Ancestral Mountains

Ancestral Mountains Martial Arts Association

Kung Fu, Tai Chi, Kickboxing...

Welcome to the official website of the international Ancestral Mountains martial arts association where we present information about our authentic traditional Chinese martial arts - Kung Fu, Tai Chi, Tui Shou (push hands), Qi Gong (breathing exercises), Zhan Zhuang (posture training), Chan Si Gong (silk reeling), Weapons - Kickboxing and Self-defee classes in the UK and the USA.

Note: Kung Fu (sometimes KungFu) is more correctly written as GungFu or Gung Fu) and Tai Chi or Tai Chi Chuan, is more correctly written as TaiJi or Tai Ji Quan under the modern Pin Yin system of writing Chinese using the western alphabet.

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Please help us If you are in the UK, please link to our UK portal site: ancestralmountains.co.uk

If this is your first time to this site and/or you would like some information about attending classes with us, please read the information below...

Kung Fu
Kickboxing
Tai Chi
Weapons
Wing Chun
Tui Shou
Qi Gong/Zhan Zhuang/Chan Si Gong)

Summary

Clothing guidelines

For most of our training we prefer to wear shoes. Bare feet are common only in the kickboxing classes and even here it is optional. For your first class in any style we recommend you wear a T-shirt, loose-fitting long and a comfortable pair of . The preferred basic uniform for regular students is:-

Plain black
Plain white socks
Long black
A plain black T-shirt

We do have Mandarin style uniforms but we don't require you to buy one when you are just getting started.

What to expect

It is quite natural (and probably sensible) to be a little apprehensive about visiting a martial arts class for the first time. But we want you to overcome that obstacle and join our classes. So, in case you were in any doubt, this is what you can expect:-

You will be made to feel welcome.
No one will hit you.
No one will try to embarrass you.
Proper attention will be paid to safety at all times by those in charge.
No one will shout at you (unless the need arises).
It will not matter if you are not very fit.

If you have any concerns whatsoever please don't hestitate to contact the instructor prior to showing up.

Children/minors

Anyone wishing to attend class who is under the age of 18 will be required to have a parent or guardian countersign their Information and Agreement Form (see "Forms" below).

The minimum age for our adult classes is normally 14 so please contact the instructor if you or your child are younger than this. Factors such as physical size, maturity, prior martial arts experience and the desire for family members to train together are all good reasons to be flexible regarding this guideline. Please contact the relevant instructor if this issue affects you.

Paperwork & Privacy

Before you will be allowed to join a class the instructor will need to formally explain some things to you regarding conduct, safety etc. and obtain some basic information about you. This is done with the help of a standard Information and Agreement Form which you will be asked to complete prior to taking part in your first lesson with any instructor.

The form should take not more that about 2 minutes to complete but the instructor will also want to talk briefly with any new attendees so please try not to arrive at the last minute for your first lesson. If you need to have a parent or guardian countersign your form you should have them come along to the first lesson with you.

Note: You will normally have to fill out one of these forms for each individual instructor that you take classes with.

All the information that you provide on the Information and Agreement Form, as well as any information of a personal nature, will be treated as strictly private and confidential. It will be shared only with authoried officers of the association and even then only when the need arises.

Fees

Basic pricing information is available on the page so you can check there first for some general guidelines. Fees may vary slightly depending on the location and other circumstances so please contact the instructor concerned if you require more detailed information.

For most classes we operate on a pay-as-you-go basis so we don't require you to make any financial commitment in order to receive the benefits of training with us. However, most instructors operate some kind of discount scheme where you can obtain a lower rate per lesson in return for some kind of commitment to show up. (This is usually as simple as paying for a block of classes in advance.)

Further discounts are available to members (see below).

Memberships & Licensing

After you have tried a few classes and decided to train regularly with us you must become a full member of the club. Essentially this means obtaining your CMAL martial arts licee and being formally included in the school register.

There is a small annual fee associated with this, but as a full member you will be entitled to various discounts, a lifting of certain restrictions on the type of training you may take part in, preferred admission to special courses plus certain other benefits.

Classes explained

Although we run classes with various titles, everything we teach can be classified as "Kung Fu." This is because "Kung Fu" literally means a skill acquired over time.

Unlike many apparently similar activities, our Kung Fu is equally as suitable and effective for women and as it is for men.

Our instructors are passionate about what they teach which makes for classes that are enjoyable, educational and refreshingly stimulating.

Kung Fu as listed in the class schedule refers to our general syllabus which introduces you to a number of important styles including several styles of Longfist (Chang Quan aka. "Chang Chuan") and Praying Mantis (Tang Lang Quan) and includes foundation training in Ba Ji and Pi Gua.

By the time you reach 1st degree black sash, you will have a broad knowledge and can make informed decisions about which style(s) you want to concentrate on. Our Chief Instructor maintains links to representative masters for all of the styles taught in our school.

Some families of styles, such as Wing Chun and Tai Chi warrant their own dedicated classes as does weapons and other specialied training.

Kung Fu can be very spectacular (martial arts in the movies is mostly kung fu based) but it's roots are in practical self-defee. We teach you both the spectacular moves and the fundamental usage.

Kickboxing is an exciting and energetic martial art that combines basic boxing skills, footwork & kicking techniques taken from the traditional systems to produce a modern style that is also suitable for competition (competition is optional and many people train simply for fun and fitness).

Note: The Kickboxing classes generally include sparring but the emphasis is very much on control. The incidence of injury is very low and beginners are brought up gradually - you won't be doing free sparring on your first lesson.

Tai Chi is the name given to a group of very sophisticated kung fu styles which are normally, but not always, practised slowly. Tai Chi training emphasies careful attention to posture, balance and co-ordination and is famous for its health-improving effects (mind & spirit as well as body). The principles of Tai Chi are not only essential for developing high levels of skill in the martial arts but can also be applied very effectively to daily life and even business management.

Weapons is where we learn and practice the disciplines of the traditional kung fu weapons. From sticks & poles through swords to more exotic weapons, here you will learn the real usage as well as the dramatic performance routines.

Wing Chun is the southern Chinese system made famous by Bruce Lee. Wing Chun is actually a family of styles and our unique syllabus contains not only complete training in the major forms (Siu Lim Tao, Chum Kiu, Biu Jee) plus Sticky hands, Pole and Butterfly knives but also includes variations from several different sources.

Tui Shou ("pushing hands") is the two-person sensitivity training of Tai Chi. Tui Shou is sometimes introduced into the Tai Chi lessons and sometimes taught in separate sessions for members only - please ask the instructor if this is something you are interested in.

Qi Gong (a.k.a. "Chi Kung") is included in all classes to a greater or lesser extent because it is important for improving & maintaining health. It means "breath work" and focuses on special breathing exercises often performed in conjuction with Zhan Zhuang (posture training) and Chan Si Gong ("reeling silk exercise" - highly sophisticated movements that develop strength and flexibility). It is believed to encourage healing, help manage stress and delay the effects of ageing.

Self-defee

. Everything we teach is good for self-preservation, even the Qi Gong - if you can be calm in the face of adversity, that of itself can prevent worse things from happening - but we do also cater to specific needs. If you have any particular requirements for classes or courses please do not hesitate to .

Summary

Whichever class or classes you decide to attend, Ancestral Mountains kung fu training will enable you to not only get in great shape but develop elegance and poise in the way you move.

Coupled with the ability to manage yourself in a physical conflict (i.e. defend yourself) you will acquire a sense of personal empowerment that no other activity can bring you so easily.

Our method of teaching is designed to be both safe and enjoyable - we adhere to high standards of professional conduct but we also like to have fun so the atmosphere will be informal, relaxed and humorous as appropriate.

In our classes you progress from beginner to advanced at your own pace and you will become fitter, stronger and generally cooler from lesson to lesson.