Shaolin Adapting Fist Kung Fu offers seminars on a scheduled basis. Some of our past & future seminars are listed below. If you are interested in additional topics let Sifu Nate know.
Self Defense
Shaolin Adapting Fist Kung Fu offers Self-Defense seminars both in our studio and on-site. In these seminars you will learn how to defend yourself against multiple types of attack, including defense against weapons. You will learn how to adapt to situations quickly and learn how you can use your environment to stay safe.
Sifu Nate holds regular self defense seminars for Health classes at Nashua High School South as well as ones for the “Teens Against Domestic Abuse” organization. If your organization would like to hold a Self-Defense seminar, please contact us for information.
Shaolin Fan Seminar
SAF Kung Fu is offering a weapon seminar teaching “Shaolin Fan Form”. This seminar will run for 2hrs and includes the fan! Self Defense techniques and applications will be taught along with the form. Don’t miss this great opportunity!
History of the Kung fu Fighting Fan
Chinese fan history dates back to over 3,000 years ago. Originally the fans were used by the wealthy and elite class and were made from several different types of materials. Some fans were expertly painted with gold leaf trim and ivory handles indicating the owner’s status. As the evolution of fans continued they were becoming more and more common and their uses became more varied.
In addition to “cooling off” fans were being used for decoration, theater performances, Tai chi practice, and as signaling devices by the military. As with any other everyday item lying around and given the time period predating firearms, Martial artists began developing skills and techniques making the fan a very formidable Chinese martial arts weapon. Due to the fact that fans became so common among the people, they were an ideal choice for a “concealed carried defense weapon” since they could be “hidden in plain sight”.
With the fan being readily available and so easy to travel with, it brought an interesting twist in the fan’s history. Fans would often become the weapon of choice by assassins since it gave them a chance to get close enough to attack without drawing attention. Ironically enough one such attempt was thwarted by a Kung fu expert who himself was concealing a fan. The fighting fans that were used in combat would be made with metal “bones” (ribs of the fan) to give it weight and strength and were often sharpened like razor blades on the tips. This made it a formidable weapon since you could strike to vital areas with precision and snap it open, putting an array of daggers under your control.
Qigong
Have you ever wondered what force lies behind the Eastern practices such as Acupuncture, Tai Chi & Qigong?
The answer is Chi. Chi or “Qi” is a word used to describe vital energy found in the many forces of nature such as wind, electricity and water. Our human body also has its own kind of internal Chi.
Qigong, or Chi Kung is a practice that combines physical movements, breathing and the power of your mind to help direct and move Chi thru pathways in your body called “meridians”. By naturally enhancing your body’s Chi flow, you are able to help prevent illness caused by stagnant energy. When you remove any blocked energy in your body (main principle of Acupuncture) you can move out unwanted waste and toxins from your system.
What are the benefits of Qigong?
A major benefit of practicing Qigong exercise is that it is a “Natural” way to promote one’s energy and health. Qigong exercise will give you increased strength, help stretch and loosen your muscles, increase your stamina, increase range of motion, increase blood flow, increase respiratory function, lower heart rate, improve digestion, reduce stress and will relax your mind giving you a sense of well-being and clarity.
What does Chi feel like?
Most people will feel the initial sensation in their hands and will describe it as a tingling or buzzing kind of feeling. The palms will often become hot or cold depending on the type of Qigong exercise you are doing. With practice, these feelings become stronger and can be manipulated to other parts of the body at will.
This Seminar will teach you how to “Get Connected” to this amazing energy we call Chi. Several short Chi “Raising” exercises will be taught at the beginning to help build Chi in the hands. After Chi Raising we will start the “8 Silk Brocade” Chi Kung set. This is one of the most famous and popular Chi Kung sets practiced today. It has many variations and has been in practice for thousands of years. The health benefits are so impressive that it is promoted by Chinese health officials as a means to preventative health care.
Eight Silk Brocade
1. Pressing the Heavens.
2. Drawing the Bow.
3. Separating Heaven and Earth.
4. Wise Owl Gazes Backwards.
5. Punching with angry Gaze.
6. Bouncing on the Toes.
7. Big Bear turns Side to Side.
8. Touch Toes and Bend Back.