At 54, Neil has been training in martial arts for 43 years. His passion and commitment to training lead to the foundation of the UK Kung Fu School. Neil started training in Judo when he was eleven and began teaching when he was eighteen. Running parallel to this, Neil also studied Chang Chuan Shu (long fist art), a kung fu style with Chris. Ellerker (then chairman for the BCCMA). Neil has also trained in Thai boxing, kickboxing, Tai Chi, Hsing-I, Ba Gua, Jeet Kune Do and Aikido. He started training In the Kung Fu Style of Teh Ji Han Jeung Dao when he was twenty-one with Chris. Linstead (Instructor and founder of the style) and began formally teaching the style to children in 1993. Neil has over 43 years experience training in the martial arts and 36 years experience teaching. In 1997, Neil attained the grade of senior student from founder of Teh Ji Han Jeung Dao, Chris. Linstead. Following this, he founded the UK Kung Fu School and continued to develop both the school and his own skills in martial arts.
Classes grew from there and he is now teaching adult mixed classes, two children's classes as well as various seminars and training courses.
He has gained extensive knowledge by travelling through out the world practicing and researching martial arts and self defence concepts and applications. His travels have taken him to China, Taiwan, India, Hong Kong, Thailand, Europe and America. Neil has both worked and trained in India and America. In 2004, Neil took 11 of his students to China to experience training at the Shaolin Temples. Since then, he has taken numerous students to the Temples with groups going every couple of years.
In parallel to this, Neil also studies and teaches internal martial arts specifically directed to health, vitality and fitness. This also includes the study of Chinese medicine, acupunture and Shiatsu massage, a form of oriental healing and well being. He has been involved in the study and practice of shiatsu since 1995 and was a registered member of the Shiatsu Society, the governing body for Shiatsu in the UK. Neil is also qualified to use acupunture techniques which he employs during the Shiatsu practice.
He believes there is a natural progression with martial arts which leads to a greater understanding of the human body. He therefore combines the understanding of Shiatsu, acupunture and Kung fu which blends to a sensitive mixture of effective martial and healing techniques.
Neil has worked closely with Chris Crudelli, one of the leading martial arts authorities in the world today.
Neil also trains and studies Escrima, the national Martial Art of the Philippines specialising in stick and knife defence.
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Steve's passion for martial arts began as a young boy watching Chinese kung fu films and being mesmerised by the great Bruce Lee.
Steve began his training in Chang Ch'uan Shu (long fist Art) as a teenager and continued his studies under the tutelage of Des Harman. During his time with Des, Steve assisted with many demonstrations, self defence courses and seminars.
Steve's journey into the martial arts furthered when he met Neil and began his studies with the UK Kung Fu School. Already having a rich understanding of martial arts, steve embraced the schools philosophy and was training in six sessions a week.
Steve states "I see teaching as a natural progression and it compliments my own training very well."
In 2005, independently of the school, Steve travelled to China and trained at the famed Shaolin Temple. This was a twenty year ambition, fulfilled with great passion and further acknowledging Steve's enjoyment of the arts.
From a very young age Ben had fun spinning toy light Sabers. Often copying cartoon fights from the likes of Ninjago. His parents believed this early copying helped him when they enrolled him in the UK Kung Fu Juniors.
He had just turned 6 when he had his first class and has never looked back, barely missing a class since. His dedication over the years has led him to pass multiple gradings up to senior belt. He has admitted keeping some of the advanced syllabus items from his mother so as to not worry her until after the event. Still being confident that he was going to complete it.
He has attended a couple advanced training weekends, the first being “The Spirit of the Tiger” and the second on “The Art of Kali Stick fighting and defence”. He is a quick study, and his parents say he still spends time on his own practicing and refining techniques and the forms. Some techniques involved staffs, to the point they had to buy him his own, so their broom handles stopped disappearing.
To further his own development, he gladly accepted the opportunity to assist in teaching the juniors. This allowed him to perfect his own technique by demonstrating it to others at the highest level. Ben is now 16 and developing into a seasoned martial artist.
2020 was a strange year for all and classes being moved online. He has said the mental strength and focus he has learnt over the years practicing Kung-Fu has been invaluable in remaining calm and grounded during the chaos.
In 2021, Ben attended a four day Tai Chi summer camp with Neil's instructor, Chris Crudelli.
Ben was the first Junior Neil appointed to Black belt standard. Neil notes that Ben is an exceptional martial artist and coach able to express his teachings alongside Neil to the highest standards.