Dear Shaolin Wahnam Family and Friends,
Yesterday I completed a second session of Sifu Markus's Dragon in Zen special Chi Kung course. The first lesson was already excellent, but now it was just simply incredible. We began with gentle stance training, but it ended up being pure beauty in motion. No joke! Sensations of beauty, softness, and smoothness were abundant and it was super fun, even though we are only doing the routines focusing on form and energy levels at the moment. Learning to do the signature Shaolin greeting "Dragon and Tiger Appear" from Heart was already worth taking the course. If only I could experience the same benefits of beauty and smoothness daily... That is a day I am now really looking forward to, no matter how many decades it may take!
The aim of the course is to teach the eponymous Kungfu set as a means for meditation and mind cultivation. Combat applications are de-emphasized. There might be impressive "Wow!" courses like Sinew Metamorphosis and Merging with the Cosmos, but these represent quite different type of attainments that emphasize energy training and spiritual fireworks. In contrast Dragon in Zen is subtle and earthbound, which I find even more amazing. Majestic elegance is another fitting description, as Markus Sipak has repeatedly encouraged us to practice the form as in to make each pattern a masterpiece.
It is clearn now that after the Dublin Zen Intensive this is the highest level course I have taken. If you ever have the chance to take the Dragon in Zen with Sigung or a senior instructor who understands its essence, don't miss it!
I feel incredibly lucky to be able to take part on this course. I would like to offer my profound thanks to Markus Sipak for teaching this incredible course, Sigung for teaching the skills that led to its crystallization, and Past Masters for leaving us such a precious legacy.
EDIT: I recall that Sigung taught a Dragon in Zen course during the wedding celebrations of his youngest son Sifu Chun Yian. Maybe course participants could share their experiences?
With sincere gratitude,
Olli
Yesterday I completed a second session of Sifu Markus's Dragon in Zen special Chi Kung course. The first lesson was already excellent, but now it was just simply incredible. We began with gentle stance training, but it ended up being pure beauty in motion. No joke! Sensations of beauty, softness, and smoothness were abundant and it was super fun, even though we are only doing the routines focusing on form and energy levels at the moment. Learning to do the signature Shaolin greeting "Dragon and Tiger Appear" from Heart was already worth taking the course. If only I could experience the same benefits of beauty and smoothness daily... That is a day I am now really looking forward to, no matter how many decades it may take!
The aim of the course is to teach the eponymous Kungfu set as a means for meditation and mind cultivation. Combat applications are de-emphasized. There might be impressive "Wow!" courses like Sinew Metamorphosis and Merging with the Cosmos, but these represent quite different type of attainments that emphasize energy training and spiritual fireworks. In contrast Dragon in Zen is subtle and earthbound, which I find even more amazing. Majestic elegance is another fitting description, as Markus Sipak has repeatedly encouraged us to practice the form as in to make each pattern a masterpiece.
It is clearn now that after the Dublin Zen Intensive this is the highest level course I have taken. If you ever have the chance to take the Dragon in Zen with Sigung or a senior instructor who understands its essence, don't miss it!
I feel incredibly lucky to be able to take part on this course. I would like to offer my profound thanks to Markus Sipak for teaching this incredible course, Sigung for teaching the skills that led to its crystallization, and Past Masters for leaving us such a precious legacy.
EDIT: I recall that Sigung taught a Dragon in Zen course during the wedding celebrations of his youngest son Sifu Chun Yian. Maybe course participants could share their experiences?
With sincere gratitude,
Olli
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