Issue 9 - November 2005

Editorial

Dear Friends and Students,

As many of you will already be aware there have been a number of recent developments regarding the Shaolin Wahnam Institute and the Chaoyi Fanhuan Qigong (CFQ) Organization. The following announcement has been made:

The Shaolin Wahnam Institute, after analysing the prevailing situation with the Chaoyi Fanhuan Qigong (CFQ) Organization, makes the following statement:

The Shaolin Wahnam Institute was founded to preserve and teach genuine Shaolin Arts. Thus, when incidents occur which negatively affect this purpose, it is our responsibility to respond accordingly.

Surprisingly, for at least the last two years, certain members of CFQ have been disseminating misconceptions and incorrect information with regards to the Shaolin Arts to several students and instructors of the Shaolin Wahnam Institute. This has created confusion, undermined confidence and directly affected the health of some of those involved.

Such misconceptions have hindered Sifu Wong and the Shaolin Wahnam Institute in fulfilling their aim to enable people all over the world, irrespective of race, colour or creed, to achieve the best possible benefits from the practice of genuine Shaolin Arts.

The ideas and affirmations expressed by the CFQ Organization are contradictory with some essential aspects of the Shaolin Arts. This makes it impossible for students who belong to both Schools to get the best results from their practice.

Consequently, in order to prevent future problems and to preserve genuine Shaolin Arts, students and instructors who wish to continue to study with Master Yap and CFQ members are required to leave the Shaolin Wahnam Institute.

We wish everyone continued success and happiness with their practice, regardless of the path they choose to travel.


This issue we are fortunate enough to have Sifu Jordan Francis give us a deeper insight and understanding of the “3 Arrivals”. These are essential aspects for all martial artists and Sifu Jordan has skilfully demonstrated in his article how these aspects can also be applied to our daily lives. I’m sure you will enjoy it.

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The Three Arrivals – What they are and what they mean

 

 

 

 

If you watch a group of students perform the same Kung Fu set, you will notice much variety in ability and performance. The obvious differences will be in the form, force and fluidity. But can you spot others? What makes one performance better than another?

 

 

 

 

 

 

Good Form, Force and Fluidity, but something is not quite right…

 

 

Look at the manner that the set is performed rather than the ability to demonstrate excellent form or force. This can also apply to more advanced students too, who often show good form and force.

 

When all the major ingredients are present and correct, surely the food will taste good?

 

 

Introducing the Three Arrivals

 

 

My objective with this article is to raise awareness of an often forgotten Shaolin principle, so as to improve both our Kung Fu ability and daily lives, here and now. It is often missed both in solo and partner work, and certainly when dealing with the real world!

 

This principle is called “The Three Arrivals”.

 

And here they are:

 

1)      Arrival of the Heart

2)      Arrival of the Feet

3)      Arrival of the Hands

 

 

Allow me to briefly explain each “arrival” separately, and then we’ll look how they work together and the impact they can have on your Kung Fu development and life.

 

 

1)      Arrival of the Heart

 

 

Here we have the very intention, focus and sheer “this is what I aim to do” arrival. With your “heart” behind your very actions, you will strive to achieve with more conviction what ever it is you desire to achieve. This is having a one pointed mind (Zen) and I guarantee you will notice an improvement the moment you utilise it.

 

It is important that the mind is relaxed and focused, never tense or dull.

 

With this heightened state, you are to evaluate yourself and your surroundings. You use it to decide the best course of action and you take control.

 

Not convinced? Try this simple exercise – Practise a simple spacing drill, like landing a perfect Black Tiger Steals Heart pattern at a wall. Aim to land within an inch of the wall, but not actually hit it. Firstly hit like you would before – then implement the Arrival of the Heart. Actually focus on the wall, feel you are ready to do what is necessary, and of course relax. Don’t think about food or day time television for example!   You will see a difference, I assure you.

 

 

2)      Arrival of the Feet

 

 

Feet, here, refers to your spacing; the act of placing yourself at the very place needed to carry out your action. Correct spacing is a fundamental skill acquired through Shaolin Wahnam training.

 

Arrival of the feet also means you are stable and solid, agile and fresh. If you are to strike your partner, you use your stances, you place yourself so that you maximise your advantages while minimizing your opponents. You are solid yet agile, you are in control. If you need to retreat, you not only can, you do so with speed and grace.

 

If you wish to tell a friend some upsetting news, you wait till the time is right, you allow for time to provide comfort. You make sure the environment that you are in is conducive to the cause, and you are sure of what you need to say already, thanks to the arrival of the heart.

 

So whether you are to make an interview on time, avoiding traffic hot spots or having a table ready at your favourite restaurant in non-smoking, you will benefit using the arrival of the feet.

 

 

3)      Arrival of the Hands

 

 

The “Hands” refers to the very action itself. This is the last step – with a one pointed mind at the driving seat, you have positioned yourself right where you need to be, now is the time to carry out your objective to the full. This is taking action!

 

In partner practise, this can literally mean you now strike. With a one pointed mind you move swiftly in to position, a solid yet agile stance, and now all that is left is to carry out the attack (or perhaps defence!).

 

If it is an interview, you have already made the decision on the type of job you would like, and made the required arrangements to get that interview. Once you have placed yourself using the arrival of the feet, you need now only carry out the interview to complete that process.

 

 

Now let’s use this knowledge

 

 

When you next practise your Combat Sequences, use the Three Arrivals.

 

E.G Combat Sequence 4 – You know the opening pattern, which is a “White Snake”. But where does it strike? And how will you “Ask the Way”?

 

Using the Arrival of the Heart, you make the decision to strike the throat, and to brush aside your partner’s hand to your Right. Also, you are always aware thanks to your one pointed mind, that if your partner fails to act accordingly, you will not actually strike, but instead stop.

 

Using the Arrival of the Feet, you place yourself exactly where you need to be, so that you do not need to stretch to reach, or lean back to extend. If your partner moves prematurely, you will follow accordingly with correct spacing.

 

When the time is right, you strike fast and accurately without hesitation.

 

So there you have the Three Arrivals. I urge you all to start using this principle to its full, and watch how your Kung Fu and your life improves.


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Dates for your Diary

Shaolin Kung Fu Classes will start this month in Bristol . Taught by Sifu Jordan Francis who also teaches in Gillingham and the author of this month's newsletter article.


Start date: Monday 7th November (and every Monday after)
Time: 19:00 to 21:00
Venue: Horfield Quaker Meeting Hall
Map to Location

Cost: £50 per month

If you have yet to do so, please register your interest by emailing Sifu Jordan Francis, your Name, Address and Contact number to jordan.francis@shaolinwahnam.co.uk

 

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If you read last months Newsletter you'll already know who Sifu Joan Browne is. Sifu Joan is teaching a Shaolin Cosmos Chi Kung weekend in Manchester on Saturday 12 th and Sunday 13 th November 2005 . The general objective of the weekend is the reduction and management of stress through Chi Kung, learning to relax the body while focusing the mind to optimise the use of our existing energy.  Students will learn how to generate an energy flow through form, breathing and mind focus. They will also experience the once secretive ‘induced chi flow'.

 Full details can be found by following this link: http://www.shaolinwahnam.co.uk/england/classes_manchester.html


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3 Nations Gathering

In January 2006 (date to be confirmed) all of the Instructors and assistant instructors from England , Scotland and the Republic of Ireland will be coming together in Brighton to teach a variety of one off 1 and 2 hour “lectures”. Full details will be in next months Newsletter and posted on the Forum www.wongkiewkit.com/forum as soon as they are available.

Finally, I gave an interview to the lovely people over at www.martialedge.co.uk . You can view it on their website from 16 th November 2005 . I've made certain that my interview is in their freebie section. They have many other articles and interviews on their site, but you will have to pay a membership fee to access these. Be certain to make a visit.


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Until next month I wish you success in your practice.

Kind regards,

Marcus Santer
Shaolin Wahnam Institute - UK
Helping you to fulfil your physical and emotional potential

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