Gary's Background
Gary Coyle is a down-to-earth martial arts instructor who’s been dedicated to Shoalin Temple Kung-fu for over 30 years. His journey began with a simple passion for learning, which led him to train under some truly remarkable teachers—names like Grant Glenndening, Derek Daily, Sifu Raymond Mann, Master Wang Yen Gee, and Professor Li Deyin have all played a part in shaping his skills. Gary’s training spans both Northern and Southern styles of Chinese Kung-fu, and he’s explored everything from hard and soft chi-gung to open-hand forms, weapons techniques, free-style sparring, and pushhands.
What really sets Gary apart is how he blends all these techniques into his own practical system—think Buddha palm and fist, mixed with the traditional 5 animal and 8 element methods of Shoalin Temple Kung-fu. Despite all his extensive training, Gary remains humble and friendly, always emphasizing that martial arts is not just about fighting but about building inner strength, discipline, and balance.
Today, through his private lessons, Gary is all about sharing his knowledge in a warm, approachable way. He believes that martial arts is a journey of self-improvement, where every lesson is about learning to overcome your own challenges. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to deepen your practice, Gary’s practical and genuine approach makes his classes a welcoming space for everyone.
Gary's Philosophy
At its heart, martial arts isn’t just about physical combat—it’s about mastering the everyday challenges of life and strengthening your inner self. You don’t need to spend deep hours in Ma-bu stance to have good Kung-Fu. Instead, true Kung-Fu is built through the small, consistent efforts you make every day that cultivate discipline, resilience, and balance.
I still remember one of my very first teachers telling me, “You don’t want to do martial arts.” I replied, “I do, I do!” That moment wasn’t about proving anything to him—it was a lesson in recognising that the true battle is within ourselves. He was pointing out that the real challenge lies in overcoming our internal doubts and struggles, a lesson that has stayed with me ever since.
Think about the everyday choices that might not look like traditional training. It might be as simple as choosing to study diligently for your exams instead of going out with friends, or opting to prepare a healthy meal despite a busy schedule. These decisions are everyday practices—‘Kung’—and the effort behind them—‘Fu’—that shape our character. They demonstrate that real Kung-Fu is not measured by hours in a dojo, but by the mindset and dedication applied to daily life
In our training, every small, disciplined effort is celebrated. Whether you’re learning a new skill, managing a challenging project at work, or simply taking time to listen more closely to those around you, you’re practicing real-life Kung-Fu. It’s about building inner strength and using each day as an opportunity for self-improvement. This practical, down-to-earth approach transforms everyday actions into powerful steps on a lifelong journey.
