Reading Kwoon (HQ) Training School

Lucas Castrounis has been teaching Wing Chun Kung Fu and Kali Eskrima at the Reading Academy with the approval of Nino Bernardo. He has studied the above fighting systems at the Basement (closed since December 2000) in London under the guidance of Nino Bernardo Sifu and his oldest students. Nino was one of only a handful of students to compete the Wing Chun system in Hong Kong with the late Wong Shun Leung, the foremost instructor of Bruce Lee.

The Reading Academy of Wing Chun & Kali is now an independent martial arts school, founded in August 1992 by Lucas Castrounis, and continues to develop its skills in association with, and support from the senior students of "The Basement": Franco Regalzi, Segun Johnson, Santi Pascual Martin, Kevin Lyn, Guy Cofie, Franklyn Riley, and many others. It has grown into an intensive independent school with a very high reputation in the UK and around the world.

Since December 2007, Lucas Castrounis and the Reading Academy Schools are no longer training with Sifu Nino Bernardo, who now lives in Ibiza.

The Reading School (Kwoon), the main school of the Reading Academy, is open five days a week for training to suit the different training schedules and patterns of individuals.

The students of the Reading School (Kwoon) range from senior students who started the system with Lucas back in 1995 right through to new comers and good beginners. Lucas still accepts good, dedicated students who are interested in learning the Wing Chun and Kali Eskrima systems at the Reading Academy of Wing Chun & Kali.

Over the years, Lucas has witnessed much admirable progress among his students and seasoned martial artists from various disciplines who have come to improve their skills by training at the Reading School (Kwoon). Lucas enjoys such experiences and believes that the success of the school is due to the unique learning experience inherited from the Basement of London.

To arrange an appointment / trial lesson at the Reading Academy, please apply online.
For private lessons with Mr. Lucas Castrounis please use the contact form.
If you are a Wing Chun or Kali practitioner based in Europe and would like intensive training at the Reading Academy, Mr. Lucas Castrounis can be reached by using the contact details on the right or by filling in the contact form.
Visits by appointment ONLY please.

Training at the Reading Academy

Before you begin training, take the time to find out if the Wing Chun and/or Kali system is what you want to study and if the background of the teacher and the school match with what you are looking for.

The only requirement for training at the Reading Academy is enthusiasm, attending regularly for training, and having fun with a desire to learn. Training clothes are casual (no special uniform or shoes) and the classes are for adults only. There are no short cuts - two people may start at the same time, but it's unlikely they will finish at the same time - each individual defines their own progress.

Other systems/schools have gradings but the Reading Academy Schools do not. The Wing Chun system has a logical progression. The aim is to learn/complete the entire system without fancy belts or uniforms. Founders of the Wing Chun system, Leung Jan, Leung Bik, Yip Man, Wong Shun Leung, Bruce Lee and Nino Bernardo did/do not have gradings or belts and neither does Lucas Castrounis nor his students.

Be patient as you have fun; learn while you cultivate your understanding.