Banbury's Kung Fu Panda helps motivate people to keep fit during coronavirus outbreak

If you're looking for something to keep fit then you can follow Banbury's Kung Fu Panda seven-minute workout challenge.

Banbury's Kung Fu Panda helps Jason Cooper, the Sifu (Chinese for teacher), lead the Wing Chun International (WCI) martial arts classes.

A Banbury mother, Vanessa Milton, contacted the Banbury Guardian to compliment Sifu Jason on the impact the WCI classes have had on her teenage son during the coronavirus pandemic.

Vanessa's son, William, who is a year five student at Hanwell Fields Primary in town, attends the WCI classes at St Hughes Church in Banbury.

She said: "Due to the lock down Jason has been running the lessons online. Using the Zoom app, the children have been meeting up at least twice a week.

"This is absolutely wonderful as they get to see their friends and enjoy their lessons. Last week they even did grading online. The children work so hard and this way they get to continue their learning and have fun.

"At a time which is quite stressful, both for adults and their young people, these online lessons are invaluable.

"William is now a yellow sash after recently passing his first grading. He's already learnt so much. It's wonderful exercise and Jason makes learning great fun too.

"This has helped enormously during the lock down as William really looks forward to seeing Jason and his friends each week. The children have practice homework for the next lesson, which helps with exercise too.

"We can't thank Jason enough for continuing to provide the lessons and provide some normality during these challenging times."

Sifu Jason no longer teaches in Banbury as he now runs live weekly classes online from his Bishops Tachbrook home.

There is a two-week free trial membership for people looking to get started in the art of Wing Chun International, and if its something they enjoy they can become members of Wing Chun International.

Anyone interested in the programme can contact Sifu Jason through the WCI Facebook page or the website www.wcibanbury.co.uk

Wing Chun is a martial art dedicated to the subject of self defence for adults and students aged 13 and older.

Sifu Jason Cooper has been teaching in town for just over eight years and was the founder of WCI Banbury.

Wing Chun International is an organisation that was formed more than 12 years ago by Sifu Jason's instructor, Andrew Cameron, who has been practising the art of Wing Chun for more than 30 years.

The art of Wing Chun itself is a self defence system and not a sport like most martial arts.

Wing Chun has an emphasis on street fighting solutions, non-violent bully intervention, and constant goal setting will instil a sense of inner calm and confidence. The Wing Chun programs also increase focus, spatial awareness, coordination, while simultaneously improving concentration and reducing anxiety.

Wing Chun is also the first art that Bruce Lee started his martial arts journey on.

WCI Banbury was also recently awarded best martial arts school in Oxfordshire at the Oxfordshire 2020 Prestige Awards.

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