Holm Garden Martial Arts Holidays

Grandmaster David C. V. Wang

A martial art Instructor with more than 35 years’ teaching experience. His students, numbering more than 6,000, include many from overseas.

Master Wang was first introduced to Chinese Kung Fu as a little boy by his Grandmaster grandfather – a fully fledged Chinese Kung Fu Instructor. As a teenager he took the opportunity to learn from many great martial arts masters. Soon fighting became his second nature. He experimented in various martial arts and became engrossed with the Japanese martial arts, taking up Judo, where he managed to clinch the heavy weight title in his Malaysian state – being the lightest in that category.

The martial art that took the longest time for Grandmaster Wang to master was Shorinji Kempo, in which he has been awarded a 5th Dan Daikenshi. He now teaches a practical, all-rounded, organised martial art derived from more than 3 decades of experience in fighting and from his relentless efforts in experimenting. His principle in teaching is “I do not teach my students to anticipate a fight, but if a fight is unavoidable, they are prepared for it”.

He is author of From the Fist to the Heart – Teaching people the martial arts way, a series of 3 books covering fundamental, intermediate and advanced defensive and offensive techniques.

From the Fist to the Heart – Teaching people the martial arts way

• The first volume addresses the basics, principles and fundamental elements of offence and defence techniques. It stresses the importance of mastering the basics, because all techniques and forms are the products of organised basics. Bad techniques come from poor basics. It also emphasises speed training as the source of power. The ultimate aim is to develop your ‘conditioned reflex’. Beyond speed is reflex. You can control your speed but not your reflex.

• The second volume addresses the techniques of releasing, twist-locks, throwing and pinning. You are advised to understand the underlying principles of the releasing and twist-lock techniques before you attempt the techniques themselves. In this way you will find it easier to practice. Most of the twist-lock techniques illustrated need to be exercised with caution so as to avoid serious injury to your joints.

• The third volume focuses on the application of human vital points. The vital points are clearly shown and the applications are illustrated in series of photographs. However, the vulnerable or knockout points are meant only as an indication and you should not experiment with them in practise with your partners. Resuscitation is also illustrated in a series of photographs, demonstrating how to revive someone who has been struck and lost consciousness.

Master Pao

Master Pao has gained over 15 years of teaching experience in the United Kingdom and overseas. At the age of nine he started to learn Shaolin Kung Fu and in 1969, he began his training in Shorinji Kempo under Master David Wang. He obtained his 1st degree black belt before leaving for the United Kingdom to futher his education.

Master Pao has integrated soft and hard techniques into one cohesive system of defensive and offensive techniques for men and women. This comprehensive programme helps you to develop a sound knowledge of the fighting techniques and prepares you to handle any combat situation.

“When you teach, you learn. When you are learning, you must understand the importance of the underlying principles of what you are being taught. In Kung Fu, styles and forms have no meaning, it is the effect that counts. You begin studying basic techniques and forms that are later discarded as your experience and proficiency increases. The true skill of Kung Fu has no form, like water, but lies in oneness of mind and body. You can adapt it to tread softly or strike hard.”