Posted on

8th March 20 News & Updates

Some weeks it’s business as usual and then other times you just can’t cram anything else into the week. Last week was one of those weeks. We’ve had new classes beginning on our timetable, pre-tests and a combat sport workshop as well as all our regular classes. Our Forres school has even made the local papers too.

Forres News Article

Our school in Forres has only been opened a short while, yet have already managed to have an article published about them in the local paper. The Forres Gazette wrote about the opening of our new branch and focused on how Sifu Hepple’s own journey with Hung Ga Kung Fu has shaped his own life, as well as the lives of many of his students. You can read the whole article here: New Kung Fu Class in Forres Helps Build Physical and Mental Strength.

Pre-testing

Exams are never easy. The pressure to succeed can be overwhelming. Nerves can make you flustered. Trying to remember all the information you need can be a hard task on its own. Trying to recall it all ‘on the spot’ adds a whole new level of panic! The kind of skills you learn to deal with these pressures are useful in all walks of life. During our gradings at Yee’s Hung Ga, there can be a lot of information that students have to process. To take some of the pressure off and to set their minds at ease, our pre-testing stage is a valuable part of the whole testing procedure.

Pre-testing in Inverness

We conducted the pre-testing stage on Saturday the 7th of March. All students who participated passed with flying colours. The next stage is the final grading. Until then it’s back to business and lots of practice!

You can read more about one of our students who attended our pre-testing on Saturday. Emma Archer, who will be looking to take her Yee Cup Junior Level test (1st test of 2nd level) at the next grading, is the focus of our latest Student Spotlight Article. Due to her busy work schedule and commitments, Emma trains at various branches of Yee’s Hung Ga across the North of Scotland. This is a testament to her commitment and dedication to the training at Yee’s Hung Ga. If you are inspired by her tenacity and perseverance, you only need to make it along to your first beginners class to see why Emma is so dedicated. Read the article here: Student Spotlight: Emma Archer.

Hung Ga for Combat Sports

Working the pads in our combat sports workshop

After the pre-test on Saturday, we also held a unique workshop in the Inverness academy. Sifu Michael Rose, Vice President of Yee’s Hung Ga Europe and instructor of the Peterhead branch, conducted a hands-on seminar about the use of Hung Ga techniques for competing in combat sports. Sifu Rose has first hand experience with competing and we were lucky enough to receive the benefit of his knowledge. More of these exciting workshops are in the pipeline, so to keep up to date, make sure you sign up to our email alerts below.

Rent Our School

Available for hire

If you have thought about running your own martial arts, yoga, meditation or exercise class but you’re put off by the high charges for renting space out, we have a great solution. Our Academy has a fantastic central location in Inverness. It is available throughout the day Sunday to Saturday. We also have Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights available for you to run your classes. If you wish, we can even designate space for your marketing and help get the word out on our social media platforms. It only costs £12 to rent out our school for an hour. If you need more time, speak to us about what you need and we can come up with a fair arrangement. As always, you can email us directly or read more about what we can offer you in this article: Space Available

Classes

Our current timetable

Our Qigong classes commenced last Thursday and will continue at the same time of 6.15-7pm every Thursday. Our timetables and price list have been updated. These classes are suitable for anyone, of any age, who is interested in learning the art of Qigong. 1-1 tuition will still continue in the normal fashion.(see below)

Highland school of Qigong

As well as Qigong, we obviously have Hung Ga kung fu classes too. Our kids class is on every Monday at 6.15-7pm. There’s no waiting list for this so your child could start straight away. We also have our beginners class at 7pm on Tuesday evenings. There is plenty space available for anyone who wishes to begin their training. For more information on beginning, see our page: How Do I Join?

Current Prices

As well is these classes which are oriented for complete beginners, we also have a Techniques, drills and applications class on Monday evenings at 7pm. This is designed for students of all levels to practice turning their skills into 2nd nature. Our Lion Dance & Performance class is designed for students of mixed ages and abilities. The stances, footwork and co-ordination are a great accompaniment to your Hung Ga training. Traditional training & sparring is for more experienced students to hone their skills with. Anyone who has completed an introductory Tuesday evening class is welcome to attend any of the classes on the timetable. On Friday evenings we also have classes, available to anyone, at our Forres branch of Yee’s Hung Ga.

1-1 Private Tuition

Sifu Frank Yee & Sifu Hepple

Whether you wish to learn Qigong or Hung Ga kung fu, you have the option to learn in our public classes, 1-1 private tuition with Sifu Hepple or a mixture of the two. Private tuition is simple and easy to arrange. Simply pick the available time that suits you, enter your details and then pay securely via PayPal.

[CPABC_APPOINTMENT_CALENDAR]
Still on the way….

We are STILL working on our Winter Qigong Routine notes and our Spring Qigong Routine. Due to testing and workshops, they’ve pushed onto the backburner slightly. We will, however, be back on track soon and should deliver on our promises shortly. To make sure that you don’t miss out, sign up to our email alerts below….

Posted on 2 Comments

Student Spotlight Emma Archer

In our Student Spotlight series, our students have the opportunity to tell you about their training in their own words. Emma Archer has been training since 2015, participating in demonstrations and lion dance displays. Due to working life, Emma’s progress has been more gradual than some other students, however she enjoys committing her leisure time to training and gaining a deep appreciation for the style. Emma is currently learning the famous Fu Hok Seung Ying Kuen (Tiger & Crane Double Fist) form for her Yee Cup Junior level (1st test of 2nd level). Here Emma tells you about her experience of training at Yee’s Hung Ga Kung Fu Academy in Inverness.

Sifu Hepple and Emma Archer

What made you want to train in martial arts?
Originally, I was inspired by my father who practiced Lau Gar Kung Fu in his teens. He taught me some stances and techniques. These share similarities with Hung Ga. Of course, films starring famous practitioners were also an influence.

How did you hear about the school?
There was no Kung Fu school in my hometown, so growing-up I practiced Shotokan Karate off and on for several years. While I did enjoy the training and think it is a great style, something about Kung Fu always appealed to me more.
In my 3rd year of University, I desperately needed an alternative focus to my dissertation, and decided that it was time to look into Kung Fu again. Miraculously, there was a school across from my flat (Yee’s Hung Ga Aberdeen at the time); guess it was just meant to be! When I moved to Inverness for work, I knew of the school here and began training under the instruction of Sifu Simon Hepple.

What was your first class like?
Just as nerve wracking as my first class in Aberdeen. However, I had met Sifu Simon and some of the Inverness students before at tests and events, and they were very welcoming.
Did it live up to your expectations?
Exceeded them.

How did you feel after your first class?
Pumped with motivation to train again and after a few more classes, felt right at home.

What do you think of your training so far? Is there anything you’d change?
Enjoy every minute of it. If I could train all day every day, I would.

What are your hopes for your future in martial arts?
Apart from maintaining my own fitness and well-being, eventually I would like to help others on their Hung Ga journey.

Anything else that you wish to add?
I have trained at a few branches, and each has a positive and friendly atmosphere. While it is not common for a student to change schools, branch instructors have been very accommodating of my working situation. I feel accepted and enjoy training with everyone. Sifu as well as my Hung Ga brothers and sisters are always encouraging and help to improve my skills.
It is also nice when we join other schools for seminars and events. Not to mention our predecessors are very skillful, knowledgeable and approachable. Always an honour to learn from them.
Kung Fu truly improves your fitness and self-confidence, which has helped me in other areas of life.
Come try Hung Ga and join our awesome family.

Posted on

Student Spotlight

Sifu Hepple with student Allan Poko

In our Student Spotlight series, our students have the opportunity to tell you about their training in their own words. Allan Poko has been training for a little under 10 months, (6/5/19) he has participated in lion dance displays for our Chinese New Year Celebrations and is a committed student, trying to take part in as many classes as he can make it along to. He is currently training for his Yat Cup Junior level (1st test of 1st level) Here Allan tells you about his experience training at Yee’s Hung Kung Fu Academy in Inverness.

What made you want to train in martial arts?

I was lucky enough to see the shoalin monks perform at Eden Court with my daughter. Since then I’ve been very inspired to learn more about Chinese martial arts and culture.

How did you hear about the school?

I was walking past the school one day and I picked up a flyer at the door.

What was your first class like?

I remember going up the stairs feeling very nervous but at the same time I felt the calmness of the school which made me very excited to learn and find out more about the school.

Did it live up to your expectations?

Yes very much so.

How did you feel after your first class?

I won’t forget how calm and relaxed I was after my first class. It was like an energy boost. Also, for me, all I wanted to do from that point on was to train and learn more.

What do you think of your training so far? Is there anything you’d change?

My training so far has been excellent! I try to go to all of the classes now as I enjoy the training so much. What I like the most is I can train and learn at my own pace. Personally I don’t think there is any need for anything to be changed.

What are your hopes for your future in martial arts?

My hopes for the future is to learn as much Kung fu as possible. For my health and fitness, for my own personal safety and protection and to learn and understand the Chinese philosophy and culture of Kung fu.

Anything else that you wish to add?

I would like to say, prior to me joining our school, my life was at a very low point. Yee’s Hung Ga Inverness saved me. I was struggling mentally and physically. Since joining the school it has given me focus and done wonders for my confidence and self asteem. Joining Yee’s Hung Ga Inverness is one of the best things I have ever done in my life so far. I feel very humbled to be part of the Inverness branch community, so big respect to my sifu and all of the other students whom train along with me.

If you enjoy our posts and wish to be notified of further posts, notices, discounts and events, pop your email address in the box below and we’ll give you a shout when new posts are added. You can also like and share on Instagram, twitter & Facebook