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I loved the Chin-Na course! There are many reasons why this was one of my favourite courses with Sifu. I will give you just three:
1) We were able to spent a lot of time with Sifu during the trips. He was his generous self of course: he told us many stories, many secrets and he answered all our questions. I, for one, had many, many questions. Some about the course, such as: how do you use your mind to block the energy of an opponent in Chin-Na, how do you release the blockage? (Sifu demonstrated this as well). Some about Chi Kung in general such as: what is the difference between overcoming illness using the Medical Universe and Self-Manifested Chi Flow, how flowing or consolidated are Fierce Tiger Cleanses Claws and the Black Turtle Method in Dragon Strength? And many more. Sifu answered them all .
I really loved Sifu’s answer to my question about Cosmos Palm and One Finger Zen! I asked him if Cosmos Palm was better as there were 5 reasons to prefer that to One Finger Zen in the Q&A on the Forum. For those who prefer One Finger Zen: be at peace. There are also at least 5 reasons to prefer One Finger Zen as well.
2) I loved the course. Chin-Na is advanced so we learned many secrets and advanced techniques, tactics and strategies. Sifu also stressed the importance of basic things, so we covered the advanced and the basics in one course!
3) The trips were great. I have never been to a course in which everything was so well-organised (which is a great compliment if one can manage this in China: everyone was extremely flexible there. For instance, a TV-demonstration planned at 10.30 had to start an hour later, as no one, not even the camera crew, had arrived on time. An hour later, it was absolutely packed). One to make you jealous: I arrived at the airport and someone was waiting for me with a sign with my name on it to take me to the hotel. Truly VIP style. I could get used to that!
Many thanks to Sifu for his teachings and his generosity. Many thanks to Anton and Tony for the outstanding organisation. My favourite course is my first Intensive Chi Kung Course ever; but it will now have to share the first spot with the Chin-Na course.
Best wishes,
Roeland Dijkema
Last edited by wooden shoes; 9 October 2016, 06:49 AM.
I also had the wonderful priviledge to attend both courses with Sitaigung in China: The Chin-Na Course and the VIP Chi Kung-Course. But lo and behold! Apart from the magnificent formal teachings, we were spoiled even more on this trip: Both my Sifu and Tony put tremendous effort into making it not only a most memorable occasion to bring our arts back to China, but to literally make dreams come true. Suitably, this was the motto of the wonderful days which felt like a month and like a blink of an eye at the same time.
As my Sisookgung Roeland, I also enjoyed the opportunity to spend so much time with our beloved Grandmaster and our entire family. The whole trip felt like one flowing family reuinion, sharing joy in many forms: training, eating, drinking, sightseeing, chatting and joking around.
Some of my personal highlights include, in no particular order:
Our trip to Guanyin of the South China Sea on Mount Xiqiao, where we trained below the caring eyes of our school's Bodhisattva guardian.
The sea of flowers at the beautiful Erlongshan Gardens which is owned by our co-organizer Tony.
Sifu's and Sitaigung's smiles when I brought them coffee in the morning.
Collecting bruises and ripped T-Shirts at the Chin-Na course and watching the former disappear almost literally before my eyes during the Chi Kung Course.
Enjoying the company of my beautiful girlfriend and so many family members.
Truely excellent food! Every meal was a treat- from the dinners we had at Tony's parents house to the heavenly wan-tan soup on our last day of formal training.
I could go on and on, but will leave it at that for the moment, eager to read the impressions of our family members.
In conclusion, I wish to reiterate what I tried to say in words and some small tears during my graduation speeches: Thank you, dear Sitaigung for your generous, life changing teachings. Thank you, dear Sifu for initiating me into these arts, helping me grow and enjoy this wonderful ride called life again and again.
Thank you also to Sifu and Tony as well as Tony's parents for your hard work and generosity in organizing!
It has been a most wonderful experience at the Qin-na course.
The course itself was amazing, but it was the daily training and chats with my fellow course participants that made it memorable.
Great to see old and new faces, and of course Sifu!
Some highlights that came to mind:
1) Practicing Qin Na in the public park: It was quite a surprise to see so many people active in the park at 8am in the morning!
There were people dancing, playing badminton and stretching. We even caught a glimpse of someone practicing taijiquan.
Still, we managed to draw a small crowd of curious onlookers as we practiced.
2) Walking up the long flight of stairs and giving a silent prayer of gratitude and thanks to the giant Guan Yin statue,
Then descending down back to the square to practice Qin-na, a compassionate art, under the watchful eye of Guan Yin.
Very befitting.
As we demonstrated our chosen qin-na sequences to Sifu, he gave us different variations to consider, as well
as finer points of applying the moves. As usual, it is a treat to watch Sifu gracefully execute the moves and counters.
He makes it look easy!
There was a monk who quietly observed us as Sifu was teaching us. He was earnestly mirroring some of the qin-na
moves that was shown.
3) Training in Er Long Shan was a treat. The air was fresh and the sights scenic. Force training felt more powerful
with the abundance of fresh chi there.
4) Having breakfast at a small road-side stall with the mountains and fields opposite us. Sifu made a comment that in the past, kungfu knights
would stop by tea-houses like this to have a meal and piping hot tea while they took a break. Sure feels like it!
5) On the last day during rehearsal, everyone showcased their chosen set to perform. It was a treat to watch them perform - Shaolin,Taijiquan,Wing Chun,
Cloud Hands, San Zhan, Dragon Strength,etc. It reminded me of how it might have been in the Shaolin Temple, when different Shaolin masters specialized in their styles.
It is heartening to see that our school encompasses a wide range of kungfu styles,reflecting the breadth and depth of the Shaolin Arts.
It was fun practicing and sparring with everyone, though i seem to have some 'claw' marks on my wrist and arms by the last day.
All that groping...
Thanks for Bernie's new present - a no-shadow kick to my groin
Thanks to Anton and Tony for organizing this whole thing! It must not have been easy, juggling so many itineraries over
the course of several days (not to mention coordinating the arrival and departure times). But as Sifu says, we flow with the opponent moves
and adapt accordingly.
It was a pleasure getting to know each and every of my fellow course mates. I have learned a lot from our practice and chats together.
Last but not least, thank you Sifu for your generosity and always smiling from the heart!
Thank you to everyone for sharing your stories! And thank you to Anton and Tony for bringing such a joyous trip to Sigung, especially as San Francisco will be his first stop after China (and some rest in Malaysia) where he can share more stories of China.
Yes thank you all for sharing your experiences here and the pictures on Facebook!
It must have been a truly unique experience! I am so happy these courses took place in China!
Enjoy some Wahnam Tai Chi Chuan & Qi Gong!
Evening Classes in Zürich
Weekend Classes in other Swiss locations
It’s now been two weeks since my return from Guangzhou but each moment remain glowing as ever. Dreams come true! Yes indeed the Chin-Na Course and the VIP Chi Kung Course with our beloved Sifu are truly special and for me set a new height in our courses organizing. Special thanks to our course organisers Dr Anton and Tony Lai for your amazing efforts to ensure not only that the course programs run smoothly but your extra concern that participants arrive safely and stay comfortably the whole time.
Some of my fondest moments:-
1. Sifu’s radiant smile as he arrived at Erlongshan on the first day, walking amongst the sea of flowers (arriving the same morning straight from teaching in Barcelona!).
2. The variety of training venues: Beginning at the scenic Erlongshan Twin dragon resort, to a busy public park in Shengzeng, the majestic Bodhisattva Guanyin garden in Mount Xiqiao, a lovely little garden after breakfast, beside a brook at Baishuizhai and the lychee garden with sunflowers.
3. Driving through some of the most scenic countryside and historical sites especially to Foshan, Nanhai, Sanshui and Hexiangu.
4. Being amazed again and again as Sifu went through our chosen Chin-Na sequences, correction, attacks and counters, finer points, variations, applications.
5. The fun of practising at point 1,2,3 and level 1,2,3.
6. The experience of rehearsing and performing in front of a full capacity lunch reception during the launching of the Black Olive festival.
7. The warm hospitality of Tony’s family and entire staffs, some whom double up as our drivers throughout the 10 days. The welcoming and graduation dinners were very special and hosted by Mr & Mrs Lai at their private residence.
8. The amazing experience of sampling authentic local cuisine.
9. The special bonding of Shaolin Wahnam brothers and sisters.
Thank you Sifu for your great generosity in allowing me to attend these courses. For the life changing lessons learned during the VIP Chi Kung course. Some teachers teach 1,2,3 .. and a,b,c… My Sifu holds out treasures openly and generously. It remains for me to be ready or not, to see it clearly or not, to embrace, to apply in daily living.
Thank you all and looking forward to see you in Sabah!
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