Times:

Monday   7:15pm – 8:30pm

Thursday 7:15pm – 8:30pm

*NB: Recommended age is 12+

These classes are the full CHEAH IMA experience.  Students will have the opportunity to grade every three months, if up to the required skill level, and achieve different belts up to and beyond a black belt.  Realistically, a black belt can be achieved within 3 years, however a black belt is just a master of the basics.  It certainly isn’t an end point, there is no end point, because it’s a continual learning through the art, a way of life, but certainly the attainment of a black belt in CHEAH IMA is a significant achievement.

I often hear people say to me “Oh, belts are useless…would you ever use that formed block, or technique, in a real life situation…” My response to that question is “You are right in a way….however…” and I give them a multi pronged answer.  For one thing, the attaining of a certain coloured belt does not put every person whom has that belt in the same category as far as how well the individual can execute the skills taught up to that level at.  It just means they have progressed to a certain level and should be able to display an array of skills and techniques up to that level to a sound standard.  Which brings me to my first point, individuals are exactly that, some will be sound, others will be exceptional, it doesn’t mean all persons at that belt level are the same in ability, however it is a way of their progress to be monitored and is symbolic of the individuals continuing progress and achievement.  Secondly, it creates structure, and with structure comes discipline, which is so important in the development of respect and humility.  Thirdly, the traditional art, blocks and strikes, have a very practical application in “real life” fighting.  What they do is increase a persons co-ordination and technique, which produces greater speed, and also gets the body weight stopping in unison with each strike/block, and you’ll find after attending my classes that each formed block or strike is a practice point for a shorter, modified version to be used in real fighting situations.  Lastly, from structure, discipline, tradition, comes a sense of belonging to a code, being a part of something bigger than yourself.  This is the final ingredient.  Remember martial arts is the development of mind, body, and SPIRIT.  Everyone is born with an inner spirit, funny enough the Chinese call this Chi (pronounced CHEAH), and if you focus that Chi an individual can achieve amazing heights, farther than what the persons mind and body would normally allow.

Combined with the traditional art, the CHEAH IMA system is based on the 4 ranges of fighting, which encases most aspects of fighting styles, and overall self-defense techniques.  The ranges are Long Range, Mid Range, Short or Close Range, and Ground.  Within each range, very powerful and effective techniques are taught based on the bests from each martial art.  It is important to note, the base skill from each art has been integrated, however Grand Master Cheah has formed his own unique way of executing that technique to generate the most power/effectiveness.  For example:

1)    Long Range is the kicking range – because it’s the only way to reach and strike a person from that distance unless a weapon is being used.  Tae kwon do are generally known as the best kickers and kicking is taught based on their best techniques with Cheahs own method to generate the most possible weighted speed for power

2)    Mid Range is the punching and short kicking range – because we can now strike with a punch, and also execute shorter kicks to thighs, knees, shins, ribs, ect.  Boxers generally have the best body movement and general skill in this area, however Master Cheah has combined a boxers punch, with a martial artists punch to create true bone crunching power.  The short kicks are derived from Tae kwon do, Thai style and Savate.

3)    Close Range is real close, trapping, grappling, choking, and take down range – because you can’t throw normal punches at this range, is too close.  This is where a lot of traps, grapples, and kung-fu style punches come in and form a big part of the CHEAH IMA system.  There are a wide variety of traps, grapples, locks, chokes, throws, take-downs and pressure points taught at this range.  These skills have been derived from such arts as Kung Fu, Aikido, Hapkido, Shao Lin, Jiu Jitsu and Judo, which again have been enhanced by Grand Master Cheah.  The system is broken down even further at this range, where the hands must be trapped first, then the opponent must be hit in order to put on a grapple or a lock.  The exception is entry for a choke, crank, throw or a take-down.

4)    Ground – this one speaks for itself.  Jiu Jitsu, Shoot fighters and Wrestlers are the best on the ground.  CHEAH IMA does limited ground work, but teaches some very effective ground techniques such as submission holds, arm, head and leg locks, and working outside and inside the guard to achieve a mounted position.

5)    Street Defense – CHEAH IMA teaches very useful overall street-defense techniques.  For example, how to get out of various grabs, holds, chokes, locks etc…and also teaches the student how to counter-act these self defense moves by putting on a more effective grab, hold, choke, etc.