin Temple Academy
30 Sandling Rise, New Eltham, London SE9 3AU
(London Borough of Greenwich)
0208-851-6699 / 07535145768
Please note that we are open throughout school holidays and all bank holidays
Members of the British Council For Chinese Martial Arts
*We are a non-denominational organisation and therefore do neither practice nor preach any form of religion.
