Any Shaolin Wahnam students/sifus based in the West Midlands, UK?

[Matt F.]

Hi Mike,

Clearly, you have no direct experience with Shaolin Wahnam. I am wondering what gave you such a strong opinion in the first place? Do you honestly feel that way, or was your inflammatory post an attempt to be one of the "cool kids", because being cynical, jaded, and jumping on the bandwagon is what they do best.

My offer still stands (I am drop360 on the Dragonslist, if anyone is interested). I am sure you will find similar offers from some of my brothers/sisters in the UK if you go looking. What you won't find is a bunch of people lining up to prove to you our merits in hopes that maybe someday your opinion will change to something positive.

I am a real person. I have trained martial arts for a long time. I have found something very special in Shaolin Wahnam and Sifu - something that was promised by many other teachers/styles/training/etc. I am very passionate about genuine, traditional Shaolin Kungfu. I enjoy my training very much. If you ask people that know me, they will probably tell you that I am friendly, kind, helpful, funny, and genuine. I speak only for myself, but this decription fits most of the people I've met within Shaolin Wahnam.

Your opinion is your own. I have no issues with it. What I do have a problem with, is you writing ignorant, inflammatory, and negative internet posts about Shaolin Wahnam (especially about Sifu), then enter our school without so much as the smallest bit of apology, and pretending like everything is great and we're all friends.

So, what remains? Are you here to stir up some "dirt" on Shaolin Wahnam that you can use to reinforce your ignorant opinion? Or are you here to honestly apologize for what you have said, and then hope to form a new opinion based on personal experience?

-Matt

[Antonius]

People have been known to change their preconceived ideas before.

Great. I certainly hope that's the case.

[Darryl]

Hi Mike,

Welcome to our Virtual Kwoon

I don't frequent (other) online discussion Forums. If you've come here to see what we're really like, I appreciate that.

One thing that will help is that we really do treat this space as a virtual kwoon, not a discussion forum. We treat what people write as if it's what they would say in person. We stand by what we write and we expect our guests to do the same. Matt Sidai has obviously taken issue with what you wrote elsewhere, but I agree with what he is asking from you.

We really do value honesty and respect. We also really enjoy spirited conversations. You can disagree with us. You can say what you really think. We just ask that you be polite while doing so.

Personally, I hope you stay.

All the best,

[Mark A]

Meeting Up

Hi Mike,
I would have posted sooner, but I have been away from the internet for a while.

I am more than happy to meet with anyone for tea. To discuss Kung Fu, Chi Kung, why I train with Sifu etc.

Like my brothers and sister I am only really interested in meeting good people who are open minded to have a dialogue. They dont have to believe me, just open minded to have a chat .

So far you have been respectful in our Virtual Kwoon and that goes some way. Because of that I am open to meeting you if our paths cross

I am moving to the south coast of England in the near future, and will be spending time in London as well. So drop me a PM if you are down that way and we can see what can be arranged.

Peace

Mark

Ps ( I have included a link to a post that I wrote that explains why I train with Sifu)

https://www.shaolin.org/discussion/mark-appleford.html