The Pakua Set Course in Killarney is so special, it almost feels like an Intensive Course in Malaysia. It is great to be at this precious and special course and be here with Sifu who has travelled all this way to teach us these amazing Arts. Actually I suspect Sije Joan's peerless organization of yet another phenomenal, historical and memorable set of courses here in Killarney has something to do with it; a beautiful luxurious hotel for the course looking at the picturesque and highest-mountains in the West of Ireland, a lively warm atmosphere (despite the cold outside), delicous food (I'm sure the rich people of Killarney and the rich tourists coming from abroad must wonder at our party as we go on a culinary tour of Killarney's Five Star Hotels with Sifu everyday for lunch and dinner, "Who are these interesting people, enjoying their delicious food happily and talking about Legends of Southern Shaolin, Taoist and Muslim Kungfu...?".
Day One was of course wonderful. Sifu went through the Pakua Set systematically yet efficiently and by the end of the first day (yesterday) we were already stringing sequences together with picture perfect form, flow and force. Everyone said the Chi Flows were immensley deep and peaceful which they were.
Day Two and we learned the sophisticated applications for all the patterns with an emphasis on proper distance, spacing and timing; absorbing the attack (stepping back to create the 'golden moment' when the opponent has expended his force at the limit of his strike and then applying our counter). Everyone improved noticeably in skill in just a few hours. Sifu even kindly shared with us some secret applications from the Essence of Shaolin. Again we practiced a sequence repeatedly and learned how to apply it on a boxer or a kickboxer by covering the opponent first. To receive not only the outward-form/ techniques and mechanics of such a prized set is one thing; to be in a room in with a real Shaolin Master and being transmitted the skills to apply those techniques with spacing, timing, form, force and flow; it's truly phenomenal.
Seeing Sifu perform the set yesterday on Day One with full force and flow, his arms and hands literally vibrating with discombobulating force visible to the naked eye, Sifu's eyes sparkling- it reminded me of the Wudang Course in Dublin (another immense course organized by Sije Joan) when Sifu looked like he was standing at the centre of the universe at the point where extreme Yin becomes Yang and where extreme Yang becomes Yin, the perfect point between Heaven and Earth... sometimes I have to remind myself that I live in the 21st century in a European country, it seems almost impossible (if one intellectualizes) to think that here in a room in a town in the West of Ireland (and many other European locations as Sifu goes onward on his teaching tour), here is a modern Legend of Southern Shaolin presenting precious treasures to us. To even be sitting in the room watching would be a treasure in itself.
We finished with a Chi Flow...very deep, very profound. A deep deep cleanse. Tomorrow is Day Three, the Grand Finale; what treasures await? We can only guess. The Killarney Courses are always so special.
Thank you Sifu for travelling to teach us and thank you Sije for yet more wonderful courses.
Day One was of course wonderful. Sifu went through the Pakua Set systematically yet efficiently and by the end of the first day (yesterday) we were already stringing sequences together with picture perfect form, flow and force. Everyone said the Chi Flows were immensley deep and peaceful which they were.
Day Two and we learned the sophisticated applications for all the patterns with an emphasis on proper distance, spacing and timing; absorbing the attack (stepping back to create the 'golden moment' when the opponent has expended his force at the limit of his strike and then applying our counter). Everyone improved noticeably in skill in just a few hours. Sifu even kindly shared with us some secret applications from the Essence of Shaolin. Again we practiced a sequence repeatedly and learned how to apply it on a boxer or a kickboxer by covering the opponent first. To receive not only the outward-form/ techniques and mechanics of such a prized set is one thing; to be in a room in with a real Shaolin Master and being transmitted the skills to apply those techniques with spacing, timing, form, force and flow; it's truly phenomenal.
Seeing Sifu perform the set yesterday on Day One with full force and flow, his arms and hands literally vibrating with discombobulating force visible to the naked eye, Sifu's eyes sparkling- it reminded me of the Wudang Course in Dublin (another immense course organized by Sije Joan) when Sifu looked like he was standing at the centre of the universe at the point where extreme Yin becomes Yang and where extreme Yang becomes Yin, the perfect point between Heaven and Earth... sometimes I have to remind myself that I live in the 21st century in a European country, it seems almost impossible (if one intellectualizes) to think that here in a room in a town in the West of Ireland (and many other European locations as Sifu goes onward on his teaching tour), here is a modern Legend of Southern Shaolin presenting precious treasures to us. To even be sitting in the room watching would be a treasure in itself.
We finished with a Chi Flow...very deep, very profound. A deep deep cleanse. Tomorrow is Day Three, the Grand Finale; what treasures await? We can only guess. The Killarney Courses are always so special.
Thank you Sifu for travelling to teach us and thank you Sije for yet more wonderful courses.
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