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All Jade Dragon classes are taught in a traditional way yet remain fun and friendly. There is generally a warm up and stretch session followed by form work and partnered training. Often each lesson is structured around the learning of a principle and several techniques and exercises are taught that illustrate that principle. The students practice these singly then pair off and try them on each other. The lessons generally end with a cooldown and qigong session.
New beginners are always made welcome. Unlike many traditional schools where beginners are virtually ignored until they have 'proved themselves' we treat beginners differently, spending time with them to help them learn the basic principles and help integrate them into the group. We have a good family atmosphere that ensures that, despite the sometimes tough nature of the training, nobody feels left out or made to look or feel stupid.
Students work continuously towards ever more advanced skills. Forms, animal styles, weapons training, meditation skills etc are gradually introduced as the techniques become more advanced.
Open to all adults (16+) irrespective of age, fitness level or experience.
No special uniform required just wear comfortable clothes and bring a water bottle and small towel for your comfort.
It would help if you could print out and complete this membership form and bring it along to the lesson.
Kung Fu and Tai Chi fundamentals for beginners
Every Thursday 8pm - 10pm
Click here for costs
All classes held at:
Caversham Hall,
St Johns Rd,
Caversham
Reading RG4 8BB.
See map
Caversham Hall is on the right. Parking is along any of the surrounding streets. There is no problem that time of night.
Feel free to come along to the beginners sessions and give us a try. It's only £3 for the first session and beginners are always made welcome.
Part of the basic training involves learning how to use a staff (6ft pole) which helps enormously in developing coordination, upper body strength and helps to learn the movements much more quickly. Once you have decided to attend lessons regularly you will need to buy one. Staffs are available from Kiksports in Harris Arcade off Friar St in Reading. Please buy either the red or white oak, straight (not tapered) bo. Click here for the link to their shop. They also sell bags to carry the staff. The staff is currently taught on Monday evenings. This includes the use of the staff as a weapon and hand to hand techniques that are developed through the use of a staff. If you intend to come regularly on a Monday evening you will need to get a staff. Thursday evenings are for hand to hand practice so you won't need to bring a staff if you come on Thursdays. I will change the classes around every few months so the Thursday class will then learn a staff and the Monday class will focus on hand skills. Please remember though that without the staff training your hand skills will be less strong and fluid. Obviously students who are able to attend both sessions per week will learn much faster and so be able to learn the advanced skills much sooner.
When a student has progressed with the staff and basic hand to hand work they are then invited to join the advanced classes. These are held for kung fu students who have completed basic training and have proved that they are able to cope with higher levels of skill. These sessions are 'closed door' sessions ie invitation only. What is taught in these lessons isn't to be shown to anyone who hasn't yet progressed to that level. There is a big gap between the basic lessons taught on Monday and Thursday and the advanced lessons so students need to be completely familiar with the fundamental skills otherwise they would be unable physically and mentally to cope with the higher level of training.
See map
Caversham Hall is on the right. Parking is along any of the surrounding streets.