YOUTH INSTRUCTION (Ages 3-11) Early Childhood Specialist Eden McCloy focuses on teaching children traditional southern Chinese Martial Arts. She has trained Kung fu with her teacher since she was 3 years old. The style of Hung Gar comes from the Lam Sai Wing Lineage taught by Gin Foon Mark, then William J Chung to her teacher. Eden received her bachelors from the Ohio State University in Early Childhood Development. She has worked with young children in a variety of environments including the general education classroom and childcare facilities from infant to toddler, preschool to 3rd grade, in the home, to a martial arts classroom. She is currently certified in First Aid and CPR training, has a good understanding of basic health code policies and disease prevention regulations, and has years of experience working with children diagnosed with social-cognitive delays or limitations, speech and hearing restrictions and other learning disabilities. Sifu Eden is knows some basic American Sign Language and will use them from time to time to help communicate her expectations in the classroom. The children's kung fu classes focus on learning basic Cantonese, the History and other facts of Hung Gar, southern Chinese lion dance, proper Cantonese martial art etiquette, and the basics of connecting with our body using age appropriate fine and gross motor exercises.
SELF-DEFENSE (Ages 14+) The self-defense class is a comprehensive session focusing on brief, simple applications and general theory of Southern Chinese Boxing techniques. The self-defense program will work to increase the practitioners (1) balance, (2) strength, (3) flexibility, (4) body mechanics, (5) confidence, & (6) yielding. This class allows ample time for discussion and to work on any scenarios that students bring to the discussion.
CLASSES AVAILABLE FOR ANY AGE AND SKILL! We hold classes for ages 5 years old to adult! Tai chi and other internal martial arts classes are coming soon for those of you who may be looking for something meditative, reflective and intentionally healing. We provide specific instruction for children with learning disabilities or have a need for additional support. Beginner adults and pre-teens may join our open class or schedule private lessons (ages 12+).
STRENGTH & CONDITIONING Hung Gar promotes good tendon strength and short range power development. Southern traditional kung fu also uses low, shorter stances that are held for extended periods of time to build good leg strength and focus on rooting the body to the ground. This style of martial arts also uses hand, arm, leg & other body conditioning to build a foundation for blocking the body. Two-person techniques and other tools are used to increase protection on the limbs and prevent bruising (I.e. Star-blocks and Bong-Sao movements).
FOCUS & MEDITATION Hung Gar specifically uses internal techniques as well as external techniques in order to gather energy, relax certain parts of the body while focusing power to other parts, and to promote a strong mind-body connection. Traditional forms that use dynamic tension & breathing techniques, like Gung I Fok Fu Kuen, Fu Hok Sang Ying Kuen, and Ng Ying Kuen, help us practice and build these skills. TRADITIONAL SOUTHERN CHINESE LION DANCE The tradition of lion dance is a riveting presentation of skills used within the lion itself and the music that accompanies the lion(s) in their play. As some stories are told, the Chinese Lion was created to help scare off a beast called Nian that was tormenting and scaring the villagers in China. They not only used a 'fake' version of the beast to scare off Nian but they made a lot of noise by banging on a big drum, banging wooden spatulas on cask iron pots and pans, smashing lids together, shouting and yelling, and lighting firecrackers or poppers on the ground around the beast! It worked to scare off Nian and so this celebratory tradition was upheld bringing good fortune to those around it. The Lion is fed red envelopes stuffed with jewels, coins, or money to increase individual wealth and good fortune and the more racket we make the better luck we have! Our lion's name is Lucky Jr. (Son of the original Futsan Lion “Lucky Pig”). He is a Southern Fut San Lion and his coloring suggests he is a young, playful, & curious lion. So he has a lot of energy! We teach Lion Dance movements, tricks/jumping, and music (large drum, cymbals, & gong) in each class.
