Dulwich OnView

Richard Wagstaff is a local Kung Fu and Tai Chi teacher. He tells Dulwich OnView how he got hooked on martial arts and training in the White Crane style in Dulwich.

I started Kung Fu in my early 20s while I was studying for a BMus at Trinity College of Music. At the time I was living with a friend who was a member of a martial arts club practicing the soft style (Suang Yang T’ai Chi). He took me along and I was instantly hooked. The club has always had an excellent social side. Many people join because they know someone who already trains and those who don’t soon make good friends.

Martial arts had always interested me, but training in one was something that other people did. I think for many it is about getting over that initial barrier and going along to their first class – it takes a lot of courage because their perception is that it is going to be too hard for them, or they think the class will be full of aggressive people.

The reality is very different. Although it takes a lot of dedication to become an expert, there are levels at which anyone can benefit from training, and all the students are very welcoming. There are sparring classes, where students can try their techniques out on each other, but the contact is kept light, the atmosphere fun and although most find it a useful forum to test their skills it is not a compulsory part of training!

White Crane
The style of Kung Fu and T’ai Chi I train and teach is a complete system known as White Crane. It is a flowing style that uses internal power and strength – when used correctly it can be as lethal as it is beautiful. It originates from the Fujian province in Southern China and was developed by a woman called Fan Qiang Liang. Although it was devised by a woman all her disciples were men, who went on to spread the style throughout China, so it is appropriate for both men and women.

Learning from the Master
My master, Dennis Ngo learnt the style in Singapore. When he came over to England in 1977 he started teaching others and the club that is now known as Fujian White Crane Kung Fu (FWC) began. He has many ties to China and we go and train every year with some of the Masters he knows, which helps broaden our knowledge of other styles, and appreciate the depth of our own even more.

I still regularly train with master Ngo as do the other Instructors within the club; learning Kung Fu is a life-long process and there is always a new level to aspire to and reach. Ultimately it is about self-progression and personal development. As an Instructor it is my responsibility to nurture every student that comes through the door and help them achieve their life-goals through training.

Where to train in Dulwich
The London South Club has been running in Dulwich for roughly seven years. In that time many students have passed through, and some have remained from those early days. The classes are taught in East Dulwich at Dulwich Hamlets Football Club/gym on a Saturday morning, and classes on Monday and Wednesday nights are held at Herne Hill Methodist Hall and St Faith’s Community Centre respectively, both of which are situated in North Dulwich.

In more recent years the London South club has also expanded to Clapham where classes are held on Tuesday, Thursday and Friday nights. The club has a strong social element and often on a Wednesday night after a hard session’s training we are to be found relaxing in the Crown and Greyhound pub in Dulwich Village – obviously enjoying a healthy orange juice (or the occasional celebratory pint!)

Something for Everyone
The fantastic thing about this style is that it really is suitable for anyone, whether experienced martial artist or complete beginner, male or female, young or old. We have recently opened a Young Stylist class for children aged 5-11 years at St Faith’s Community Centre in North Dulwich, which is a class designed to teach self-defence, strength, flexibility and self-discipline in a fun atmosphere.

We also have some older adults training who have benefited enormously from both the soft style (Suang Yang) and the hard style (Kung Fu). The exercises can be adapted to suit any body shape and size, and all abilities, so the benefits are there to be enjoyed by all.

Many people suffer from back pain often due to poor posture. By strengthening the core muscles and training your body to stand straighter aches and pains can disappear. Additionally I have a diploma in anatomy and physiology which helps a great deal in working around physical disability.

Whatever the motivation, be it getting fitter, stronger, more flexible, losing weight, toning up, improving your mental wellbeing, getting back into shape after pregnancy or perfecting the art of fighting using a martial art, there is definitely something for everyone in the style.

If you are interested in coming to class, call Richard Wagstaff on 07983 464470 or email richardw@fwckungfu.com More information can be found at www.fwckungfu.com

PRIZE DRAW: Win Free Lessons

Richard has kindly offered one lucky Dulwich OnView reader a night’s worth of free lessons. The winner can attend a soft style, hard style and a pads class in one evening (either Mon, Tues or Wed) at a venue nearest them. The cost of such an evening would normally be £27.
All you have to do to stand a chance of winning a copy is to add a relevant comment to any article on Dulwich OnView between now and the end of July. We will pick the name of one commenter at random on 31st July 2008 and notify the winner by email. Please see our prize draw rules for more information.