About White Crane Scotland

Established in 2011 we are a welcoming group of traditional Fujian White Crane enthusiasts with a passion for keeping the martial in martial arts. We have no patience for flim-flam, gasconading or coloured belts, we simply share the pure enjoyment in what we do. As part of a larger family who train with the Weng Gong Ci Wushu Guan, Yong Chun’s oldest White Crane gym, we have a direct connection with the earliest roots of Yong Chun White Crane Kung Fu. See our links page for further details.

We teach traditional White Crane Kung Fu and Shuang Yang Tai Chi Quan for self-defence, health and fun with light-hearted enthusiasm and the discipline of a Sunday BBQ. Put simply, we train hard and build respectful friendships without the need for a strict set of rules, hierarchies or rituals. In our school everyone is a teacher in one way or the other. This is our experience of training with traditional teachers in China and one that resonates with what we feel is at the heart of kung fu - simply doing it.

That’s enough waffle anyway, scroll down to meet some of our people.

Our People

Meet Kami, who founded White Crane Scotland after many years of diligent and consistent training in White Crane Boxing. Kami began studying Okinawan martial arts in 1989 before discovering Yang Style Tai Chi Chuan, San Da kickboxing, and a plethora of kung fu styles. Kami found White Crane Tai Chi Chuan from the Nam Yang lineage of White Crane in 2002.

Training for a minimum of 4 hours daily (and once completing 10,000 San Zhan forms in a single year) Kami embraced the art wholeheartedly and committed himself to the lifelong pursuit of passing on what he continues to learn. Kami brings experience from training with teachers of different arts in Okinawa, Japan, Mongolia, Thailand, and Beijing.

Kami discovered new dimensions to White Crane after training with Martin Watts in Mallorca, and subsequently with Master Chengmiao in Yong Chun at the Weng Gong Ci martial gym learning pure and authentic Yong Chun White Crane. Now training under his son Pan Qiongqi, Kami is extremely grateful for the help of Martin Watts, Haki Celikkol and Judith Whiter who are all part of our wider family of White Crane.

In addition, Kami is a qualified Oxygen Advantage Advanced Instructor, bringing the science of breathing to the training and forms.

Meet Char.

Char is a passionate White Crane Tai Chi teacher and has been practicing for over a decade. She is keen to help individuals learn the potential of this versatile and powerful martial art. By learning to relax our bodies through gentle movement, we can strengthen and support the body to dissolve tension and function more effectively. When the movements are synchronised with conscious breathing, we can experience even deeper relaxation. Char aims to provide the space, instruction, and support for students to go at their own pace while learning.

Char believes that Tai Chi is for everyone who is interested, regardless of age or fitness level. Whether you are a beginner or have prior experience, you will find a warm welcome in Char’s classes.

In her own life, White Crane Tai Chi has been a catalyst for change and has supported Char during periods of career change, study, and personal challenges. Practicing helped her learn to quiet her mind, develop a greater capacity to focus, as well as connect deeply with her body.

If you would like more details about joining one of Char’s classes in Colinton, Edinburgh, just get in touch.

Her direct contact details are:

Email: chiandtea@proton.me

Tel: 07813747672

"Classes have such a great atmosphere, everyone is so friendly and welcoming and accepting of each other, I really enjoy being part of the club. Kami is an incredibly inspiring instructor and a lot of fun.

Training hard has changed my body shape and made me fitter and stronger than I have ever been, it's unlike any other exercise. It's not just about working your muscles though; it makes your brain fire up, makes you really think about what you're doing and why. When you really consider each movement you make in the patterns we are taught, and work hard to make each movement precise, they become so much more than they first appear. It has totally changed my outlook and the way I approach every aspect of my life. There is so much depth to what we do.

White Crane Kung Fu has become the most important thing in my life, and I love every moment of training, it's really challenging on many different levels and also incredibly rewarding. I never thought I could have learnt a martial art, but had always wanted to try. I'm beyond glad that I now do, it's the best journey I've ever been on and one that will last the rest of my life.”

Katherine Charleston