Issue 19 - August 2006

Editorial

Dear friends and students,

After 7 months of planning, organising and dealing with e-mails (I need to get a better SPAM filter!) the 5th July finally arrived. I recall feeling healthy anticipation as I looked forward to delivering Shaolin Grandmaster Wong Kiew Kit (or Sifu as I and now many others in the UK have the privilege of referring to him) to the first day of classes at the Shaolin Summer Camp in Canterbury. As we walked into the hall my heart was filled with joy to see so many people. The Summer Camp had begun!

This months newsletter will look at each of the courses offered and I will add a few thoughts along the way, oh and the odd picture or 2.

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Introduction to Kung Fu Internal force and Combat Application

I think this is my favourite photo taken during the whole of the Summer Camp. To see so many people practicing traditional and genuine stance practice nearly brought a tear to my eye. This photo captures for me the commitment of every student present on this course. Nearly a quarter of the people on this course had zero or less than 3 months practice with Shaolin Wahnam. It is a testament to Sifu’s teaching skill that after only a few days everyone on the course was able to spar using traditional Shaolin Kung Fu patterns. To the interested reader I would direct you to the following link where you can view “not rehearsed for the camera” or real videos as I like to call them, of the students sparring with each other. As my older Wahnam brother Anthony Korahais of the USA pointed out on the forum:

“Although many of you probably think that your performances weren't particularly impressive, that is because you cannot see the bigger picture. You cannot project ahead and see where you will be 5 years down the road, or 10 years, or 15 years. I can. And what I see is very exciting.”

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Advanced Taijiquan

From one extreme to the other. After having one of the largest courses ever in the UK (to date) we then went to the smallest. If you were one of the 5 people on this course the amount of 1-2-1 time you received with Sifu was probably greater than on a Malaysian intensive course. I had wanted to take part in this course myself, but due to going back to Devon for 3 days to move house, I missed it. On my return I was told an interesting story. One of the students had arrived on crutches with a sprained and strapped ankle. They had intended to observe the course instead of miss it. But by the end of the first day (thanks to Sifu) they were able to lose their crutches and take part in the rest of the course. Marvellous!

Last year I had to cancel this course due to only having 2 people applying and unless there is a significant increase in demand Wahnam Taijiquan will no longer be taught at the UK Summer Camp. Watching my Wahnam Taijiquan brothers and sisters worldwide and having had the privilege to cross hands with some of them I am perplexed as to why there continues to be such a poor uptake in Taijiquan classes taught by Wahnam in the UK. I am confident that Sifu Robin Gamble will resolve this matter on his return from South East Asia.

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Generating Energy Flow

This still remains my favourite regional course taught by Sifu. Perhaps because I have done it so many times. Enabling 43 people to attend this diamond of a course was a great honour for me.

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Shaolin 18 Lohan Hands

How could I resist the opportunity to attend this course? Being one of the organisers does have its advantages! 25 plus chi flows in 2 days, no wonder we needed to take a break during the last session. Ask anyone who was there and they will agree there was some serious cleansing taking place. I cannot seem to source a group photo for this course. But then I doubt a camera would have been able to record so many open hearts.

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Shaolin 18 Exercises for Health and Vitality

Absolutely amazing is my feedback on this course. It’s not often you get to be a part of history and there was no way I was going to miss being able to say I was there when this was course was taught for the first time in the UK. Not forgetting that it is only the 2nd time it has been taught in the world.

You can find videos of the 18 exercises on Sifu's website. The 18 Shaolin Exercises can be practiced in different ways and at different levels. They are incredibly versatile. They can be practiced as gentle exercise and will give the benefits of gentle exercise. The 18 exercises practiced with emphasis on form will bring medicinal benefit. Practiced with an emphasis on energy they bring great benefits to health, vitality and mental clarity: the Scholarly ideal. Furthermore these exercises can be practiced with attention to form, energy, mind and martial application. In this respect they pave the way for the Shaolin Wahnam ideal of the Scholar Warrior. If that’s not enough options for you they can also be practiced in different ways:

  • 1 single pattern many times
  • Pick 2 or more of your favourites
  • Choose part of the set
  • Practice the whole set

For those of you that crave variety in your practice, you really must consider the 18 Shaolin Exercises. These exercises start at a much lower level than the Shaolin 18 Lohan Hands, yet they have the ability to take a good student (one who commits to regular and correct practice) to levels far in advance of the Shaolin 18 Lohan Hands. That is of course if “all things are equal”, which they very rarely are. I look forward to welcoming this course back to the UK in 2007.

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Shaolin Summer Camp 2007

The “subject to change” line up for next years Summer Camp looks set to include:

  • Shaolin Kung Fu
  • Shaolin Weapons
    4 days to learn sets and practice applications of 3 of the classical Chinese weapons. Likely to be the Single Knife, Staff and 3 Section Staff (well if I have my way). A discussion will be opened on the forum nearer the time to see what the popular vote is. Students will need to provide their own weapons for the course and I will shortly be sourcing a suitable supplier that I will be able to recommend if people need help purchasing suitable weapons. Please note the minimum number of students for this course to go ahead is 20.
  • 3 or 5 days of Shaolin Cosmos Chi Kung
    (18 Shaolin Exercises looking very favourable!).
  • Lion Dance
    a 5 day course and those interested may wish to take a look at this web page: http://www.wongkk.com/general/lion-course.html. I would expect the content of the regional course to be slightly different to that of a Malaysian Intensive, but I think it will give you an idea of what the course is likely to offer. Again this course will only run if there is enough interest (a minimum of 20 students). Cost for the 5 days is likely to be around £750.

With regards to the venue, all I can say is that we will not be in Canterbury next year. They have catered for us admirably during the last 2 years and I have come to know the area better than I ever expected. Because Sifu now travels to the UK only once a year and loves to see as much of the country as he can whilst here, it makes sense for the Shaolin Summer Camp to tour the UK. Further details of venue, dates, courses, and costs will be announced in the newsletter and on the forum.

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Finally

I’d like to thank Darryl, Hubert and all of the UK assistants and instructors for their help, support and camaraderie during this years Summer Camp. I’d like to thank my family for putting up with me during all the twists and turns involved in organising such an event and to congratulate all those who took part. But most importantly I’d like to thank Sifu, without which none of this would be possible.

On reflection:

Summer Camp 2005 was good,
2006 was even better,
- 2007 is going to be the best yet -

If you’re committed to getting the best training then you’ll want to be there.


Until next month I wish you success in your practice.

Kind regards

Marcus Santer
Shaolin Wahnam Institute - UK
Do you want to take back responsibility for your health and well being? Contact us and we’ll show you how!

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