Five Animal... to Five Element
For anyone who has trained in Hung Gar kung fu, the term "Five Animal, Five Element" is a casual way to refer to the pillar form Ng Ying Ng Hang Kyun, or "Five Animals and Five Elements Set". So when our previous school, Five Animal Kung Fu shut its doors in 2016, the new school became Five Element Kung Fu, as the next "set" or "section" of our kung fu training.
Five Animal Kung Fu was located on Gottingen St, Strawberry Hill and finally Kempt Rd in Halifax, NS. After decades of teaching, Sifu Garreth Warren moved out of province and it was his wish that we continue to keep the heart of our old club alive. Collectively we have have over 50 years of experience training in Hung Gar, other styles of southern kung fu, other arts, self defense and qi gong.
Sifu Warren taught that People Everywhere Are Created Equally (P.E.A.C.E.), and all you need to learn kung fu is an open mind and an open heart. We teach with the same philosophy.
Anyone can do kung fu, regardless of age, fitness, gender, or anything else you think might hold you back. You just have to show up to class, and show up for yourself. Don't take yourself too seriously, check your ego and your stress and the door. Relax, have fun, laugh, embrace the humility that kung fu inevitably teaches us all.
Teachers and Senior Students
Senior Teacher/Sifu
Sifu Leslie Anderson (she/her)
(pictured on left, Sifu Warren, right)
Black Sash, 2016
One of very few students to stick it out until black sash with Sifu Warren, Sifu Leslie began kung fu as an adult, having never done anything like it before. However her lifetime of musical training helped her quickly understand the patterns in kung fu. She helped Sifu Warren teach for many years, and has enjoyed continuing to teach in the same way she was taught since 2016. She believes that the only way to keep your art alive is by sharing it with others.
She has been practicing Hung Gar since 2007.
Senior Student/Assistant Teacher
Wade Higgins (he/him)
(pictured on left above)
Black Sash, 2017
Wade first trained with Sifu Warren for 6 years, and then with Sifu Leslie. She awarded his black sash in 2017, after a grueling several hour exam. Wade has a background in Judo, arm wrestling, baseball, hockey, pool and darts. His love for challenging himself made kung fu a life long passion.
He has been practicing Hung Gar since 2010. He is known in class as "The Bronze Man" or "Sifu's Wooden Dummy".
Senior Student/Assistant Teacher
Rene Roache (he/him)
(pictured on left above)
Brown Sash
Rene first trained with Sifu Warren for 7 years, and with Sifu Leslie since. He has continued to be a dedicated student and teacher. His background also includes Tae Kwan Do. He is devoted to maintaining the details of forms and is known for his patience, meticulous attention to detail, and dedication to training.
He is known in class as the 'technician', the 'scribe', and the "Ninja" (when sparring).