Emily Jane Taylor - 1st Degree Black Sash

I can remember watching my older brother practising Martial Arts from as young as 3 years of age. I would would look up to him and wish I could do the same. I only ever messed about when I was younger, merely acting as a dummy for my brother to practise his moves. I never really thought I'd ever be any good, however, 6 years ago, I decided I wanted to get fit and learn something that would be an everyday part of my life.

It all started when I was canvassing a Kung Fu advert for my job in advertising. I spoke to a rather friendly gentleman, named Alan Neeld. Coincidentally, this man also happened to be my brother Daniel's previous Martial Arts instructor. I decided to go along to the new club Alan had opened in Redditch, the town where I live. I can still recall giggling with nervousness in my first Kung Fu lesson, hardly being able to do one press up and thinking I was never going to get to grips with my co-ordination.

In the coming weeks, and with extreme determination, I found out how much I enjoyed this new found hobby of mine. When I look back now, I am amazed at how I could have ever lived without Lau Gar Kung Fu in my life. I certainly made the right decision to join the club, and the personal journey I am taking now is fascinating.

Sifu Alan Neeld has taken me down a path I never knew existed, he has taught me many techniques and skills, which have impacted the way upon I live and think. Not only has he been an inspiration to me, but also like a father, guiding and supporting me. His guidance has changed my life in so, so many ways.

Alan Neeld was taught by a Chinese man we all have come to know as 'Grandmaster Yau'. He brought the style over to England from Hong Kong in the 70s. I can only imagine how priviliged Alan must have felt to have been taught by the most respected Master in Martial Arts of him time in the United Kingdom. For a long time, I was left thinking "Would I ever get to meet him and experience some of his words of wisdom?"

Luckily, I have now had the privilege to have trained on a few courses, instructed by Grandmaster J Yau. At the time, I was completely in awe of him, and will remember the courses forever, more than this, I will take with me knowledge and understanding of some of his most desired techniques, not forgetting his anecdotes and prolific stories.

In April 2009, I woke up feeling incredibly nervous. Today was the day I had trained so hard for and had only dreamed of, my 1st Degree Black Sash grading. To face Master Yau himself and show him all I had learnt. However, I did it and I can not tell you how proud I was when I received the letter saying I had passed.

I have come a long way from that fateful day 6 years ago, and I have met some good friends along the way. Since then, I have conducted my own training course, teaching the Chinese Fan - a technique I had learned from the first ever female guardian, Morag Quirk. I have performed sets and fought at the National Championships, the largest Kung Fu tournament in the country. In addition to this, I am honoured to be able to help teach in the classes, and hope to pass on the traditional art of Lau Gar Kung Fu for many years to come.

One thing I found in my time of training, and can honestly say, is you are always learning and developing your own technique and style. This creates the person you are - mind, body and soul.