MISSION STATEMENT
ABOUT
Sensei Sheryn Gung is a personal student of renowned international instructor, Kyoshi James Sumarac, 8th Dan. Under Kyoshi James, she also studies Nei Chia Chinese Internal Kung Fu: T’ai Chi Ch’uan, Ba Mu Zhang, Swimming Dragon Ba Gua Zhang (Chen Pan Ling Style) and Qi Gong. Sheryn also holds Completion in the Art of Balintawak Arnis Cuentada, under the lineage of legendary Grandmaster Bobby Tabaoda.
Sheryn started her martial journey in 1994 in Goju Kai karate, around the same time she started to study personal development. She soon became intrigued with Oriental philosophy and ancient martial koans. Intuitive since childhood, Sheryn fully embraced spirituality, metaphysics and psychic development from 2000 onwards – which blended beautifully with her foundations in Oriental wisdom.
After just two years of intense karate training, Sheryn began coaching children’s classes under the supervision of her instructor. In that year, she also started arnis Filipino stick-fighting, first with Modern Arnis before converting to Balintawak.
Since 2006, Sheryn has had the privilege of training directly under Kyoshi James Sumarac and has fully embraced Budo, ‘Martial Way’. (Kyoshi James’ own instructor was the revolutionary Hanshi Ohtsuka Tadahiko, 9th Dan). At the time she started training with Kyoshi James, Sheryn also began studying the Oriental healing arts at the Australian Shiatsu College. She respected the old martial maxim, ‘He who knows how to harm should also know how to heal.’ Sheryn’s intention was to complement her work in massage, intuitive readings, reiki and personal training – and importantly, to gain a deeper understanding of the root of martial arts. After completing studies in Melbourne and Tokyo, she began her professional work in shiatsu and Japanese needle therapy, as well as spiritual coaching. She later became an educator at the Australian Shiatsu College.
With Sheryn’s keen interest in philosophy, healing and subtle energies, her understanding and practice of traditional martial arts has expanded considerably since training with Kyoshi James. She has trained with revered masters, Sensei Morita and Hanshi Noguchi (Japan), as well as the late White Crane Kung Fu master, Master Tseng (Taiwan). In Balintawak, she is taught by her husband, Ross McDonald (Fully Qualified Instructor). All her Balintawak gradings have been overseen by the world-renowned Grandmaster Bobby Taboada (Fillipines, USA).
Sheryn is also a dedicated writer, presenter and engaging speaker. Her first book was the indie coming-of-age novel, The Autumn Year. She has had the honour of editing and providing creative overview to The Living Bubishi, written by Kyoshi James Sumarac and Sensei Richard Kay. In writing, Sheryn has been mentored by award-winning authors and writing teachers, notably, Louise Wareham Leonard. She has successfully completed courses at Faber Writing Academy, and is currently working on her martial arts-based motherhood memoir.
Sheryn has recently signed on as a presenter and writer with WellBeing Magazine and TV. As a select WellBeing Expert, she offers conscious parents tips for natural, low-tox living. Her first television project was The Healer’s Way, broadcast on Foxtel’s Aurora TV. Sheryn co-created a trailer for Hunting the Divine with Toffee Studios, which was pitched at DocWeek.
Sheryn’s work has been featured in a host of magazines and professional journals including Blitz Martial Arts Magazine, Insight Magazine (where she has also been a guest editor and cover girl), NOVA and of course, WellBeing Magazine. Sheryn has had radio interviews with 3WBC and 2UE, and has been a popular speaker at high schools, Rotary events and International Women’s Day functions. But perhaps most rewarding – and humbling – is when young girls choose Sensei Sheryn as their woman of inspiration for school assignments.
Sheryn lives with her husband, Ross, active young daughter, Alaya, and super Zen Sheltie puppy, Hendrix, in the Surf Coast near Australia’s iconic Great Ocean Road.
OFFERINGS
Tanden Martial Arts
Tanden Martial Arts is a boutique dojo in the gorgeous Surf Coast of Victoria, Australia.
We proudly offer small, personalised classes in:
~ Traditional Goju Ryū Karate
~ Balintawak Arnis Cuentada
Tanden Martial Arts’ Goju Karate classes cover:
~ Practical self-defence strategies, both physical and mental
~ Kata (forms – predominantly Goju Ryu kata, and also historic kata because of the valuable principles they offer)
~ Bunkai (self-defence applications specifically from forms)
~ Kumite (sparring)
… as well as a host of other techniques and exercises that are part of the extensive syllabus of Traditional Goju Ryu Karate, ensuring that you or your child receives a genuine and thorough martial education.
PLUS Tanden’s Kid Instinct and Girl Instinct Karate classes uniquely integrate our Goju Ryu syllabus with relevant personal development topics, Oriental philosophy and street defence. Personal development themes explored in the Kid Instinct class include courage, awareness, safety and gratitude. Girl Instinct addresses topics that are relevant to teen girls, such as body image, developing confidence, listening to your intuition and finding your voice. Such integration makes Tanden’s karate programs extremely comprehensive – especially at the beginner level.
Find out more about what makes Tanden Martial Arts so special!
Girl Instinct Self-Defence Workshops
‘Wherever I train, I am invariably one of only a few female seniors. This begs the question: if females are typically targeted in an assault, why aren’t more of us armed with at least basic Self-Defence skills?’
– Sensei Sheryn
There is nothing quite like martial arts and self-defence to encourage a female to feel powerful and in control. Through martial arts, females learn how to be in their bodies, still their minds, project confidence – and best of all, discover powerful techniques and strategies that could potentially save them.
Sensei Sheryn has taught hundreds of young adults and women the Girl Instinct Self-Defense Workshop. She has empowered them with not only physical self-defence skills but crucial psychological aspects that are sometimes overlooked in self-defence workshops.
Sensei Sheryn openly points out two things: firstly, she is a woman, which means that she can empathise with the sense of vulnerability that most females feel. Secondly, Sensei Sheryn is small – which means that she cannot rely on bravado or physical strength in a self-defence situation. Being a small woman is one of her greatest assets as an instructor: she teaches techniques that MUST work for young girls and women. Indeed, common feedback from high school students is how much they enjoy and appreciate having a female self-defence instructor.
A Girl Instinct Self-Defence Workshop is an engaging, relevant and fun introduction to self-defence, whether it’s to empower your female students or as a unique vehicle to demonstrate corporate social responsibility towards your female staff.
Participants Will Learn:
~ Essential Safety Tips that every Female Should Know
~ The importance of Trusting your Instinct
~ The Psychology of an Attacker
~ Sensei Sheryn’s unique “Stages of Interception” Model
~ Effective Strikes that are natural for females
~ Vital Areas to Target
~ Using your “Invisible Weapon”
~ Disengagements against common Grabs
~ Everyday Objects that can be used as Weapons
Contact Sensei Sheryn to see how you can empower the girls and women in your life.
Up to 24 participants for a 2- 3 hour workshop.
Also available as a Private Workshop at your home for a minimum of four participants.
10% of Girl Instinct Self-Defence Workshops is donated to PLAN International.
Notes included for Private Girl Instinct Self-Defence Workshops.
Artisanal Shiatsu
In the healing arts, Sheryn specialises in energetic and emotional imbalances such as anxiety and depression. She also works well with women’s health including the sacred pregnancy and post-natal journey.
Your Artisanal Shiatsu Treatment starts with an insightful diagnosis to map your tailored treatment. You will feel Sheryn’s extensive experience in her highly-developed sense of touch, and integration of traditional stretches, rotations and palming with her own techniques. Moreover, Sheryn’s unique background enables her to bring true mindfulness to her treatments – the kind of mindfulness that is attained from many years of meditation and martial practice. It’s also common for her to receive messages and visions from spirit guides and angels whilst treating. These are shared with you if you are open to such messages!
Sheryn only takes on a few clients at a time to ensure personalised, focused attention and excellent service. Sessions are mobile, performed in the comfort of your home or other suitable location. (However, if you don’t have a suitable space, you are welcome to visit Sheryn at her home.) Please note that she rarely performs “one off” single sessions as real results can only be realised through regular treatments. Packages have been designed with this in mind, and to offer greater value than single treatments.
Sheryn offers Artisanal Shiatsu Therapy in the Surf Coast, as well as Templestowe and surrounding suburbs on a monthly basis.
Please feel free to contact us if you have enquiries or are keen to immerse yourself in Sheryn’s treatments and approach.
LIBRARY RESOURCES
Warrior Woman Activation Audio
The Warrior Woman Activation is a beautiful and powerful visualisation, designed to: Raise your vibration as a physically, spiritually and energetically empowered woman, unlock and invite you to embody your Primal Yin/Feminine Divine energy and tap into your unique ‘Warrior Woman’ archetype. It was created especially for the Shadow Warrior Woman ready to step into her Power.
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