New Kung Fu class in Forres helps build physical and mental strength
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A KUNG Fu teacher with his own martial arts school has started running classes in Forres.
Owner of Yee's Hung Ga Inverness, and local loon, Simon Hepple (43), hopes more folk follow his lead to personal fulfilment by attending ... especially those who lack confidence and direction in their lives.
He explained: "Hung Ga has improved my life inmeasurably. Before I started, I had no real direction. I felt anxious around new people, I was introverted, quiet and withdrawn. I had confidence issues and no real sense of who I was or what I was doing.
"Hung Ga gave me the opportunity to express myself and the confidence to work on my strengths. It helped to clear my mind of clutter and develop a sense of worth."
The current second vice president of Yee's Hung Ga Europe and 5th Dan Sifu started training while at university in Aberdeen in 2000.
He said: "I got lucky when I found a Hung Ga school in the city. It had everything I wanted and lots that I wasn't even aware of at the time!"
Hung Ga is a Cantonese martial art belonging to the southern Shaolin styles. The hallmarks are deep, low stances and strong hand techniques.
"Hung Ga is a complete system," said Simon. "We grounded techniques for fighting, either for self-defence or combat sports. There are subtle exercises for meditation as well as for conditioning and protecting the body.
"We develop the person as a whole through mind, body and spirit. Many martial arts are purely focused on one individual area, such as combat sports. Hung Ga develops and encourages all areas."
In 2005, Simon passed at Jo Gow level, the equivalent of a black belt, covering all of the basics to a satisfactory standard.
In his spare time he painted landscapes and held a series of exhibitions in Aberdeen.
In 2012 after being made redundant, he used the profits from sales of his work to fund the opening of a traditional Hung Ga academy in Inverness.
He said: "It is one thing to learn a martial art but to be able to pass this on to future generations to learn and improve their own lives, is an honour and a privilege.
"Every student has their own reasons for wanting to learn. Being able to encourage them to be strong, confident and balanced, mentally and physically is a huge source of inspiration for me."
Simon is now teaching classes at Forres Swimming Pool gymnasium on Friday evenings from 7-8pm for children aged 6-12yrs then from 8-9pm for up to adult ages.
A typical class begins with a Qigong warm up to loosen and relax muscles and tendons to avoid injury. This also helps to focus attendee's minds before the main part of the sessions.
Practice then involves stance training, techniques, applications, drills, sparring sessions, body conditioning and form (set patterns of structured movements).
Simon added: "We also teach traditional weapons to advanced students, traditional lion and dragon dance, philosophy, theory, meditation, medicine and physiology, anatomy, Chinese culture and the disappearing art of patience, etiquette and manners!"
For more information call Simon on 07545 460743 or visit https://www.yhginverness.com/
