1st level – Aziz Ismail – Patrick Crawley – Franceso Ricci

2nd Level – Reka Horvarth – Ryan Williams – Nick Matthias – Boris Zaytsev – Harry Williams.

Winter Events

SAS Aspire school half term Holiday activities Gospel Oak 13-18th Feb 9-5pm (£90)

SAS Kung Fu Leyton Youth Centre  half term Holiday activities 13-18th 1-5pm (Free)

1st & 2nd Rank Grading 23rd Feb 8.30pm SAS Gospel Oak

Street Survival Seminar – Sun 26th 1.30-6.30pm

See Important dates for further information.

Learn how the Wing Chun System can be used in practical street fighting applications, using the science of Wing Chun. unarmed combat, weapon attacks, multiple attackers, and the psychology of high tension situations.

Master Andrew Sofos has been involved in the martial arts for 37 years and has run a security company for basic door work to close protection security here in the U.K and abroad, Porto Buenos and the Middle East are just two. I have taught the police and Navy cadets and worked for a short while on special armed weapons in Huntington Norfolk, the experience wealth of knowledge and skill is backed by the two decades of encounters that I have experienced.

The street survival situations that are taught in the seminars are practical, explosive and straight to the point, in a real high tension situation you will only get one chance to strike an opponent or attacker, so knowing when, where and how to strike is of vital importance. Your confidence and state of mind plays a high factor in dealing with this situation and many find themselves locked into a “white rabbit syndrome” you just freeze and ask your self what have I done? These vital few seconds are essential for survival as this is the time to switch to “auto pilot mode” to react to the situation in a calm and relaxed manner. Easier said than done I hear you say but with the experience from our self-defence classes you have you will be surprised what you will do if your life or liberty is at stake. I have seen mothers give themselves to attackers so harm does not come to their children, I have seen them also lift a car to get a trapped child from under a car, this rush of adrenalin to the blood to do the job in hand is a survival instinct we have since the evolution of time, its just that we do not use it and when we do we are more surprised than any one else, this is the auto pilot I am talking about, you don’t think you react, respond as if you have touched something hot, its your nervous system that responds not your mind. These first few seconds are vital if you are to be successful in defending yourself. Psychology and state of mind is also covered in the seminar.

Everyone is protected by the law, you, me, and all, because you got attacked or because they threw the first punch does not give you the right to maim or kill your attacker, you could do time for the “heat of the moment” defence, so beware of your temper, always stay in control of your emotions or they will take care of you. Overall you will be enriched with the wealth of knowledge and techniques that will be on offer on the day, this is my lifetimes work and all techniques taught are true to the wing chun laws and principles not to mention the “predator like attitude” towards your opponent but at the same time been aware of the law and consequences.

Please book now, places are limited.

FREE SIL LIM TAO REVISION WORKSHOP on Sunday 22nd was an excellent opportunity for students to revise the 1st form breathing concepts and the street fighting applications of our first form. Master Andrew Sofos also discussed the wing chun history and the significance of the vulnerable 5 monks that escaped the Shaolin Monastery to the modern day instructors of SAS.

I hope that everyone had an enjoyable Christmas. It is traditionally a time when families are able to meet, share the festivities and exchange gifts.

To those less fortunate, who have no family to share this time with. And those who have lost relatives, May you have been able to at least stay strong during this period of time.

We have much to look forward to in 2012 – The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee and the Olympic Games particularly. The staging of local events in Camden for these celebrations will be fantastic, SAS Martial Arts Academy, would like to be involved and set up some great celebration 2012 days. Your suggestions are welcomed.

The Olympics are a masterpiece of human achievements and we will witness on home turf positive and new world records, we will also be celebrating the Queen’s Jubilee in Camden with parties and events locally. I plan that we all have a wonderful time.

We may face many challenges in 2012, but if we can work together to help one another, then we can move forward successfully. SAS had a good but difficult year last year celebrating 25 years of teachings and I been awarded the Freedom of the City of London. We have been fortunate to survive for so long, when so many established businesses had closed over the years.

All my Instructors and staff at SAS Martial Arts will do our utmost to deliver good teachings and services to you all. We are a small social enterprise but with big ideas.

I want SAS to be a great place to achieve your own records for 2012, those working or volunteering I want you to feel great for the excellent tuition you all provide, as you are the backbone of the Academy.

This year I plan to have many new initiatives in place and new positive experiences for all our SAS family.

May I wish you all a healthy, happy and prosperous New Year.

Master Andrew Sofos

Christmas school holidays are nearly here

Our Christmas week Aspire boot camp is coming-book now

£90 for the week / £25 per day

Monday 19th -Friday 23rd December from 9am-5pm

Choice: Your children will always have a choice of activities at SAS Aspire.
Kung Fu, Tai Chi, Meditation,
Games, football, dodge ball,
Circuit training, boxing, drawing,
Music and dance, drama, and beat box music production.
Visits on the heath for races and games (weather permitting) and rest time, they will always have a choice of activities to choose
from – every session, every day, every time!

 Fun: Our staff will be 100% raring to go
to deliver fantastic FUN for your kids – meaning they get to have an amazing
time and you’re happy knowing they’re exactly where they want to be.

Fair Price: We will always bring FUN at a fair
price. Great service costs but we do everything we can to keep our pricing fair

Purpose: Our biggest promise is that whatever
happens, every person in our team will jump through hoops, burn a trail and Move
Mountains to make sure your child has such an amazing experience they can’t
wait to come back­.

The Sil Lim Tao Seminar was a great success, it was refreshing to see students attend from University college London and Imperial College, mixing with SAS members of our Gospel Oak Head quarters.

Sil Lim Tao is our first form and the basics for structure and understanding of wing chun principles, there were 26 people that attended and all left the academy enriched with knowledge and new skills in our 1st form. A detailed one hour Wing Chun history was also provided by master Andrew Sofos. The street fighting applications of the form were covered and most students were surprised by the street applications of this fascinating form.

There will be a free revision workshop early next year for persons who have previously attended this seminar.

This was our last seminar for 2011, and although the Sil Lim Tao means little idea way, we certainly finished with a big bang.

SAS 25^th Silver jubilee Dinner and Dance

Saturday 12^th November

In
aid of CLAPA Great Ormond Street Hospital

Thank you to all 110 persons who supported the event, we truly had a nostalgic and magical evening, meeting up with students we have not seen for two decades. Thank you to our Magician Tim Sutton who fooled us with his magic and tricks. Also Thanks to our compare Rory Vassall and his team of comedians who had us in tears of laughter with their comedy sketch.

Special Thanks to Sifu Alex who worked tirelessly behind the scenes to prepare a photo video of 400 old pictures from the past 27 years of Master Andrew and his students in action and performing on stage for charity shows.

All speeches by Dr Michael Mars retired Lead Consultant Orthodontist, Dr Sifu Mark Green, Sifu Alex Istari, and Professor Nick Charalambous from Goshin Jujitsu were excellent and some personal. Master Andrew daughters Athena and Sophia made a personal speech that touched all our hearts, and had many reaching for their tissues.

Master Andrew presented prestigious “Sifu” awards to Anthony Antoniou, Marc Thompson and Rony Ganguly, they now accompany Sifu Mark Green and Sifu Alex who received their “Sifu” titles in 2001.

The 8^th Rank awards were also presented to the Sifus who took their grading earlier this year.

Thank to all the staff at the The Pavilion, Crouch End who provided excellent service and delicious 3 course meal.

15 Raffle prizes were on offer – Thanks to all who donated prizes for the event.

Special Thanks to the Sanctum Soho Hotel who offered us a first prize for the raffle. Instructor Michael Dimitiriades was the lucky winner

 A special thank you to “Capital Homes” who donated an Arsenal executive box for a special raffle won by Mr Jiten Vagela a student of SAS for more than 10 years but sadly no longer trains.  Also thanks to Professor Nick Charalambous who arranged to get a signed Arsenal ball and keepers gloves in addition to the Sanctum Hotel prize.

We hope to raise £2500 with the Christmas raffle.

We are still collecting donations and will have a Christmas raffle for the charity. Tickets selling at our studio for a draw on the 13^th Dec during our Christmas drinks night out at the Grand Union Kentish Town 8.30pm

We danced the night away till the early hours, and many left in taxis weary-eyed and with empty pockets.

Photos by Sai Photography will be available to purchase all funds are for the charity.

Beginners Level 1 (self defence-domestic violence)

Abby Nortey 61 highest joint score

Rochelle Vidal 61 higest joint score

Peter Ely 58.5

Reka Horvath 56.5

Harry Williams 57

Ryan Williams 56

Kaori Ito 55.5

Yan Keung 51

Nasir Tellaire 50

Beginners Level 2 (self defence street attacks)

Mariano Camerlingo 62.5

Pierre loic Hamon 67 highest score

Matueusz Giezek 56

Chris Rowtree 63.5

1st Rank Dipolma

Ben Fredrick 56

Taidgh De Cairne 53

Paige Stockley 63 highest score

2nd Rank Diploma

Jane Johnson 61.5 highest score

Gary               58

Alan Bryant 60.5

                                                    

SAS 25^thSilver jubilee party awards night.

Date -Sat 12th November

Time – 7.30pm

Join us for an memorable evening celebrating the 25th Year of SAS Martial Arts Academy.

7.30pm – Drinks and reception

8pm –  Choice of 3 course dinner

9pm –  Speeches and awards of Sifu and 8^thrank plus other student awards

10pm  - D.J Music

10.30pm  - Raffle draw for charity (2 tickets included in the price)

11pm  - Fireworks

Party Time

1am – End

Fundraiser for CLAPA Great Ormond Street – hoping to have representative as guest speaker.

Cost £40pp

Dress – formal wear

Venue -(“A” on map)The Pavilion 185a Park Road, Hornsey, N8 8JJ (Also part of North Middlesex Cricket Club)

Venue – Gospel Oak Studio

Dates 24th-28th October 2011

Time 9am-5pm

Age 7-13 yrs old

Activities – Kung Fu-grading-Tai Chi-Meditation. Multi sports, drawing, games, competitions, prizes, trips on the heath (weather permitting)

This is a popular activity and is offered on a first come frst serve basis

Cost £90 for full week or £25 per day

For booking form please email info@sas-martialarts.co.uk

Telephone 0207 267-9000