“I have been training with Shkar for over 11 years, with him being my instructor for the last 6 years. For as long as I have known him, Shkar has not only been an exceptional martial artist but an outstanding human being. His innate skill is paired with a level of self-discipline that has allowed him to constantly grow in his understanding and ability of the Traditional Chinese Martial Arts.
As a teacher, he desires nothing more than to see his students grow and excel, passing on any new understanding as soon as he is able to communicate it. The proof is in his student’s abilities. In just the last couple of years, I have seen my own understanding and ability grow beyond what I would have thought before, and I have had the pleasure of training with newer students who have progressed far faster than I did in my first few years of training. This is all very much down to the guidance and teachings of Shkar.
His approach to teaching Traditional Chinese Martial Arts is one of understanding: understanding the art and application, and also understanding his students. He can often be heard in class saying “…I’ve been there…” when students find an exercise difficult. This showing of understanding and empathy reinforcing the fact that what he teaches is nothing mystical or out of reach but can be achieved by anyone through simple discipline and hard work.
Shkar’s understanding of his students also allows him to teach each student more effectively, adjusting how he teaches someone based on their level and experience. This shows genuine care about each individual’s s progression, guiding them to be the best they can be.
With Shkar as my instructor and friend, I have grown immensely as a person and martial artist in a relatively short period of time. It is a sometimes challenging but exciting journey of self-improvement and realisation, which he has been my guide on, a journey that even he himself is still discovering. I can only look forward to the many years of training and growing I have with him.”