At Wensum Kung Fu & Tai Chi, we believe martial arts should enrich everyday life. It is our aim to provide the highest level of coaching and professionalism in our clubs, ‘demystifying’ the arts and encouraging students from all backgrounds to have a better understanding of the benefits of participating in Chinese martial arts (wushu). We achieve extraordinary results from ordinary people through our coaching system.
Join us at Wensum Kung Fu and Tai Chi. To learn northern Shaolin kung fu and yang style tai chi. We create a positive learning environment where we demystify these ancient systems into a positive and enriching activity.
Welcome to Wensum Kung Fu & Tai Chi
Empowerment, learning and nurturing for every age and every ability.
At Wensum Kung Fu & Tai Chi, we believe martial arts should be accessible, inspiring, and welcoming to all. Whether you're a curious beginner, a seasoned practitioner, a parent looking for a positive outlet for your child, or someone seeking calm and clarity through movement — you're in the right place.
Northern Shaolin Chin Woo Wushu builds strength, confidence, and discipline through dynamic movement, traditional forms, and the proud athletic heritage of the Chin Woo Association.
Yang Style Tai Chi cultivates inner peace, balance, and mindfulness through graceful, flowing practice rooted in one of the world’s most widely practised Tai Chi systems.
We offer classes for children, teens, adults, and seniors, with a focus on inclusivity, encouragement, and personal growth. Our experienced instructors create a safe, supportive environment where everyone can thrive — from energetic kids to thoughtful beginners and lifelong learners.
Join our growing community in Norfolk and discover the joy of movement, the power of tradition, and the strength within.
£7.00 per session
Our classes run at Elsing Village Hall on a Wednesday evening. 6.00pm - 7.30pm
Chin Woo Kung Fu is a fun and exciting martial art for young people, age 5 to 15 years.
We teach the following:
Kicking, punching, blocking, catching, yielding, throwing, counter throwing, gymnastics, weapons, sparring, personal safety, self discipline, wushu forms, confidence and humility.
The Chin Woo system has a large and exciting syllabus so there are always fun new things to learn and master.
All staff are DBS checked, qualified in martial arts coaching, safeguarding trained and experienced and have worked in schools and colleges.
£9 per session
Northern Shaolin Kung Fu / Wushu Training
Our classes run at Elsing Village Hall
Wednesday 7.30 -8.30pm
Our Northern Shaolin Kung Fu (Wushu) programme begins by building strong foundations. During your first year of training, the focus is on developing the physical conditioning needed for the style—strength, flexibility, coordination, and control.
Northern Shaolin is well known for its wide range of powerful, long-range kicks and athletic movements. Training also includes agile footwork, evasive movement, and gymnastic elements, helping students stay mobile, avoid being surrounded, and become difficult targets in a sparring situation. Over time, students learn to move with confidence and composure, performing techniques smoothly and without revealing their intentions.
Students practice traditional forms (also known as routines or kata), which are structured sequences of movements. These forms are straightforward to learn and typically take 3–5 minutes to perform. Through consistent repetition, students improve efficiency, conserve energy, and develop strong, biomechanically sound techniques.
Rather than simply memorising movements, students are encouraged to feel each technique. This approach helps build instinctive skill, allowing techniques to be applied naturally—even under pressure in physically and emotionally demanding situations.
Throughout the first year, students will notice steady improvements in fitness, coordination, confidence, and overall understanding of martial arts.
Learn practical self-defense techniques from Shoalin Kung Fu to boost your confidence and personal safety. We have a syllabus which teaches women the following:
Kicks, punches, strikes, sweeping, joint locks (over 18yrs)
pressure points, pain complicance techniques, dumping, counter throwing.
We also cover situations and people to be avioded. Body language, types of behaviour and much more
£8 per session
Introduction to Tai Chi for Beginners
What Is Tai Chi?
Tai Chi is an ancient Chinese practice that goes back thousands of years. First mentioned in the Book of Changes of the Zhou Dynasty (I Ching) in 850 BC.
It’s all about bringing balance and harmony to the body and mind.
The term “Tai Chi” means “the supreme art” or “the gentle art of strength.”
Styles of Tai Chi
There are several styles, but all share slow, gentle, flowing movements:
Chen
Yang (the most popular and what we practice)
Wu
Wu Yuxiang
Sun
What Is Chi?
Chi (pronounced “chee”) means life energy.
It is a soft or yielding martial art of grappling
It helps your body move, breathe, and function.
Stress, illness, and everyday life can weaken Chi.
Tai Chi and Chi Gong help strengthen your Chi and improve your well-being.
How Tai Chi Can Help You
Regular practice can:
In martial arts or combat training, maintaining your balance in physical assault is essential of the person to launch a successful counterattack.
Boost your immune system
Improve mood and reduce stress
Support healthy aging
Lower anxiety and depression
Help control blood pressure
Improve breathing
Reduce asthma and allergy symptoms
Improve balance, mobility, and coordination
Give you gentle, low-impact exercise that’s easy on the joints
Help you meet new people and make friends!
Our instructors:
Explain the benefits of each exercise
Show you how to move safely and correctly
Help you improve at your own pace
Start with simple movements and build up gradually
Are qualified, experienced
Children's classes cost £7 per class payable termly
Adults see class times
Tuesdays
4-5pm
Stibbard Village Hall, NR21 0EX
Yang style Tai Chi. Cost £8
Wednesdays
Time: 10.30 - 11.30am & 1.30-2.30pm
Dereham Meeting Point, NR19 1ED
Yang style Tai Chi. Cost £5
Northern Shaolin Chin Woo Kung Fu
Elsing Village Hall. NR20 3EA
6-7.30pm Children's class, Cost £7
7.30- 8.30pm Adult class, cost £9
Thursdays
Elsing Village Hall, NR20 3EA.
7-8pm Adults Cost £8
Yang style Tai Chi
Alasdair Monteith is a British martial artist, gymnastics coach, and stunt professional with a career spanning several decades across sport, performance, and coaching.
He began his journey in martial arts in 1979, joining the North London Karate Club in High Barnet, London, where he trained under instructors Sean Stringer and Laurie Hartman. By 1983, he was actively competing in local karate competitions while expanding his training across multiple disciplines. He joined Shotokan Karate International (SKI) under Nick Adoma (7th Dan) and began training in WTF.
In 1984, Monteith achieved his 1st Dan in Shotokan Karate, graded by Sensei Charles Mack. The following years saw him deepen his focus on Tae Kwon Do and Kung Fu, earning a 1st Dan in Nam Pai Chuan in 1986. A pivotal moment came in 1988 when he met Master Teng Yie Woo of the Selangor Chin Woo Wushu Association in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Under Master Teng’s guidance, Monteith began intensive training in Chinese martial arts, marking the beginning of a long-standing connection with Malaysia.
In December 1989, he travelled to Kuala Lumpur for a 12-week training period, learning traditional weapons such as the cudgel and broadsword, as well as Chang Quan (Northern Shaolin Long Fist). He returned in 1990 to continue his studies, during which Master Teng encouraged him to pursue formal coaching qualifications. This led Monteith to begin his gymnastics coaching career at the Hillingdon School of Gymnastics under mentors including Mike Swallow, Phil Barker, and Irena Coreava.
Monteith’s competitive martial arts career gained international recognition in the early 1990s. In 1991, he won gold at the Chin Woo International Wushu Competition as part of a three-man duelling team, followed by a demonstration tour of Malaysia alongside the Chinese National Team. In 1992, he secured a silver medal at the Tianjin Chin Woo International Competition in China. Further success came in 1994 at the Beijing Wushu Open, where he won silver and bronze medals for his broadsword and spear routines.
Alongside his martial arts achievements, Monteith developed a parallel career in gymnastics. He joined his first gymnastics club in 1988 at the Jubilee Sports Centre in Covent Garden, London, and later trained at the Hillingdon School of Gymnastics. By 1991, he was assisting in coaching, and in 1992 he earned his BAGA Level 4 General Gymnastics coaching qualification. He went on to teach structured adult classes, establish a boys’ squad, and qualify as a Men’s Artistic Level 4 coach. In 1996, he became the Hillingdon men’s team manager. His gymnastics mentors included Mike Swallow, Phil Barker, Bill McLoughlin, Nik Stuart MBE, and Irena Kozyreva.
In 1994, Monteith founded the British Institute for Chinese Martial Arts (BICMA), also known as the London Chin Woo Co Ltd. Through this organisation, he played a key role in developing wushu in the UK, organising training programmes, coaching pathways, and international training trips to Malaysia. He also served as Treasurer for the British Council for Chinese Martial Arts (BCCMA) in 1997.
His competitive career continued into the 2000s, highlighted by his performance at the 2002 Chin Woo World Championships in Texas, where he won 12 gold and 2 silver medals. He was later awarded his 7th Dan in Wushu by the Malaysia Wushu Association in 2012. In 2015, he achieved further success with gold medals at both the Kuala Lumpur Wushu Open and the Chin Woo European Championships in Berlin.
Monteith also built an extensive career in film, television, and theatre. He worked as a fight choreographer, stunt performer, and weapons advisor on numerous high-profile productions. His credits include work on Tomb Raider and Tomb Raider 2, fight direction for Monkey: Journey to the West at the Young Vic Theatre, and training actors for the Royal Shakespeare Company’s production of Coriolanus. He also contributed to The Paul O’Grady Show, Shanghai Knights, Britain’s Next Top Model, and major commercial campaigns featuring Jennifer Lopez, Beyoncé Knowles, and Ronaldo. In 2013, he doubled for Bruce Willis in Red 2 and was part of the stunt team for Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2.
From 1997 to 2013, Monteith ran the London Stunt School, where he trained stunt professionals in a wide range of skills including fire work, falls, combat, weapons handling, horse riding, driving, and explosives. His mentors in the media industry included Derek Ware, Tim Condren, Roy Scammell, and Mike Swallow.
In addition to his practical work, Monteith contributed to the martial arts community as a writer for Combat Magazine from 1995 to 2003 and has served as an expert witness in legal cases.
Monteith lived, trained, and worked in Malaysia for approximately four and a half years between 1989 and 2008, further strengthening his ties to international martial arts development.
After retiring from teaching in 2017 due to serious illness, he made a full recovery and returned to teaching and competition in 2022, continuing his lifelong dedication to martial arts and coaching.
Located in Elsing, Dereham, Norfolk, Wensum Kung Fu and Tai Chi offers expert training in two of the most respected martial arts disciplines. Our experienced instructors bring years of dedicated practice and teaching to help students of all ages and skill levels achieve their martial arts goals. Whether you are a beginner or looking to refine your skills, our classes provide a supportive and engaging environment that promotes physical fitness, mental discipline, and self-confidence.
At Wensum, we offer a variety of classes that cater to different interests and abilities. Our Kung Fu classes focus on traditional techniques, self-defense, and improving agility and strength. Meanwhile, our Tai Chi sessions emphasize gentle movements, balance, and mindfulness, ideal for those seeking a holistic approach to health and well-being. Our flexible schedule and small class sizes ensure personalized attention and the opportunity to progress at your own pace.
What sets Wensum apart is our commitment to authenticity, community, and personal growth. We foster a welcoming atmosphere where every student is encouraged to develop not only martial arts skills but also discipline, respect, and harmony. Our location in Dereham makes us a convenient choice for residents of Norfolk looking to embark on a rewarding martial arts journey. Join Wensum Kung Fu and Tai Chi today and discover the transformative power of these ancient arts.
Yes, our club participates in local, regional and international martial arts competitions and regularly conducts demonstrations and workshops. Head coach Alasdair Monteith has been training and competiting regularly since 1989 in Malaysia, Singapore, China, USA, Germany and the UK. Teaching our students how to compete they gain many life skills. Train the mind how to focus under pressure, maturity to receive feed back, courage and self-discipline and self-respect!
We offer classes for adults and children aged 8 and above. Please contact us for information about youth programs.
Discover the many benefits of practising Northern Kung Fu and Tai Chi. With regular training, these traditional arts offer a fantastic way to stay active while supporting both your physical and mental wellbeing. Exercise is a natural mood booster, helping you feel more positive, focused, and energised.
As you continue your journey, you’ll notice your strength improving, your muscles becoming more toned, and your flexibility increasing. With supportive and effective coaching, martial arts skills become accessible to everyone—no matter your starting point.
Learning new techniques not only builds your abilities but also boosts your self-esteem and confidence. As your skills grow, so does your sense of achievement, opening the door to new possibilities and personal growth you may never have imagined.
Introduction
Wensum Kung Fu & Tai Chi is committed to maintaining the highest standards of safety, professionalism, and respect. The club operates in full compliance with UK Health & Safety legislation and safeguarding policies.
These standards ensure the wellbeing of all members and allow the club to maintain valid insurance and fulfil its duty of care.
By joining the club, all members and staff agree to follow the rules outlined below.
All members must maintain valid membership and insurance at all times.
Participation in classes, gradings, competitions, or any club activity is not permitted without current insurance.
Training while uninsured may result in disciplinary action, including expulsion.
Respect is fundamental to martial arts training.
All members and staff must show respect to:
Instructors and coaches
Fellow students
Visitors and guests
Friends and family attending sessions
Disrespectful behaviour will not be tolerated and may result in immediate removal from the club.
Members must:
Wear appropriate, clean training clothing or official uniform
Maintain a high standard of personal hygiene
For safety reasons, the following are not permitted during training:
Jewellery
Watches
Accessories
All members must:
Treat others with courtesy and encouragement
Refrain from mocking, belittling, or criticising others
Senior and advanced students are expected to:
Support beginners
Lead by example
Focus should always remain on personal improvement rather than comparison.
Members must inform the instructor:
Before training if they have an existing injury
Immediately if an injury occurs during training
Training while injured is discouraged and may require medical clearance before returning.
Progress in Kung Fu and Tai Chi is individual.
Members should:
Focus on their own development
Follow the guidance of their instructor
Understand that consistent effort leads to improvement
Competitions are the only objective measure of performance.
Training places physical demands on the body.
Members are expected to:
Allow adequate recovery between sessions
Avoid training while excessively fatigued
Failure to do so increases the risk of injury and reduced performance.
To participate in sparring, members must have:
Valid membership and insurance
Gloves
Boots
Shin guards
Groin protection
Hand wraps
Gum shield
No kit, no sparring.
Where provided, members must use designated changing rooms.
Changing in the training area is not permitted and is considered disrespectful.
Members are expected to:
Give full attention during training
Avoid distractions
Set aside personal matters during sessions
Strong focus improves learning and safety.
Progress is achieved through:
Regular attendance
Consistent effort
Commitment to training
Occasional attendance will limit development.
Gymnastic movements must:
Only be performed when properly warmed up
Be supervised by a qualified coach
Unauthorised practice is not permitted.
Members must:
Declare any medical conditions to the club
Bring required medication to every session
Asthmatic members must carry their inhaler.
Failure to bring necessary medication will result in the member not being allowed to train.
Parents/guardians are responsible for:
Ensuring children arrive safely and on time
Escorting children into the training hall
Collecting children promptly after sessions
The club must be informed in advance if:
A child is collected by someone else
A child has permission to leave alone
The club operates a strict zero-tolerance policy towards:
Bullying
Abuse
Harassment
Discrimination
Misogynistic or inappropriate behaviour
This applies to all interactions involving members, staff, families, and visitors.
Concerns can be raised through the club’s formal complaints procedure.
To protect all members, especially children:
Parents may only photograph or film their own child unless consent is given by others
Images may not be used for promotional or commercial purposes without permission
The club and its governing body may use images for legitimate promotion.
Adults wishing to film or photograph must apply in writing.
Background checks may be required.
Failure to follow these rules may result in:
Suspension
Immediate expulsion from the club
Membership fees will not be refunded in cases of expulsion.
Final Statement
These rules exist to ensure a safe, respectful, and professional training environment for everyone.
All members and staff are expected to uphold the values of discipline, respect, and continuous self-improvement at all times.
This is the first form in the Chin Woo system. The routine delivers the foundation skills of northern Shaolin kung fu.