Gao Can Mun Nam Pai Chuan Shaolin Kung Fu – to give it its full title – takes its name from the system’s founding fathers – a monk called Shi Gao Can (or Seh Koh San), and Great Grandmaster, Quek Heng Choon. It also takes its name from the geographical origins of the system, north and south China. Nam Pai Chuan translates as Northern Southern Fist.

(It is pronounced gow can mun nam pie chew an) 

Shaolin Gao Can Mun Nam Pai Chuan originates from the kung fu training practiced in Shaolin temples in both north and south China. Traditionally kung fu was developed by Shaolin monks to aid concentration whilst meditating and to protect the temples from attack or from raiders.

Our system of kung fu comes from the Seh Koh San tradition of Chinese kung fu. It combines both traditional Shaolin self-defence training and techniques, with more modern training methods adapted from other styles of martial art like tae kwon do to preserve the original teachings whilst remaining a practical fighting style.

For more information see what you will learn  and system history 

Classes are typically around two hours long, and are usually of mixed ability, ages, and sexes. They begin with a warm up of stretching and gentle exercise and become progressively more vigorous and strenuous.

Training then moves to learning kung fu techniques. Instructors will demonstrate a technique, explaining the key technical points, then ask students to copy and practice it - either in the air, or in pairs using focus pads.

Each class is designed to get progressively more difficult to help students master the basics of a technique then learn to add other dynamics such as footwork or additional techniques.

Towards the end of the class students break into syllabus groups to practice specific techniques with other students of the same level of ability.

Training sessions conclude with a cool down session to slow the heart rate, and prevent stiffness in joints and muscles. 

Our classes are open to everyone, no matter what their fitness level. Most students find that their level of fitness quickly improves once they start training. Naturally certain medical conditions may mean you cannot train either partially or fully. 

We ask all newcomers to contact their local centre before coming to a class.  You can do this using our centres page and follow the link to your local centre’s own website, which will contain information about training times, locations and contact details.

Many organise specific induction sessions for newcomers to welcome them, teach them basic techniques and give demonstrations of more advanced techniques.

We ask beginners to wear dark track suit bottoms or similar and a plain t-shirt.  Jewellery should be removed and long hair tied back.  You won’t need special shoes as we train in bare feet.  After you have attended a few introductory classes you will be asked to buy a training uniform.

Our training can be very physically demanding so we advise anyone with pre-existing conditions to consult their doctor before training with us.

Our instructors take the health and safety of the students very seriously. Students should advise their instructor of any pre-existing conditions or injuries which may affect their training before the session begins.

The heightened instincts and self-confidence our students gain through training tends to mean they become more aware of potential aggressive situations and recognise the wisdom in avoiding a conflict situation. 

We hold grading examinations every three months, and students who have progressed sufficiently in their training are asked to participate.  Their fellow classmates are also required to show their support by attending. 

At the grading, students are required to perform specific techniques from the syllabus and demonstrate them to a good level of competency. As students progress to higher grades they are asked to demonstrate controlled sparring. If all elements are executed well then students progress to the next grade and begin learning new sections of the syllabus.

Students are only asked to participate in a grading examination when their instructor is confident that they have achieved the necessary level of competency. We encourage all of our students to make a continuous progression and without participating in a grading they cannot effectively progress through the training syllabus. 

It is possible to gain a black belt in as little as three or four years of extremely dedicated training, though we discourage pursuing a black belt grade purely for its own sake.

We have grading examinations to higher degrees of black belt, known as ‘duin’ grades (these are like the dan grading system in Japanese/Korean martial arts).  Our black belt degrees correspond directly to those of other martial arts in the level of rigour and understanding demanded of the black belt holder. 

Safety is a primary concern for all our instructors and great care is taken with each and every class to minimise the potential for problems and to ensure the wellbeing of students.  

All our black belts hold current first aid certificates. Whilst we cannot guarantee you will never get hurt, we are proud of our history that we have suffered only a handful of injuries since Nam Pai Chuan teaching started in Europe in the 1970s.

Yes. We organise competitions dedicated for students of the Nam Pai Chuan system, we also encourage students to participate in competitions organised by the BCCMA (British Council for Martial Arts) 

Initially you will be asked to buy a training uniform. As your training progresses you will be asked to buy different coloured belts to indicate the status of your training.

You will also need to purchase your own sparring equipment (headguard, gumshield, body pad, chest guard (females), groin guard (males), shin guards, boxing gloves).  This is important safety equipment which is essential for sparring practice.

Senior students are expected to buy their own training weapons.