Open Discussion - The All Nations Gathering - Manchester - January 2007

[Michael Durkin]

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Greetings every one,

Please use this discussion thread for all your questions, messages, plans etc for 'The All Nations' Gathering in Manchester January 2007.

For the important course information, please view this thread.

[Michael Durkin]

To give you an idea about this event...

With the previous '3 Nations Event', students from England, Northern Ireland and Scotland gathered in bright and sunny Brighton for the first of this event on the weekend of the 21st and 22nd of January 2006. The event was very successful by the result of so many smiling faces and new friendships made.

To learn more about the previous '3 Nations' event and why you wouldn't want to miss the upcoming 'The All Nations', click the button below :

[namaste]

definitely worth going to...

I went to the three nations event in Brighton and this was excellent. It was a great opportunity to meet other students and get some practical experience of the diversity of skills and abilities we have achieved across the UK. There were some really interesting subjects covered and one of my favourite parts was the group discussion we had on the 10 Shaolin Laws, which was excellently presented and gave people a rare chance to really 'pull these apart' and talk about their meaning. On top of opportunities to train with different Sifus, assistants and students, this was a great social event - most of us went out for a meal on the Saturday evening which was great fun. Definitely going next year.

[Michael Durkin]

This year a 2 hour slot has been reserved for a special time to cover topics and training as voted for and put forward by your good selves the students.

If you have been wondering how to improve your imaginary partner work so you can 'both' move to higher level, or perhaps you have been stuck with some of the sparring methodology within some of the sequences, breath control or the Three Arrivals, then of all of the UK instructors are on hand to help.

Please post your suggestions here for all to consider. Closer to the event a vote will be cast.

On behalf of all the UK instructors we look forward to this opportunity for you to air your suggestions.

Warm regards,

[Mike H]

All Nations

To everyone

The 3 Nations was a fantasic event it was full of information and smiles . It gave me the opportunity to meet and train with members of our family from all over Great Britain. So not only did we train with fellow students but with Sifus too . The opportunity to train/be with others gives you a greater understanding and a better experience. It encourages you to observe your partner and yourself more than perhaps you normally do. Different abilites allow us to progress and grow at all levels, so we learn from and teach each other. I'm sure this years event will be as good as the last, if not better, so if you can, do, and if you can't, you must...

Hope to see you there

Mike

[Matt]

Find a way to be there....

What a fantastic opportunity - two whole days of varied training with some of Shaolin Wahnams most wonderful instructors for just 60 pounds. Not that it's about the money, but how good a deal is that!

My view is that as our seniors in Shaolin Wahnam have gone to all the effort of laying on such a superb event, then the very least i can do is attend, enjoy myself and use it to progress my Kung Fu to a higher level. I feel an obligation to be there, albeit an obligation that brings huge benefit to me! I am truly grateful for efforts of all the instructors involved in putting this event on. Thank you.

I was at the Brighton event last year and it was great fun, i learnt a tremendous amount and it acted as a springboard from which to progress my training in 2006. From what i hear about plans for this years event, i expect the same and more from the All Nations Gathering.

I look forward to meeting old friends and making new ones in a couple of weeks.

Matt

PS. Does anyone have any good recommendations about where to stay? There are quite a few of us cominng up from Worthing/Brighton and we haven't made arrangemnts for accomodation yet. It would be good to be near the venue and with other students of Shaolin Wahnam. Any ideas?

[barrys]

To all,

Have a great time at the 3 Nations. I really enjoyed training with other people last year. If I wasn't going to be in Costa Rica I would be there again this year.

With metta,

Barry

[namaste]

costa rica?

...have an excellent time you lucky man!

on another note, I notice the meal is set for Sunday night - is there any chance it could be moved to saturday as if it remains on Sunday I'll have to miss it due to having to get back to Brighton and travel times - I think others may be in the same position as myself but understand if it has to remain on Sunday night - but is there any possibility of a switch? I really enjoyed the meal last year (nicely chosen Chinese restaurant called the Golden Dragon!).

[Michael Durkin]

Accomodation & Directions

Greetings folks,

Here are some suggestions for accommodation :


Cheaper Range :

Novotel (15 minute walk):
0161 235 2200

http://www.accorhotels.com/accorhotels/fichehotel/gb/nov/3145/fiche_hotel.shtml

Travel Inn (15 minute walk)

http://www.premiertravelinn.com/pti/hotelInformation.do?hotelId=24057

Days Hotels (10 minute walk)

http://www.meeting.co.uk/dayshotel/

Ibis Hotels (10 minute walk)

http://www.ibishotel.com/ibis/fichehotel/gb/ibi/3143/fiche_hotel.shtml#

Mid Price Range

Britannia (20 minute walk):
0161 228 2288

http://www.iknow-northwest.co.uk/accommodation/3463-britannia_hotel_manchester-manchester.htm

Thistle Hotel (20 minute walk)

http://www.holidaycityeurope.com/thistle-manchester/index.htm

Higher Price Range

Radisson Edwardian (20 minute walk) :
0161 835 9929

http://www.radissonedwardian.com/manchesteruk_edwardian

The Midland (20 minute walk) :

http://www.midlandhotelmanchester.co.uk/

Directions from these hotels to the venue.

For all of these hotels, they really are in walking distance of the venue as these hotels are all pretty much in the centre of the town.

• Where ever you come from I would recommend asking for directions to 'Oxford Road'.
• Walk down Oxford Road until you come to 'Booth Street West' where you should take a right.
• Walk down that road about 200-300 yards and take a left onto 'Higher Cambridge Street'.
• The venue is about 300 yards down that road on the right side of the road.
• You should see the football pitches in the distance first and then car park as your close.

• I have attached to this post, a map highlighting in pink, the path along Oxford Street, Oxford Road, Booth Street West and Higher Cambridge Street to the venue.
  
• I have also marked Piccadilly train station. (Victoria Train station is just of the top of the map, but still in the centre of town if your using that station).
  
• The big red solid circle in the top portion of the image highlights really the city centre itself. Key streets of Manchester, roads marked in orange, are 'Deansgate', 'Portland Street', 'Oxford Street', 'Oxford Road', 'Peter Street', 'Princess Street'.

For a complete map, click here for a google map of the venue and manchester.

`

[Michael Durkin]

May I just remind everyone :

This year a 2 hour slot has been reserved for a special time to cover topics and training as voted for and put forward by your good selves the students.

If you have been wondering how to improve your imaginary partner work so you can 'both' move to higher level, or perhaps you have been stuck with some of the sparring methodology within some of the sequences, breath control or the Three Arrivals, then of all of the UK instructors are on hand to help.

Please post your suggestions here for all to consider. Closer to the event a vote will be cast.

On behalf of all the UK instructors we look forward to this opportunity for you to air your suggestions.

Warm regards,

[eug]

Looking forward to this, will be a great weekend . I think it's a nice idea to have the 2 hour slot open for student's suggestions. A couple of mine are breath control and surprise counters - particulary kicks as surprise counters, as these are areas I struggle with.

[drunken boxer]

I'm going to be there, really looking forward to benefiting from so many top instructors, and to meeting up with old and new friends, great stuff.

Absolutely no doubt whatsoever what gets my vote for the two hour slot:

Counters to 'The Sleeper' (headlock from behind).

[RobJim]

Agree with Eugene

Yup I'd love to covr breath control in more depth, maybe some force application as well... maybe some force application to kicking techniques? Love those kicks!

Rob

[Peter Clayton]

So many great things going on this year!

The All Nations, along with Malaysia are definitely on my list for '08. Looking forward to the photo's and feedback.

[Matt]

Looks like breath control is getting a lot of support. it certainly is something i would benefit from more practice on. Something related to it that i'd like to cover is exploding force or "fa jing" (not sure about my spelling), and channelling energy and force. I'm thinking of patterns like Black Tiger, Golden Dragon, Single Tiger and the Big Boss Offers Wine part of One Finger Shooting Zen. And maybe also related to this is the channelling of energy in chi-kung patterns, like Pushing Mountains.

Something else i hope to get from the weekend is a better view of what lies ahead of me in Shaolin Wahnam. How did others progress through the levels - particularly level 4 which i am now working on.

See you all soon

Matt