In our Student Spotlight series, our students give you an insight into their experiences training at Yee’s Hung Ga in Inverness. Here, James Doyle describes how he found our school and what it’s like learning online, from a distance. This presents some unique challenges. James tells you, in his own words, how he has managed to overcome these issues and progress to Yat cup senior level.
What made you want to train in martial arts?
From an early age I was surrounded by martial arts. Both of my parents trained in karate and Shaolin White Crane kung fu, so it was always part of my world. I grew up going to demonstrations with them and watching plenty of Bruce Lee and Angela Mao films at home. That inspiration led me to join an Eagle Claw kung fu school in London with my dad. Unfortunately, the long travel made it difficult to continue regularly, but the spark for kung fu never went away.
How did you hear about the school?
After the COVID-19 pandemic, I started looking for a kung fu school nearby, but most local sifus had stopped teaching. I tried searching online through the BCCMA (British Council for Chinese Martial Arts) and other websites, but many “online courses” just sent out pre-recorded videos with little personal connection. They felt more like programmes to work through alone rather than a real school with a teacher who could give real-time feedback.
That’s when I discovered Yee’s Hung Ga Inverness. The website offered live online classes at a reasonable price, with interactive feedback from Sifu Hepple. That personal element was exactly what I was looking for, so I decided to give it a try.
What was your first class like?
It was challenging but in the best way! After years away from martial arts, dropping into horse stance again really tested my legs. Training online felt different to what I’d experienced in person before, but I enjoyed the interaction and immediately felt the excitement of returning to kung fu.
Did it live up to your expectations?
Absolutely. Sifu Hepple has a great teaching style – encouraging, clear, and always ready with a light joke – but at the same time, he keeps us focused and working hard. It struck the right balance for me.
How did you feel after your first class?
Exhilarated! There was a real sense of achievement, almost like a “runner’s high”. It felt great to challenge myself again and use muscles I hadn’t worked in years.
What do you think of your training so far? Is there anything you’d change?
I really enjoy the weekly routine. The stancework is tough but such an important foundation. I appreciate how Sifu Hepple explains each movement, its purpose, and variations for different situations. The Thursday applications classes build beautifully on what we learn and having them recorded is invaluable for revisiting and reinforcing lessons.
I would love to have longer classes as sometimes it feels as though the classes are over all too quickly.
What are your hopes for your future in martial arts?
My hope is to grow physically, mentally, and spiritually through Hung Ga. I’d like to learn the full system and, in time, perhaps share what I’ve learnt by teaching, so that others can discover and enjoy Chinese martial arts as much as I do.
Anything else you’d like to add?
Training online does have its challenges, but it also teaches useful skills. At first, it can be tricky to follow movements from the front view instead of standing behind your sifu like in class, so lefts and rights sometimes need extra focus. That gets easier with practice.
Another difference is that online corrections rely on observation and self-adjustment, since Sifu can’t physically move you into position. But over time, this develops your ability to self-correct – which is a valuable skill in itself.
And of course, even as an online student, there’s always the option to visit and train in person. Meeting your sifu and kung fu brothers and sisters face to face, even just for a short while, is an amazing experience. The camaraderie and atmosphere in the school are something special, and I’d recommend it to anyone.
[…] Student Spotlight – James Doyle […]