Nam Yang Pugilistic Association

Infobox_martial_art_group
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name = Nam Yang Pugilistic Association
aka = Nam Yang Martial Arts Association
date founded = 1954
country = flag|United Kingdom, flag|Singapore
founder = Ang Lian Huat
head = Tan Soh Tin, Iain Armstrong
arts_taught = Kung Fu
ancestor_arts = Shaolin Kung Fu, Tiger-Crane Style
descendant_arts =
ancestor schools = Shaolin Temple, Tee family
descendant schools=
notable_pract =
website = www.namyang.co.uk

Nam Yang Pugilistic Association (or Nam Yang Martial Arts Association) is a Martial Arts club founded by Ang Lian Huat in Singapore, 1954. The club is now also based in South East England, with club headquarters in Alexandra Park, Epsom, Surrey, and headed by Iain Armstrong. As well as teaching predominantly Southern Shaolin Tiger-Crane Kung Fu, Nam Yang also runs lessons on Shaolin weapons, Chi Kung, Shuang Yang Pei Ho, Tai Chi, Kickboxing, and traditional Chinese dance (Dragon Dance and Lion Dance).

History

After the end of the Chinese Civil war, a communist army rose in China. Founder Ang Lian Huat knew the rise of Red China would cause mass suppression of traditional martial arts, and so left China for Singapore, where he would be free to practise Tiger-Crane Kung Fu he learnt from the Tee family, passed down from the masters of the Shaolin temple, prior to its destruction (which in turn was passed down from the arts of Tat Moh).

A student of the Tiger, Monkey, and Crane styles of Kung Fu, as well as Shaolin weapons and internal medicine, Ang founded Nam Yang Pugilistic Association in 1954, focusing mainly on fusing the Tiger and the Crane styles when teaching students.

After Ang's death in 1984, Tan Soh Tin, a student of Ang's, became the Chief of the association. Tan continues to travel vastly worldwide, spreading the Shaolin art and teaching to non-chinese students and confirming the clubs Feng Shui techniques [http://www.rising-dragon.co.uk/feng-shui/testimonials/jun02_epsom_kung_fu_feng_shui.htm] . The organisation began teaching in the U.K. in the 1970s, and in 1994, the U.K. branch became the official overseas branch of the club. The head of the U.K. branch is currently 1993 and 2004 world champion Iain Armstrong.

Centres

The number of club centres has gradually expanded. As of 2007, there are four club centres, located in London, Surrey and East Sussex:

* Epsom Centre (Alexandra rec. Epsom, Surrey)
* Banstead Centre (Tattenham rec. Banstead, Surrey)
* Brighton Centre (St Martins & St Winifred's Church Hall, Brighton, East Sussex)
* Chinatown Centre (Chinatown, London)

Performances

Nam Yang has accumulated a vast number of demonstrations uner their belt. Some of these include shows at national exhibitions, such as the martial arts exhibition at NEC, and appearing in newspapers; appearing on television programmes in the U.K. such as This Morning (TV series), Big Breakfast and The Salon; and performances at Buckingham Palace as well as yearly performances at Trafalgar Square at Chinese New Year [http://www.ukstudentlife.com/Ideas/Album/ChineseNewYear.htm] .

A full list of performances can be found on the club's Celebrity Profile page. [http://www.namyang.co.uk/club-profile-celebrities.php]

References

* [http://www.rising-dragon.co.uk/feng-shui/testimonials/jun02_epsom_kung_fu_feng_shui.htm "When Dragons Gather, Auspiciousness Will Result"] , Rising Dragon Feng Shui, 0ctober 31, 2007.

* [http://www.ukstudentlife.com/Ideas/Album/ChineseNewYear.htm Chinese New Year] , Trafalgar Square Celebrations Timetable.

* [http://www.namyang.co.uk/club-profile-celebrities.php Profile Page] , Nam Yang List of notable public performances.