Chris Banks...

My name is Chris Banks and I am thirty-eight years old. I joined Sanshangong hoping to fulfill a lifetime ambition of learning a Martial Art.From the moment I entered the "daoguan" (Martial Arts training hall) I felt curiously at ease and relaxed in myself which, for me, was very odd as I am usually quite nervous about meeting strangers (I did not know anyone when I first visited Simon's Academy).Everyone, and I mean EVERYONE, was very keen to make me feel at home, and the perfect "fengshui" layout of the daoguan allowed me to feel at peace within the evironment I was training in. The Art of Sanshangong is like none I have ever seen before and trains one's mind, body, and soul all at the same time allowing you to feel synchronized and, in plain English, really rather good and satisfied.Sanshangong is a beautiful representation of REAL Chinese age-old Martial Arts and has not been corrupted by Western ways at all, making it totally pure. Since I have been studying Sanshangong (about eight weeks now), it does not surprise me that the Chinese have such a high longevity record.

Dene Jones...

Hi my name is Dene Jones and im 45 years old. Last year i had cancer of my bladder and had to have an operation to remove it, i must admit that i got very depressed and felt negative towards anything i did, then a friend called Steve Lansley came to visit me upon hearing of my illness. Steve told me about the Sanshangong Kung Fu School where he is an instructer, and would i like to come along to see what goes on at the school. I must admit i was feeling a bit apprehensive of being a new face but that only lasted a couple of minutes, before i knew it i was feeling apart of it all. I now train four times per week and look forward to every class ! Special thanks to: Steve...Simon & Alex.

Heather Kirk...

Oriental DanceHi, I’m Heather. Kirk. My background is in Dance movement and I also write ‘haiku’ ( a form of Japanese poetry). Although I am English, my childhood years were spent in Singapore.I met Simon Lailey as a result of having studied Chinese Dance in London and I felt that it might be possible to continue the Dance aspect here, on the Isle Of Wight, where Simon has a very strong following. Although a newcomer to the Martial Arts I am deeply interested in Oriental culture so I was delighted to find Simon (who also produces a journal, SECRETS OF THE MARTIAL ARTS, to which I occasionally contribute by way of articles).Although Simon’s Oriental Dance group is a small one, it does continue to grow. In true Oriental style it is an approach whereby martial arts-influenced movements are incorporated into Dance along with Oriental music which is built around the creative Dance movement(s). I am really learning a great deal (and enjoying it, too!) as Simon explains the significance and symbolism together with the hands-on defensive and ’martial’ applications which adds more depth and meaning to the Dance movements, themselves. Although I did study Qigong (Chinese Breath Therapy) under Simon some time ago, I had to stop owing to ill-health. I have now made a comeback (and feel all the better for it!) and am finding that Simon’s Oriental Dance class is a healthy and refreshing and alternative ‘way in’ to the overall concept of martial arts as ‘holistic health’. Would you like to join us? You do not need to be a dancer or a martial artist – just interested and focused. BACK TO TOP