KUNG-FU
Sifu Keith’s foundation and love for Martial Arts started with Kung Fu, at the age of four under his Father Sibo Jon Fanning , who sadly passed away in 2013.
Kung Fu:
A History
Blue Dragon Ming Ch’uan was first mentioned in the 12th century as ‘Ming Ch’uan Pai’ a prohibited style of attacking combat. However, because of it’s infamous reputation for strength and power, it was eventually incorporated into the Imperial Bodyguard system less than a century later. The last great master being General Zhang, the emperor’s security chief, who in the 1920’s led the remnants of the bodyguard into Burma after they were disbanded.
The style passed on from Grand Master Lew to the then Master Jon Fanning who in return passed it to his son Sifu Keith Fanning. Master Jon had been training in the style from the age of 8 right up until his untimely death at the age of 61 in October 2013. The style is known for its devastating technique, block breaking and Iron Body training.
It’s self-defense is second to none and is hallmarked by its direct and intense method of effective defense. All technique must be backed up by a rigorous breaking regime not found in any other system today. Every grade in this style has extensive brick and block breaking, in order to effect the cessation of all hostilities in an adversary.
This style has no sporting uses, its hand to hand and weapons are solely designed for combat however the system as a whole has gone back to the realm of Chinese Combat games and now competes in Sanda, San Shou and Chinese Wrestling. If you’re looking for a dynamic self-defense in order to ensure your safety, then look no further.
This system engages in full contact sparring, conditioning for the purpose of absorbing impact and the toughening of the body’s natural weapons, “IRON FIST” training etc, for brick and block breaking.
Stress is placed on kicking and flexibility due to the emphasis on total mastery of all combat situations. Flow and adaptability as opposed to rigidity of militaristic styles.
Sanda ,San Shou ,Kickboxing, bando and thai-boxing are facets which are encompassed in the Blue Dragon structure. The use of “toda korusu”, 108 weapon systems and military close-quarter combat as practiced by the World’s elite forces.
Centuries of experience in Warfare dictates the need for expertise in all modes of combat, Blue Dragon strives to achieve this end. Unlike most of today’s martial arts, this systems orientation is towards practical effective combat as opposed to the competitive inclination of others. Thus this system retains its pristine form and its effectiveness is not diluted by rules and regulations of the competitive structure.
A subtle aspect inherent within Blue Dragon is the development of “nui-gung” and “Qi-Gong”(inner power and breath power), prominent in Eastern cultures and religions but UN-nurtured in the west.
The essence of Chinese Martial Arts is the combination of Armed (weapons) and unarmed systems as a whole and not separate entities, thereby ensuring total combat effectiveness.
Blue Dragon has a repertoire of 18 basic kicks, grappling ground-work, take-downs, pressure points striking-grabbing (dim-mak), throwing, all of which are employed in attack.