The National Academy of Martial Arts

PLEASE NOTE:
NAMA is now 'Guan Yu International Academy of Martial Arts'
nama.co.uk is no longer being maintained or updated, please click this link to be redirected to our new website with all our latest information and details about our martial arts acadmey for tai chi, bagua and kung fu at
www.guanyu.co.uk - click here

Welcome to The National Academy of Martial Arts

I would like to personally welcome you to the National Academy of Martial Arts official website. I intend this site to be both informative and educational for you the martial artist. This site is intended to install traditional eastern values, techniques and theories as passed down from generations of masters. So feel free to look around, I hope you enjoy the wealth of information I have compiled from masters and friends from around the world.

Bob Fermor

Bob & Joanne catch up with
an old friend Alfie Lewis
Watford Open Nationals Feb 2007

NAMA ONLINE SHOP

Latest News @ N.A.M.A

25 - 02 - 2007

TOURNAMENT - NAMA National success

The Watford Open Nationals held this year at the Hemel Hempsted Leisure centre by David Ryan on 25th Feb was rammed with the cream of Great Britain martial artists.

Sifu Bob Fermor's National Academy of Martial Arts squad came away with 8 trophies and plenty of ambition to do even better next time out.

The squad consisted of Joanne Fermor, Ben Fermor, Dave Watts, James Sparshott, Rick English and Leon Irish. Competing in both forms and fighting, the squad came away with 3 first place trophies, 4 second place trophies and 1 third place.

Joanne Fermor: 1st - Traditional Weapon Form and 2nd - Traditional Open Hand Form.
Ben Fermor: 1st - Traditional Open Hand Form and 2nd - Traditional Weapon Form.
Dave Watts: 3rd - Traditional Open Hand Form.
Rick English: 1st - Traditional Weapon Form.
Leon Irish: narrowly missing out on first place to pick up second place in under 16s Traditional Weapon Form with an impressive display of Double Nunchaku.
James Sparshott: 2nd - Continuous fighting.

There were teams from up and down the country representing the best of Britain.Many great martial arts legends were there with teams including Alfie Lewis, Nievil Wray, Peter Edwards, Clifton Finley and Jo Teinery.

So well done Dave Ryan for a great Tournament.

02 - 04 - 2006

TOURNAMENT - Bob and his squad return from a very successful European Championship in Lubz (East Germany). They returned with a total tally of eight trophies, including four first place European Championship Titles.

Bob Fermor: 1st - Creative Weapons Kata (Nunchaku) and 2nd - Traditional Weapons Kata (Dat Mo Stick).
Gordon Taylor: 1st - Points Fighting.
David Watts: 1st - Traditional Chinese Kata (Foo Kuin - Tiger Fist) and 4th - Points Fighting.
James Sparshot: 1st - Semi-Contact Continuous Sparring and 3rd - Points Fighting.
Ben Fermor: 2nd - Points Fighting.
Danny Bagnall: 3rd - Points Fighting.
View the action and find out more.

11 - 03 - 2006

SEMINAR - Bob and Joanne Fermor visit Gunter Bauer again, to hold another Tai Chi Chuan seminar. Covering Yang Short Form, Broad Sword and Pushing Hands.

24 - 09 - 2005

SEMINAR - Bob and Joanne Fermor visit Gunter Bauer in Manchester, to hold a Tai Chi Chuan seminar for Gunter and his students. Covering Yang Short Form, Broad Sword and Pushing Hands.

30 - 07 - 2005

SEMINAR - Bob and Joanne Fermor hold yet another successful private summer Tai Chi Chuan Pushing Hands seminars. Again the day was a big hit with the students. View the action and find out why Bob decided to run these intensive seminars'.

26 - 07 - 2005

CLUB UPDATE - Gordon Taylor becomes the newest N.A.M.A. assistent instructor after passing his Traditional Yang Style Tai Chi Chuan Part 1 Short Form grading.

23 - 07 - 2005

SEMINAR - Bob and Joanne Fermor continue their series of private summer Tai Chi Chuan Pushing Hands seminars. View the action and find out why Bob decided to run these intensive seminars'.

09 - 07 - 2005

CLUB UPDATE - Close Quarter Combat International join forces with N.A.M.A. Bob Fermor and Gunter Bauer further their friendship. We are proud to have Gunter Bauer representing N.A.M.A. Tai Chi Chuan in Manchester.

25 - 06 - 2005

SEMINAR - Bob and Joanne Fermor hold the first in their series of private summer Tai Chi Chuan Pushing Hands seminars. The day was a big success and greatly enjoyed by all involved. View the action and find out why Bob decided to run these intensive seminars'.

20 - 03 - 2005

CLUB UPDATE - N.A.M.A. global expansion continues. One of our Hatfield students, Sigrid Bruch, will be setting up a Tai Chi school under N.A.M.A. when she relocates to Rwanda. We are sad to say goodbye, but wish you all the best Sigrid and it is great to know you are representing us in Rwanda. GOOD LUCK.

01 - 01 - 2005

CLUB UPDATE - N.A.M.A. hit the shores of Malta with the expansion to the sunny isle. Joanne Fermor spearheads Tai Chi in the sun with training holidays and seminars on the island.

12 - 12- 2004

SEMINAR - Gunter Bauer visits the National Academy of Martial Arts, to conduct a seminar on his Close Quarter Combat techniques. View the action'.

01 - 11- 2004

PRODUCT LAUNCH - Bob Fermor, Joanne Fermor and David Watts release the next installment of the
'In the Shadow of the Masters' instructional series. This time with our first DVD release, covering Yang Style Short Form and Broad Sword..

23 - 05 - 2004

SHANGHAI VISIT 04 - Yet again Bob Fermor and wife Joanne Fermor set off to Shanghai, to pay their respects to the late Master Deng Er Qian and to further train with Master Mao Jun Di.

15 - 05 - 2004

SEMINAR - Following the success of 'Super Seminar '03' Bob and Joanne are invited by Terry Coughtry to demonstrate Yang Style Tai Chi Chuan in more depth.

08 - 05 - 2004

SEMINAR - SKA invite Bob and Joanne Fermor to conduct another weapons seminar with the Winsper family.

12 - 01 - 2004

TELEVISION FEATURE - Bob Fermor features in the weapons episode of the 'Ultimate Fighters' documentary, shown on the 'Bravo' channel. Keep your eyes peeled for the re-runs.

03 - 01 - 2004

MERCHANDISE - N.A.M.A. is happy to announce that one of their members has recently launched a new range of casual/sports wear. Check out these original, high quality garments at WWW.FIRED-UP.COM - Virtue of Wisdom, Power of Fire.

01 - 11 - 2003

SEMINAR - The National Academy of Martial Arts held another successful seminar. This time Paul Rogers, from Cornwall, demonstrated his knowledge of Bagua Zhang 8 Mother Palms.

05 - 10 - 2003

VIRTUAL MAGAZINE - Bob Fermor, David Watts and Joanne Fermor have joined together once again this time to produce the new online virtual martial arts magazine 'Shadow of the Masters'. Issue 1 has now been officially released and your not going to want to miss it, so go check it out, it's completely free. www.shadowofthemasters.com

31 - 05 - 2003

SUPER SEMINAR - Bob & Joanne Fermor joined the line up of top instructors at the highly successful return of the 'Super Seminar 2003'. Along with Master Sken, Terry Coughtry and Peter Deacon. Find out more in issue 1 of 'Shadow of the Masters' - virtual online magazine.

02 - 12 - 2002

KEVIN BREWERTON VISIT - During his visit to the UK from L.A. California, 5 times world champion Kevin Brewerton visited the Monday night N.A.M.A. Kung Fu club to conduct a private training session.
'View the action'.

01 - 12 - 2002

SEMINAR - The first Masters Seminar was held by the N.A.M.A. chief instructors and associate instructors for the students. The four hour seminar was a run away success, which was enjoyed by all. A one hour session each was conducted by Bob Fermor, Brian Shewry, Moe Tritton and Christian Birch, covering Kung Fu, Tai Chi Chuan and Karate.
'View the action'.

04 - 11 - 2002

CLUB UPDATE - New private Tai Chi Chuan classes start in St. Albans after Joanne Fermor was approached by the 'Grove House Cancer Organisation'. These classes are run weekly on Mondays & Wednesdays for Grove House Staff and patients only. For more details tel: (01707) 271213 or e-mail: info@nama.co.uk.

09 - 06 - 2002

VIRTUAL MAGAZINE - Bob Fermor, David Watts and Joanne Fermor have joined together to produce the new online virtual martial arts magazine. We are hoping to launch the first FREE issue in the very near future. To find out more or express your interest , stay tuned at www.shadowofthemasters.com

09 - 06 - 2002

SITE UPDATE - After Bob's recent successful trip to Shanghai, the Bagua section has now been updated with new info and photos. So feel free to go and check it out.

09 - 05 - 2002

SHANGHAI VISIT 03 - Bob Fermor and friend Brian Shewry set off to Shanghai once again, this time Bob Fermor had the privilege of training under Master Mao Jun Di, learning Wu Xing (5 Elements) Chain Ring Bagua Palm and the Wu Song Bagua Broadsword.

06 - 05 - 2002

CLUB UPDATE - Monday 6th May saw the first N.A.M.A. Yang Style Short Form grading's being undertaken by Brian Shewry and Stephen Richter. We are pleased to announce that they both pasted with flying colours. Well done.

31 - 03 -2002

GRANDMASTER CHEN XIAO WANG - Bob Fermor felt very privileged when he had a personal invitation to have dinner in China Town, London with Grandmaster Chen Xiao Wang. Bob said that Master Chen spoke very good English and was a gentleman. Bob has been invited to train with Master Chen during his 2003 UK visit. Bob feels that this is an opportunity that no one can afford to miss.

02 - 03 - 2002

CLUB UPDATE - New schools opening in Hatfield, soon to be announced. A new weapons class. Also new Lung Hsing Pa-kua Chang class as taught by Master Mao Jun Di of Shanghai and a new Pushing Hands Tui Sau class as taught by the late Master Deng Er Qian from Shanghai. For more details tel: (01707) 271213 or e-mail: info@nama.co.uk.

02 - 03 - 2002

SITE UPDATE - New articles added to the FMK Kung-Fu section, including the MAI (Martial Arts Illustrated) March 2002 cover story 'Bob Fermor the Weapons Wizard Revisited'.

02 - 03 - 2002

CLUB UPDATE - New school to open in Hitchin. Joanne Fermor and David Watts will be running classes at St.Michael's Community Centre, Hitchin starting from 19th March 2002, 8pm - 9pm. For more details tel: (01707) 271213 or e-mail: info@nama.co.uk.

17 - 02 - 2002

CLUB UPDATE - Due to the run away success of the recent Thursday night Hatfield FMK Kung-Fu school, a further class has been opened on Monday nights 7pm - 8pm at St.Michael's Hall, Birchwood, Hatfield. For more details tel: (01707) 271213 or e-mail: info@nama.co.uk.

09 - 01 - 2002

PRODUCT LAUNCH - In the Shadow of the Masters - Yang Style Tai Chi Chuan Training Manual, the first book from the new range by N.A.M.A. Publications can now be purchased on-line ORDER YOUR COPY NOW

09 - 01 - 2002

CLUB UPDATE - New Tai Chi school opens in Welwyn Garden City after Joanne Fermor was approached by the 'Age Concern Charity'. New classes are run weekly on Wednesdays at 1:45pm - 2:45pm in the Douglas Tilbe House, Welwyn Garden City. For more details tel: (01707) 271213 or e-mail: info@nama.co.uk.

13 - 12 - 2001

CLUB UPDATE - Bob reforms the FMK Kung-Fu school starting up with the new Thursday night Hatfield FMK Kung-Fu class, 8pm - 9pm at St.Michael's Hall, Birchwood, Hatfield. For more details tel: (01707) 271213 or e-mail: info@nama.co.uk.

09 - 12 - 2001

SEMINAR - Bob conducts another successful N.A.M.A. seminar. This time it was an intensive Yang Style Tai Chi Chuan Broad Sword session in Hatfield, Herts.
'View the action'.

28 - 10 - 2001

SITE UPDATE - In respect of Master Deng and his wife, who both sadly passed away this year I will miss them both very much. In honour of Master Deng I dedicate the page on the Dat Mo Stick as he loved this weapon so much. He once said to me "when I go back to Shanghai we may be miles apart but whenever we play the Dat Mo Stick Form, we will be as one". God bless you both Mr and Mrs Deng.

14 - 10 - 2001

PRODUCT LAUNCH - N.A.M.A Publications launches their first book 'In the Shadow of the Masters - Yang Style Tai Chi Chuan Training Manual', friends, family and students attend the successful book signing and launch party at 'The New China Garden Restaurant - Hatfield'.

28 - 08 - 2001

N.A.M.A Publications sets up shop, partners Bob Fermor, Joanne Fermor and David Watts set up their own independent publishing partnership.

24 - 06 - 2001

SEMINAR - Bob and Joanne Fermor conduct a Nunchaku and Iron Fan seminar at Farnham leisure centre, Surrey. 'View the action'.

02 - 06 -2001

SEMINAR - SKA invite Bob and Joanne Fermor to conduct a Bo Kata seminar with the Winsper family.

14 - 08 -2000

SHANGHAI VISIT 02 - Bob Fermor and wife Joanne Fermor set off to Shanghai once again, this time Bob and Joanne Fermor had the privilege of training under Master Mao Jun Di, continuing to learn Dragon Style Bagua Palm.

07 - 02 -2000

SHANGHAI VISIT 01 - Bob Fermor and student David Watts set off to Shanghai to visit Master Deng Er Qian and family. A chance meeting puts Bob in touch with Master Mao Jun Di, who starts to train Bob in Dragon Style Bagua Palm.
'View photo gallery'