Instructor Profile:
Rachel White
Rochford Instructor Rachel White
As a child during the early 80s my younger sister Becky and I trained at Clements Hall Sports Centre, Rochford. Our reason for starting training with Grandmaster Loke, if I am completely honest, is because we had watched 'Karate Kid' at the Cinema that year!
My sister was far keener than me to join and I just tagged along to see what it was all about, but, in truth, I was far more interested in finding out how cool I might look in my suit and liked the fact that there would be lots of boys at the classes!
I recall that my sister, as with most of her hobbies, took to Grandmaster Loke's class with ease and progressed up the belts quite quickly, whereas I struggled with my concentration and focus and had little confidence in my abilities.
I do remember however that the reason I persisted with the lessons was because they were very different from any other activity I had tried before. Another reason was because I loved spending time with my sister (as usually we were busy off doing our own thing and had very different interests). Often my Dad would buy us both a Slush Puppy ice drink after class and my Mum would freak out in case we spilled any of this horrible blue drink on our suits! Becky and I also remember at this time forming a friendship with two brothers of a similar age to us, David and John Bamber and we had lots of fun training and sparring with them. (It was really nice when we returned to Grandmaster Loke's classes years later as adults, to find David also back training too and with his daughter Emily by his side.)
During our training in the 80s, Becky and I were greatly inspired by Grandmaster Loke's teachings and the demonstrations he performed in class. We were also very inspired by two young students always in the front row, Sue Merrell and Adam Goward. We often would get home after every class and go on and on about how amazing it was watching them perform their forms together. (They certainly proved to be students to aspire to as they are now and have been for many years Masters who run their own regions.)
Unfortunately I gave up my Tang Sou Dao training after about a year and pursued other sports for a while and then moved on to the rebellious teen pursuits of staying out partying and being a royal pain in the rear for my parents! However, every four or five years or so, usually when I was going through difficult period in my life, I would be drawn back to Grandmaster Loke's classes. Grandmaster Loke never made me feel awkward to do so either and I always felt welcomed back on my return. Sadly I still lacked focus and concentration and often my ego and preoccupation with worrying about others' abilities would prevent me from developing the skills I needed to progress in this art.
After many years of never finding any clear direction in my life, in my 30s I started work in a secondary school teaching students reading and literacy (my first grown up job!) Also at this time a member of my family became very unwell and it was a difficult time for my whole family. This made me face up to my own issues and so after suffering for years with anxiety and panic attacks, I decided to finally seek help for my problem. There was no quick fix and I had counselling for three years. During one session my therapist asked me what I had most enjoyed doing as a child and I told him all about Tang Sou Dao and Grandmaster Loke's classes. He then suggested that I go back to train in a martial art as he said it would be of great benefit to my mind. At the time I thought he was mad to suggest such a thing as I was finding the physical symptoms of my stress anxiety hard to cope with on a daily basis, dizziness, nausea and extreme tiredness, but he assured me it would be the best thing for me. I returned to Ren Yi Wu Kwan, Tang Sou Dao in 2006 and after just one lesson (even though I struggled with the dizziness) I knew I would never leave it again and gradually I began to take back control of my life by training as often as possible.
I also began at this time my training as a counsellor and have since gained a Higher Diploma in Counselling and am now voluntarily counselling young people as well as still teaching at a local secondary school. The reason I mention this is because if I had not gone back to Tang Sou Dao I don't think any of this would have been achievable for me.
Through my experience of teaching in secondary schools and work in the counselling profession, and also from drawing from my own personal experience, I would say that drugs are all too often dished out by GPs for depression, anxiety, stress disorders and ADHD before other alternatives have been discussed or explored. I have been researching and looking into the benefits of sports and martial arts in particular to help adults and children with such difficulties. It is proven that regular exercise can be a much better alternative to drugs, which often can cause unpleasant side effects. One depression and exercise study demonstrated that martial arts practice greatly reduces depressive symptoms. In the study, participants experienced increased vigour, less anxiety, less anger, less fatigue and less total mood disturbance after only one 75 minute session. According to the National Centre for Biotechnology Information, exercise is the most natural and healthy method of raising serotonin, almost immediately increasing levels of the chemical in the brain. In addition to this initial effect, exercise also causes the brain to produce and more and more serotonin after exercise, therefore regular and vigorous exercise thus works both immediately and over the long-term, making it an excellent and natural way to help with depression, stress and anxiety which is a huge problem in the western world today.
Rachel White (left of picture) attending Duan Grading at
National Headquarters, Grays, EssexMy hope is to get into schools, to give talks to students and parents to explain to them that apart from the increased physical fitness aspect of practising martial arts, there is self-discipline, self-control, increased confidence, better listening and communication skills, better understanding of social behaviour, energy and ambition, increased self-esteem and, of course, my favourite - FOCUS - which can be taught; this is what sets martial arts apart from some other activities.
I am fortunate that my husband Andy, who also trains under Grandmaster Loke's instruction, is as passionate about Ren Yi Wu Kwan Tang Sou Dao as me, however our two older sons Daniel and Joseph do often call us martial arts bores! Our daughter Emily is part of the Tang Sou Dao family and we were all very proud of her when she obtained her red belt in 2010. My sister also rejoined in 2006 and so it is great to all train together. For me, a big part of what I like about Tang Sou Dao is its emphasis on it being like a large family. Values such as, patience, care, understanding and commitment are instilled in us by a family; what you learn from your family becomes your value system and forms your perceptions and basis of actions.
Master Angie Thomas and her father Master Jeff Thomas have been very supportive in helping me in my training and I am always grateful for their encouraging words when I have sometimes been lacking in confidence. I love the way everyone at classes or gradings is friendly and supportive of each other and I have made many friendships with members that I value very much, not only at Rochford but also from other clubs.
In 2009 I took my 1st Duan black belt grading alongside my husband and sister and I was very honoured to be asked by Grandmaster Loke shortly afterwards to start up a class at The King Edmund School in Rochford. I started my class in April 2010 and as a very new Instructor I have been amazed by how much I have learnt from my students so far and how much insight they have given me.
Ren Yi Wu Kwan Tang Sou Dao is my medicine and it gives me so much more than any other activity could; it calms my mind and helps me through the more challenging times in my life. Tang Sou Dao has taught me many valuable lessons. One lesson of particular importance is to 'never give in'! In my early years of training many times I felt despondent when I could not accurately perform a technique; I experienced feelings of hopelessness and self-pity. Negative thoughts would fill my head and I was tempted to quit and try something easier. Now I continue to practise these same techniques with a different attitude, seeking now to continually develop in my training by listening to my seniors and learning from their wealth of experience and knowledge.
Tang Sou!!
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