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Shen Dao Kung Fu Level One Instructor Training

Students can join at any time.

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Shen Dao Kung Fu is a Martial Arts system formulated and developed by Raymond Towers, founder of the UKTQF, with its roots and expression based firmly in the traditions of the Chinese Internal Martial Arts (Neijia).

The Shen Dao Kung Fu Level One Instructor training is the gateway to all of the UKTQF’s specialist training programmes, in both the Health and Martial Arts. In keeping with the philosophy of ‘healer, heal thyself,’ our aim is to make our potential Health Qigong teachers and Medical Qigong therapists strong and self-aware at the outset of their studies.

Shen Dao translates as “The Way of the Spirit” or “The Way of the Heart.” Shen Dao encourages clarity, courage and vitality – vitality for life.

Kung fu is not an object of study, it is a continuous living process of learning and teaching. It is a way of approaching the art you are studying. It is literally the art of perseverance, patience and practice.

As a Shen Dao Kung Fu instructor, you can be confident that you are passing on to your students the best of yourself and the best of the arts. You will also be impeccably placed to extend your studies in to any or all of the fighting arts, or in to Health Qigong or Medical Qigong.

The System

The Shen Dao Kung Fu system finds its roots and expression in the Chinese Internal Martial Arts of Taijiquan (T'ai Chi Chuan), Xingyiquan (Hsing-I Chuan), Baguazhang (Pa Kua Chang), and Feng Shou (Hand of the Wind) Kung Fu.

Each of these arts is a complete system in itself, and together represent the ultimate toolkit – each has a different ‘flavour’ and the Shen Dao Kung Fu System is uniquely structured to ensure that you and your future students become proficient in and discerning of not only each art but also the layering and combining of their aspects to develop as a sophisticated and effective practitioner.

The core principles of internal martial and health practice are nevertheless the same across all the arts and in Shen Dao Kung Fu these are taught so as to provide a template and stable foundation from which one can discover and enjoy the depths of the martial and health arts in all their aspects.

The system has also benefited from Raymond’s experience in other Western and Eastern health and combat systems so as to give it a uniquely rich and ultimately efficient approach to martial application and physical energy work.

The Chinese Internal Martial and Health Arts

The Shen Dao Kung Fu system places a high level of importance on Neigong, or Inner Skill Training. Primarily Daoist in origin, this type of training emphasises the coordination of breath, posture, and movement in order to improve ‘internal’ and ‘external’ power and technique.

Included in Neigong training are methods such as Standing meditation (Zhuan Zhuang), Daoist yoga (Daoyin), and Silk Weaving exercises (Chan Su Jin). This training acts as an underpinning for the development of one’s natural power (Jin) through the understanding of, and controlling of, subtle body movement - thereby activating the internal to lead the external, and ensuring that the practitioner remains calm and alert in stressful environments. This type of training leads to the natural extension of the mind-body connection.

Physical benefits of Neigong practice include lowering oxygen consumption, increasing blood flow and slowing the heart rate, thereby enhancing the efficiency of the immune system. Quiet standing such as Zuan Zhuang massages the internal organs, improves vascular circulation and promotes self control and focus, directly benefiting martial performance.

Why Do This Course

Shen Dao Kung Fu training, is a tool with which to cultivate the spiritual (Shen) aspect of our lives

Shen is the name given to the most yang of the Five Spirits. This spirit personifies the fiery spark of conscious awareness. During our life, the shen is said to reside in the empty center of the heart from where it guides us along our path through life. Although it is invisible, the shen’s presence is reflected in the light that shines from the eyes of a healthy human being. In the presence of healthy shen, there is a luster and brightness to the disposition, a feeling of connection and awareness. Most of all, the presence of healthy shen results in a life that is uniquely suited to the individual and a person whose actions make sense within the context of the surrounding environment.

From "Five Spirits: Alchemical Acupuncture for Psychological and Spiritual Healing," Lorie Dechar 2006

Shen Dao Kung Fu is something that will be yours for life, and that will help you in every aspect of your life – health, fitness, career, happiness – and that you can share with others.

What is on offer is one of the most holistic and comprehensive Martial Arts Teacher Training programmes in Europe. Our training focuses on authentic, strong, safe and effective teaching.

After qualifying from the Level One Core Syllabus the world is your oyster. You can choose to study one or several of the arts to Level Two and beyond, train in Health Qigong and Medical Qigong, certifying as a Qigong Teacher or Tai Chi Qigong Therapist.

We are committed to clear, consistent standards, ensuring graduates have the ability to teach the health and martial aspects of their arts with the highest level of skill while honouring their own unique voice.

We are extremely happy and proud of how and what we teach. We pass on the wisdom and knowledge of many generations of teachers. The arts we teach are not competition arts, gymnastic arts or demonstration arts – they are arts for living!

Level One Core Principles, syllabus and key exercises

Students are taught techniques, postures, and stances which act as a powerful vessel for our natural energy.

The Core syllabus is firmly based upon the idea of a profound simplicity that provides so many growth options for the teacher and the student - the opportunity for teacher and student to discover different aspects of themselves. You will be provided with the environment in which to gain clarity, confidence and effectiveness in whatever you choose to teach/do.

You will be taught the core principles of the Shen Dao System

• 8 energies – ward off, roll back, squeeze, descend, split, pluck, elbow and shoulder

• 8 powers – turning, threading embracing bumping lifting propping drilling spiralling

• 5 elements – these natural elements aid the martial artist in visualising universal forces and from them creating attitudes for engagement these natural elements are metal, water, wood, fire, earth.

The emphasis of the training is on training the mind, establishing self-esteem, opening up to grace, the integration of breath and movement, technical and biomechanical knowledge, adapting each principle to unique individual needs, and building effective and clear themes that deepen the student's experience and understanding of a transformational personal practice.

Feng Shou (pronounced Fung Sao) – “Hand Speed Training”

Hand speed focuses upon energising ones palms, finger tips, back of palms, wrist and heel of palm so that they become naturally alive and act with purpose.
A substantial number of stances are introduced with this set of exercises and techniques, training the student in whole body movement from the outset.

Taijiquan Eight Energies

This is a very relaxed, fluid art which develops suppleness, mobility, calmness and balance. It energises the tendons and charges the body with 'Chi.' It massages, cleans and strengthens the internal organs making us healthier and more resistant to disease.

Baguazhang Eight Powers

Baguazhang is a highly dynamic open palm martial art noted for the practice of ‘walking the circle’. The majority of its forms and training are executed whilst walking around the edge of a circle. The art is renowned for its flowing movements and rapid changes of direction.

Xingyiquan Five Elements

Xingyiquan forms are simple but the content is very rich. The movements are compact and direct, and utilise the combination of liuhe (three internal and three external coordinations). In practice you learn to go beyond form itself.

Key Exercises to develop core principles

Joint Mobilisation
Silk Reeling
Foot flows
Dao Yin - Chinese Yoga for Health and Longevity
Iron Body
Standing Pole

The essential components of ‘traditional’ training:

• The Eight Improvements
• The Five Essentials
• Core principle Exercises
• Philosophical principles
• Physiological Principles

The essential elements of each of the arts:

• The Eight Energies of Tai Chi Chuan
• The hand speed and foot flow techniques of Feng Shou
• The Eight Powers of Baguazhang
• The Five Elements of Xingyquan
• The key exercises of martial development

Stages of Relaxation

1. Postural.
2. Reaching Muscles and Tendons.
3. Reaching the Organs.

Stages in mind control (Yi)

• Simplicity
• No goals or intentions
• Place your Yi (intent) on the lower dantien
• Let the yi lead the qi
• Just pay attention to feelings
• Become calm

UKTQF Training Ethos, Terms and Conditions

We encourage everyone to:
• Constantly strive for improvement;
• Train together constructively and co-operatively;
• Practice with diligence and a good heart;
• Show respect to each at all times.
Senior students are there to help everyone;
instructors are expected to explain, demonstrate and lead the way.

Practice

a. You are expected to practise what you have been taught in order to improve.
b. You will be guided at all times regarding the areas and aspects which require your attention in your private practice.
c. You will be made aware at all times of the expected outcomes.
d A key principle of this programme is that students attend classes and progress through the course at a rate of their choosing, in order for their progress to be sustainable and robust. Within this context, Raymond Towers reserves the right to de-register students who are not, in his judgement, displaying the required commitment.

Supervision Process

Students will be monitored throughout their training and given appropriate guidance.

Qualification

All students, whether registered with the Shen Dao Kung Fu Instructor programme or the Tai Chi Qigong Therapist Programme, are required to achieve the standard required to certify at Shen Dao Kung Fu Level One.

Shen Dao Kung Fu Instructors, in order to maintain the validity of their Instructor Certificate, are required to comply with the following terms:

Once qualified as a Level One Shen Dao Kung Fu Instructor, you are required to set up and maintain a weekly Shen Dao Kung Fu class in your area, and you must commit to Continuing Professional Development in the shape of a minimum level of attendance at Shen Dao training events held with Raymond Towers.

Your class:

You have a full calendar year to establish your class from your date of Certification.

Your continued training:

Mandatory attendance at the three Qualified Instructor training weekends in Leicestershire per year (6 days)

Mandatory attendance at any five Instructor training days in Cumbria (not counting Summer School)

Expected attendance at the Shen Dao Kung Fu Summer School in Cumbria

Who can train

Anyone wishing to become a certified instructor in the Shen Dao Kung Fu System is welcome to apply. Those wishing to train as Tai Chi Qigong Therapist trained in Medical Qigong, or a Health Qigong teacher must complete the Shen Dao Kung Fu Level One Certification as the first stage of their training.

The sole prerequisite to training is a desire to study with diligence, and to share the benefits of doing so.

Successful applicants attend training in Millom, Cumbria. You can choose to attend any or all of the available dates. You will be given your own tailored training programme in line with the core syllabus, and will be able to work at a pace that suits you.

All students will have to complete an absolute minimum of 100 hours of training, typically 20 days, before becoming eligible to apply for an Instructor Competency Test.

Standards are high and you will be advised when to go for your competency test - completion of the minimum training period does not guarantee receiving an instructor certificate.

Application

Students must complete an application form and return it with a deposit of £50, returnable only if your application is unsuccessful. On acceptance on to the course, you will pay the balance of £130 to cover your first five days of training.

After your first five days of attendance Raymond will discuss with you the best way for you to progress your training, and you have the opportunity to re-evaluate your commitment to the programme.

Tuition fees are then £36 per day or part thereof, payable on the day.

Attendance is booked in advance, in order to maintain the optimum student:teacher ratio. You will be expected to honour your booked commitments. We reserve the right to charge for cancellations made less than three weeks in advance.

While we can help with finding accommodation locally, the course is non-residential and you are responsible for all your own additional costs.

Application form