Wing chun/kung fu in Dublin

eth0_ · 10-08-2004 10:42AM #1

Anyone know of any kung fu or wing chun/tsun classes in Dublin? Have been trying to find a class in the Drogheda area to no avail, and as I work in Dublin I guess I could do a class here.

Preferably in the city!

Naos · 11-08-2004 05:58PM

There is a class, hmm sorry not sure, but think its Wing Tsun Kung Fu. Its in Coolmine (Blanchardstown area). Went to a class to check it out, wasnt very impressed to be honest, especially at the instructors initial words about the club "We dont try to make you fit" Them words just nailed it for me, why join a MA club if you arent going to get fitter?

PhoenixRising · 12-08-2004 09:00AM

There's a good Kung Fu club in Blackrock. Might not suit you if you are based in the city centre though, but it's definitely worth a look. Their website is http://www.scmaa.ie.

Edit: Their website seems to be under construction at the moment. They are based in the Newpark Sports Centre (on the Newpark school grounds) on Newtownpark Avenue, Blackrock, Co. Dublin.

Colm_OReilly · 12-08-2004 11:25AM

There's a good Kung Fu club in Blackrock. Might not suit you if you are based in the city centre though, but it's definitely worth a look. Their website is http://www.scmaa.ie.

That's Paul Moran isn't it? Paul is very progressive. He's a senior level boxer and is working hard on his ground game.(He's one of John Kavanagh's ATG's) He also has Thai guys out to coach his club. Well worth a looksee if you're that far south.

PhoenixRising · 12-08-2004 11:51AM

Yeah that's him. He makes it more interesting by incorporating elements of other arts/styles like you said, but still keeping a strong emphasis on Kung Fu and self-defense techniques. He's a nice chap as well.

eth0_ · 12-08-2004 02:29PM

I think I might check that one out, is it near the DART? I'm working in the IFSC so anywhere on the DART is handy for me.
Do you know what the classes in Parnell st are like, any reports?

12-08-2004 02:52PM

Its a 10 minute walk from Blackrock or Seapoint Dart Stations. I can say that with certainty cuz its just behind my house.

Bepetki · 16-08-2004 07:00PM

If you work in the IFSC, there is a Kenpo Club just off Pearse St which you should check out. They've just moved premises there from Leeson St and the instructors are ultra cool.

Regarding Kung Fu... I love the history of the art, although am too aware of it's modern day shortcomings - defensively speaking. When I went for Kenpo I decided this was the ultimate, in practical terms, for me. However, because Kenpo is a 'hard style' I now want to do a 'soft style'. I figure that studying T'ai Chi will give me that Yin Yang balance!

If you're having problems finding a Kung Fu club, why not try my approach? You get the all the benefit of practicality with Kenpo as well as the history and grace of Kung Fu in T'ai Chi with one complementing the other.

I dunno... it's just a suggestion.

Gyck · 16-08-2004 07:18PM

There's a good Kung Fu club in Blackrock. Might not suit you if you are based in the city centre though, but it's definitely worth a look. Their website is http://www.scmaa.ie.

I train with Paul, excellent classes, very progressive (as has been noted). The club is part of the YMAA but we work with John Kavanagh fairly frequently. Classes are on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 7.00pm. It's an easy walk from the DART.

16-08-2004 11:37PM

I would make the small DART journey out to Blackrock. I have heard good things about Paul. I believe aswell as being an excellent Kung-Fu teacher, he practices Vale Tudo/Grappling with SuperCoach

John Kavanagh (www.irishbjj.com).

Training with Paul you could get the best of the traditional Kung-Fu and very practical MMA/Grappling. Sounds like the perfect arrangement to me!

Colm_OReilly · 17-08-2004 08:42AM

When I went for Kenpo I decided this was the ultimate, in practical terms, for me. However, because Kenpo is a 'hard style' I now want to do a 'soft style'.

Bepetki,

Do you ever vist the International Kenpo Fellowship's Forum ? There's a good discussion that I took part in a while ago on the "Best Art". Maybe you'd like to read it?

If you want a hard style, do a few sessions in Bridgestone. Thai guys are the toughest around! I never really understood that whole hard style-soft style thing when it comes to TMAs. It always seemed just more unnecessary pedantics and hypothesising.

Peace and Love Y'All,
Colm

Bepetki · 17-08-2004 11:34AM

Thanks for that link Colm.

Yes it does sound pedantic. That's cool, but I have my reasons which I won't go into at the risk of boring everyone to death. Except maybe to say that everyone has their reasons for studying different combat styles, and each person's reasons are to embark on personal journies.

I don't know what mine is yet - even after over 15 years of studying - but when I look back, I'm glad I tried. There is no 'best' martial art. It's like asking what's the best way to get to New York from Dublin? As Bruce Lee famously said, don't concentrate on the finger, or you'll miss the moon and all it's heavenly glory!

If I get started i won't stop, so I'll leave it at that.

Note to others... I have been referring to the link that Colm sent me about best style. There's some pretty deep arguments (if a little convoluted) in there.

17-08-2004 12:16PM

Colm,

Checked out that forum for the first time.

Crazy. Those guys got so angry and seemed incapable of having a logical discussion/argument. Then the thread starter calls you all closed minded, pats his mates on the back and claims that you know nothing of Kempo.

They try and make themselves offended at every juncture just because they dont want to answer your questions, all of which I felt were asked in a relatively polite manner.

What a fellowship!

blondie83 · 17-08-2004 12:19PM

Bepetki wrote:

If you work in the IFSC, there is a Kenpo Club just off Pearse St which you should check out. They've just moved premises there from Leeson St and the instructors are ultra cool.

I second that - I used to train with them in Leeson street and they know what they're on about! Good idea with he Tai Chi too, means you get to incorporate a bit of grappling into things, and learn more about how the body reacts to different actions.

17-08-2004 03:26PM

Good idea with he Tai Chi too, means you get to incorporate a bit of grappling into things

Dunno about Tai Chi for grappling. Unless it includes Shuai Chiao (sp?).

For grappling try: Judo, Wrestling, BJJ. Train with Paul Moran and youll get real grappling combined with traditional kung fu!

blondie83 · 17-08-2004 04:12PM

I'm talking about grappling to learn more about how we react, rather than grappling in a self defense type situation. I know someone who does Tai Chi and its very interesting to watch how he reacts when his friends try to get him down on the ground. He goes completly relaxed, and just moves his body, no locks or anything. He doesn't make any offensive moves, but at the same time they never get him down on the ground. I think maybe they do some form of "soft" grappelling as opposed to the "hard" grappelling that we do in class (I do bujinkan). I was considering doing Tai Chi as well as ninjutsu this year, just to see if I could learn anything new that would help me understand it better(grappelling has never been my strong point!)

17-08-2004 04:22PM

If you really wanted to improve your grappling you should consider coming to either a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu class or go to a Judo class. Whatever arguments you can make about traditional martial arts striking etc, Im quite emphatic that too be good at grappling you have to do a grappling system that incorporates full resistance. BJJ would tie in nicely to your ninjitsu as Ive seen Rob teach some rolling arm bars and the like, and with us youd get a chance to work on them against a moving opponent. Then you could nail all your fella ninjas in that 10 minutes free grappling at the start of class. Also with BJJ you learn it so quickly that youll see dramatic differences in your grappling ability in a small period of time!

Pop down to us during the sports expo and let us persuade you in person

.

Edit:You cant learn how people really react unless you are sparring against them with full resistance.

blondie83 · 17-08-2004 08:21PM

I was thinking of what I could learn from the more more relaxed style of grappelling in Tai Chi, as opposed to the alive sort that we do in our class, and that I'm fairly sure you do in yours! Thanks for the offer though, I will certainly be down to see your stand. I'll probably be on the ninjutsu one myself if you want to pop down and see us. I'm going to have to miss a few lectures that week, but sure whats the harm - they never do me any good anyway! :cool:

Bepetki · 18-08-2004 12:52PM

columok wrote:

Pop down to us during the sports expo and let us persuade you in person .

Good discussion on complementary styles. I was wondering about this expo you are talking about? Can you let me know times and dates etc (If, that is, it is open to public?)

How do you rate 'sticky hands' as a resistance exercise? I believe it's used quite extensively in T'ai Chi. We do a bit of it in Kenpo and it's great as an arm conditioner and also for learning how to 'feel' your opponent. (Although reading that back it sounds more like a nocturnal exercise than combat training!

18-08-2004 01:06PM

Its the UCD Sports Expo Im talking about. Itll be on in the third or maybe last week in september. Dunno about it being open to the public but I'll let you know nearer the time

.

How do you rate 'sticky hands' as a resistance exercise? I believe it's used quite extensively in T'ai Chi. We do a bit of it in Kenpo and it's great as an arm conditioner and also for learning how to 'feel' your opponent. (Although reading that back it sounds more like a nocturnal exercise than combat training!

Interesting question. Ive seen it before and tried a little (with a traditional jiu jitsu friend who does a bit of wing chun). Are you asking about its effectiveness as an exercise or as methodology for resisting grappling?

I think that its an interesting exercise and it can develop sensitivity to movement. Im not sure how easily this sensitivity to movement could be translated to a real moving resisting opponent. I think there are more effective methods of this kind of training. Our standup grappling methodology revolves around Greco Roman Wrestling. Sometimes after our warm up we pract pummeling for position which involves very short range (often body to body- not a nocturnal activity

) hand, wrist, elbow, shoulder and body control. Its kind of like a practical sticky hands in my opinion. Worth seeing in person (Come Down: www.twokingsmma.net) and well show you! You are certainly trying to feel your opponents intentions and you quickly learn some very handy skills.

Colm_OReilly · 18-08-2004 02:10PM

Sports Specific drills develop, by and large, sport specific skills. So if you want to get good at stick hands, train sticky hands.

As for its practicallity in a combat scenario, the "trapping" range does not exist in a fight. When you are at arms length one of two things will happen, you'll move back into punching and kicking range (Stand Up) or you'll grab onto each other (Clinch)*. As for getting a feel for what your opponent is doing, just grab him in a bear hug or hold him down and see how he reacts. Do this day in day out and you'll figure out what he does to escape pretty quickly.

Bepetki try and make it down to train with us sometime, it would be great if you could.

Colm

*Clinch: Clinch is defined as when the shoulder or elbow of one combatant is in contact with the shoulder/torso/head or upper arm of the opponent.

Bepetki · 18-08-2004 06:10PM

Thanks lads, I may well do... I checked out the two kings site and found it very interesting. Just back from training myself so am well psyched up too!

The *.avi of the American instructor was excellent. It is basically true fighting and I can see how hours upon hours of this would effectively make you an expert in a street scenario. There is no scientific hypothesising, just experiment after experiment until you find what works for you. I am way outta shape and don't think I'd last 30 seconds in one of those classes. That said... what better way to get in shape!?

I have to say, it was like Fight Club but without the broken bones! Good stuff! When's your next session? Who brought this style over here? I'd love the instructors at my club to see this... they're very progressive and might want to involve this as part of their regime.

18-08-2004 06:42PM

Hey Bepetki,

When I saw that clip for the first time it really confronted a lot of my opinions of martial arts training. It really clears up a lot of our arguments about alive training. Glad you enjoyed it

I reckon youd last fine. Colm and Mick are very understanding coaches and they are very good at assisting people in their first class. Great work out though and great fun! You pick up the fitness very quickly purely because your motivation is the fun you are having!

When's your next session?

Mondays and Wednesdays at Two Kings MMA. About to head of this evening. Colm is teaching some Clinch work this evening (Greco Roman Wrestling

-Which I love)

Who brought this style over here?

John Kavanagh, the highest ranking Brazilian Jiu Jitsu instructor in Ireland started the SBG Ireland branch. His website is www.irishbjj.com. There is a full schedule of classes (including Muay Thai, wrestling and Yoga) which are run in Harolds Cross.

Matt Thornton, the American in the video, is the head of SBG (Straight Blast Gym) our organisation. Check out loads of articles at www.straightblastgym.com go to Gorilla Press and then Philosophy or Articles.

Also check out www.onedragon.com and go to articles.

I'd love the instructors at my club to see this... they're very progressive and might want to involve this as part of their regime.

Good to here. Hope they enjoy it as much as you did!!

Take care and hopefully see you on the mats!!

Colm_OReilly · 19-08-2004 08:14AM

Bepetki,

Glad you like'd the site. It would be rockin if you could come down and train with us. When do you think you could make a training session?

Bepetki · 19-08-2004 12:25PM

Colm_OReilly wrote:

Glad you like'd the site. It would be rockin if you could come down and train with us. When do you think you could make a training session?

Cheers again, lads.

I might try and drop in this Monday for a look see. I'll be in Kenpo myself that day so I might drop out after. By the way, I was saying in a different thread that (even though I'm constantly getting you two Colms confused) that your responses have been very mature and extremely noble to all those who have cross-examined and taunted you in this forum. And at the risk of sounding like I am a$$ kissing, I think you are both a credit to your style.

Keep up the good work!

Colm_OReilly · 19-08-2004 03:02PM

I'm constantly getting you two Colms confused

I'm a lot more attractive :cool:

19-08-2004 03:13PM

I'm a lot more attractive

*piss myself laughing*

Riley is makes up for his lack of modesty (and mirrors in his house) by being rather good at Jiu Jitsu.

Colm_OReilly · 19-08-2004 03:18PM

Riley is makes up for his lack of modesty (and mirrors in his house) by being rather good at Jiu Jitsu

and having decent grammar.

19-08-2004 03:21PM

How did that phantom "is" get in there?

and having decent grammar.

Please explain where the main clause is in this sentence. Otherwise I dont think you qualify for membership of the Decent Grammar Society!!

Colm_OReilly · 19-08-2004 03:33PM

Please explain where the main clause is in this sentence

You had to ask didn't you? A clause is a group of related words containing a subject and a verb. The subjec is this sentence and the verb is is (to be). "The main clause is in this sentence" is the main clause in that particular sentence.

I thank you.

19-08-2004 04:07PM

Off to the grammar rodeo with you then!

Wing chun/kung fu in Dublin

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