Classes
Adults
• Seven Stars Praying Mantis
• Praying Mantis Qigong & Taoist Health Preservation Exercises
This is a complete and unique style of Chinese Martial Arts. It contains both long and short range techniques and is comprised of: punching, kicking, locking, throwing and the striking of acupuncture points. Our classes are taught in the traditional step by step approach incorporating all aspects of Seven Stars Praying Mantis. Our classes are ideal for those wanting to study a traditional Chinese martial art, the traditional way.
This is a unique opportunity for students to learn Taoist exercises and advice for longevity. The class is a means of learning yet another aspect of Seven Stars Praying Mantis, keeping good health, learning a way of life and a chance to learn the ancient ways of sound physical and mental health from the Mount Hua Taoist tradition.
Students learn the many gentle exercises which are simple yet very effective, when practised regularly. These ancient exercises designed to improve health, develop your energy and vitality. By continued practice students learn mental concentration, relaxation of the body and mind, stress relief, improved circulation, increased strength, flexibility and weight loss. This program is suitable for adults of all ages and ability.
Children
Students get to develop good posture, strength and flexibility and learn self defense in an environment that stresses the importance of respect. Gong-Fu simply serves as a vehicle to instil values and skills that our students can put to use outside of our classes. Skills like: Self-confidence, self-control, and positive thinking; listening skills, respect and good manners. Traditional Gong-Fu attaches great importance in attaining a clear mind and healthy body which is necessary to lead a productive life. Gong-Fu works on two levels the physical and the mental.
Physical Benefits: Our students find Gong-Fu fun and it’s an excellent way of developing one’s fitness, strength and stamina. Mental Benefits: Our Gong Fu is not just a physical activity it’s about developing mentally, learning to reach your full potential by setting personal goals and achieving them. Students develop confidence, a sense of self discipline, and control whilst becoming productive and balanced members of society. Traditional Gong-Fu is taught in a non-competitive, family atmosphere and therefore suitable for all.
Claines Church Hall, Cornmeadow Lane, Claines, Worcs, WR3 7PI.
Methodist Church Hall, Ombersley Road, Barbourne, Worcs, WR3 7BP.
St. Stephen’s Church Hall, Droitwich Road, Barbourne, Worcester, WR3.
Courses
Praying Mantis Qigong & Taoist Health Preservation Courses:
Dietary & lifestyle advice for health and longevity is the main focus of this short course. We will cover dietary advice including; general principles of dietetics, the five flavours, yin/yang quality & characteristics of foods as well as lifestyle advice. Including areas such as; emotions, exercise, materialism, work and leisure. We will be using the following Kui De Tang texts as our study guide; ‘The Practice of Nothing Excessive’, ‘The Diet & Lifestyle More-Less Song’ and ‘The Twelve Verse Longevity Rhymed Formula’. This course is particularly suited to those perhaps thinking about making changes in an area of their life that is mentioned above or those who have no prior knowledge of this subject.
This 4 week course runs from 11:45am-12:45pm on 4 consecutive Saturdays. Intakes take place in May, September and January. Cost £40.
Course 2: Health Preservation Exercises from the Taoist Immortal Tai Yi
Health Preservation Exercises from the Taoist Immortal Taiyi (Taiyi Yangsheng Gong) is a complete set of Health preservation exercises. It is just one of several ‘internal’ forms as well as various exercises found within the Seven Stars Praying Mantis style. Yangsheng exercises are performed for health preservation, disease prevention and treatment. They work by using self massage techniques which stimulate the natural healing powers of the body, preventing disease from taking hold. The exercises are performed daily either in the morning or evening. All of these exercises may be performed from a seated position making them particularly suitable for the elderly or chronically ill. This particular form pays special attention to one’s breathing and self massage techniques. The course is suitable for adults of all ages.
· Increases flexibility
· Help in the treatment of various conditions from back pain to high blood pressure
· Speeds up rehabilitation process
· Relieves muscular tension
· Improves circulation
· Improves digestion
· Relieves stress & anxiety as well as other chronic conditions caused by stress
· Inner silence
· Promotes longevity and good health.
This 12 week course runs from 9:15am-10:15am on 12 consecutive Saturdays. Intakes take place in May, September and January. Cost £120.
Course 3: Eight Sections of Brocade (Standing)
Eight sections of brocade is a simple and easy to learn beginners set of Qigong (‘breathing exercise’) or Neigong (‘internal exercise’) which like all Kui De Tang forms has a ‘seven character poem’ to help remember the movements. It may be practiced by the young, old, healthy or sick. The practice requires that the movements of the torso and limbs be in harmony with the spirit (Shen) and the breath (Qi). The movements should be gentle, relaxed and slow and the breath should be fine, even, deep and long. For those in good health the set can be performed more vigorously. In the form, movements that call for extending outward, bowing forward, leaning backward and swaying to the side serve to massage organs and areas such as; triple burner, heart, lungs, spleen, stomach, kidney and waist. The movements help to regulate the qi and blood of the channels and internal organs, and can also prevent and cure heart fire, the five exhaustions, seven injuries and various diseases. They also have the ability to prevent and correct poor postural habits, shoulder and neck problems, such as herniated disc, hunched back, rounded shoulders, hunched back, high blood pressure, sciatica etc.
Other benefits of the forms ‘Eight sections of brocade’:
- Increase strength of lower and upper body
- Increase flexibility
- Improved circulation
- Improve general health & immune system
- Improves balance
- Prevent illness of the digestive system
- Enhances respiratory system
- Relaxes the central nervous system/relaxation
- Calming & peaceful (stress relief)
- Maintain good health
The course also includes the study of the text ‘The Song of Preventing illness & Prolonging Life’. This 8 week course runs from 10:30am-11:30am on 8 consecutive Saturdays. Intakes take place in May, September and January. Cost £80.
Course 4: Tai Yi’s 18 Supplementary Methods (Taoist Self Massage)
For those students who wish to delve deeper into the study of Taoist self-massage. We will practice some of the exercises previously learned as well as learning new practices. Techniques covered will include; contracting, tapping, moving, rubbing, bathing, kneading, squeezing, scratching and beating. Note: Students must have completed the ‘Health Preservation Exercises from the Taoist Immortal Taiyi’ course prior to studying this.
This 4 week course runs from 7pm – 8pm on 4 consecutive Mondays. Intakes take place in May, September and January. Cost £40.
Note: All places on the above courses are given on a first come, first serve basis. Class sizes are small, limited to 10 people and all courses are held at Kui De Tang.
Other Courses:
Kui De Tang Seven Stars Praying Mantis Kung-Fu
Intensive training courses for serious and long distance students, starting from 15 hours per week. Contact us for further details info@kuidetang.co.uk