Great River Children's Chinese Swordsmanship Club

The techniques of Chinese swordsmanship do not rely on physical strength but on whole body movements that guide the opposite’s strikes into emptiness and return with his momentum. Girls and boys can do equally well. Young children benefit from practising Chinese swordsmanship. They love to learn new skills, require physical exercise for health and fitness, and develop confidence as they learn how to neutralise a threat.
Our children's program aims to
  1. Improve flexibility and coordination..
  2. Increase ability to concentrate.
  3. Develop fast and accurate responses.
  4. Strengthen and build stamina in young bodies.
  5. Enhance self-esteem and self-confidence.
  6. Build ability to relate to others.
  7. Train in discipline and respect.
  8. Help them with other areas of life that require these areas of development for success.

Where

This year the Children's Swordsmanship club is running at Blue Mountains Christian School. If there is enough interest, an outside club will be provided for children not attending this school. Please contact Linda Heenan - 47826593 with your enquiry.

When

Friday lunchtimes in Mrs Heenan's room at Blue Mountains Christian School, Blackheath.

What

Real Chinese swordsmanship based on the Yang Family Michuan System. The training will be fun, and physically challenging, based on games and skills of the right level for each age group. Contrary to popular perception, training in martial arts does not promote violent behavior, but teaches calm in conflict.

Who can come?

Boys and girls aged 11 and up.

Who will teach

Linda Heenan is a teacher at Blue Mountains Christian School and a student of Scott M Rodell. Junior instructors assisting are Matt O'Neill and Ned Carpenter.

Equipment

Fencing mask, padded gloves (eg cricket or hockey), knee, elbow and shin pads. Swords will be padded for beginners, for further safety. Fencing masks may be bought or borrowed from the club.

Cost

The school club is free. Training at an external venue would be $8 child per week. Upper limit $15 family per week.Mask hire $4 per club session. Children may bring their own or buy them through the club for $86.
We only accept 20 children at a time, so please check for space in the class first by emailing Linda Heenan - l2i3n9d5a6@gmail.com or telephone (02) 47 826 593 after 5:30 pm on week days.

Great River Children's Chinese Swordsmanship Seminar

Please note: This seminar is over. To read about the seminar go to http://www.grtc.org/articles/ycsc.html (Youth Chinese Swordsmanship Camp). If there is enough interest, another Youth Swordsmanship seminar may be provided in the future.

11th - 13th July, 2006

The Children's Chinese Swordsmanship Seminar will be led by Scott M. Rodell and his son Feihong.

Rodell, widely considered the father of modern Chinese swordsmanship, frequently travels to Europe, across America & to Australia to teach this traditional art. He is a leading authority on both Chinese Imperial age arms & armor as well as Chinese Historical Swordsmanship. Rodell is the author of Chinese Swordsmanship: the Yang Family Tradition & Taiji Notebook for Martial Artists. He is International Director of Great River Taoist Center, which has branches in four continents.

Program 1 (7-9 years)
11th - 13th July, 2006
9am - 12pm
At the Leura Gym

Program 2 (10-12 years)
11th - 13th July, 2006
2pm - 5pm
At the Leura Gym

Equipment

Fencing mask, padded gloves (eg cricket or hockey), layers of clothing at least 1cm thick over the upper body eg several jumpers, knee, elbow and shin pads. Swords will be padded for further safety. Fencing masks may be bought or hired from the club. Padded swords will be provided for children to use at the seminar.

Cost

$75 first child in a family
$55 second child
$45 third and subsequent siblings

It is advisable to register early because places will be limited to the first 20 children in each age group.

Seminar Registration Form

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