Training at Shaolin Temple Kung Fu Academy
An old saying in Chinese martial arts field says: “The master teaches the trade, but the perfection of the apprentice’s skill depends on himself”. Our masters will teach you how to do something and they will do their utmost to help you to progress, but your actual progress all depends on your personal effort. The harder you train, the more you learn, and the better you get. It is also said: “No pain, no gain” physical pain or weakness will most likely bother you at some point and you might not want to do anything. This is where you need to be extra strong in mind and our masters will do all they can to help you with this and you will come out on the other side stronger than ever.
Training Plan
The basic skills of legs, waist, shoulders and stance training need to be practiced daily to build up a solid foundation for further development of your Kung fu skills. The basic skills can be applied in all the various styles to learn more specific routines of e.g. boxing, kicking and weapon skills. The harder you work the better your results will be.
Teaching Plan:
In order to give you a general idea of what you can learn during different lengths of stay, we provide you a rough teaching plan. This plan will be adjusted individually to personal body condition, preference and improvements. For example, if you like one type of weapon in particular you can learn more forms of that weapon during your stay here. Remember though that the masters have spend their entire life learning the art of kung fu, their suggestions for optimal forms for you might not always be what you expect but if you adhere to their advice you will see great results.
After you’ve finished a set of movements or a form, masters will teach you all its practical applications in order to make you understand the underlying meaning of the form. You will be granted an official certificate from the academy to display all your learning’s after you finish your training period.
One month: In this time you will learn the Shaolin Basics and one traditional short fist form. Furthermore you will be able to learn basic Tai Chi moves and a basic Tai Chi form if you should wish. Depending on experience some students might be able to learn more and some less than described.
Example of forms: Five Step Fist, Penetrating-Arms Style, 13 Step Tai Chi
Three months: During three months of studying you will learn some more advanced Shaolin fists and weapons (either a long or a soft weapon), Sanda wrestling techniques, the law of attack and defense, Sanda sparring and some hard Qi Gong. What you can learn in 3 months will also depend on how much you train and/or your preferences for specific styles.
Example of forms: Xiao Luohan Fist, Shaolin Provision Sword, Jin Gang Fist, Drunken Style, 36 Style Tai Chi.
Six months: During this time you can learn about four weapons, six fist and three Tai Chi forms as well as all the applications of the forms. You will also be more skilled in Sanda combat and takedown techniques. In hard Qi Gong you will able to break a brick by hand or head.
Example of forms: Canon Fist, Liu He Fist (Two-Person Form), Da Luo Han Fist, Da Hong Fist, Shaolin Straightsword or Shaolin Spear, Four Weapons: Qi Mei Staff & Mei Hua Broadsword.
One year: You will know all Shaolin Kung Fu customs and ideas. Authentic Shaolin health care Qi Gong, Ba Duan Jin and Yi Jin Jing. High achievements in flexibility, stability and endurance training. You will learn advanced traditional Shaolin forms from the 18 types of weapons and 72 secret skills of Shaolin. In hard Qi Gong you can for example learn to break an iron bar or steel board.
Please note: Kung Fu learning is an endless process. You are never too old and it is never too late to learn.
Training Schedule:
Here you can see our training schedule. Students train up to 6 hours a day, 5.5 days a week, the weekend is off. The schedule can be adjusted to your personal goals, style focus and body condition. For example, it can be full time Tai Chi, or Sanda besides Shaolin class. You should talk with your master in the beginning of your stay about your goals so you together can create the most optional training plan.
Note: Class times change slightly with the seasons.
The first morning class (6.00-7.00) and the second afternoon training (16.30-17.30) is optional.
Training Facilities
Within the academy, there are plenty of training grounds, as well as a performance/grading platform. Training equipment is provided for all classes, including Sanda pads, gloves, suit-guards for sparring, Sanda stands with punch & kick bags, mats for acrobatics and take-downs, Meihua poles for Bagua, ect.
For longer stays you might want to purchase your own gear. Weights facilities and training weapons are also available. Training clothes (small – extra-large) and shoes (up to 47 EU sizes) can be purchased at the academy as well as basic weapons. More special weapons will have to be ordered or bought in the city, the academy will help with that.
