Greetings to fellow forum peeps.
Would like to know if anyone has trained at Shi Yanzi’s Shaolin Temple in the UK? Or is a current student ?
Like to hear positive and negative feedback, as I am considering going to the UK to train with him.
Cheers
Golden monk 
shi yan zi training
Good day all
Yip have had the pleasure of training with Shifu shi yanzi
The yu bai ban classes which are the beginner classes are taught by his disciple monks…he does how ever interact…after youve completed and done the grading he will instruct you.
all classes are taught in mandarin… the names of the runs and the first basic forms
element such as wulong panda, zou you kai gong shi, mabu jia da and the first basic form wubu chuan are all taught in mandarin…all names ie the stretches basic kick and flexability are given in chinese.
after the grading you do the first form xiao hong and various sanda elements…shifu shi yanzi says that if you dont know how to use your gong fu to fight you dont know gong fu…hes very much into the fighting side …you will understand all the applications to xiao hong and the various elements within xioa hong such as silk reeling and the sanda fighting apps…very potent form and i rekon if you just knew xiao hong youde kick anyones proverbial ass…he is very tough on students but hes the most awesome person ive ever had the pleasure of meeting in tha martial world…he is very traditional…you can also learn the baduan qi gong as well as chan budhism and also rou quan…do yourself a favour and train with shifu shi yanzi i got pics of him and you can see the size of his arms hes just awesome power…hes an amazing instructor…and a monk in the true sense
namo ami to fou
chris
This is great information! At last .. some one speaks!
Have you seen how the syllabus is, I don’t expect you to tell me word for word.
But is it mix of wushu and the “traditioanl forms”.. or is it mostly wushu.
I know this question causes all sorts of ignorant and “monk” bashing people to start writing loads of unjustified responses.
Sorry! maybe best private message me to avoid this.
( I’ve seen other forums where there are like 10 pages or comments that are coming from possibly people who have never trained at UK shaolin Temple. )
Some More Questions!
How about Chinese lion dance. Does Shifu Shi Yanzi teach this ?
shi yan zi
Hi there
yes have both those syllabus…all 1 have to say is that Shifu shi yan zi is from shaolin temple sent by the venerable abbot of shaolin at song shan…so as far as im concerned it’s the real deal…I’ve seen wushu and know one or two wushu forms…and shi yan zi is def not wushu…he showed me an application using me as the attacker…and let me tell you he can generate massive power from where only he knows…it felt like my lung was gonna explode…1 weigh 92 kilos and he is shorter than me…but 1 went down like no man put me down before…1 wanna learn shaolin gong fu from a man like that…1 was a military paratrooper and we had to do many hand on hand combat scenarios …I’ve never been punished that hard before as when shi yanzi demonstrated the seven star posture and application…so imagine he really meant to hurt someone…thats shaolin gong fu.
so any critic who wants to say any negative against shi yan zi …step up to the plate…and this goes for shi yan ming and shi goulin the all 34 gen monks…you cant say anything till youve been in their presence…as for the monks who do the wheel of life show…those guys are also awesome…yes it’s a show and lots is coreography…but I’vemet them too and played some forms with them…they also know their ****e…and they will also teach any of us westerners a thing or seven …1 travelled 17 000km to train with yanzi…and 1 go back once a year…
so yes its as traditional as it gets…shi yan lei …his gong fu brother…is also awesome…see if ya can get to work with him too…hes got the most hectic round house kick…and just by working with him my kicks have improved 100 times…and 1 thought 1 could kick…what a joke…
all 1 can say to those who have nothin good to say about the monks sent out by shaolin temple…rather respect what what you don’t know…being a monk is about virtue and respect when you meet him youll see that hes a monk in the true sense
no i dont think he does lion dance…was none of that when i was there…he specialises in iron jacket
namo ami to fou
chris
Brilliant news! Whers abouts in the UK, does he teach?
shi yan zi
he teaches in london…in tufnell park…
chris
Good info!
And what about class sizes?
Are they huge?
I think from what you have written that it would be an advantage if you spoke mandarin?
What are your thoughts?
classes are not that big…but you have to be there a bit earlier or they wont let you in…id say about ± 10 per class sometimes more sometimes less…see its not a set class…so anyone can join the yu bai ban clas (beginner) that is generally taught by disciple monks…then with shi yan zi the disciple monks are in the class with you…those classes have about the same no. of students
yea it does help to speak or understand basic mandarin…shi yan zi not so hot at english…but you get a very good idea of what hes saying coz. he demonstrates really well…
you can do as many classes a day as you like…its better that they small get better tuition…just be a bit fit and a bit supple before you go…coz. you will take strain if ya unfit…specially with shifu yanzi…there a small hill that goes past the front of the temple…more of a driveway…but sprints up the hill and down for a few minutes takes its toll…make sure you got good gong fu shoes…you can buy fei yues at the temple…and they are a life saver…
I remember looking there when i started training - i was prevented by the cost though.
I saw on the site that you can pay month or year upfront and do as many classes as you want but only in your level - so expect to stay at the basics for a bit before moving to foundation classes!
They also teach Mandarin if you need it! i bet most of the people that go dont speak mandarin - being english etc. Dont let that prevent you.
As far as i am aware the training can be tough sometimes - like anywhere though and is also a bit repetative (or at least used to be). If you dont need to change to something new every 5 minutes it shouldn’t be a problem!
MOre MOre MOre Thankyou!
The repetition is understandable. I think it is a good indication that the foundations are drilled at early stages.
The classes sound promising. So long Shifu is teaching and holding the classes himself most of the time. Everyone’s allowed a break! We are all human, after all!
Have any of you tried the classes held by Shi Yanlei ? Are they similar to Shi Yanzi’s?
I figure that you guys are living in the UK or nearby, are there any other " monks" that have the equal passion, teaching qualities and martial explosiveness as Shi Yanlei and Shi Yanzi ?
How old are the 2 Shifu’s ? I ask this as, I’ve seen how older Shifus sometimes tend to slowly teach less and less.. so senior instructors take over.
Is there any emphasis on Chan Buddhism. Or is this up to the student to request for it ? I’m not sure whether in the UK .. there is any interest in this aspect of Shaolin.. or is everyone more keen to get into the San Shou?
I read a lot about Shi Yanzi been a very good San Shou coach and achieveing some good results for his students.
Cheers!
Videos?
Has any one got a link for some video footage of students performing forms from the Shaolin UK temple ?
Cheers
Golden monk
It sounds like a great school!
I’m going to be visiting London next month. Would a visitor from a Shaolin school in America be welcomed by Shifu shi yan zi and his instructors?
I would very much like to visit the school, maybe even for a class. However I would understand if they would rather not have a visitor there.
Stuk
good day to all
Im south African…and they welcomed me when 1 was there, there was Australians so anyone can come visit the temple…but you have to pay per class when you get there…there’s a sign at reception that says no payment no gong fu…and one that says and 1 quote “ if you are late come early” which 1 thought was classic…
repetition is a big factor so be prepared to do drills over and over…in the foundation class…shifu yanzi will take 3 movements from xiao hong and you’ll drill those moves over and over…
h’s about 30 id say hard to tell but don’t worry he’s got heaps of energy and you wont tire him…you’ll be finished long before he will…remember he coaches all day everyday…
shifu Shi yan li now runs the Birmingham branch to he is no longer based at STUK but maybe you’ll be lucky and heel be in London when you get there…
1 knew xiao hong, da hong, etc before 1 got to STUK but when 1 left there 1 understood it…big difference between knowing and understanding it…1 find many that many seminars I’ve attended and forms I’ve learned…have just been empty hand and leg movement many instructors know these empty shells…yan zi shifu made me understand the forms…he taught me to be substantial and insubstantial…now 1 feel 1 can move…to be in one place and then just by shifting your weight appear in another…1 found we as westerners forgot how to walk we just want to run…so go there with an empty cup…
you are not forced to study chan Buddhism …but yan zi shifu says you can not separate chan and gong fu…so 1 think it’s a good think to understand chan…not saying you need to be Buddhist…but see why shaolin gong fu is what it is because of chan.
in south africa we have the biggest chan buddhist temple outside of china…1 go there a few times a year to retreat…and simply calmness of mind will let you over come even the biggest problem.
namo ami to fou
This is another UK place to train - London again.
http://www.tang-long.co.uk/classes.htm shows the addresses.
Realised one is actually not far from my class!
Mre monks… . .
This is great! More monks to choose from.
I am going over to stay in the UK for quite some time and thsi sort of info is very helpful
Does any one know a lot about these guys at Tang Long ?
There isn’t a lot of info on their site.
Is it a wushu school or a mix of traditional and wushu ?
How old are the masters, they appear young.
Thanks for the info.
I think I will go and attend a class. As I’ve mentioned I’ve only been exposed to the philosophy of my school and Master. It will be refreshing to see other points of prespective and to learn from others half a world away. Even if it is just for one class.
The Mardarin will be fun to try and diciper.:o
Forms Taught at STUK
Can anyone confirm whether most if not all of the below is taught at the STUK ?
Xiaohongquan (small red fist)
Dahongquan (big red fist)
Tongbiquan (through arms fist)
Liuhequan (six harmonies fist)
Changquan (long fist)
Changhuxinyimen (long protect heart will gate)
Qixingquan (seven star fist)
Meihuaquan (plum flower fist )
Paoquan (cannon fist)
Lohanquan (arhat fist)
(Quoting from Gene Ching from another thread regarding what most shaolin monks teach- or close variations )
I’ve done two weekend seminars with Shi Yan Zi. I would back up everything that’s been said
a) he’s an awesome athlete
b) he teaches practical application of forms - we did basic xiao hong quan
c) he places big emphasis on SanShou/application
d) he’s a VERY demanding but fair teacher
I obviously have very limited experience but I would certainly recommend giving the STUK your time and see if its what you want.
Sounds promising..
Sounds good!
I think some times it comes down to the combination of the master and also the suitability of the style on a personal level..
I’m excited!
Just the last thing is.. what forms do they teach?
Anyone know?
Some of my previosu post or all of them ?
Cool !! Reply Soon