Fa-Jing Ch'uan ® Explosive Energy Chinese Boxing

Naz & Adrian (Assistant Instructors)

F A Q 's - By Dave - Coach at Warrior Arts 

What sorts of people do you train ?

Normally people who have trained in other arts to some extent and haven't found what they were looking for in terms of combat integrity and practicality. I take on keen / dedicated beginners as well.

Here are some words that spring to mind: Open minded, intelligent, fit, tenacious, respectful, friendly, good natured, balanced !

The students at Warrior Arts are diverse but similar in that they are all driven individuals.

They will not be beaten by the training ! The training is demanding mentally and physically.

The Student body at the club are the brightest bunch of people I've met. Its a very stimulating environment for me as an Instructor.

Throughout the site there are reference to the intensity of the training... how intense is it ?

Some of my students have been involved in full contact Kick Boxing and Muay Thai (Thai Boxing). And I myself have black belts in freestyle kick boxing and another Korean Full contact style. So I'd say that for the seniors the intensity of our club would be similar to black belt training in a kick boxing / full contact environment or pre-competition training in some Muay Thai clubs.

What's the best style ?

Don't ask me - I'm biased .

The very senior practitioners of most martial arts have found ways to make their arts work and be effective for them. And lets face it some of the best fighters have never stepped into a martial arts school at all. Street fighters hone a few nasty powerful techniques and off they go. I remember I kind of did the same thing when I was between arts many years ago. I just got a heavy bag and Pounded the living hell out of it until I had a few really powerful shots that I knew would work. In those days I would test myself by punching through a pine board and kicking through 4 pine boards with my side kick...so I knew it would stop an attacker...if I landed these shots.

The thing is... You need to be able to land those shots to do the damage. And it was this point that got me into Master Erle's stuff. Fa-Jing Ch'uan teaches you to instinctively get into that zone, to deflect, to move in, to read the attackers body language, to be able to hit him before he hits you and to then carry on hitting him. For your enemy, being hit in this way is a bit like being in a really bad car accident, he is really not ready for the onslaught he gets hit with.

Turbo charging all that with extreme stamina / power work, internal energy development, explosive energy movement and sophisticated pressure point fighting and you have an awesome weapon. The ancient Chinese Masters of our art were feared and revered across China, and the system has been battle tested, in many to the death encounters and challenges.

The other thing I liked about Fa Jing Ch'uan was that its unlikely he's going to get a chance to recover and hit you again. This stuff is just too damaging and dangerous. It therefore lends itself very well to dealing with weapons attacks and multiple assailant attacks... which sadly is the reality of London streets today.

  Dave (Instructor)

So to answer your question. I'd say they're lots of arts out there that are good and effective, and don't underestimate street fighters with no formal training. The masters of most arts can use their arts in an effective way. You need to decide what's right for you. If you're into sport sparring and trophies go for one of those styles, if you're into street self defence - go learn that.  If you want realism and you want to be able to deal with a fired up lunatic who wants to rip your head off then find a club / style that focuses on that. Don't buy apples and expect to get pears.

The other thing I really like is that I can help people in their day to day lives. We meditate in different ways, using ancient Chinese Qi methods and Indian Yogic breathing. To me this is ultimate self defence. If you feel calmer and give off a better 'aura' you're less likely to attract trouble. But if you are in trouble then you have more clarity, focus and are able to react more appropriately. i.e. you're less likely to walk around like a powder keg ready to explode but you'll also have the ability to see things for what they are and if you need to react you can. Not being paralysed by fear or uncertainty is definitely a self defence pre-requisite.

I train people for the worst scenarios.. i.e. someone trying to kill you, with his bare hands, a stick, a knife or other street weapon...and multiple attackers too.  If its not that serious then students can use a number of non-lethal / knock out techniques. But its best to be prepared. So I would recommend that you find a style were you 'PREPARE FOR THE WORST & HOPE FOR THE BEST'.

I haven't heard of Fa Jing Ch'uan or Dim Mak before...

Please do some research !

Its not a sport system so you wont have seen any competitions won using it. In ancient China the masters of the system battle tested the system and had excellent reputations as undefeated fighters.

Virtually every technique taught at Warrior Arts has been banned in Cage Fighting, Full contact, UFC and Bare Knuckle fighting. I would be mortified if any sport or competitive system ever allowed the techniques we teach - as people would be killed in the ring.

How would you describe the clubs culture and ethos ?

Hard training, fun, progress.

The way you train is the way you react. Why do a significant number of people who've been doing martial arts for years get a 'nasty surprise' in their first real encounter ? because they haven't trained for the reality of a violent no holds barred street fight. i.e. No rules.

Sparring for sport is fine and I wish you well if that's what you enjoy.

BUT training for the street is very different.

You can only train your subconscious reflex actions ONE way.

When the wheels off - you need to do the business. You aren't getting any second chances out there. Especially in these deranged times when people carry weapons as if its normal and you hear about extreme violence in even quiet suburban areas.

How fit do I have to be to join?

You need to be able to hit the ground running with regards to your fitness levels. You should have at least an intermediate level of fitness and strength. 

It's intense - but very rewarding and you'll get real fit real fast.

As a result of this Spartan training - we turn out students that are very hardy and tough. 

Is this club suitable for complete beginners ?

Yes, if you're already fit and are up for the challenge. You are welcome to try out. Please send an application by email.

I've not considered the spiritual or meditation side before...

In ancient times the martial arts (regardless of style) of India, China, Japan, Korea, The Philippines, Indonesia etc were all very much linked with spiritual practices. The two were inextricably linked. 

I don't believe you can successfully work the body without working on the mind. Our club is unusual in that we work to an extreme intensity on the physical side and just as hard on the mind / Qi side (Qi - Life force energy). This club will suit people who are open minded and receptive to these ideas. 

These meditation exercises are of ancient Buddhist / Taoist / Indian in origin.

Do you do competition sparring...?

No. BUT we do full contact realist attack / defence training drills (when you've covered the basics and are ready for it) to replicate the reality of a real street attack. We use all manner of weapons, empty hand attacks and all ranges too... stand up, clinch, grab and on the ground and multiple opponents.

Do you do weapons training...?

Yes. Knife and Stick. Full  combat applications.

How is your Club different ?

The *Dim-Mak arts we practice have a long standing reputation in China as the deadliest.

The FA-JING or Explosive Energy speed of the handwork is hard to comprehend. Several deadly techniques delivered within 1 to 2 seconds. This is unique and hard to defend against. 

The training at Warrior Arts is of an excellent standard. This is proven by the unusually high retention rate and numbers of senior practitioners who join from other martial arts. We do however ask for loyalty as this art does not suit cross training.

We have gained a reputation for turning out top quality students

The art has a lineage traceable to 1270AD. 

The Master of our system is in direct succession to these Masters and was trained by descendent of the family in question.

We are not a commercialised club. Most students are long standing. There are more seniors than juniors. A testimony to our training. Juniors are welcomed and treated with great respect.

The club's unique culture and ethos  - you have to take part to know about this one !

The Instructor's excellent sense of humour 

Is the training safe ?

Yes. Full contact at times but students are protected by special equipment. These drills do however feel very real - and the pressure is on. The odd knock, bump and bruise is inevitable and will toughen you up.

Is this club suitable for cross training, I want to keep training in other martial arts too.

This club is geared up for dedicated, loyal students who want to specialise in dim-mak. The way of moving is very different to other arts and cross training does not work well.