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**Shaolinfist** · 11 June 2010, 01:44 PM

Sounds like an amazing course Darryl Siheng, I will try to attend if I can. Would be great to see you again since the last time we met was many years ago in Regents Park where you gave me a private lesson!
Awesome website by the way, I love the design!

Kind Regards,
Phil

**drunken boxer** · 2 July 2010, 12:25 AM

Aarrgghh this sounds brilliant! There was me thinking I had made peace with myself and the fact that I had allocated all my time off and cash for this years courses like Wing Choon and Praying Mantis etc and would just have to wait till next year to do any more, but this sounds awesome.

Dear Darryl Siheng, I am going to see if I can wangle the time off for this, if I am not successful I was wondering if its possible to just attend the weekend section on saturday / sunday 4th 5th? Though that would mean I'd miss some special courses and I don't think I could cope with the jealousy so I'll try and avoid it!

I'm even finding myself drawn to some classes on the list that I didn't think I'd be drawn to... at this rate I might even end up becoming cultured which really would be an incredible achievement for chi kung...

**Matt** · 2 July 2010, 07:09 AM

I'm in!

Sounds fantastic. How do i sign up?

**Darryl** · 5 July 2010, 03:43 PM

Dear Phil,
It would be excellent to see you again and over here - the more the merrier

Dear Paul Sidai,
Yes, it is possible to attend only the weekend. This is something I especially considered, so that as many family members as possible could attend.

Dear Matt,
You can email me at darryl.collett @ shaolinwahnam.nl to register and/or get further information. I'll also be posting more information here very soon.

And for a beautiful heads up, the Combined Scholar-Warrior Project will be held in the first ever 24/7 Shaolin Wahnam centre in Amsterdam.

**drunken boxer** · 6 July 2010, 09:30 PM

Originally posted by Darryl View Post

Dear Paul Sidai,
Yes, it is possible to attend only the weekend. This is something I especially considered, so that as many family members as possible could attend.

Well I for one am very grateful for that consideration Darryl Siheng! Brilliant, I'm certainly up for the weekend section at least, though I haven't given up hope that I might be able to join for the other days or some of them.

**drunken boxer** · 10 July 2010, 10:10 PM

This singing course is very interesting!
I remember one course in Ireland where Joan Sije and co tricked me into singing a song as part of the celebrations at the end!
First of all, it was a bit like warrior training because it was way more nerve wracking than getting in a fight!
But second of all, I must admit it was great fun and showed me how singing can open the heart. It can even help you recover from grudges against people who trick you into singing...

Only joking!

I heard a story from a friend in another kungfu and chi kung school of a woman who recovered from illness using chi kung. She had been a singing teacher and when she returned to work she started to think she could "sense" if people were ill or likely to become ill due to their breathing, posture etc. She even felt that she could make adjustments to help them but was scared to do so, so she asked her kungfu instructor, expecting to hear his warnings. He however was very supportive and said that through her training and recovery she may have developed or discovered a gift to help people and is now guiding her in the development of that gift, ie to become a chi kung instructor one day. I thought it was very interesting.

**Darryl** · 11 July 2010, 09:05 AM

Real Warriors sing

Dear Paul Sidai,

It's great fun to sing and I'm very glad to hear you got coerced into doing so. I've just received a text from someone who participated in yesterday's singing workshop. She said ..

It was a fantastic experience. I'm so glad I did it, for me it feels like overcoming my fears and making little steps towards freedom

.. which sounds like a warrior's spirit to me

Just as traditional Kungfu uses sparring to test combat efficiency, singing serves as a great opportunity to practice relaxing, letting go and enjoying yourself.

The host of the singing workshop, Kirsten Schotteldrier, also notices a lot from the singer's voice; where they're open, where they're closed and exactly where the tension is. Sometimes these blockages effect the notes we can hear and make and, as Chi Kung Fu students, once we know about them we drop them like the burdens they are.

**shaolin_mike** · 11 July 2010, 10:46 AM

Just wanted to say that looks like a really awesome program of courses. To the participants: Enjoy yourselves you lucky people

**drunken boxer** · 11 July 2010, 11:41 AM

Originally posted by Darryl View Post

yesterday's singing workshop.

Hmmm... so these workshops are regular? Very interesting! Considering I may miss out on the non-weekend sections this time due to work... maybe I'll get another chance.

Originally posted by Darryl View Post

The host of the singing workshop, Kirsten Schotteldrier, also notices a lot from the singer's voice; where they're open, where they're closed and exactly where the tension is. Sometimes these blockages effect the notes we can hear and make and, as Chi Kung Fu students, once we know about them we drop them like the burdens they are.

Very fascinating stuff. I've never been much of a culture vulture but the singing session in Ireland we had opened my eyes to that a bit too as we had someone doing some classical singing - its a lot different to hear it when you are that close to it. I've since become more aware of the skill, artistry and passion that goes into this. Though of course I'll never admit this in person

**Darryl** · 15 July 2010, 01:37 PM

The singing workshop was being road-tested, to make sure that everyone attending gets the very best. This time the songs ranged from opera to Elvis to jazz and yes, this makes each workshop a great little concert. Depending on the demand, the singing session may move to the Sunday so you never know ...

Some of the courses do have a maximum number of attendees, so early booking is advised.

**Anke Verhees** · 16 July 2010, 03:32 PM

The Visual Arts & Art Appreciation:

Dear all,

First of all, as a Shaolin Wahnam Amsterdam student, I would like to thank our Sifu for hosting such a special event! :-) And I am very grateful I can be part of it too, by hosting the Visual Arts & Art Appreciation workshop.

In my professional life I work with art and artists, and enjoy this immensely every day. I am often struck by the fact that many people have the feeling they have to 'know' something about art to be able to appreciate it. Yes, knowing more can generate a deeper understanding, but appreciating it comes from the heart, and is often unexplainable in words. For me, art is about emotion and inspiration. But, getting to know the stories behind beautiful art works can deeply intensify your experience of those works, and help you to open up to beauty.

To start of the excitement :-) I would therefore like to invite everybody to share their experiences around art, and I am very interested to see how brothers and sisters from around the world interact with art. What does art mean to you? Does art have a place in your life? Do you own art, and if so, why that particular piece? What's the story behind it?

The workshop will be held at the world-famous Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam, which is filled with great masterpieces from centuries of Dutch culture, including Rembrandt's 'Nachtwacht". You can find more information at http://www.rijksmuseum.nl/. The Rijksmuseum has experienced hosts, who will share with you the stories behind some of the greatest pieces the Netherlands ever produced and let you see a glimpse of the world these artists lived in.

I look forward to hosting some of you in September! And if you won't be in Amsterdam, pop into a local museum this summer, and let yourself be amazed :-)

Wishing everybody a great summer,
Anke

**Adam Kryder** · 17 July 2010, 10:13 AM

Great!

Congratulations to all involved!

This course description, the multiple levels, and comprehensive approach are fascinating.

This is just wonderful!

Best Wishes,

Adam

**Chiahua** · 18 July 2010, 12:00 AM

Originally posted by Anke Verhees View Post

...Yes, knowing more can generate a deeper understanding, but appreciating it comes from the heart, and is often unexplainable in words. For me, art is about emotion and inspiration. But, getting to know the stories behind beautiful art works can deeply intensify your experience of those works, and help you to open up to beauty.

Sijie, thank you for highlighting this very important aspect of visual arts! Many times I feel art appreciation has become more of an art history exercise, or perhaps "high art" has become too intellectual and too conceptual.

**Mark Blohm** · 24 July 2010, 02:12 AM

This is a great combination of courses. I hope many people can enjoy.

Thanks to Joan Sijie and Darryl Siheng for your hard work.

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