WHAT IS WING CHUN? INSTRUCTOR Wing Chun is one of the most popular Christine Barbier is an authorised instructor Chinese martial arts. Originally a fighting of the Tse Qigong Centre which was skill, today it is used for self defence, founded in 1990 by Master Tse to offer personnel development, health benefits and genuine and traditional Chinese skills rarely fun. found in the west (www. tseqigongcentre. com). Master Tse has spent over 30 years The skill is based on the principle of using an training with some of the most famous and opponent’s energy in order to control and venerated teachers in China. overcome them. It does not require strength or power, instead using sensitivity and WEEKLY CLASSES footwork in order to be effective. It is suitable for both women and men whatever their Wednesdays natural build and energy. Qigong: 6.30pm – 7.30pm Tai Chi: 7.30pm – 8.30pm Regular practice of Wing Chun helps Wing Chun: 7.30pm – 8.30pm develop relaxation, strong legs, self Chun Yuen: 7.30pm – 8.30pm Qigong confidence and mental strength. Its principles can be applied in everyday The Bodywork Centre, 4 Eastgate, Hexham, situations to solve problems and deal with NE46 1BH. Tai Chi stress. Tel: 07786 175 883 www.northeastqigong.co.uk ORIGINS OF WING CHUN Chun Yuen Beginners are welcome at any time. Classes The Wing Chun skill comes from the are suitable for all levels of fitness. No Buddhist southern Shaolin temple some 400 special equipment is required, just Wing Chun years ago. It is named after a lady (Yim Wing comfortable clothing and footwear. Chun) who learnt the skill from a Shaolin Abbess. The skill was passed down to the Registration: arrive early for your first class. late Grandmaster Ip Man who made the skill famous worldwide. Today Ip Man’s eldest Late Access: to gain access to the classes Weekly classes in Hexham son, Grandmaster Ip Chun, based in Hong after 6.30pm, please ring 07786 175 883. Kong, continues his father’s teachings. Wed evenings Apr 2013 WHAT IS QIGONG? WHAT IS TAI CHI? WHAT IS CHUN YUEN? Qigong, pronounced “chee gong”, Tai Chi, traditionally written as “Taijiquan”, is Chun Yuen Quan is a traditional Chinese is an ancient Chinese health an ancient Chinese martial art. Its practice is martial art skill that is practiced for its health exercise. There are many styles of widely known to bring health benefits, benefits. Chun Yuen Quan makes the body Qigong and the style taught in this although this is not its sole purpose as it is light by developing good posture and class is the “Wild Goose” Qigong. also a powerful self defence skill. strength in the legs and lungs. This is particularly important as we growth older and Qigong benefits health by There are several styles of Taijiquan and the the body becomes heavier, less fit and loses increasing relaxation, flexibility, balance, style taught in this class is the original mobility. It is also very good for developing coordination, and strength. Qigong works “Chen” style. It is characterised by its unique strong blood circulation, and bringing warmth with the natural energy of the body through spiral energy which is used to deflect an to the feet and hands. acupuncture points and meridians. It helps opponent’s attack. remove blockages by using movement to The system comprises many forms, which affect the internal parts of the body. It is a Regular practice of Chen Taijiquan helps each consist of a series of connected complete system, encompassing both develop relaxation, good posture, promote movements that can be performed slowly or movement (yang) and meditation (yin). the circulation of Qi in the body and remove fast, with high (easy) or low (stronger) stance blockages. It helps develop strong legs and depending on the level of the learner. ORIGINS OF WILD GOOSE QIGONG a relaxed and light upper body. ORIGINS OF CHUN YUEN QUAN Wild Goose Qigong was created over 1800 ORIGINS OF CHEN TAIJIQUAN years ago in the “Kunlun” mountains north of Chun Yuen Quan originated in the Northern Tibet by Daoist and Buddhist monks living Originally, Taijiquan was created in the 16th Shaolin temple hundreds of years ago, there. Observing the natural beauty, strength century by the head of the Chen family, a where Buddhist monks developed martial and longevity of the wild geese, they learnt warrior called Chen Wang Ting. He was a arts for self defence. From the temple, the from their movements and combine that man famed for its martial skill, which he skill passed down into the Chinese Opera, knowledge with Chinese medicine to create combined with Daoism principles to create which was traditionally performed outdoors. the Wild Goose system. In the 1980’s, the the new art of Taijiquan. The skill was In order to convey the stories to the public, 27th inheritor of the Wild Goose Qigong skill, passed down through the generation to the the Opera performers used very clear and Grandmaster Yang Meijun, started to teach current inheritor Grandmaster Chen Xiao dramatic movements, including traditional the skill to a wider audience in China. She Wang, who in the 1990’s brought the Chen martial art. Chun Yuen Quan retains both the was a lady who lived to the age of 104 and style to a worldwide audience. traditional martial art aspects and the left a legacy of a genuine and unique skill. operatic attitude. .