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Jow Ga Kuen is a traditional Shaolin style. It differs from other Kung Fu styles in that there is
equal emphasis on developing hand and upper body techniques as on lower body and kicking techniques.
A skilled Jow Ga artist is a complete, well-rounded martial artist. Practitioners learn a balance of
short range and long range Shaolin techniques. Power is channelled just at the moment of impact so
that the energy force is unrestricted - soft, fluid, direct or circular, then hard just when required.
Forms and techniques are not practised with continuous rigidity but with a balance of force.
Practising Jow Ga at our Sydney kwoon has many benefits. Australian Jow Ga Kung Fu Academy students benefit
from Sifu Bennett's formidable martial experience and insight. Students are trained rigorously through
basic exercises to improve health, increase speed, flexibility, strength and stamina. Students then proceed
through more complicated movements which improve kung fu dynamism, dexterity and power. Practice includes
empty hand and weapon forms, applying advanced technique combinations and eventually practising free
sparring if desired. At the Australian Jow Ga Kung Fu Academy the art is taught body to body, face to
face just as it was intended.
Internal aspects of Kung Fu can be accessed simply in the practice of any Jow Ga form. As a student
becomes more advanced the performance of traditional forms will begin to reflect his/her martial spirit.
Here every move is the artistic expression of a very practical fighting technique. A Jow Ga student has
truly captured the essence of kung fu when the practice is skilled, the stances are precise and the forms
have Jing or spirit!
With three and a half decades of continuous rigourous Kung Fu practice at the ready Sifu Bennett is an
expert in the application of every Jow Ga move. He reminds us that traditional forms are store-houses,
rich resources of defence and attack strategies. Sifu Bennett is well known for his lightning-fast attack
and defence combinations. In our kwoon attack-defence drills are an important aspect of every class so that
students can develop the ability to defend themselves effectively from physical aggression. Students soon
begin training techniques and responses at high speed... fluid footwork is integrated into technique training
when a student is ready.
A number of AJGKFA members enter state, national and international competitions in traditional form and
sparring events . In 2006 we had students winning their categories in most major competitions at State and
National level at ISKA, NAS and AKWF tournaments. Sifu Bennett's disciple Si Heng Joshua Smith is the
Australian Kung Fu & Wushu Federation's 'National Kung Fu Champion 2007'. He is Sifu's lead instructor
at our HQ kwoon and our Chatswood-Willoughby branch.
A characteristic feature of Jow Ga Kung Fu is the use of many weapons. At AJGKFA weapon sets are standard to
the curriculum for everybody. Weapon training begins early with the second form in our curriclum being a
weapon form. Weapon practice includes short weapons, long, flexible and double weapons - examples of these
respectively are broadsword, spear, steel whips and double hook swords.
In ancient China and up until the mid-1900's, weapons were of course used for self-defence and combat in
war and on the streets. In addition to various swords, spears and lances the use of a variety of rakes,
shovels and sticks as weapons exemplifies the connection between kung fu fighting and the ordinary people
throughout Chinese history. Technical use of weapons has been passed down from teacher to disciple over
the years and the potential use of these can still be very practical, even though now they are used
chiefly to express the art of Kung Fu in one or two person demonstration sets. Weapon practice gives
an added dimension to the use of accuracy, fluency, speed, timing, balance and power. For an advanced
martial artist weapons provide physical tools to further extend and direct internal energy.
Sifu Bennett is skilled in the use of many traditional Chinese weapons as well as contemporary Wushu weapon sets.
Private tuition in weapon training is available from Sifu Bennett or one of our lead instructors by appointment.
The performance art of Wushu may be taught to those with both acrobatic and martial skills.
FREE Introductory Kung Fu class with Sifu Bennett
and no joining fee when you mention this offer -
available at Sydney and North Shore branches.
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