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Our Martial Code
Seek Perfection of Character
Live The Way of Truth
Endeavour
Be Faithful
Respect Others
Refrain from Violent Behavior
Be Humble
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Golden Harmony Class Information
On this page, you'll find information about the Martial Arts and Healing Arts classes taught at Golden Harmony. Click on an item in the list below to go to the desired section.
Northern Shaolin Kung Fu
Tai Mantis Kung Fu
Nine Palms Moving Meditation
Chin-Na Chinese Grappling
Traditional Weapons Kung Fu
Qi Gong
Tai Chi
*NEW* Pilates
Northern Shaolin Kung Fu
Dating back to around 475 AD (C'hi Dynasty) from the Shaolin Monastery in the Honan Province of China, Northern Shaolin Kung Fu is the oldest known system of Kung Fu and is renowned for its rigorous training and calisthenics. Students are taught basic breathing, stretching, conditioning, stances, basic stepping, punching, kicking and sparring in addition to many traditional Northern Shaolin forms and signature Shaolin applications. Outside of the martial benefits, students will see drastic improvement in health, balance, stress reduction, confidence, control and adaptability in daily life. Northern Shaolin Kung Fu is taught to students aging 6 years and up, with no requirements for previous martial arts experience or athletic capability.
Golden Harmony is officially associated with the Tai Mantis Kung Fu association, uniquely certified to teach the Northern Shaolin and Tai Chi Praying Mantis Kung Fu systems in Toronto. Northern Shaolin is taught at Golden Harmony by Sifu Rupert Harvey
Tai Chi Praying Mantis Kung Fu
Praying Mantis Kung Fu is the last complete Kung Fu system developed early in the 17th century in a Northern Shaolin monastery, and by many claimed to be the most combat-effective. Students will learn the most effective basic techniques of all Kung Fu systems plus all signature Praying Mantis techniques for grappling, hooking and sticking to the opponent. Outside of the martial benefits, students will see drastic improvement in health, balance, stress reduction, confidence, control and adaptability in daily life. Tai Mantis Kung Fu is taught to students aging 6 years and up, with no requirements for previous martial arts experience or athletic capability.
Tai Chi Praying Mantis (Tai Mantis) incorporates the principal of circular movements also found in Tai Chi Chuan, by using the opponent's own force against himself. This formidable style stresses quick steps and footwork while executing short and long-range punches, grapples, hooks and trapping techniques. These techniques rely on a flexible body, balance, breath control, and speed. Seizing, locking and throwing techniques, ground fighting and "drunken" movements are also commonly seen in this style. Many kicks are featured, both low and high, as well as knee strikes and leg blocks.
Golden Harmony is officially associated with the Tai Mantis Kung Fu association, uniquely certified to teach the Northern Shaolin and Tai Chi Praying Mantis Kung Fu systems in Toronto.
Nine Palms Moving Meditation
Sigong Rob Moses has developed Nine Palms Praying Mantis Moving Meditation (Tai Shan Mantis) with the purpose of perpetuating the art of Kung Fu, and to offer alternative non-violent imagery through moving meditation. This system is a spirit enhancer for the new millennium for people of all sorts and ages, enjoying increasing popularity in the US and Canada.
Nine Palms Moving Meditation is a unique Golden Harmony offering that is not available anywhere else in Canada. Sifu Rupert Harvey is the only person in Canada that has been certified by Sigong Moses to teach Nine Palms. Nine Palms is achieving growing popularity in the international martial arts community through its accessibility and non-violent character, and has received broad recognition through publication in leading martial arts magazines (such as Black Belt Magazine).
The Nine Palms in Tai Shan Mantis Kung Fu Are as follows:
Line Mantis
Casting Mantis
Vortex Mantis
Gyro Mantis
Upstream Mantis
Hurricane Mantis
Shadow Mantis
Empty Mantis
Implosion Mantis
See this article in Black Belt Magazine for Details
Chin-Na Chinese Grappling
Chin-Na (“Seize and Control”) is the Chinese art of grappling, and is a sub-system of which elements are found in various Kung Fu systems (see below). Chin Na can be studied complementary to every other martial arts system. Students will be enabled to learn the five succeeding levels of Chin-Na, from joint manipulation, muscle separation, striking the blood and striking breath, to more advanced techniques of energy manipulation including pressure point striking and cavity press. A student of Chin-Na will quickly learn very effective techniques against all sorts of attacks even against opponents with much greater strength, which is also very applicable for women’s self defense.
The advanced Chin-Na skills are taught only to advanced level students who have demonstrated a complete understanding of the techniques in the first three levels. Consequently, the students who move on to the advanced levels would also, over the years, have demonstrated a stable and peaceful mind which is required in the responsibility of learning high-level Chin-Na. These skills are only used when absolutely necessary to prevent harm to self or loved ones.
Click this to see a history of General Yeuh Fei, the originator of the Eagle Claw system, where most Chin-Na techniques are derived from.
Traditional Weapons Kung Fu
The traditional weapons taught at Golden Harmony are:
- Staff (see picture)
- Short sticks / Kali
- Rope (Advanced)
- Sword (Advanced)
- 3-Sectional Staff (Advanced)
- Rope-Dart (Advanced)
- 9-Sectional Whip Chain (Advanced)
Training with the staff involves a lot of conditioning and many many drills before any fighting techniques or forms are taught to the student. At Golden Harmony a student will learn to become part of the weapon in combat and feel attacks with the tip of the staff. It usually takes about two years of training to become reasonably comfortable with all aspects of the staff at which point two-man fighting skills are introduced. Golden Harmony has four different Staff forms and several two-man staff fighting sets.
Kali/Escrima techniques are taught in the Golden Harmony Healing and Martial Arts Centre from beginner-level. The Kali sticks are made from Bamboo or Filippine hardwood about two feet long, and commonly a student uses either a single stick, two sticks or a stick and knife combination (advanced). A student will learn the 14 striking techniques, many striking skills, blocking and Chin-Na locking with the sticks. Stick sparring is introduced at advanced level, naturally using protective gear is an absolute requirement.
Sifu Harvey’s favorite weapon is the Rope, due to its absolute flexibility. It is considered the softest weapon, and is also the most dangerous. The Rope can be of varying lenghts, Golden Harmony students start with a rope about 1.5 times the body length (8-9 feet). Student will learn a very complex rope form which demonstrates use of the rope in all ranges and all capabilities such as: striking, blocking, locking, grabbing, pulling, deflecting, punching, ripping.
After a student has become comfortable with Staff, Kali sticks and Rope, other weapons may be studied, depending on interest of the student. At Golden Harmony, some students prefer to progress their skills in empty-handed before picking up a weapon, whereas other students might like to specialize on a certain (set of) weapon(s).
Qi Gong
Qigong [pronounced chee-kung] is a 5000-year old Chinese self-healing system with exercises to gain good health, to cause the acupuncture meridians to be relaxed and open to allow for a normal flow of energy through them and connected organs. In doing qigong, a student improves the immune system, and enhances vitality, youth, focus and calmness. This program offers both basic standing qigong and moving qigong based on the teachings of the Yee Ch’uan Tao and Wuji Qigong systems. Qigong is essential for martial arts based on the usage of internal power, and is very well established as a health system on its own across the world.
Tai Chi
TAI JI QUAN or TAI CHI CHUAN is an art of longevity, practised to develop harmony between body and spirit, full and empty, heaven and earth (Yin-Yang Theory). Tai Chi works on our internal energy (Chi) and simultaneously develops the harmony of gestures and corporal agility, it lightens the step and it gives us a vitality that irradiates from our body and spirit.
Tai Chi is practised to boost self-confidence and self-esteem, to regulate the blood circulation, to strengthen muscles, joints and to develop reflexes. Tai Chi can be practised by all at any age and any level of fitness and it has no negative side effects. Tai Chi is a healing art, a martial art and a spiritual art.
A Tai Chi form is a series of slow circular movements, joined together in a flowing flexible manner. The form is the base of Tai Chi Chuan in which the teachings that we acquire are summarized. The practise of Tai Chi Chuan leads progressively to the rooting and control of our energy as well as agility, harmony and peace.
At Golden Harmony, several Tai Chi forms are taught (please read Tai-Chi FAQ for details), the long form can usually be completed by a dedicated student in a period of between 18 and 24 months.
Pilates
Pilates dramatically transforms the way your body looks, feels and performs. It builds strength without excess bulk, creating a sleek, toned body with slender thighs and a flat abdomen. It teaches body awareness, good posture and easy, graceful movement. Pilates improves flexibility, agility and economy of motion. It can even help alleviate back pain.
Professional dancers have used Pilates for decades. Top athletes use it for strength, flexibility and injury prevention. Hollywood celebrities and supermodels use it to maintain beautiful physiques.
A miracle? Not really. Pilates is a safe, sensible exercise system that will help you look and feel your very best. No matter what your age or condition, it will work for you.
- Builds strength without “bulking up”
- Increases flexibility and agility
- Develops optimal core control
- Creates flat abdominals, slender thighs and a strong back
- A refreshing mind-body workout
- Challenging yet safe
Develops a strong core.
Building on the principles of Joseph Pilates, Pilates develops a strong “core,” or center of the body. The core consists of the deep abdominal muscles along with the muscles closest to the spine. Pilates exercises develop core control, integrating the trunk, pelvis and shoulder girdle.
Builds long muscles and flexible joints.
Conventional workouts tend to build short, bulky muscles - the type most prone to injury. Pilates elongates and strengthens, developing muscle elasticity and joint mobility. A body with balanced strength and flexibility is less likely to be injured.
Creates an evenly conditioned body.
In conventional workouts, weak muscles tend to get weaker and strong muscles tend to get stronger. The result is muscular imbalance - a primary cause of injury and chronic back pain. Pilates conditions the whole body - even the ankles and feet. No muscle group is overtrained or undertrained. Your entire musculature is evenly balanced and conditioned, helping you enjoy daily activities and sports with greater ease and less chance of injury.
Trains efficient patterns of motion.
Pilates exercises train several muscle groups at once in smooth, continuous movements. By developing proper technique, you can actually re-train your body to move in safer, more efficient patterns of motion - invaluable for injury recovery, sports performance, good posture and optimal health.
Improves the mind-body connection.
Pilates gets your mind in tune with your body. By emphasizing proper breathing, correct spinal and pelvic alignment, and complete concentration on smooth, flowing movement, you become acutely aware of how your body feels, where it is in space, and how to control its movement. The quality of movement is valued over quantity of repetitions. Proper breathing is essential. Correct breathing helps you execute movements with maximum power and efficiency. Last but not least, learning to breathe properly can reduce stress.
One of the safest workouts you can use.
No other exercise system is so gentle to your body while giving it a challenging workout. Many of the exercises are performed in reclining or sitting positions, and most are low impact and partially weight bearing. Pilates is so safe, it is used in physical therapy facilities to rehabilitate injuries.
Pilates is taught at Golden Harmony by Emma Puddicombe |
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Classes 