Shaolin Martial Arts Academy | Traditional Kung Fu / Wushu in Cheltenham
You do not need to be athletic, fit or flexible to begin training.
Health and Fitness through · Martial Arts · Kung Fu / Wushu · Self Defence · Yoga Stretching · Tai Chi Breathing
Beginners Welcome · Women Welcome · Mature Adults Welcome
We Adapt to Your Needs
Experience You Can Check
Sijo Robert Z: training & teaching martial arts since 1962
Two years military training and service, 1971-72
Academy active since 1992
National All Styles Judge/Referee Accreditation, 1994
Our Academy was formally recognised and welcomed during its visit to the Shaolin Temple Training School, Henan, China, in 2001
Three master-level instructors
Read about my background and experience · Our 2001 China visit and teaching history
4.9 Google rating · 18 five-star Google reviews
We also have 11 testimonials from before our Google reviews.
Try Three Sessions Free
Tuesday · Wednesday · Thursday at 6pm
Join in · have a chat · just watch
Cheltenham Community Hall, 1218 Nepean Highway
Two fully qualified instructors are always present, usually including at least one master-level instructor. Classes rarely exceed 8 to 10 people, so we have time to work with you.
Practical Kung Fu / Wushu Self-Defence
Self-defence starts before the first punch is thrown. We teach awareness, avoidance and creating distance first. If an attack comes suddenly, students learn to protect the head and centreline, recognise common attack patterns and respond from a protected position.
You do not have to train because you want to fight. But you should know how to recognise danger, protect yourself and respond effectively if avoidance fails.
Welcome
I am Sijo Robert Z, founder and chief instructor of Shaolin Martial Arts Academy. I have trained and taught martial arts since 1962, including more than 45 years in Kung Fu / Wushu. Welcome.
Women and men train together, and beginners learn alongside members with years of experience. Adults in their 30s, 40s, 50s, 60s and beyond can work at their own pace. We start with what you can do and help you develop from there.
- Many members started training in their 30s, 40s, 50s and 60s. Some began in their 70s.
- Women are welcome, whether the goal is fitness, flexibility, confidence, self-defence or simply learning something different.
- Take Terry, for example: he is over 75 now, started with us 25 years ago, and is still training today.
- Wayne and Yvonne joined as mature beginners and continue to train together.
Bowing in to partner work • Luke and Olivia having fun sparring • Saturday Wudang Sword play.
If you can see yourself enjoying training and getting to know these people, come down for three free introductory sessions. Watch or join in. No booking required.
Email - sijo@shaolin.net.au Phone - 0458 742 654 LocationTraining for Adults 30+, Women and Beginners
Come in, have a look, have a chat and give it a try. Training develops fitness, flexibility, balance, coordination, confidence and practical self-defence. We explain how each technique works and why, then help you put it into practice.
- Start at your present level of fitness and flexibility.
- Improve balance, mobility, coordination and confidence over time.
- Learn practical self-defence without having to make fighting your reason for training.
- Train with adults of different ages and abilities in a friendly academy environment.
Wondering whether this training is for you? Come and see what we actually do.
Our Three Masters and One Sifu
Three master-level instructors and one accredited Sifu are actively involved in our weekly training. Their experience covers decades of practice, teaching, competition, judging and cross-training in other martial arts.
Principal Master Anthony
Tuesday training instructor. Almost 25 years of training and teaching with the Academy. DiSigung Anthony teaches the Tuesday class from 6pm to 8pm and has completed more than 2000 Kung Fu / Wushu training sessions, not including cross-training in other martial arts.
Senior Master Martyn
Accredited as Master on 26 October 2024. Wednesday and Saturday instructor. Martyn has trained with the Academy for 20 years and completed more than 2000 classes. He also has extensive experience as a National Martial Arts competition manager, judge and referee.
Sifu Robert G
Second Degree Black Sash and accredited Sifu. Robert has completed more than 1000 training sessions and teaches or assists on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. He is also backup instructor for Sijo Robert Z.
Grand Master, Sijo Robert Z
Sijo Robert Z began Judo training in 1962. After his family moved to Germany, he trained in Karate for six years and then Aikido for six years. He also completed two years of military training and service in 1971-72. After arriving in Australia, he trained in Hung Gar Kung Fu / Wushu for nearly ten years before founding the Shaolin Kung Fu Academy in 1992.
He travelled extensively to study and observe other martial arts systems, including training at Shaolin Temple schools, the Beijing Wushu Academy, Xi'an Wushu Academy, Kaifeng Wushu Academy, Northern Praying Mantis, Ninjutsu, Taekwondo, Chin Woo and others.
In 2001, Shaolin Kung Fu Academy travelled to China and was formally recognised and welcomed by the Shaolin Temple Training School in Henan. The visit included training, meetings, photographs, presentations and speeches with representatives of the school.
For fifteen years he served as a National All Styles judge and referee, with additional judging and refereeing experience in Australian Martial Arts Championship, Xtreme Martial Arts and Taekwondo competition. He was undefeated for two years in the National Martial Arts League and became European Karate Champion in 1976.
Decades of training, teaching, competition and judging experience.
Perhaps that is why we have so many long-term members. More information on our masters and instructors is in Who We Are.
Drop in. Have a look. Give it a go and see if you too are Kung Fu / Wushu.
Kung Fu / Wushu Cheltenham Location
Cheltenham hall, 1218 Nepean Highway
Come and See What Kung Fu / Wushu Could Do for You
Improve your health, fitness, balance and confidence while learning skills you can put to use. Come and meet us at our Cheltenham venue. Watch, have a chat or join in for three free training sessions. No booking required.
Questions Before You Start
Do I need to be fit or flexible before starting?
No. We start with what you can do and help you develop from there. Tell us about injuries or physical limitations so we can discuss how to adapt your training.
Can I try the classes before joining?
Yes. Your first three training sessions are free, with no obligation to join. Come along, watch, have a chat or join in. No booking required.
Where do you train?
We train at Cheltenham Community Hall, 1218 Nepean Highway, Cheltenham, Victoria 3192. Visit our venue page for directions.
When are the classes?
Classes run Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 6 pm to 8 pm, and Saturday from 10:30 am to 12:30 pm. Come and meet us at a class that suits you.
Are the classes suitable for mature beginners?
Yes. Adults of different ages and abilities train together, including people who started in their 30s, 40s, 50s, 60s and 70s. Two fully qualified instructors are always present, and classes rarely exceed eight to ten people.