Training

At the Northern China Si Ping City Shaolin Martial Arts Academy, our Chief aim is to provide our foreign and domestic students with the highest level of instruction in Shaolin Kung Fu as well as other varieties of Chinese martial arts. Because Mr. Che has made many good connections throughout the martial world over the years, he always provides the academy with top rank masters to teach at our facilities.

At our academy, training for foreign students is tailored to develop a solid foundation in order to build true martial skill as well as to cultivate healthier body and mind. Once a solid foundation is attained, our masters can guide their students to work towards building specific skills that they would wish to learn during their studies. If you have any skills that you hope to learn in your trainging at the academy, please inform your chosen master of this and they can help you work towards them.

One benefit that is often overlooked is how the traditional Shaolin training can help those who struggle with weight and health problems become a healthy, physically fit individual. Shaolin masters are well known for their physique, flexibility, strength, health and good mindset. If you train hard and follow a healthy lifestyle here, you can make great strides towards self improvement.

Training is offered to foreign students year-round at the academy with a one week break for the Chinese New Year. Because of the high ratio of teachers to students, most of the students who have attended our academy felt lucky to have been given such high quality instruction and individual attention to their progress by the masters here. This is not the case at many other martial arts schools throughout China that only offer instruction from the masters a couple hours of the training day, leaving the rest of the classes to be taught by the elder students. The masters here are passionate people who place great care into the development of their students health and skill. The base of much of our training (and throughout all of China) is through the practice of Talou (also known as forms/Kata) in order to build proper muscle memory, technique and to deepen a students understanding of the application of set techniques over time.

If a student becomes ill or injured during their training, they will be granted the time needed to rest in order to return to full health. We encourage that students push through the fatigue and soreness that they may encounter through their training in order to reach new heights mentally and physically. The students that have traveled here have invested time and money in order to build their skill, body and mind. Do not waste your time due to laziness, for this is looked down upon by the masters and the administration and will result in disciplinary action.

We accept students of any level of experience in martial arts to come and study with us.

Do not be discouraged due to your age or possible lack of physical fitness, our masters are able to teach according to your ability and will advance your teachings as you progress.

While we do encourage our students to work hard, it is good to keep in mind that if you truly want to grow and develop the skills you learn in training, you must exercize your will and place your entire focus into your practice. Do not rely on your master or fellow students to act as your will, push yourself past your limits and discover that you are capable of much more than you thought possible. Then, once your period of training is complete at the academy, you can take the positive habits you learned through practice and make them a part of your lifestyle, which will enrich your life for many years to come.

Class Structure

Depending on your ability and chosen art you will practice a variety of skills, such as Talou (fist or weapon forms), Qi Gong, Hard Qi Gong, application techniques, Chin Na (Locks and holds), Sanda (Chinese kickboxing) and tumbling/acrobatics. Here is a short explanation of the skills mentioned.

Talou - Is the name for kata or fist forms in China. Talou is a set of movements carried out in mock combat that compose a martial style. Focus in these forms is put towards your vision, correct stance, movement, breath, rhythm, flow and release of power. The practice of these traits will deepen ones knowledge and ability to apply the techniques that are reviewed through the practice of Talou.

Soft Qi Gong - Is primarily a set of exercises designed to improve ones health and constitution through the focus of ones breath, circulation of Qi and stretching, all done with proper intent, stuch as the Ba Duan Jin or Yi Jin Jing. One can vastly improve their state of health, mind and spirit through this gentle practice. At first glance, it may seem that a person practicing qi gong is not doing much, this is because when practicing Qi Gong a person must place most of their attention inwards, focusing on their breath, vison and circulation. The practice of qi gong is well realted to the old saying- 'Still waters run deep'.

Hard Qi Gong (Body Conditioning) - Hard Qi Gong is the way a Chinese martial artist conditions their body in order to be able to perform superhuman feats such as cutting a brick with ones hand or head and developing the ability to absorb and reflect damage while being hit. This is done through the practice of controlling ones breath and release of power while striking parts of ones body.

Application techniques - As a practitioner can perform their talou with greater accuracy, they will be taught the individual techniques that are contained in the Talou for application in real life situations. This is done in a safe and controlled manner to ensure the well being of all of our students.

Sanda - Is Chinese kickboxing which stresses the use of punches, kicks, throws, sweeps and kick catches. Outside of competition the use of elbows and knees are taught in order to develop an effective martial artist through the practice of techniques and regular sparring.

Tumbling/Acrobatics - Through the practice of tumbling and acrobatics a student can learn to fall safely and leap through the air with lightness and agility, becoming much more aware of their body. Shaolin Kung Fu stresses the importance of this skill, Shaolin masters are legendary for the feats they can perform while leaping through the air.

Training facilities

We have three large courtyards and two large training halls (One for the foreign students and one for the Chinese students) which are heated during the winter, roughly measuring 20X40 meters. There is also a training area in the garden for Tai Ji (Tai Chi) practice, surrounded by tall trees. In addition, we have access to the forrest training area behind the Ye He Ancient Castle and even have our own basket ball court for recreation.

Our training hall is spacious and equipped with a wide range of free weights, 2 weight benches, a universal gym, 3 stationary bikes, mats for tumbling and acrobatic practice, stretching bars along the walls, pull-up bars, tires in a variety of sizes for functional strength training, 6 punching bags, a professional sized (and quality) boxing ring to assist those who train in Sanda, 3 wooden dummies for Wing Chun practice and a variety of other small workout devices. We supply this equipment to our students free of charge, we just ask that you keep it clean and in good condition for the next person to use.

Optional Mandarin language course

For those who wish to learn the Mandarin Chinese Language, we provide two classes throughout the day from 10:30am-11:30am and from 5pm till 6pm that are taught by one of our capable translators. Many of our translators have had previous experience teaching. If you study hard and diligently, you should be able to grasp Mandarin Chinese quite quickly.

Schedule

The training schedule at the academy on training days is as follows:

05:10 Wake up and get ready for the first class
05:30 - 6:30 Early morning class: Qi gong or physical training
06:30 Breakfast
08:00 - 10:00 Mid morning class
10:30 - 11:30 Late morning class or Mandarin class
11:30 Lunch
14:00 - 16:00 Afternoon class
17:00 Dinner
18:30 - 19:30 Evening Class
19:30 - 20:30 Shower time
21:30 Lights out ( Sunday through Thrusday)

Training is held Monday through Friday. Friday has only a half day of training. The reason for this is so that some of the masters here must go home on the weekends and attend to their family business.You are encouraged to attend to your own business in this time or train on your own. In traditional Chinese martial arts, one would spend between 3 to 6 hours a day in training so that they may gain progress as well as have time to recover their body and mind. With the schedule we follow at the academy, you will have no problem making progress if you put effort into your studies. While Saturday and Sunday is free time for everyone here at the academy, we do encourage our students to practice every day.

Training certification

For those who wish to be credited for their time of study, certification is available for those who wish to obtain it. Our academy gives a certificate to our students at the end of their stay, detailing the skills they have learnt in depth enough to be recognized. For those who have made notable progress through their study, testing for an official Duan Wei Level rank is available, certified by the Chinese Wushu Duan Wei System. The academy certificate is given at the end of a students stay free of charge, but there are fees to test for each Duan Wei ranking.

Who is eligible to study at the academy

Anyone is welcome to train at our academy regardless of their age, religion or country of origin. Due to our simple accommodations we are not able to accept those with major mental/physical illnesses or disabilities. The youngest we can teach a child is age 6. But anyone may come visit at any time.

For children who come here to train, they will do so along side of the younger Chinese students and take part in their formal education as well. Keep in mind the formal education is instructed in Mandarin Chinese.

We do our best to ensure that you will have a comfortable living space while you are here in China. Do keep in mind though our facilities are simple and we cannot provide many of the creature comforts that you are accustomed to in your home country.