KUEN Wushu Official Blog

Goodbye 2010. Hello 2011.

2011-01-03T14:09:00.000+08:00

Hey,

Its the 3rd day of the new year, here's a look back at 2010.

- Feb 2010
"The Champion" Wushu performance at Victoria Theatre. A sold-out show, featuring Wushu stars such as Liu Qinghua and Wu Di from Beijing Wushu Team and some of our top-tiered China Wushu Trainers from Kuen Wushu.

- Mar 2010
We said goodbye to our home for 2 years at Upper Boon Keng (Shines) and relocated to Dunearn Road (CNIS). The turn out for the subsequent open house at the new school location was exceptionally good and most everyone agrees that the new hall is excellent for Wushu training.

- May - Aug 2010
Started the first video uploads of training clips and new authors on the Blog by Kuen Wushu Trainers. Parents can get to know a little more about Zhipeng laoshi and Wang Zhen laoshi.
Mid-year Wushu Assessment for Kuen Wushu students.

- Sep 2010
Mid-Autumn Festival at CNIS. Did an in-house performance to celebrate Mid-Autumn Festival. Turn out as usual was more than expected. Good experience for some first-timers on stage.

- Oct - Dec 2010
More video uploads by the trainers. Conducted a very fun Chinese Cultural Programme with Eduplus for the students Holy Innocents High. Ridiculous fun with costumes and exciting live martial arts fighting by the Kuen trainers.
Participated in the trade show at Expo.
More collaboration with Eduplus for holiday programmes.
Year-end Wushu Assessment for Kuen Wushu students.
Beijing Shichahai Training trip under Chief Trainer Di.

That about covers it, aside from some other events I can't really recall right now.

Wishing everyone a great new year in 2011!

- Chin W.P.
Founder & GM, Kuen Wushu

Kuen-Eduplus Wushu Cultural Programme for Holy Innocents High

2010-11-10T16:14:00.003+08:00

Kuen Wushu hosted a Chinese Culture Enrichment Programme together with Eduplus Language Centre. More than 240 Secondary 3 students from Holy Innocent's High took part in a live sketch of the classic Chinese period story "Jing Ke's assassination of Emperor Qin". The students were taught to perform a fan dance routine and a group Wushu routine to showcase to the "Emperor", played to hilarious effect by one of their own classmates. The climatic ending features a live choreographed fight to the finish between the heroic Jingke (played by Kuen Wushu's Zhipeng Laoshi) and the Emperor's bodyguard played by Kuen Wushu's Wang Liang Laoshi.

洋娃娃对武术的热爱

2010-10-29T07:40:00.004+08:00

洋娃娃对武术的热爱可能受到一些武打明星展现在荧幕上的精彩对打所感染很崇拜“功夫”

我们在汗合国际学校举办的一次活动中表演武术的时候吸引了台下很多洋娃娃的目光从他们的惊呼中能看出来他们对武术的向往和热爱！演出结束后就有很多洋娃娃来报名参加武术课程就这样我们国际学校的武术课就开始了。

开始上课他们的兴趣很高，下课了他们还会向老师请教自己练的对不对，很有上进心，只有这样积极的学习态度练习武术的时候才会进步！

不过由于他们对武术的好奇，也很多话问的都是李小龙，成龙，李连杰这些明星他们感觉这些人是中国功夫的代表！希望能像他们一样厉害，呵呵我告诉他们你们是通过电影这个大舞台认识的他们，你们好好练习武术也会有展现自己的舞台让别人认识你们。

武术源自中国，属于世界！希望国际友人可以通过练习武术圆你的功夫梦。找到属于你的舞台！

—王镇老师

Kuen Wushu Training Video 5

2010-10-20T23:30:00.000+08:00

Some basic strength and conditioning exercises for Wushu.

Kuen Wushu Training Video 4

2010-10-20T23:28:00.001+08:00

This video shows you some basic stretching exercises that you or your child can do at home to improve flexibility.

Kuen Wushu Training Video 3

2010-10-20T23:26:00.001+08:00

I will be uploading a series of short Wushu training clips to help you or your child improve on their Wushu fundamentals.

Here's a clip on some staff (Gun) basic moves.

演出与训练

2010-10-05T21:32:00.005+08:00

军人在校场日复一日，年复一年的训练是为了在战场上战胜敌人。

那武术运动员的反复练习又是为了什么？有的可能是为了强身健体，有的可能是要在赛场上成为冠军。还有是希望在舞台上展示自己。

然而任何一种理想都要是台下无数次的训练才能达到的，你要成为冠军但是冠军只有一个，比赛一次你可能没有成为冠军，但是你要在后面慢慢的去追赶冠军，最终成为冠军。

说到演出也一样，在舞台不可能大家都是主角，主角也是有一定天赋和在训练中更刻苦，从群众一步一步的磨炼出来的，不可能第一次上台就是主角，从小到大。。。从最初到最终。。。都是有过程的。

所以只要有上台展示自己的机会，希望大家把握住，不要嫌弃他是什么角色，因为这是对你内心的一种磨炼和舞台的经验，有了这些磨炼和经验才能让你成为主角的时候你能把握住。

这也是你成为主角的台阶，只有通过一个个的台阶你才能登上顶峰。。。。

—王镇老师

Fuhua Secondary Certificate Presentation 2010

2010-09-17T10:54:00.001+08:00

Another batch of students have completed their Modular Certificate Programmes. This is the 3rd batch of Fuhua graduates and once again the teacher in charge Mr Chong has gotten the Principal of Fuhua Secondary to be the guest of honour to present the Certificates of Achievements for this batch of 2010 Wushu students.

Great job and well done guys! See you next year!

Mid-autumn Celebration photo update

2010-09-12T20:40:00.002+08:00

Thank you for making yesterday's Mid-autumn Festival Celebrations a success!
Here is a quick update for those who missed the amazing show.

I'll come back to post more once I have the full set of photos from that day.

- Chin

Kuen Wushu Mid-autumn Performance 2010

2010-09-03T17:30:00.006+08:00

To all,

We cordially invite you to attend Kuen Wushu Academy’s Mid-autumn Celebrations 2010, on 11th September, Saturday.

There are Wushu performances and traditional Mid-autumn activities such as Moon Cake sharing, Lantern Riddles and Latern Walks planned for you and your children. We welcome all to come and join in the celebrations. Bring along your friends and relatives too.

Event Date: 11th September 2010

Event Time: 5.00pm – 7.30pm

Address: 60, Dunearn Road, Chinese International School Multi-purpose Hall

Contact person: Ms Lee Bi Yu (Parents liaison, Kuen Wushu) Hp: 9820 5410

If you are interested to join in the celebrations, give our parents' liaison a call and give us a headcount.

Thank you and we look forward to seeing you and your family there.

Happy Mid-autumn Festival!

怎样可以更好的练好武术？

2010-09-02T17:59:00.006+08:00

通过练武术，可以得到剽悍的身体、智慧的脑袋、高贵的人格。

怎么样练习武术？都知道的是多练，当然也要有很好的休息，就是循序渐进，持之以恒。

还有都知道的不偷懒认真练习，偷懒的话练习武术没什么用，可能还会导致动作变形，所以建议还不如直接休息，就是不偷懒能吃苦耐劳。

还有一种很关键的训练方式可能很多人不知道，我们训练的时候看到老师教给我们的动作，包括了节奏，意识，技巧等等。

如果课堂时间没有练好动作和没有掌握好技巧，这时候就要用这种方式练习，就是用脑子练习。。。官方语言叫意象训练。

你可以闭上眼睛想自己在练习套路或者技巧动作，想是无限广的，你可以想飞但是你知道自己跳多高所以不太可能呵呵！

想想自己在自己脑子里练习武术的场景，哪里快？哪里慢？哪里定？哪里高？哪里低？想一个动作从自己脑子里看自己的动作有没有做好，手在哪里？眼看哪里? 如果可以一直保持这种训练方法，你的水平会提升很快。供学生们借鉴！

--王镇老师

一分耕耘一分收获

2010-08-19T16:54:00.009+08:00

俗话说一分耕耘一分收获，只有付出才能得到想要的目的。

练习武术更是如此一个星期练习一次和练习5次和10次的技术水平肯定是不一样的，新学生开始学习武术的内容是基本功，一些基本手型，手法和步行，很重要基本功决定他们以后武术的发展方向。

记得刚开始上课班上有个叫邵勇智的学生，冲拳力度很差没有掌握好正确发力的要点，拳打出去软的像条蛇。。。

然后我用了一些方法让他知道拳打出去是要像猛虎一样，凶猛有力。后来学习了马步和弓步，都做的马马虎虎，下课的时候我教导勇智回到家要复习学过内容。

同样的教导，但是等到下次上课的时候看到勇智在练习的时候和上次完全不一样，冲拳和步行比开始规矩了很多，很明显的看到了进步，真是应允了开头的那句话，付出才有收获。

希望勇智的这种坚持和毅力可以感染到其他同学，练了是你自己的，别人抢不走。。。

--王镇老师

武术对少儿的帮助

2010-08-12T14:10:00.008+08:00

说到练习武术的好处可能大家最多想到的是，身体健康，防身自卫，而且武术有很好的观赏性。

其实武术不光是表面上大家理解的这些好处，他还可以锻炼人的身心，特别是从小接触武术会对儿童成长有着关键的重要性。

少儿练习武术对意志品质是多方面的。通过练习武术可以使儿童从小锻炼出独立自主的生活习惯，培养刻苦耐劳，永不自满的品质。遇到困难和挫折可以克服逃避消极的心态，锻炼勇敢无畏，坚韧不屈的意志品质。还可以培养儿童，勤奋,坚强，刻苦，果断，虚心好学等良好的生活习性和品德。

通过良好的武术训练和武德教育，可以改变少儿的“胆怯” “好动”等不良的心里因素。

改变日常生活中的一些弊端，对少儿以后的身体成长，学习和生活方面都有很好的帮助。

-- 王镇老师

宝贝四胞胎

2010-08-05T18:31:00.016+08:00

今天主题：星期五幼儿班4位“元老” - 齐乐恩悦。

他们是一家四胞胎，5岁，三女一男。还记得星期五的这个班就是因为他们四个而成立的。当时他们才4岁多一点还不能加入大班，所以便开了这特别的幼儿班。

还记得开始时会哭，而且有时候两三个一起哭。。。*头疼*。主要训练内容是体能和基本功。记得他们是在模糊的情况下去模仿好像不知道这是什么。。。跑几步可能就摔倒，步法跟站着没区别，手臂撑地很快就趴下，但是他们上课的时候会很用心去练，虽然体能，模仿，反应，各方面都不理想。。。

几个月过去了，现在的他们冲刺跑会比谁拿第一，手臂撑地可以撑很久我说OK他们才起来。下腰凡齐从开始用头撑地，现在可以不用头了。练习组合会比赛谁做的好，谁最快最有力，反应现在也都很快。甚至有时候不听话时，我凶也不会看见他们哭了。。。

经过一次武术体能考试，我看到了他们身体，心灵，各方面的成长，希望他们以练习武术来继续帮助他们健康，快乐成长每一天！

--王镇老师

自己成长经历

2010-08-05T15:22:00.005+08:00

我的名字：王镇。中国-河北人。由于从小对电视剧里武侠人物很崇拜，所以8岁就去学习了武术，一练就是10几年。

我学习武术那时是住校的，8岁第一次晚上睡觉没有爸，妈陪在身边感觉很害怕，刚去学习武术第一天我就哭了，自己那时候已经要自己洗衣服，生病自己去看医生，已经要学习独立生活了。

我小时候学武术的经历是很苦的，每天早上0530起床跑步训练，下午也要训练，春夏秋冬一样，真是冬练三九，夏练三伏，累不敢喊累，痛不敢说痛，因为教练会打人的。。。

经历了10几年的无数次的伤痛，汗水和泪水的专业训练，2003年我去北京建设大学体育学院去学习深造。

上大学又是学习的另一个世界，要学习怎么样做老师，怎么去研究武术的训练技巧，而不是像专业训练那是阶段只有训练还是训练。

在校期间跟随我的武术老师，邸广文老师带这我们有很多次的社会实践机会。

首先在中国中央电视台做直播演出多次。出国演出舞台剧。而且拍摄过多部武打片电视连续剧。大学期间积累了对武术表演，武打对练，以及武术教学方面丰富的经验。

毕业后又继续深造了对健身方面的知识，而且也拿到了AASFP亚洲运动及体适能专业证书，而且结合武术和健身器切有两年的教学经验。

2009年来新加坡教学武术，到目前已经快两年新加坡的教学经验。。。

训练日记

2010-07-29T13:50:00.004+08:00

上周训练课上学生热身完练习基本功时
发现学生的柔韧性需要更努力去的去练，
因为现在学生柔韧度练习的少很难达到合格的标准。

原因是压柔韧的时候会痛，
学生感觉到痛就不会在继续用力压。
如果痛一下就不压不坚持的话很难把柔韧压开，
如此循环一直都会止步不前，

还有一个原因是学生压柔韧的时间太少，
有的可能是只有一个礼拜上课的时候来压一下，
学生现在身体还没到定性的时候会一直在成长，
如果不每天坚持压柔韧也会达不到很好的效果，

上课的时候我常告诉学生让他们
每天在家里用10分钟来联系压柔韧，
这样不但柔韧会进步，
而且可以锻炼学生的耐心和意志力。

- 王镇

练了武术才知道（2）

2010-07-29T13:45:00.003+08:00

练了武术才知道，汗流多了，衣服上会有白花花的盐粒的 -
练了武术才知道，冬天的风是可以在身上划出口子的 -
练了武术才知道，肌肉拉伤是那么疼的 -

练了武术才知道，腾空下来会有人休克的 -
练了武术才知道，原来崴脚也能成为家常便饭的 -
练了武术才知道，肉皮掉的时候也可以是一层一层的 -

练了武术才知道，冬天的杠铃贴在脖子上是可以粘住的 -
练了武术才知道，操场上任何地方都能当床的 -
练了武术才知道，两个练武术的碰面两分钟就能成亲人的 -

练了武术才知道，一起练武术的人，是可以哥们一辈子的 -
练了武术才知道，不只有军人才有铁与血的风采 -
练了武术才知道，人是没有克服不了的困难的 -

多年的同甘共苦，多年的风雨兼程，我们从未放松，永不止步 -

“流血流汗不流泪，掉皮掉肉不掉队”这句形容军人的话，已经被每一个练武人当成了队规，深深的刻在了的骨子里.

“我们谁都不服，就服墙，因为墙只能倒不会弯；
我们什么都会，就不会谦虚，因为谦虚代表软弱；
但我们懂得低调，因为低调是最酷的炫耀！”

这是每个练武人的真实写照！-

练了武术才知道（1）

2010-07-29T13:18:00.006+08:00

练武人在别的人眼中是什么样的？

有说我们有些狂，我们有些傲，有些追求过分的完美；

我们凭什么，我们有什么资本？
那好现在我就告诉你们我们凭什么！

你们在乘凉时，我们在高温下一遍遍练习动作 -

你们在吹风时，我们在曝晒中一次次重复冲刺 -

你们捂着羽绒服避着寒风时，我们在大冷天跑的浑身大汗 -

你们拿着羽毛球拍锻炼身体时，我们耍着杠铃片自娱自乐， -

你们喝茶水饮料时，我们得喝那恶心的要命的氨基酸-

你们放学拎着大包小包去聚餐时，我们却得拎着臭鞋带这一身的疲惫去洗澡换衣服 -

你们围着操场跑个圈说什么健康减肥真累，可是我们得以每天至少20圈一万多米当生活 -

你们体育课结束走下操场时蹦蹦跳跳大呼玩的不爽，可我们下课时连迈腿的力气都没有，只能互相搀扶 -

你们拿葡萄糖当营养，我们恨不得把这些当饭吃 -

你们崴了脚有人疼，请假回家无人敢拦，可是我们崴脚要忍，要的学会怎样使疼痛降到最低因为我们还要继续甚至挨教练骂-
你们觉得我们可以中午背着书包就走很潇洒，其实你们不知道我们潇洒背后的艰苦 -

你们没事了想哪件衣服多漂亮，我们没事了得想怎样才能把旋风脚720度下叉衔接的更顺畅 -

你们3年高中把自己保养的皮白肉嫩，我们肩上的皮手上的茧却脱了一层有一层。 -

你们学习好被称之为聪明，可我们专业好了却被暗骂四肢发达 -

多少次风雨中起跑，多少次烈日下冲刺，挥汗如雨多少次摔了爬起，多少次伤了继续，多少次泪汗同流，依旧无惧。 -

New authors added to blog

2010-07-29T13:15:00.000+08:00

Hey all,

Just a quick announcement. Added 2 more authors to the company blog.
Namely Chen Zhipeng Laoshi and Wang Zhen Laoshi.

They will be sharing their thoughts on the previous week's lesson, advice for students and any other training related snippets of info.

They will be blogging in Chinese, so if you start to see weird characters on your screen, remember to turn auto-detect on for languages.

More Authors = More Posts = More Content! (hopefully...LOL)

Ciao!

- Mr. Chin

Kuen Wushu Training Video 2

2010-05-21T13:27:00.001+08:00

Here is the video of the 3 Duan Staff performed by Coach Wang of Kuen Wushu Academy, to help students prepare for the upcoming assessment in June.

Kuen Wushu Training Video for L1 assessment

2010-05-14T21:00:00.002+08:00

Here is the first of many (hopefully...heh) training videos for the upcoming L1 assessment in June.

Dear parents and students, enjoy and train hard!

武状元 The Champion DVD

2010-05-11T17:36:00.005+08:00

Kuen Wushu Relocation Open House

2010-03-09T02:47:00.002+08:00

A big thank you to all who came down to support our Relocation-Open House event last Sunday, 28 Feb 2010. Here are the photos taken on that day. See if you can spot yourself!

Relocation Notice

2010-02-20T09:59:00.003+08:00

Please help to disseminate the information to fellow classmates and parents.

With effect from 21 February 2010, Kuen Wushu Academy has officially relocated to 60 Dunearn Road, within CNIS - Chinese International School, Singapore. (Drivers turn in to CNIS carpark after SCGS-Singapore Chinese Girls School)

We will be organizing an Open House event open to all on 28th February (Sunday) from 3pm to 5pm. Existing Kuen Wushu students and parents are required to attend the Parents Meetup session during the Open House event.

Thank you for your patience and kind understanding during this transition period. You can help to make this Open House a successful event and a great start to the year of the Tiger by bringing more people along.

Highlights include the Wushu performance by Kuen Wushu Performance Troupe and a festive Lion Dance to usher in the new year!

Tell your friends and colleagues who might have children who are interested. Bring along young nephews and nieces. Make it a fun family outing.

Please R.S.V.P. to info@kuenwushu.com the number of guests you are bringing to help me make an accurate booking for refreshments.

See you at the Open House!

- Chin W.P.

Founder, GM

Kuen Wushu Academy

"The Champion" Post Event Update

2010-02-09T03:27:00.001+08:00

"The Champion" 武状元 was a resounding success! SOLD OUT SHOW!

Thank you everyone for your support and kind words of praise.

On behalf of the cast and crew, we thank you for your thunderous applause.

DVDs for the show will be available very soon. Please watch this space for updates.

- Show Director
Chin Woon Piaw

武状元 The Champion

2010-01-11T18:35:00.007+08:00

For the first time in Singapore, World-renowned Beijing Wushu Team will be bringing their Wushu Champions and World-class martial art skills to the Victoria Theatre on the 7th of February 2010, in 80 minutes of exhilarating Martial Arts performance that is “The Champion”.

“The Champion” is a fusion theatre piece of Chinese martial arts, dance and music. Set in ancient China and present-day Beijing, two martial art pugilist train relentlessly for their dreams to become a Martial Scholar（武状元）and a World Wushu Champion.

Showcasing the talented cast from Singapore’s Kuen Wushu Academy and China’s National Wushu Champions from the Beijing Wushu Team, “The Champion” is directed by Mr. Chin Woon Piaw, Founder of Kuen Wushu Academy, with Wushu choreography by World Wushu Champion, Master Di Guangwen, Chief Trainer at Kuen Wushu and former Beijing Wushu Team Captain.

Beijing Wushu Team is China’s top professional Wushu team, having produced numerous China National Champions and action movie stars such as Jet Li, Donnie Yen, Wu Jing. The Beijing Wushu Team has showcased its top-notched Wushu skills through its Beijing Wushu Team Tour around the world, coming for the first time to Singapore in February 2010.

Cast – Beijing Wushu Team

Liu Qing Hua – Multi-time All-China Games, World Wushu, Asian Games Champion

Li Xin Yu – 2008 China National Champion in Taiji-sword

Wu Di – 2009 World Wushu Champion in Spear-play

Wang Xi – 2008 China National Runner-up Longfist

Guo Jing – 2009 China Traditional Wushu Baguazhang Champion

Luo Hong – 2009 China Traditional Wushu Fanziquan Runner-up

Li Yan – 2008 China Youth National Longfist Champion

Cast – (Singapore) Kuen Wushu Academy

Liu Juan – 1996 China National Youth Championship Overall Champion

Zhou Jing Jing – 2001/2002 Two-time China National Intervarsity Overall Champion

Chen Zhi Peng – 1998 China National Youth Championship 3^rd place in Sword-play

Wang Liang – 2007 Singapore National Ditang Quan Champion

Chen Keng Qi – 2002 Singapore National Tanglang Quan (Mantis) Champion

He Chang Jiang – 1999 China National Intervarsity Champion in Sword-play

Wang Zhen – 2002 Hebei Handan City Wushu Competition 3^rd placing Overall

Tickets available through SISTIC website www.sistic.com.sg
SISTIC Hotline: (65) 6348 5555 and at all SISTIC Authorized Agents.

Kuen Wushu & Beijing Wushu Team 2010 Performance

2009-12-16T03:21:00.018+08:00

First time in Singapore!

World renowned Beijing Wushu Team & S'pore's No. 1 Kuen Wushu presents

武状元 THE CHAMPION

Get your tickets from SISTIC today.

Starring Wushu Champions from Beijing Wushu Team & Kuen Wushu Academy

Video Update "One Heart One Kuen"

2009-12-08T14:06:00.002+08:00

Hi all.

Finally found the time to upload another video from the Kuen Wushu Mid-year performance earlier this year at the NAFA Lee Foundation Theatre.

This item aptly titled "One Heart One Kuen" is choreographed by Chief Trainer Di Guangwen himself. Talents include students from Kuen Advanced class and Kuen Wushu's Performance Troupe. The video resolution has been intentionally brought down for faster uploading to youtube's servers. Inside you will see familiar faces of your favourite Kuen Wushu trainers and affiliated trainers.

Enjoy!

PS: Keep a look out on this blog for the latest news update on a whole *NEW* Kuen Wushu Production coming Feb 2010. Titled "CHAMPION" featuring the best from Kuen Wushu Academy and the World Renowned BEIJING WUSHU TEAM!

BEIJING WUSHU TEAM + KUEN WUSHU ACADEMY = ONE HELLAVA SHOW!!!

New server. YMCA camp in Dec.

2009-11-27T13:40:00.001+08:00

Server migration completed this morning. A big thank you goes out to Mr. Kaw, our behind-the-scenes webmaster.
The website loads *much* faster now, should have done it a long time ago. Now all thats left is a site design revamp... Time to put all those nice nice photos to good use.

Will do an announcement since I'm here.

No lessons from 10 - 13 Dec.

Training hall is used to host the annual SHINES YMCA camp. Lessons will be postponed to next week.

Website downtime alert

2009-11-26T12:29:00.004+08:00

Hey all.
Doing some maintenance work at the Kuen Wushu website so it'll be down for a while.
Changing web hosting, should only take a day or two.
Emails will be down too so if you wanna reach someone, call the office phone number
6296 8979.

APEC 2009 @ Esplanade

2009-11-15T12:41:00.005+08:00

APEC 2009 Singapore has drawn to a close and Kuen Wushu is proud to have played a part (albeit a small teensy bitsy one) in its success. (There... I've gotten the self-plug in...LOL) We were the only Wushu school to take part in the "Singapore Evening" show, specially put together by our nation's bests (Dick Lee helming as Director, lotsa stars and big names in the music and entertainment industry), for all the delegates and world economic leaders from ard the globe. Its not every day, or every year for that matter, that you get to play host and show off to half the world's richest and most powerful men and women.

The "Singapore Evening" song-and-dance item was a success as expected but it almost didn't as one of our trainers had a rather bad case of food-poisoning and messed up the 2nd segment during the final rehearsal on Friday night. In the end everybody pulled through and executed their parts with nary a glitch. Kudos to CJ, YP, WF, LJ & GZF!

Lotsa activities going on everywhere. With the entire Esplanade venue in lockdown and streets ard Marina Square blocked for the better part of the day, to say that security was good would be an understatement. As the Dean puts it delicately while he hands me the security badge for the day. "Even flies need badges to go through...".

Spent most of yesterday at The Esplanade waiting for the show to start in the evening. After setting off from Kuen Wushu ard 1.30pm, we made our way to Marina Square (A big thank-you to the parents for the ride!). Took us nearly an hour to make it thru the security scanners set up at the floating platform. They really did a thorough job making us queue up to go through those airport metal detector gates and putting our bags through the X-ray machines.

Went through a couple of rehearsals in which the Kuen Kids from our intermediate classes were involved before we proceeded to the rest area for rest and food. The kids had a ball of a time, chit-chatting non-stop for most of the day in-between practices for their items. I supposed it was a fun thing to do and a good experience to be part of some grand event. I certainly remember my own experiences of taking part in competitions, of Wushu camps and performances and certainly the Chingay Parade. Dear parents, thanks again for your consent and support for the trainers. Your children are in good hands. :)

Here are some rather badly taken photos I took with my handphone. Heh.

September October updates

2009-10-25T23:31:00.002+08:00

Hey all.

Its been a long stretch of silence on this blog. Yawn... Haven't been able to think of anything worth blogging so I'm gonna start typing in random and see if we get anywhere. Lets see... Hmm... updates:

September
- The usual school stuff. Lessons and programmes.
Can't remember anything worth blogging in September. Booooriiing...

October
- Coach Wang Liang got married earlier this month. Congratulations! I think someone's got photos of the wedding dinner. Again...will try to upload with his permission.
- Rehearsals under way at Kuen for APEC performance. Lotsa activity last Sat, Lion/Dragon Dance/Wushu rehearsing, all under the Dean's charge. Think Obama's gonna be there... Woah...
- Zhipeng laoshi and Di Jiaolian back from their leave. Chief Trainer Di came back with news of another Kuen Wushu performance early next year. Venue and dates not confirmed yet.
- Been scouting around for alternative training sites. Might be shifting come year end when lease over.
- Me going reservist this week. Am already dreading the 2.4k run... *puke*

August updates

2009-08-31T23:51:00.012+08:00

Gonna do a quick update for August...hmm... Darn... goldfish memory...

- Did a couple of school performances to promote Wushu at Eastview & Yishun Town.

- Started a new school CCA at Yishun JC.
- Gonna start a couple of new programmes here and there... will update once confirmed.
- Re-organized and re-decorated office. Added new work desks and new photos to wall.
- Conducted the annual ACES day mass workout for Greenwood
- Printed new Chinese flyers. Very nice design!
- Completed another self-defence programme for Cedar Girls. Very well-received by the girls and teachers. Quote: “Useful and essential…”

Hope they’ll never need to use it. But if they do… I hope they remember what was taught that day and get away safely. Every teenage girl should know how to do this. HODs and Ps, if you’re reading this, get this for your girls OK… no kidding. Heh…

"Hee hee... that tickles..."

This arm goes here... Your arm goes there...

"Ok, you've got "him" in your choke hold. Now SQUEEZE!"

July Updates

2009-07-31T10:45:00.008+08:00

Phew...made the last day of July to log in an entry.

Sorrie ah... been slow to update the blog. Maybe will switch to micro-blogging soon so won't have as much pressure writing stuff that's on my mind.

A couple of notable happenings in July... hmm... lemme think.

- School started. Yeah.
- H1N1 notice of temporary suspension of Wushu programmes in schools. Boohoo.
- Then stuff started returning to "normal". Wushu programmes back on.
- Organized a Parent-Trainer meeting for Kuen Intermediate Classes. It was "Useful & Informative", quoted from parent.
- Planning 2nd "PTM" for Kuen Beginner classes. Coming soon...
- Chief Trainer Di. promoted a few students to Kuen Advanced class. Congrats!
- Started NEW Young Adults class on Thursday nights. Kudos to Zhipeng Laoshi! (Jiayou NUS guys/gals! Train hard, but don't forget to have fun!)
- A couple of Birthday shoutouts to the Dean, Mr. Picasso Tan, Liu Juan Laoshi, and Chief Trainer Di.
- Just came back from a "Fishing and Pulau Hantu Expedition" on Wednesday with all the Kuen Trainers & Staff on board. SUPER FUN!

Post Event Update for One Heart One Kuen

2009-06-05T11:50:00.009+08:00

Its over! Yeah! And YES, ITS A SUCCESS!

Once again, thank you all for supporting "One Heart, One Kuen". Thanks to all the parent helpers, student performers, stage crew, planning committee and of course the executing committee, for their hard work and tireless contributions!

*Deep Bow*

Everybody at Kuen has been on semi load and operating frequency post event. After a crazy 5 weeks of planning and preparations, it is a huge relief. It was a logistical nightmare to coordinate (8 different locations to come down for rehearsals) and bluddy expensive to put together. All those weeks of planning, execution and practice culminated in a night that would not soon be forgotten. If by some huge stroke of misfortune you weren't able to get tickets or make it to the venue for the performance on the 31st May at the NAFA Lee Foundation Theatre, here are some clips I've uploaded that were screened on the day.

Trailer for "One Heart, One Kuen"

The Amphetamized Kuen Trainers Introduction

Interviews for "One Heart, One Kuen"

Here's a nice read on the VS blog (Victoria School) covering the event. There's a clip of the boys entertaining themselves doing silly things like making a "blair-witch + dawn of the dead" video clip in a huge pile of Goodie Bags. Add in some music, singing and tap-dancing, and Voila! We have another mega-hit production in the making. Lets call it ...
Dawn of the High School Zombie Musical - Death by Goodie Bag.

One Heart, One Kuen

2009-05-13T17:18:00.009+08:00

*Update: All tickets SOLD OUT! YEAH!!! Thank you everyone for your support! See you at NAFA this Sunday!

Rehearsals are underway. First full dress rehearsal this coming Sunday. Everybody's excited, albeit a little tired from the practices.
Just saw the printed posters and tickets. Looks good. Take a look.

Ticket sales have commenced this week. School students will be able to get tickets at a subsidized rate, courtesy of NAC-Keppel Nights. (Conditions apply)
Call 6296 8979 or drop us a note via the Contact Form for more ticketing details.

*Inside joke # 1: Chinese name for the performance sounds like something from TV Charity event right? Machiam President's Star Charity or something... lol.

The whole idea of this mid-year performance was to showcase the skills of all the students from within the KUEN network, while at the same time, provide an ideal platform for our Kuen trainers to show their professionalism, be it in performance or choreography.
Thus the name - One Heart, One Kuen.

Let us all pull our hearts and minds together and put up a show everyone will remember!

A big Thank you goes out to all students, parents, trainers, friends, family...and readers, for your support in this event. One Heart, One Kuen.

(inside joke #2: One Heart, One Kuen. One World, One Dream...
ROFLMAO....Sijin made it up... Muhahaha....)

Congratulations Interschool '09 Winners!

2009-05-05T12:13:00.009+08:00

I've been meaning to put this up. Here is the list of students at Kuen who've done exceptionally well at the Interschool Wushu Championships 2009.

Big Gigantic GARGANTUAN Kudos to all! Well done!

"MmMmm... Strong is the Force in, our young Padawans."

- Master Yoda-chin

Name	Result	Event	School
Lin Zi Jian	Gold	Junior Boys 3 Duan Gun Shu	Kuen Wushu
	Bronze	Junior Boys 5 Duan Chang Quan
Lim Si Hao	Gold	Junior Boys 24 Style Taiji Quan	Telok Kurau Primary
Tay Yi Xuan Ellie	Gold	Junior Girls 24 Style Taiji Quan	Telok Kurau Primary
Tan Chin Wee	4th	Junior Boys 4 Duan Dao Shu	Telok Kurau Primary
Berwin Ng	Silver	Senior Boys 4 Duan Qiang Shu	Kranji Primary
Chan Yin Quan	4th	Senior Boys 4 Duan Dao Shu	Kranji Primary
Christopher Ang	Silver	Junior Boys 3 Duan Qiang Shu	Rivervale Primary
Ken Loo	Silver	Junior Boys 3 Duan Nan Quan	Yew Tee Primary
Ray Yeo	Silver	Senior Boys 4 Duan Dao Shu	Yew Tee Primary
Tay Chen Jun	Bronze	Senior Boys 4 Duan Jian Shu	Yew Tee Primary
Ryan Lim	4th	Junior Boys 5 Duan Chang Quan	Yew Tee Primary
Zhang Qian	Gold	A Girls 2nd Int. Compulsory Chang Quan	Kuen Wushu
	Gold	A Girls 2nd Int. Compulsory Dao Shu
	Gold	A Girls 2nd Int. Compulsory Gun Shu
Fung Jin Jie	Gold	B Boys 2nd Int. Compulsory Dao Shu	Victoria School
	Silver	B Boys 2nd Int. Compulsory Chang Quan
	Silver	B Boys 2nd Int. Compulsory Gun Shu
Lin Wei Xuan	Gold	C Boys 5 Duan Chang Quan	Kuen Wushu
Lin Wei Xuan	Silver	C Boys 4 Duan Jian Shu	Kuen Wushu
Lee Zhe Feng	Silver	C Boys 1st Int. Compulsory Dao Shu	Kuen Wushu
	Silver	C Boys 1st Int. Compulsory Gun Shu
	4th	C Boys 1st Int. Compulsory Chang Quan
Lin Zhi Hong	Bronze	A Boys 2nd Int. Compulsory Chang Quan	North View Secondary

Kuen Wushu founder TV interview (aired 2007)

2009-04-08T08:38:00.010+08:00

Was doing some admin work yesterday afternoon in the office. A colleague was browsing thru the company video archives for research. I had my back turned to him the whole time he was messin ard with the vids until suddenly, I heard this strangely familiar voice coming from the speakers behind me. Took me 2 seconds to realize it was mine and that he has found the stash of audio/video recordings of the TV interview(s) (Yes, there is more than one.) of Moi a few years back.

So there you go. I've dugged it out and dusted off the cobwebs. After a bit of editing and re-encoding for youtube, I uploaded it during the night. First of a few, this one's aired on Channel 8 in 2007 if I remember correctly. Those of you who ever wondered if it was any fun starting your own Wushu school - it is a lot of work. Watch to find out more.

Voila! Enjoy!

PS: Those familiar with Kuen trainers will notice the actor for a younger me is none other than our very own Mr. Wang Liang! Heh... well, they couldn't find anyone who could do Wushu so they asked if I could provide my own "younger self" for filming. Funny how he looks even older than I am now when he's supposed to be me at 24.
BENJAMIN BIAO. *ROFL*

Mobile blogging

2009-03-20T09:54:00.006+08:00

Its 3.10am and I'm in bed playing with my latest toy... I really should be sleeping and yet here I am, experimenting with the marvels of modern technology. No, I'm not doing something indecent you dirty 'lil you... I am in fact blogging on my spanking new nokia E71 underneath the warm covers of my blanket. (Whaddiya think I was
playing with? And at such an unearthly hour... I bet some of u went
tsk tsk...lol)

When I'm done typing I'm supposed to send it out n it'll magically appear on the blog. I hope it does, otherwise I'd spent the past 5 minutes cramming my thumbs for nuthin. Did I mention the keys are really tiny? I don't think I'd be writing my Best Seller on this baby...heh. Ok, here goes...
*presses the sent button*

Afterword: It didn't "magically" appear on this blog. turns out i had to register for the service and after a fair bit of tweaking, i finally got the kinks ironed out. Voila! True mobile blogging... now to experiment with photos!
Onwards Passepartout! Our audiences await!

Kuen Wushu Championships 2009

2009-03-11T16:13:00.004+08:00

8th of March. Kuen Wushu Championships 2009 - SUCCESS!!!

I wasn't around to witness most of it but positive feedback is even now flooding in still, days after the event on Sunday.

A big thank you goes out to the organizing (Kaiting laoshi and Liu Juan laoshi), the helpers, judges, teachers, parents and most of all, the participants! We couldn't have done it without you!

Here are some photos of the day's events, courtesy of Mr. Kaw's camera.

Announcement: Appeal for photos and videos of the day's events!
If you have any photos or videos taken on the day, please share them with us. I'm sure many out there reading this blog would love to take a look. Do it for me...pretty pls? *puppy dog eyes*

Biao VS Procrastination

2009-03-06T22:43:00.006+08:00

Everybody procrastinates. Me especially.

I've been looking at the company website recently and reading up on the past blog posts, and it suddenly dawned on me that I have never, if not seldom, ever followed up on posting photos, posting updates, following up with info, etc... I never seem to get around to posting all the interesting photos I've stored in a folder on my desktop I never open anymore.

Well today I struck back. I updated the company website!!!
(Biao 1 : Procrastination 2393 LOL)

Take THAT you devilish little procrastinating demon. (procrastinating demon writhes in agony...NOooo......Aarrghhhh)

Check out the updated management and trainers page over HERE.

If anyone has been to the company site recently, you'd have noticed that we ported over the old site to a new CMS website (thats Content Management System DUH...), courtesy of our dear Mr. Kaw. (thanks for doing such a thankless job... I.T. work sucks.) Not for aethestic reasons apparently. Yeah I know, the old site looks better but hey, now I can edit, update and change the content on every part of the site without actually having to get myself knee-deep into the source code. All I need to do now is to familiarize myself to the control panel and play with the controls for a bit...

(hears procrastinating demon laughing diabolically in the background... MUHAHAhhahahaha)

gulp...

CNY updates

2009-02-10T11:56:00.006+08:00

Yesterday was the 15th day of the CNY period, hopefully marking the end of an extremely lazy and *yawn* lethargic stretch. Every year, CNY happens to be the perfect excuse to slow down the engines and kick back to enjoy the festive atmosphere. What festive atmosphere?!? Yup... didn't feel much for it. Me wasn't a festive person to begin with but the atmosphere was exceptionally cold this year...Brr... Probably due to the actual holidays falling on a Monday and Tuesday. That makes the new year especially short doesn't it? Not much time left for visiting family and friendly meetups of cough...mahjong/blackjack/big 2. Heh.

Spent much of the CNY week helping Yanbin as part of his stunt-wire crew for Chingay. We were in the Chingay background this time, erm...actually right below the spectator stands. There was a part during the finale where the magician disappeared in flames before magically appearing at the top of the Supreme Court building. Our job was to "fly" him down from the rooftop safely. Shrug... pretty straightforward stuff. Spent more time assembling and taking down the set up than the total time taken for all rehearsals and actual day.

We had a KUEN CNY company dinner at the steamboat restaurant 碧水云居 on Sunday. It was a good chance for everyone to meet up, especially the rare appearances of some of the founding pillars of the company. The food is good, if you're reading this, bring your family down this weekend yar. (Directions to Bi Shui Yun Ju - Drive and park along Geylang Road after Lor 3 and keep a lookout for its signboard on your right). There's all-you-can-eat buffet steamboat and also Ala-carte authentic super spicy Sze Chuan and Northern China dishes.

The gathering was supposed to double as Kengqi's send-off dinner too before he flies off on Monday for Australia. But the farnie thing is, he didn't show up! Not for the dinner OR the KTV afterwards. Now thats weird. Ah...what the heck. So long as everybody enjoyed themselves. It was a night of good food, good beer, good (and not-so-good) singing...ahem.

Fret not Kengqi-boy, I'm sure you had fun at home as well. Uh-huh... who doesn't love last minute packing? Grin.

Hindi Kungfu Film - Chandni Chowk To China

2009-01-18T11:33:00.009+08:00

Watched my first Hindi film of 2009 last night and it was surprisingly good. If you've ever wondered what a successful fusion of classic Chinese Kungfu flick + Hindi Bollywood song and dance would look like, this is it.

The martial arts scenes were adequately done with Kungfu Hustle-type CGI. Don't go in expecting Ip Man-ish fight sequences of course. Instead, be delighted by a familiar, albeit cliche comedy of a loser-turned hero, who's help is enlisted to fight off the baddie, save the village and win the girl of his dreams. You'd be smiling at the familiar comedic kungfu training scenes where the protagonist endures some tough-love training in a bamboo forest setting, dished out by the Master as he undergoes his zero-to-hero transformation.

Loved the song and dance bollywood-style sequences. Yes its silly to most of us not used to such films but the mesmerizing female lead makes it quite fun and lovely to watch. The director must be a Chinese movie buff, you will be able to spot the clever references to popular Chinese movies like Curse of the Golden Flower, the Banquet, Kungfu Hustle, etc.

Watch the trailer and see fer urselves!

New Post. New Year. New Beginnings.

2009-01-02T12:58:00.010+08:00

1st post of 2009.

New year's resolution for the KUEN Blog:
- Sleep less. Write more.

If your paymaster's MOE, it should read:
"Teach less. Mark lesser". Yeah right, dream on.

Since we're on the topic of teachers, what the heck. Some suggestions for your new year's resolution. (feel free to contribute in whatever crazy way. Nobody follows thru with new yr's resolutions anyway. blah.)

Resolutions for 2009
- "Release the rocker punk dude/chick within and join a Rock Band!"
Action plan: Put on your best Goth makeup and start practicing your Guitar Hero.

- "Go take that lap/belly/exotic dance course you always wanted but never had time for."
Action plan: Call up dance schools. Enrol. Start lessons. Video yourself. Upload to youtube and send me link. Promise I'll give positive feedback. But if you're a guy, stay away. Serious.

- "Get your face on Hardwarezone/Digital Life during I.T. Show."
Action plan: Put on a silly french maid costume or Gundam Suit and join a Cosplay club

- "Get your erm...assets on The New Paper/Stomp."
Action plan: Put on a tiny bikini and take photos to put on your blog but be smart - mosaic the face.

- "Take control of your life. Give it a new direction."
Action plan: Quit sucky job. Get another. Start painting/singing/dancing/wushu-ing. Busker @ Orchard Road. Sell fries at Mc's. Mop up kiddy puke from floor. Rejoin MOE workforce. Give a sigh of relief. Repeat to self - "I love my deadend job."

- "Pick up a ridiculously difficult sport thats bad for your aching joints."
Action plan: *Hint* W.U.S.H.U.
Who cares if your students are better at Xuan Feng Jiao. You can give them more homework. REVENGE! Muhahaha...

For your kind consideration, I bid you Adieu...

End of camp, end of year.

2008-12-13T15:25:00.006+08:00

*Update: Camp photos

Good friends!

Crazy pose everyone!

"I miss my bolster...sniff sniff."

Homeward bound at last.

Just sent off the kids from this batch of December training camp. Had a really fun session of "blind cat" just before they left. If you've never played blind cat in a tiny room full of office furniture and 15 ppl, you've never played that game I tell ya. Imagine the children climbing on top of cabinets, hiding under tables, behind poster frames, clambering on top of each other, trying to sneak their way past the "blind cat" when cornered. LOL.

The trainers were too focused on training to take photos. I ended up with a couple of candid shots taken on the last day. Will post them up when I get them out of the camera.

Usually the December camp and Central Grading will signal the end of the year, but this year, we've postponed the Central Grading till early next year, just slightly before the Graduation Performance that everyone at KUEN Wushu will be involved in. Next week is the company staff retreat and this year all the trainers are going on an all-expense paid trip to....... LAS VEGAS! ahem... cough...swallow...cough again. I meant to say Las Vegas of Malaysia - Genting Highlands lah.

*Cheh...*

Oh well, stop complaining. Technically, its still an "overseas trip" ya know. And we'll even be flying instead of the 6 hour coach ride, albeit on budget flights but its a plane nonetheless.

*indignant* Hmmppffft!

Promise I'll take pictures. *fingers crossed* Heh.

Photos from Beijing

2008-12-05T15:54:00.010+08:00

Here are some photos of our Kuen students and trainers in Beijing, shichahai. Heard its really cold over there now... but where's the snow?

Extreme Makeover - Liu Juan laoshi

2008-12-04T20:04:00.012+08:00

We did a show last night at the new Bellini Grande at Clarke Quay. It was the launch of the Singapore Service Star - an accreditation scheme by the Singapore Tourism Board. Liu Juan laoshi had to fly into the stage and perform a few mid-air poses, with the help of stunt wires of course (courtesy of our Stunt Master - Yanbin)

Before

After

In the locker room with Yanbin, stunt master for the wire flying sequences.

Wait a minute... She reminds me of someone in this makeup. Doesn't she look like Helena Bonham Carter in Sweeney Todd?!? She does right! Muhahaha...

Certificate Presentation at Fuhua Secondary

2008-12-02T17:50:00.011+08:00

Went to Fuhua Secondary today for their certificate presentation ceremony. The boys completed the modular programme and was presented with certificates by Fuhua Sec's Principal.

From KUEN Wushu Official Blog

I reached just in time to watch a performance of Fuhua Sec's dance entree for next year's SYF, with some elements of Wushu injected for the boys' parts. The dance teacher and I worked in a few moves the boys picked up from the Wushu course to try to create something unique for Fuhua Sec. The teacher's hopeful it'll be enough to impress the judges. I felt the boys needed more Wushu training to polish up their techniques as they paled in comparison with the girls in the group. Other than that, I felt the choreography was good. A pity I had not whipped out the camera to film some vids of the performance.

From KUEN Wushu Official Blog

Enrichment workshop at Eduplus language camp

2008-11-26T17:05:00.009+08:00

Went with Trainer Yanbin to Toa Payoh SAFRA this morning to conduct an enrichment workshop for the children at Eduplus Language Centre. Take a look at the photos.

Sports Council SEP Showcase 2009

2008-11-26T16:19:00.007+08:00

SSC-SEP Showcase - 3rd year running. Special guest, the Dean came by for moral support!

Did I mention we've been with the SSC-Sports Education Programme since its pilot phase in 2006, delivering high quality Wushu programmes to schools to rave reviews and positive feedback?
*shameless plug 1*
Hmm...I did? Oh well... doesn't hurt to reiterate. LOL.
Who knows, I might get new readers every now and then and in case they have not read my past posts(GO DO IT NOW!), this would be a good chance to let them know that we are the No. 1 Sports Wushu Programme Provider! WOOHOO!!!
*shameless plug 2*

I can almost hear my competitors scream "Says who?!?"
Why me of course. : )

I think I hear my horn blowing... :p *honk honk*

Rivervale Primary Modular Certificate Presentation

2008-11-24T12:41:00.006+08:00

Take a look at these photos of the first batch of Rivervale Primary students during their certificate presentation ceremony.

Congratulations to all students! Keep up the good work.

Guest-of-honour, Mr Picasso Tan, Dean of Kuen Wushu Academy.

Group photo of students with Kuen Trainers.

Students listening intently to the Dean's motivational speech.

After this introductory module, some of them will be moving on to Wushu Apparatus Training in Staff and Sword. I bet they can't wait!

More Rivervale News:
I was at Rivervale's 10th Anniversary Celebrations Dinner. It was a superbly well-planned event with amazing performances from the dance items. The Wushu students participated too with a short Wushu performance in the collaborative school play. I thought they did great. From the applause and the looks on the teachers and audience's faces, I think they think so too!

Credit goes to Zhipeng Laoshi and Liu Juan Laoshi for their choreography and training. Both trainers have extensive experience in choreographing for stage performances and some of their works so far have been quite impressive.

Good job trainers!

Photos and Videos of MTM-KUEN Exchange

2008-11-22T21:00:00.006+08:00

These are the few photos from my digicam that aren't blurry or off focus. Seriously, I need more... Those who have any more photos, pls mail me or send me the link.

KUEN - MTM Wushu Exchange 28/10 - 2/11

2008-10-23T14:04:00.006+08:00

Kuen Wushu will be hosting our Wushu friends from Philippines' MTM Wushu from 28th Oct to 2nd Nov on a cultural exhange to Singapore, organized by our Dean, Mr Picasso Tan.

Everyone's been kept busy running helter-skelter preparing for this year-end major event. The group is expected to be around 60 pax and there are a series of fun and exiting activities and performances lined up to make it an unforgettable event.

The actual event day will be on next Sat 1st November, the time from 3pm - 6pm. Some highlights will be a Wushu item put up by our Kuen Wushu students and an exciting high-flying Lion Dance performance.

We welcome all to join in the festivities and bring along your friends!

Greenwood ACES Day "Kungfu P@nd@" Workout

2008-10-05T10:20:00.007+08:00

Choreographed and conducted an ACES Day workout for Greenwood Primary School on 02/10/2008 to the theme of "Kungfu P@nd@". It was so fun to do and the children went absolutely ballistic, having a *Pandastic* time learning moves such as "Tiger claw", "Monkey block", "Crane chop" and "Viper strike". Their favourite was...guess what, PANDA STYLE! LOL... Of course theres no panda style in Wushu silly, but they made up their own moves anyway.
Never underestimate the power of movies...even animated ones.

You know you have a hit when 80% of the children answers an enthusiastic "YES!!!" waving their arms frantically in the air, when asked the question "Have you seen Kungfu Panda?"

Incredible.

Stretch those legs...you'll need them for the next move.

Viper strike! Gotta go lower guys!

Ever seen 500 Panda-wannabes?

Updates for September

2008-09-17T12:03:00.003+08:00

Hi all,

Apologies for not updating the blog. Have been kept away from the PC.
Here's something interesting to share.

- Took over Poiching Wushu CCA officially. Been there to supervise the training. All looks good and not much different from other schools. Have discussed with the trainer and teacher in charge on restructuring so as to re-strategize for next year.

- Mid-autumn festival performance over for Rivervale Primary. Think it went rather well. :)

- Mooncake festival came and went. Lots of left over mooncake and paper lanterns hanging around. We had a little tea and mooncake session last Saturday at KUEN. Kids played games, trainers played SC in the office till 3am...Heh. "Die Zerglings! Muhahaha!!! Watch my tankies decimate your swarm!"

- Brought a few guests from Beijing out for some local delicacies sampling. (Chief Trainer Di's wife among one of the guests...shh.) There's already talk of the December training trip to Beijing Shichahai and how they're gonna bring me around. Hmm...looking forward.

- Trainer Wangliang on long leave from mid-Sep. Left for Shanghai on the 15th. Going to study and get his degree and English cert. Good fer 'im... See him back next year.

- Trainer Chen Z.P. back from Wuhan trip. Brought students on an exchange programme during the Sep holidays. Heard that the Wuhan Institute of Sports is Huge. The Wushu training grounds alone houses 16 competition carpets!!! Woah! I'd like to take a look at that!

- Another studio photoshoot for trainers this week. Vanity is a vice I tell ya. :) Watch this space for the latest pics of ur fav. trainers *wink*

- Plans for Nov/Dec holiday training and holiday programmes. Also annual year-end training trips to China. 2 destinations this time round, Xi-an and Beijing. Find out from your trainer if you're interested to tag along. Always fun to go overseas in a whole group, makes for excellent memories.

India - S'pore Wushu Exchange 11/08 - 15/08

2008-08-23T12:57:00.007+08:00

Kuen Wushu hosted a team of Wushu students from faraway Punjab India, Amritsar last week. The visitors cross-trained with some of our students from Kuen Wushu and managed to learn some competition routines during their one-week stay.

Here are some pictures taken during the last day.

August - Olympics, NDP & National Comps

2008-08-07T11:44:00.005+08:00

Quick update for those reading. Di Jiaolian back at Beijing from 7th to 19th August for the Olympics.

Sent him to the airport last night after class. He overloaded his baggage by 10 kilos! Lots of gifts to bring back to friends and family I suppose. I stole a peek, mostly stuffed full of instant coffee.
Yes. 3-in-1 instant coffee.
He's not the first to pack their luggage full of coffee when they go back though. According to them, we have better (stronger) tasting 3-in-1s than anything they can get in their Supermarkets. And over there, Starbucks is RIDICULOUSLY EXPENSIVE! Aren't we lucky to have quality coffee at affordable prices...Lol.

Olympics opening on Friday. NDP on Saturday. Start of the National Comps 2008 on Monday.

Will be holed up at home watching the NDP on tv as usual I suppose. Wonder if we'll have anything interesting this year.

For those in the competition, I hope you're done preparing and all reared up to go. Its good to take part in competitions in an environment like Singapore, as most people need a reason to train hard and a motive for training. Most people find the period of intense training just before competition extremely rewarding, even for the "Tag-alongs" who are not actually in the competition. Same intense regular training minus the stress that comes with competing.

As always, have fun training. Enjoy the competitions, NDP, Olympics...etc. Whatever bakes your noodles. :)

Birthday Greetings - Chief Trainer Di

2008-07-29T22:03:00.006+08:00

Instant update - photos of Chief Trainer Di and students during tonight's training session.

Happy Birthday Di Jiaolian!

It was pretty crazy last night at Partyworld Orchard KTV. Lotsa singing (good and bad), beer, liqour and breakdancing by the Man himself! Lol... I think Bag got a video in her hp, should we upload it up Youtube? Hmm... I don't know.

Nothing much. Just a little update.

2008-07-23T13:45:00.007+08:00

Hiya all.

Haven't been updating the KUEN Wushu blog much, nothing much to shout about. Sure things have been happening, but I thought they were a little too trivial to be posting up here so I'll just write whatever comes to mind for now.

Sunday's not good for meetings anymore cos we can't ever seem to be able to get all the Trainers together long enough. Gotta find another day when everyone's free to sit down and listen to my ramblings...heh

There've been a couple of new additions to the KUEN Trainer Team, both full-time and affiliate trainers. I really really REALLY need to update the company website with ALL the KUEN Trainer details soon. The current KUEN Trainer list is already top-notch and VERY impressive, its just that we haven't been bragging. Humility is a virtue. Lol.

Anyone taking part in the upcoming competition who needs help? I'll be coming in on Saturdays to help whip a couple of the kids into shape for the comps. If ya need help, holler.

Oh Oh! I remember - Chief Trainer Di G.W. will be on leave from 07/08/08 to 19/08/08. Back to Beijing for the Olympics I suppose. :) Take note for those trainees in his classes, no classes during this period.

Thats it for now. Gotta run.

*Does anyone actually read the updates...*eye roll* I wouldn't. Would you?

Need sleep 2

2008-07-13T02:05:00.004+08:00

Need sleep. Again.

I should be sleeping, but here I am instead, making full use of the momentary rush of awake-ness right after a bath. (there really should be an English word for being awake dontcha agree? heh)

Slept at 5.00am. Woke at 8.00am.

One full day again today (Sat). Was at Rivervale Pri in the morning. Quite sure I'd be too seh to think/teach/or even supervise, but instead I was riding on a surge of adrenaline throughout the lesson. Even had enough left over to do a trainer de-brief and sharing session with the trainers involved. Unbelievable. Think the 3 cans of Red Blue helped.

Red Bull junkie. Heh.

Need...sleep....can't...th...in..k

2008-07-05T16:50:00.004+08:00

Yawn. Super seh now.

Slept at 4.00am. Woke up at 8.00am for a class in Rivervale Pri.

It was the first session of the new term and I was there with Hansong Jiaolian and Wang Jiaolian (female Wang, not Wang Liang Jiaolian). I bet Hansong must be equally seh, he went home about the same time as I did.

Rushed back to KUEN Wushu for class straight after. Ended up being late for 15min. At least Wang Liang Jiaolian is there to start class and take warm up. WRONG! Wangliang also late!!! OMG! *faint*

Anyway, here I am resting in the office blogging on the company PC. Wish I could just head on home to catch up on some much needed sleep. Alas, there are lessons at KUEN all the way till 10pm. Sob sob...

Sleeping - The Wushu athlete's favourite "activity".
I need my beauty sleep.

Blog drought

2008-06-23T10:14:00.005+08:00

No. of days without updates: 21

Reason: Haven't got a chance to sit in front of the PC for the past 3 weeks.

Ok, here goes a quick update on the past weeks:

- Holiday training camps for the giinaz over and done with.

- Kungfu Panda performance for Nokia club movie treat last week - Loved the game with the big balloons and the movie was hilarious. So funny!!!

- Watched a crap movie. WARNING: AVOID SHAOLIN GIRL LIKE THE PLAGUE!

- Incredible Hulk was incredibly good. Enjoyed it tremendously.

- Took training slots last week while Wangliang Jiaolian was busy with the rehearsals for "U R the One" finals. I don't usually do that. Think I'll have to do it more often. Ok ok, if you guys insist! Sheesh... Irresistable Charm is my personal little cross to bear. Sigh.

- Tried to kick a little after nursing my torn hamstring for a while to discover its far from recovered. Dang. Watched the guys rehearse for tomorrow's performance at Sentosa, not sure what event. Will post photos if have.

- Been in discussion with Chief Trainer Di regarding new classes and development at KUEN. Gonna start a performance team training on one of the week days to learn all kinds of cool set-sparring routines and group items. I think its a great idea. It'll cut rehearsal time in half when we prepare for performances next time.

Train. Pain. Complain

2008-06-02T12:25:00.005+08:00

Been trying to get back to training these couple of weeks. Did a session last Tuesday and ached till Sat...lol. Tried to work out again lightly during yesterday's lesson. Bad idea... ended up tearing a muscle and limped my way home.

Ouch.

Yeah yeah yeah... I know i know... always warm up properly, stretch out properly...yadda yadda yadda... Am glad it was the hamstring and not the knee joint, thank goodness it wasn't the knee joint. I'm sure we've all heard horror stories of Wushu athletes busting their knees during practice. Brrr.....*shivers* Kids... take care now. Bag ah, you too ah. Wasted to just get the Wai Bai Lian finally and then have to sit out because of some silly injury.

Oh yah before i forget - Kudos to Weiheng for his Cekong and Weixuan for his Zhuanti over the last 2 weeks. Yeaaaah!!! What do I keep telling you guys? Its not at all difficult when you have a good trainer, good protective equipment and good training techniques. Back in our days, we used to train...blah blah blah

So step right up! Who's next? Come come dun shy... just grab me, shake me and tell me how bad you want it the next time you see me around and I promise I'll stay around long enough to help. :) I'm such a nice guy... :)

KUEN Wushu ad in I-weekly

2008-05-30T11:54:00.009+08:00

Here's a look at the lastest KUEN Wushu full colour ad in the Chinese magazine I-Weekly. Nice? I like...

Its the same series as the previous one with Wangliang JIaolian doing his thing with that rubber leg of his. Now its Zhipeng Jiaolian's one week of fame. I've got a chance to observe their lessons. Both excellent trainers, their styles complimenting each other.

Zhipeng Jiaolian's lessons engages the mind and leans more to teaching, great for fundamentals and techniques training. (Bobian... graduate with degree in Phys Ed leh...mai siao siao)

Wangliang Jiaolian's from a Pro-team and believes in tough-love + intense jibengong. Sado-masochists out there looking to give their body a whacking would enjoy his classes.

And let's not forget my contribution, I'm the icing on the cake...heh. I'm there to make everyone nervous. (in a good way) I help tweak lesson flow and atmosphere so everyone gets an exhilarating workout at the end of the day.

Then you have the experienced Kaiting laoshi helming the kid's classes and the newly added Powerhouse Trainer - World/China Champion Di Jiaolian taking the advanced classes. Such a strong trainer team, good training facilities, great training atmosphere. What else can you guys ask for?

Comeon now, time to show your appreciation to your trainers in the shoutbox!
Show them the luuurve... *lol*

KUEN Wushu 5th Anniversary Openhouse

2008-05-23T17:35:00.007+08:00

Date: 18th May, 2008 (Sunday)

Uploaded some photos from the openhouse.

To be honest, it was rather chaotic. Not enough time to plan but I guess it turned out pretty ok, lots of ppl turned up. Was expecting ard 30-40. I think it turned out to be more like 80. Shrug.

Took the opportunity to introduce the new Dean of Kuen Wushu and the new Chief Trainer. For those of you who weren't there on Sunday, take a look at these pictures.

Trial class for the little ones.

We're starting a new gymnastics for children at KUEN.

Thanks for the flower basket Edmund!

From left: Moi, Coach Di (Chief Trainer), Mr. Picasso Tan (Dean)

KUEN open-house on 18th May Sunday

2008-05-11T11:25:00.007+08:00

We'll be having an open-house enrollment drive this coming Sunday at KUEN. 18th May to be exact. Programme starts 1pm to 4pm. Check out the ads we'll be putting out in this coming week's 8-days and I-weekly magazines or click the image below to enlarge.

Bring your friends and family, need all your support! Hope to make it a crowded affair. See you!

Yi laoshi last training at KUEN

2008-05-09T18:49:00.005+08:00

Date: 29th April

Sorry guys. Pics have been lying in my camera for awhile, just got them out and posting them here for you guys. If any of you have other photos on that day, especially the one when I was presenting Yi laoshi his Certificate of Recognition, please mail them to me hor... Thanks.

Here you go.

**************************************************

Spirits high as usual as the night started out.

"Aaaaah! Get away from me!"

Training starts. Wait a min, we're upside down...

Bwaaahh....Its over.... Yi laoshi giving his lesson summary for the last time.

Master Yi Yalin with the souvenir the students prepared. A photo montage to remember them by.

Photos taken 20th April Sunday

2008-04-22T01:19:00.005+08:00

I know many of you took photos on Sunday during training. Come on fess up.
Surrender them to me...Muhahaha

Anyway, here are some from Evelyn's camera phone that got forwarded. Will get more from Sijin and upload here for all. :)

This little pinkie went to market.... This little pinkie went...

"...and that... is the brand of my shoe." says y.x. to Yi laoshi.

Damn roaches... but Yi laoshi caught a big one.

"Thats it... Try to feel the wall fan with your toes..."

Yi Laoshi and Evelyn. Pics taken on her trusty camera phone.

Change. The only thing constant...

2008-04-14T11:43:00.005+08:00

Upcoming changes at KUEN:

- new revamped website. its looking good. hopefully we can get the content written asap else the pretty designs will never get to see the light of day.

- new banners up at KUEN. hope they look good.

- yi laoshi's taking a 6 month long leave to help set up a Wushu school in Thailand. Betcha everyone's gonna miss him.

- a dear friend with a big name and a bigger heart agrees to come onboard to be the new Dean of KUEN Wushu Academy. YEAH!!! Who? you'll find out soon enough. *grin*

- ...and he's brought with him another huge figure in the Wushu fraternity as the new Chief Trainer for KUEN Wushu.

Its gonna be another milestone for KUEN Wushu and history in the making I promise ya.
Ooo... it gets me tingly all over. Heh.

Wushu - The Movie

2008-04-07T01:25:00.008+08:00

I couldn't contain the excitement after I saw this trailer on the net.

I've got a feeling you'd be excited too!

Finally! After all these years, a movie about Wushu. No not the Kungfu kind or the kind where swordsmen fly in the air. A real modern day story about the blood and sweat of young Wushu athletes in China, acted by real competitive Wushu athletes.

Feast your eyes guys and rejoice!

Competition updates. More congrats!

2008-04-07T01:16:00.006+08:00

More good news from the competition.

Wang Jiaqi got a Gold for her 5-duan Quan.

Weixuan got a Silver in 4-duan Spear and Fourth in 3-duan Quan.

Zhefeng got 1 Gold in Dao and a Silver in 5-duan Quan.

Yixiang got 2 x Bronze medals in both Compulsory Dao and Quan.

Got who else huh? Lemme know if I missed out anyone or write wrong result.

Will update this post again when I get more competition updates.

Go go go! More medals!

Go for GOLD! Interschool Wushu 2008 updates

2008-03-26T11:50:00.007+08:00

CONGRATULATIONS!!! Calista, Keith and Junhui!

Updates for Interschool Wushu Competition results for Kranji Primary as of 25th March:

Gold - Calista (3rd lvl Senior Girls Straightsword)
Silver - Keith (3rd lvl Senior Boys Straightsword)
Bronze - Junhui (3rd lvl Senior Boys Straightsword)

You've done your school proud! I'm so happy for you guys!

Hope everyone will continue to JIAYOU and do your best for the upcoming events!

Comeon Calista! Don't look so grouchy. Thats a gold trophy you're holding!

Little "botak" Keith (silver) and Junhui (bronze).

"Love and Destiny" at the Botanic Garden

2008-03-24T01:38:00.008+08:00

Finally over! Phew...
I'm sure you'd have notice that it was pouring on Saturday. Most everyone there thought it was probably gonna get postponed. Was still drizzling by 5.45pm but the amazing thing was people starting streaming to the spectators area holding umbrellas and wearing raincoats. We were surprised at the turn out, even the Minister didn't mind sitting in the rain to watch. At that moment something stirred and I won't deny we all felt good to be part of this creative ensemble cast. It was a good show.
***Applause applause***

Quoted from email circular:
************************
The 12th Chinese Cultural Festival started on 23 February will come to a close on 22 March with a finale performance at the Shaw Foundation Symphony Stage, Singapore Botanic Gardens at 6pm.

The Finale Dance Musical titled "Love and Destiny" is presented by People's Association and supported by Central Singapore CDC. The performance is based on the classic Chinese tale of the Butterfly Lovers (Liang Shanbo and Zhu Yingtai). The musical will showcase a rich blend of classical music, modern dance, singing, beat-boxing, artistic gymnastics, costumes, and props. This performance is supported by Central Singapore CDC and Singapore Botanic
Gardens. Groups involved in the performance include PA Talents, Black Forest, beat-boxer Charles Wong, Malay Acappella Group Juz-B, Kebun Baru CC, Chua Yi Fang, Kym Rhythmic and Kuen Wushu Academy. Admission is FREE!

Please bring your family, friends and relatives to watch this specially choreographed dance musical. This is really a not-to-be-missed performance for all. Please send this emailer to people you know, of all ages and from all walks of life. See you there!

Details of the performance:
Date: 22 March 2008, Saturday
Time: 6 pm to 7.15 pm
Venue: Shaw Foundation Symphony Stage, Singapore Botanic Gardens

With warm regards,

Ong Yuin Ling
Assistant Secretary, Chinese Cultural Festival 2008 Steering Committee/
Senior Manager, Brand Promotion Unit Cultural Industry Promotion Department
Chinese Newspapers Division Singapore Press Holdings

Huayi Festival Rehearsals

2008-03-17T20:03:00.003+08:00

Been caught up with rehearsals for the upcoming performance for a Huayi Festival item this Saturday. Its a retelling of the chinese classic "Liang Zhu" (Butterfly lovers) via a fusion of different art forms.

There is a variety of dance and music styles, songs performances (local acapella grp Juz-B) and even an amazing live Beat-box segment that got all of us watching open-jawed.

KUEN Wushu performers are primarily involved in a fusion of dance and Wushu choreography segment that has the guys donning menacing looking black Victorian-like costumes. It features us Men-In-Black preventing the female lead (Zhu Yingtai, played by the lovely Yan Yan *smitten*) from escaping by wielding poles and swords and sabres. Costume looks uber-cool, much better than I expected when I first got the concept art in my mail.

I've got a video of the rehearsal that I'll put up once i get around to editing it. Meanwhile, here's a look at the costume.

Eduplus Wushu enrichment at Taonan school

2008-03-17T19:38:00.005+08:00

This is the 2nd year we've been providing our Wushu enrichment programmes for Eduplus' Chinese language camps, and this year's venue was at Taonan School. Every year, students from different schools come together during the school holidays for a short Chinese language camp and our KUEN Wushu trainers will be tasked to involve them with a short introductory Wushu workout as part of their physical programme.

KUEN Wushu 2008 Photo Shoot

2008-02-28T15:28:00.010+08:00

Just had our first photo shoot of 2008 last night. I'll post some nice shots of the shoot here once I get my hands on the photos, post-processed of course.

*Edit (01/03/08): Ok here you go. I've only got time to watermark a few to put here. There are lots more, 11gig of raw photos...Gulp.

KUEN Trainers staring down the small but notoriously fierce Kaiting Laoshi.

Wa Sai! Zhipeng laoshi's flying!

Wang Liang Laoshi flaunting his flexibility... :p

The whole thing was a logistical nightmare and frankly speaking, I'm amazed we made it through without too many hiccups. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that we've got all the shots we wanted. Hey, its not everyday you get to do a shoot in a professional studio right? I think the students and performers enjoyed themselves. Well, they got to doll themselves up and look pretty in Wushu poses, - every Narcissistic Wushu person's wet dream. Heh...
Pardon the long wait if you guys are reading this, but I kinda expected it'll be delayed, from past photo shoot experiences. I think it started around 7pm and ended deep into the night. Poor me reached home around 2am and had to wake up at 6.30am to conduct an early morning programme at Gan Eng Seng Primary.

Yawn.......... Ca...n't....t.y...p...e.....neeee...d....s...l...e.e..p... ZZ.z.z.z.z...z.z..z.zzz

KUEN Wushu and Yew Tee Primary @ Chingay 2008

2008-02-19T13:34:00.009+08:00

Hey everyone, the photos are out!!! Take a look at these...

All dressed up and ready. Wait... is that lipstick?!? Ahhh!!!

Opening segment - Right centre, in front of the soon-to-be tossed Yusheng.

CHARGE!!! "FOR SPAAAAARTAAAAA!!!!"

"Haaaaiiii-Yak!!!" Look at our flying kick!

Victory!!! Celebration time!

A big Thank You to the students, parents and teachers from Yew Tee Primary school for their unwavering support. Thank you to those who specially took time off to train and perform even on such short notice. We couldn't have done it without any of you.

We had such fun. Now that its over.... depressed liao... Aww...

I know. Let's do it again in 2009!!! Yeah!

Training for Chingay 2008

2008-02-13T01:56:00.001+08:00

Tired. Its 2am in the morning and I'm online writing this... Yawn. I really ought to be sleeping...

Was alerted to an impromptu performance a couple of days ago and had to press the emergency ACTIVATE button to get together a team of performers for a Chingay item.

Mad rush to get everyone together and to coordinate the moves but we did it. I've been running through some ideas for this performance's choreography and tonight was the night it all came to fruition. Kinda...heh. We just need a little more practice and we'll be perfect.

Of course we couldn't have done it without the cooperation and effort everyone has given to this project. Especially the guys doing the Double Sabre segment, most had to train from scratch, and yet the end result is something that I had envisioned it to be - a perfect union of double sabres and straight swords. Looks good to me. Gotta video it and put it online if got the chance.

Special shout out to:
> Ivan and Evelyn. Thanks for taking up the challenge and putting in so much effort.
> Marcus and Yongchao. Thanks man... can you believe its been years since you've picked up a shuang dao? Heh...
> Everyone else who has put in time and sweat to make it unforgettable. I am sure we will all look back tomorrow and smile at the memories we are making today.

To the rest of you reading this, catch us at Chingay 2008 this Friday and Saturday night!

KUEN WUSHU ROXXX!!!!

First time aerials at KUEN Wushu

2008-01-07T22:22:00.005+08:00

Last Sunday's training (06/01/2008) was an exciting one for 2 of our young ones at KUEN Wushu.
Congratulations to Annabelle and Weixuan for getting that Cekongfan!

* Original video of their Cekongfan no longer available. The video server went Kaput. : (

2008 - A brand new year awaits...

2008-01-07T12:37:00.001+08:00

New year greetings for 2008!

Lol... I know its a little belated, it is after all the 7th of Jan, but like they say, better late than never. : )

Just a little shout out to everyone from KUEN Wushu for their support this past year. Thank you everyone for your help and thanks again to all the trainers, members and parents for making KUEN such a great place to call our own. (90-degree bow...)

Looking back at 2007, there were numerous major events and milestones for KUEN. - First off, we said goodbye to our beloved home of 3 years at Geylang Bahru and relocated to our present training facility.
- Then there was the god-send Chen Zhipeng laoshi joining the ranks of our KUEN trainers.
- Then we got busy with the schools' SEP programmes, hitting a record number of close to 9000 student participants in our KUEN Wushu programmes.
- Return to Poiching school and Fuhua and seeing familiar faces.
- Training camps and China excursion at the year end.

All in all, I say we did pretty good for one year dont'cha think?

Yeah.

Here's to a brand new year in 2008!

Wushu Performance! Y Proms@CLAP!

2007-11-26T01:41:00.001+08:00

The performance on Saturday night at Chinatown Kreta Ayer Square was an absolute HIT with the crowd!

Great job to all who participated! A BIG THANK YOU! goes to Kaiting laoshi and Zhipeng laoshi in charge of choreographing and preparation for this event. The meticulous effort put into planning and preparation is evident, clearly seen and translated extremely well onstage into 10 minutes of pure entertainment for the spectators young and old.

Gotta thank the parents of the young performers for their support in sending the children down for practices and rehearsals. I'm sure they must be proud to see the end result. I know I am. :)

Photos photos...

Uh-oh... when will I clear this backlog of photos to post online.

Do wait patiently, I'll get to it soon.... I hope. :p

KUEN Wushu Holiday Training Camp Nov 2007

2007-11-23T22:34:00.001+08:00

Its over.

5 days of hell-on-earth for the trainers...

Children... so many noisy children... Arghhh!

But it wasn't nearly as bad for me as it was for the rest of the trainers... This time I unofficially volunteered myself to be in-charge of entertainment and games, and carefully side-stepped all the heavy responsibilities of being a trainer-in-charge.

I think the kids enjoyed themselves. *pats self on back* Especially on the last night's BBQ where they had free-flow marshmallows. MmmmMmmm.........

This year's group was slightly bigger, with participants from Kranji Pri, Yew Tee Pri, Zhonghua Pri, Yew Tee CC, Jurong Spring CC, KUEN Kids, etc...

I saw some definite potentials in the young ones and some made astonishing improvements over the week. You can almost see them get better with each training session.

Great job KUEN trainers! Cheers to Kaiting laoshi, Wang Liang Laoshi, Zhipeng Laoshi, Zhicheng Laoshi and the rest of the trainers!

I'll definitely post photos of the camp as soon as I get my hands on them.

SSC SEP Showcase at Orchid Country Club

2007-11-13T00:06:00.001+08:00

Updates:

SSC SEP Sports Showcase for year 2008 Sports Education Programmes. This year they decided to hold it at Orchid Country Club. Did a recce this morning of the grounds at OCC, not very impressed. :( No demo areas, lots of restrictions, low ceiling height = No high high banners liao...sigh

Anyway, the trainers spent the whole of today preparing for their turn tomorrow to put up our own Pasam Malam...heh. Well, at least they should be more experienced this time round, since we've been doing SEP programmes since its pilot phase in year 2006.

Some interesting figures we amassed for this round of marketing.

Did you know?
- the combined total no. of students taught by KUEN trainers in the year 2007 is a whopping 8759 !!!
- that's an average of 1459.83333 students taught by each KUEN trainer a year!
- we have brought our KUEN Wushu programmes to more than 25 schools since year 2006
- there are currently more than 800 photographs (of student programmes) in our photo archive.
- we spent an average of 4.5 hrs a week on weekly debriefs and training meetings

Reservist... Sian...

2007-10-21T22:09:00.001+08:00

Reservist...

Sian...

From tmr...

Till 2nd...

Sian...

*Yawn*

Where's my SBO?

Sigh...

Fighting Fit Fuhua

2007-10-21T21:56:00.001+08:00

Just ended a Wushu programme at Fuhua. Take a look at the photos I've taken with my handphone. (Not as nice as those taken with my previous K800i but I guess it'll suffice...)

Got the students to fill in the post-programme survey as per norm and it just feels great to have like 85% of them write things like:

"You guys Rock!"

"I had great fun training :)"

"We gotta do this again next year!"

Hehe... I'm not making this up I swear. I can scan in a couple of comments if anyone thinks I'm bullshitting. :p

Anyway, thanks for being a sport guys! (and gals!) If anyone from Fuhua reading this, tell your friends how appreciative Mr. Chin and Mr. Wang is of your participation in the activities... You guys made our day :) (not to mention vomit blood too... heh)

Back to Poiching

2007-09-21T13:01:00.001+08:00

Yup, we're back at Poiching School again.
Its been 9 months since we last conducted our KUEN Wushu programmes over there. Many things have changed, but its nice to see the familiar faces of the teachers we used to work with from the PE department. In a weird sorta way, me and my trainers kinda missed the kids, now all "grown up" suddenly during our absence...heh. I hope the teachers and students are as glad to see us as we are to see them. :)

Round 1: Ms Wang VS 40 students!

Chin on Radio and TV....again

2007-09-05T03:17:00.001+08:00

Apologies everyone! Arghh.... I haven't been writing for almost an entire month!
What the heck have I been up to???

For starters, I've had Lasik done on my eyes. Yup, bye bye my beloved specs... Wow, to think that I've been wearing glasses since 8...gulp. I highly recommend it, anyone who can afford it and could afford at least 2 days of MC should do it. It'd be the best gift you can give yourself.

So if you see me and my bloodshot eyes this Friday (7th Sep) on Channel U's Money Week, don't be surprised... Yup, me going on TV again... and radio too. Completed both interviews for radio and tv today (tue), both gonna be aired on Friday afternoon for radio and night-time ard 9.30pm for TV I think. Do keep a look out for me and come back here to post in the shoutbox how good-looking or awful-looking I am (or sound) You know what they say, any feedback is better than no feedback. That probably means nobody's watching...heh

Ok, I've accumulated quite a stash of photos this past month of the school programmes that started and ended. Especially the ACES day ones on the 31st August we did at River Valley Primary and Greenwood Primary. The reviews from the teachers were fantastic and I really should give my trainers a well-deserved pat on the back. Great job guys!

Holiday week this week. Don't think we can rest tho... SEP submission date this saturday, so instead of taking it easy, i've requested for more meetings this week! Cheers! Don't everyone just love inefficient long draggy meetings? Yeah....

I'll post often. I promise. I hope. Heh.

Kuen Wushu Superstar Trainers

2007-08-10T00:27:00.002+08:00

Sigh... Ended another programme at Greenwood Primary last week. Last lesson liao, quite sad actually. Will miss these super enthusiastic children, we machiam superstars when they all came rushing forward and overwhelmed us with their hugs and handshakes. We received thank you cards and letters scribbling words describing which trainer they loved the most and why they loved their Wushu lessons. Happy to have brought our fun and engaging Wushu programme to yet another few hundred happy students of Greenwood Primary.

Take a look at these priceless photos:

School workshop, SSC briefing & Sports Silat

2007-08-02T12:27:00.001+08:00

Lately a question that pops up often in my head - "How to be at two places at one time?"

Well, you can't.

So when such instances present themselves, I weigh the consequences, prioritize, pick one, and pray the rest goes smoothly.

Wednesday - another mid week post. Phew...
Needed to conduct a teachers workshop at Dazhong Primary and be at TPY sports hall to attend the sports council SEP 2008 briefing. Well, the choice was pretty obvious between the two, I wouldn't sleep well at the SEP briefing knowing that I could have been at Dazhong conducting a great workshop for the teachers. Grin.

Of course I did send a rep in my stead and rushed over to the briefing after the workshop. I was late for an hour and a half and I was told I didn't miss much, everything I needed to know was in a piece of paper in the SEP folder. (Why am I not surprised?) At least the trip (and the carpark fees) wasn't for nothing, I met with Imran, he runs his own Sports Silat Academy. Brought him back to KUEN Wushu to show him around and discussed about possible collaborations between our companies. He's a nice guy. :) I've given my word to help him with the training facility for his Silat lesson on one of the nights we don't have classes.

Remarks:
For more information on the SEP -
SSC Sports Education Programme Portal

In short it is a nation-wide funding programme available to all MOE schools to promote sports and increase sports participation.
KUEN Wushu Programmes have been endorsed under the SEP since the scheme started in 2006.

The Accidental Guests

2007-07-31T01:10:00.002+08:00

Sundays are generally sucky days for KUEN Wushu trainers. Thats becoz we have our excruciatingly long weekly meeting on Sunday afternoons when the KUEN trainers debrief, discuss, bicker, and b!tch about the past week's activities and lessons. The past Sunday was no different. In fact, it was made worse by the fact that we started late and ended even later. When I was done with them by 8pm, everyone nearly fainted from hunger. It was with this in mind that I decided to drive the trainers to a hearty meal at a nice little joint at GL lorong 44 where they sell chinese bbq, dishes and noodles.

As luck would have it, we stumbled upon a birthday dinner in progress, of which belongs to a certain World Wushu Champion - Mr Di Guang Wen. (Master Di or Di laoshi to all of you young punks out there..heh.) We know each other through a mutual friend and before we know it, someone pulled up a table and we were toasting beer on an empty stomach. Felt uneasy gate-crashing what seemed like a private mini gathering but he was a real sport and soon all thoughts of uneasiness were thrown out the window after the 4th beer...grin.

I also learnt an interesting thing about my trainers that night. One of the trainers can't drink... nearly puked, and thats only after 4 semi-filled glasses of beer. All in all it was a nice get-together with acquaintances whom hopefully will become closer after sharing this common experience. We even talked about a collaboration between himself, his networks and KUEN Wushu. I'm generally skeptical about such dinner table talk but I'm keeping my fingers crossed and see how things develop. I'll see what we can come up with when we next meet up, sober and serious...heh...

Remarks
A quick search online revealed the following info on Di Guangwen Laoshi:
- a World Wushu Champion (won the Gold in Changquan in the 1993 World Wushu Championships)
- 1994 China All-round Wushu Champion
- Former captain of the Beijing Wushu Team
- Key Wushu figure responsible for the success of "Dance En___ble's" Wushu classes in the 4 years he was in Singapore.

Impressive isn't it? I know I'd love to be able to put something like "World Wushu Champion" on my namecard. It'd surely do wonders for the company dontcha think?

Lessons at Fuhua

2007-07-25T23:01:00.001+08:00

Wow, a mid-week post. I must be relatively free this week. Actually I'm lying in bed now with a running nose and hoarse throat, think me caught a cold... :(

Went Fuhua this morning and did 3 classes of introductory Wushu lessons with the Sec 2 kids.

Happy to be back in Fuhua again after 2 years. I did an introductory programme with them in year 2005 for their Sec 2s too and some of them still recognise me after 2 years. Feels good to know I left a good enough impression, enough for them to remember me name even though it was years ago and only a short programme.

Anyway, as expected, these students were quite a handful, but nothing Mr Chin can't handle...grin. I hope they enjoyed the session as much as I've enjoyed teaching it (and torturing some of the poor kids with arm lifts and squats...heh) Hope they'll like what I have planned for them in the coming 9 weeks.

Sigh... me no voice again i think. Think tmr's classes gotta leave it to WL laoshi liao... sniff sniff.

getWushu @ Tanglin Secondary

2007-07-22T11:06:00.001+08:00

We brought KUEN Wushu's signature Wushu Roadshow - getWushu to Tanglin Secondary last Friday. (20th July)
Amazing response from the students at Tanglin Sec. Even more so from the teachers, and I think the Principal was pleasantly surprised at the enthusiasm shown by the students.
Whats important is that the students enjoyed themselves and everyone on the team had fun doing it. (Tanglin Secondary - You guys ROCKED!)

getWushu Info:
The KUEN Wushu "getWushu - Sports Wushu Roadshow" was started in 2005, funded under the S'pore Sports Council's SPPP programme. It has since toured more than 20 schools , bringing Wushu Sports Exposure to students all over the island. It is a 3-part programme lasting 1 to 1.5 hrs, with lots of exhilarating Wushu action, live interaction with the students, audience tryouts, etc. All this done with a 10+ man team of Wushu athletes cum performers, MCs, Wushu trainers, photo/videographers, logistics, etc.
Sounds fun? Definitely!
Tiring? Hell yeah...

Updates - School Term 3 Week 3

2007-07-16T00:46:00.001+08:00

Its been hectic as hell this week. Post frequency dropped from every other day to once a week. My apologies to anyone who's been checking back only to find that the blog's been stagnant. Anyway, here's what we did for the whole week.

Mon 9th
- Wushu lessons @ RVPS in the morning with our adorable ZP laoshi. Did observations for all 3 lessons and he is VERY GOOD. Able to make revisions to lesson plans after obtaining feedback from Moi. Impressive... I like.

- KRP, taken by moi in the afternoon. Sometimes serious, sometimes tiring, always fun. :)
To KRP kids: Betcha arms were tired huh? *grin*

Tue 10th
- RVPS by KT laoshi. Sheesh... this class nearly did us in i tell ya. Ultra active children, minimum response to instructions, short attention span. Requires maximum effort to motivate and get them interested. Got a feeling this might just be KT's trial by fire. Grin.

- ZP laoshi had a class @ SGS. Showed the students their performance video. Suffice to say they were more than pleased with themselves for putting up a decent show in such short notice, complete with custom made costumes.

Wed 11th
- HCI taken by Moi and WL. Struggling with the 30min time frame per cohort to engage the students and get them to learn some skills, while at the same time, maintain enough discipline to keep them in line. Not easy but not impossible either.

- GWPS also taken by Moi, with WL assisting. Mass programme - close to 200 children, but always SO MUCH FUN to teach!

Thu 12th
- Nearly dropped dead from fatigue. Was the Conducting in the morning @ HCI. Then its off to RVPS for WL's observations. Still had to go FHS to conduct my own class of Mod. Cert Programme...
Think thats why I almost fell sick on Friday. Lost my voice in the middle of the night. Bummer.

Fri 13th
- Wow. Black Friday leh. Didn't realise it until when I typed it out just now. No voice when i woke up in the morning. Msged KT told her they gotta handle the day's lessons liao. In the end I ended up Chief Conducting still, making raspy noises thru the mic. Weird thing was my voice got clearer as the day drew to a close at GWPS. Some potent stuff that medicine i had in the morning... I think there were bee-like bugs floating in the Chinese concoction me Mum made. Yucks....pUi!

Dat abt sums up the boring parts of my week last week.
Onwards trainers! Let us brave another week of screaming children and disinterested teenagers as we cut down the days to another weekend!

Recipe for a Mass Wushu Programme

2007-07-08T11:08:00.001+08:00

Its been a hectic week for the trainers and myself.
The new term has started and gradually picking up steam. Just last week alone, we had 4 new school programmes starting and a couple more schools starting next week. Most are Wushu Mass Workout Programmes, anywhere from 80 to excess of 200 pax at a time.

The burden of conducting such large-scale programmes naturally falls on me as this happens to be my specialization, having done mass programmes countless times and accumulating invaluable experience every step of the way.

Something to share with you and my trainers. (or my fellow competitors if you're reading...grin. Man, I'm such a nice person... i know...)

It is one thing to be standing in front of a class of 20 Wushu students coaching techniques. It is a whole different ballgame standing on the stage with a mic engaging 200 students and teachers in the hall with Wushu exercises, most of whom can't be bothered even if the roof caved in.

Here's the trick: You need to reach out with your infectious energy and hypnotize EVERY ONE OF THEM with your presence and have them move with you, laugh with you, sway with you...When you got them hooked on your every word, slip in the otherwise dorky-looking punches, kicks and stances. Mix in the right amounts of Easy-to-follow moves, a tiny bit of Challenge, a generous serving of Humour - VOILA! Mag-ni-fi-cent!

In short, you need to be a Duracell Bunny in an apron and chef's hat, holding a microphone in one hand and a whistle in the other. Mmm... I bet I look sexy up there on stage. grin...

A nice lady teacher came up to me on Wed and asked where do i get all that energy bouncing ard on stage. Ok... you got me there. The cat's out of the bag - I'm a Redbull Junkie. *wink*

JUMP

2007-07-02T01:38:00.002+08:00

I went Jumpin tonight. Heard it was good. Didn't think it'd be this good. Friggin good show.
So glad I bought the tiks, would've kicked myself if I let something like this pass.

The martial arts wasn't exactly top-notch but the comedy, acting, audience interaction and pure energy from the performers sizzled...phew... The performers clearly loved the stage and we the audience couldn't stop ourselves from loving them back. I clapped so hard my palms hurt at the end of the whole show.

Dang... I should really learn to do some of the trickz they've pulled off - like soaring thru the air!
Shouldn't be too hard I hope. We're not half-bad Wushu people. Uh-uh... Not bad at all.

Can you imagine me doing this?

Costumes maketh the Performance!

2007-07-01T15:17:00.002+08:00

Saturday.
Performance at Kranji went well! Me proud of me kids, screaming and punchin early in the mornin for the VIP.
Did some shopping errands for materials needed for costumes and sent it down to Serangoon Garden Sec. ZP's students are making their own warrior costumes for their school play cum Wushu performance next Saturday.

Their inspiration:

SGS Students @ Work!

Mirabelle playing "Who Wants To Be A Maria!" (domestic worker..aka maid)

Keith using his special Mutant Eye-Power helping to dry pieces of painted "armour" while casually sipping his Milo-tinni.

I can't wait to see all of them in their full glory doing their thing! Jiayou lo!

Two-in-one update.

2007-07-01T14:52:00.001+08:00

Thursday.
Went Kranji and trained the kids for their sat performance. Stayed back till 1am at the office making revisions to the PPT for tmr's roadshow @ Greenwood Pri. (sniff... all alone in the office. almost got locked in coz the security guy at Shines didn't know I was ard and locked the gates...sigh)

Friday.
Played chauffeur and drove KT and ZP to Teck Whye Pri for their session and headed to Kranji Pri again for their last rehearsal b4 the actual day. Fetched trainers back to KUEN to pick up stuff needed for the Wushu Roadshow at Greenwood. The roadshow was absolutely GREAT! and the Greenwood children loved me...ahem... us. :p Watch this Blog for updates re. the roadshow as I'll definitely post photos once i get them onto the computer.

Jon Foo

2007-06-27T12:57:00.002+08:00

Man, has it been 2 years already?

I knew Jon from a couple of years ago. He was trainin for a bit at KUEN and we even did a performance together at the gala premiere for Kungfu Hustle. He dropped by KUEN Wushu for training last night and we went out for drinks.
(If you're going Jon who??? Go youtube and type in Jon Foo to see a couple of his works)

He travels to different countries doing stuntwork for movies, but I can't call him a 'stuntman', thats just plain wrong. He's an actor! (laugh... he does look alot like Frodo doesn't he, a better looking one of course)

Oh yeah... He also taught me 'Kick the Moon' in like one day. Cool yeah?

We went for drinks with Francis at St James. Turns out that they met each other 2 years ago on Orchard Road while Francis was performing and Jon went up to Francis to ask about his ultra cool dance moves. We were en route to St James and as if he had a sudden epiphany or something he turned around and went "I think I've seen you before...." What are the chances of that happening huh...

Anyway, I think we were drunk before we even got there cos we kept breaking out into that annoyingly funny Gatsby song from the ad.

"Iiiiii....can give you GATSsssBiee.... GA-ATSsssBieeee....GATSsssBYiiieeee...."

He's flying back to Thailand today, but he says he'll be back next month.

Call when you're back ok.

Money earned. Money spent.

2007-06-25T10:33:00.001+08:00

Sunday whizzed past just like that. Hectic even for a Sunday.. Damn...

KT brought the kids to Marina Sq for the SSC event thingy, turned out it wasn't too appreciated as the morning crowd at MS was pathetic. Am glad they had a really fun movie session after that tho...(courtesy of KT laoshi)

Brainstormed with ZP re. his performance at SGS, talked abt some DIY costume designs and the materials he'd need to get on Mon. Then its off to Suntec for a quick lunch. Went to take a look at the GSS deals at Carrefour. Deliberated over LCD monitors and got distracted by the ACER notebook deals. Finally settled on this for $339/=

Good deal hor?
Gonna hang this 20" Acer LCD at the window area of the KUEN office for ads and notices.

One down, many to go. Wishlist for KUEN:
- ~~LCD monitor for window display~~ (< $400)
- DV camera (< $800)
- Digital still camera (< $1000)
- Notebook (< $1500)
- Mirrors ( < $2000)
- Huge posters of Wushu poses for marketing (< $3000)
Gulp... thats a lot of money we don't have... :( *chuckle*

At the end of the day, everyone went home happy (I hope)cos they got a big fat angbao from KT, mostly reimbursements for performances and helping out during the training camp.

Operational Hiccups - Hold your breath.

2007-06-23T11:15:00.001+08:00

Yanbin came by KUEN Wushu yesterday to visit. (He's an actor cum stunt master at Mediacorp) Just back from filming the latest Jack Neo movie (starring Fann Wong!) in KL for the past 3 weeks. We got to chat a little regarding the new setup and he provided me with new insights. (thanks partner :p)

Told him about my problem of the hall being constantly in use by other ppl. (mostly SHINES Outdoors la..). He told me to make a stand and say No.

We gotta pay to use their facilities (during camp), they should be paying us everytime they use our training hall right? Why else are we paying rent for? The tiny miserable office space?

And Sunday mornings are nightmarish... The church ppl got our hall and the morning parents are unhappy that they have been relegated to the classrooms. Well, initially I thought training in the classrooms wasn't such a bad idea, with the aircon and all... I don't think so anymore.

Anyway, on a lighter note, me and Yanbin did talk about starting a new programme at KUEN. A course targetted at young adults (read 17 and above) that is part Wushu and part action-star training. Participants will get to experience "flying" and wire-stunts, perform action fight scenes, learn stunts and acrobatics that will prepare them if they ever wish to embark on their ways to Movie Stardom....

Cool idea yeah? Tell me what you think.

KUEN Wushu Official Blog

Goodbye 2010. Hello 2011.

Kuen-Eduplus Wushu Cultural Programme for Holy Innocents High

洋娃娃对武术的热爱

Kuen Wushu Training Video 5

Kuen Wushu Training Video 4

Kuen Wushu Training Video 3

演出与训练

Fuhua Secondary Certificate Presentation 2010

Mid-autumn Celebration photo update

Kuen Wushu Mid-autumn Performance 2010

怎样可以更好的练好武术？

一分耕耘一分收获

武术对少儿的帮助

宝贝四胞胎

自己成长经历

训练日记

练了武术才知道（2）

练了武术才知道 （1）

New authors added to blog

Kuen Wushu Training Video 2

Kuen Wushu Training Video for L1 assessment

武状元 The Champion DVD

Kuen Wushu Relocation Open House

Relocation Notice

"The Champion" Post Event Update

武状元 The Champion

Kuen Wushu & Beijing Wushu Team 2010 Performance

武状元 THE CHAMPION

Video Update "One Heart One Kuen"

New server. YMCA camp in Dec.

Website downtime alert

APEC 2009 @ Esplanade

September October updates

August updates

July Updates

Post Event Update for One Heart One Kuen

One Heart, One Kuen

Congratulations Interschool '09 Winners!

Kuen Wushu founder TV interview (aired 2007)

Mobile blogging

Kuen Wushu Championships 2009

Biao VS Procrastination

CNY updates

Hindi Kungfu Film - Chandni Chowk To China

New Post. New Year. New Beginnings.

End of camp, end of year.

Photos from Beijing

Extreme Makeover - Liu Juan laoshi

Certificate Presentation at Fuhua Secondary

Enrichment workshop at Eduplus language camp

Sports Council SEP Showcase 2009

Rivervale Primary Modular Certificate Presentation

Photos and Videos of MTM-KUEN Exchange

KUEN - MTM Wushu Exchange 28/10 - 2/11

Greenwood ACES Day "Kungfu P@nd@" Workout

Updates for September

India - S'pore Wushu Exchange 11/08 - 15/08

August - Olympics, NDP & National Comps

Birthday Greetings - Chief Trainer Di

Nothing much. Just a little update.

Need sleep 2

Need...sleep....can't...th...in..k

Blog drought

Train. Pain. Complain

KUEN Wushu ad in I-weekly

KUEN Wushu 5th Anniversary Openhouse

KUEN open-house on 18th May Sunday

Yi laoshi last training at KUEN

Photos taken 20th April Sunday

Change. The only thing constant...

Wushu - The Movie

Competition updates. More congrats!

Go for GOLD! Interschool Wushu 2008 updates

"Love and Destiny" at the Botanic Garden

Huayi Festival Rehearsals

Eduplus Wushu enrichment at Taonan school

KUEN Wushu 2008 Photo Shoot

KUEN Wushu and Yew Tee Primary @ Chingay 2008

Training for Chingay 2008

练了武术才知道（1）