Haywards Heath
“Each discipline provides a healthy counterbalance to a busy working life and offers something unique. Kickboxing is fantastic for general fitness, cardiovascular exercise and pad work. Kung Fu has significantly improved my flexibility and stamina, and introduced me to a wider range of techniques and weapons training. Tai Chi enhances balance, coordination and mindfulness, complementing and definitely improving my Kung Fu.”
I first trained in martial arts as teenager and became pretty good at Shotokan Karate. However, like many of us, I spent several decades focusing on work and a young family, neglecting my physical health. About eight years ago, my daughters and I decided to take up White Crane Kung Fu with Mark. I’ve continued ever since, and although two of my daughters have gone off to university and left home, they always return to Mark’s classes when they’re here.
After a few years of Kung Fu, I also joined Mark’s classes in Kickboxing and Tai Chi. Each discipline provides a healthy counterbalance to a busy working life and offers something unique. Kickboxing is fantastic for general fitness, cardiovascular exercise and pad work. Kung Fu has significantly improved my flexibility and stamina, and introduced me to a wider range of techniques and weapons training. Tai Chi enhances balance, coordination and mindfulness, complementing and definitely improving my Kung Fu. Training in Tai Chi also introduced me to QiGong, and it’s fantastic to learn and practice ancient techniques and forms developed by our ancestors over 3000 years.
One of things I really like about White Crane Academy is the range of martial arts Mark can teach, which has really enriched my ongoing journey of continuous improvement. I’m finding I spend more of my time focused on Tai Chi and QiGong. White Crane Tai Chi, Chen Tai Chi and QiGong have added real depth to my martial arts practice, as well as introducing me to new forms and weapons.
Assisting in classes has also opened up a whole new dimension to my training. I thoroughly enjoy meeting new members and helping them develop their own martial arts practice. It’s great to be able to share what I’ve learnt, introduce people to new moves and techniques, and help them develop and improve.
The opportunity to travel to China and train with Master Ping was an absolutely amazing experience. It was a fantastic trip with a great group of people, and I’m really looking forward to going back.