Here are some of the styles and teachings offered at the Kung Fu Retreat
Is there a hero within you waiting to be unleashed?
Many people have at some point in their life fantasized about disappearing off into some far away mountain range hidden by mist to train in the ancient ways of Kung Fu under a true and wise Master.
So do it!
Come with us and do something that you have always dreamed of doing. Put the stresses and strains of everyday life aside and join our Kung Fu school and Nam Yang family in the forested mountains of Thailand’s most remote, least-discovered province. Immerse yourself in a mental and physical discipline passed down through generations of monks and Kung Fu Masters for 1,500 years.
Are you proud of yourself and the life that you lead?
Children dream of the person they will become.
Old people reflect on their lives but can’t turn back the clock.
But the people in the middle, those people where you are now, have the power to choose, the power to shape their destiny. It is said that the best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago, but that the second best time is NOW! If you had begun Kung Fu 20 years ago you would be an expert by now but if you start now you will be an expert in the future. Take the chance while you have it - don’t risk looking back with regret.
Every year that passes by makes it harder to achieve your dream. Give yourself the opportunity that you know you deserve. Take action! Start with an informal chat with Michael, one of our experienced teachers who can tell you all that you want to know.
Tiger Crane Combination
FAST, ACCURATE AND DEADLY The Tiger Crane combination is a classic southern Shaolin style which emphasizes intricate hand techniques thrown from a solid, stable stance.
Being close to the original Shaolin White Crane, this style emphasizes the use of touch sensitivity to connect to an opponent and feel their movement and intention, countering them immediately when they initiate a move – before it can become dangerous. It also uses ‘springy’ power generated from the tendons rather than the muscle – the hallmark of genuine Shaolin Kung Fu.
Mobility and Fast Stepping The Tiger-Crane stance is fairly high allowing for mobility and fast stepping. The hand techniques are thrown from close range so as to maximize their chances of success and generally target weak points where they will have the greatest effect. At an advanced level, springy power from the tendons can be used to generate a power which penetrates deeply into the body and affects the internal organs – ask an instructor for a safe, controlled demonstration!
The Shuang Yang
The Shuang Yang Pei Ho Rou Rouan Chien. Usually referred to as 'Shuang Yang' for short and also known as the 'Sun Frost White Crane Soft and Gentle Art.
This is the internal form of the White Crane art. It is performed in a very soft, relaxed way, gently opening the Chi flow in the meridians, training elasticity into all of the tendons and massaging the internal organs. Whilst superficially very similar to Tai Chi, it is part of the Buddhist Shaolin tradition, rather than the Taoist Wutan tradition.
Many people practice the Shuang Yang primarily to benefit their health, vitality and longevity. Whilst the slow, gentle nature of the training make it ideal for older or less fit people, make no mistake: this is a genuine martial art.
The Shuang Yang art uses mostly the bow arrow stance – a longer stance than the Tiger Crane art. Weight is sunk down and movement is generated from the core of the body, moving out to the limbs like a wave through water. Training connects all of the tendons in the body into one resilient, elastic network with incredible strength. All movements are performed with the whole body. Shuang Yang training is particularly suitable for Chi Na – the Chinese art of twisting joints, pressing pressure points, and sealing off the flow of breath or blood.
As a Crane art, the Shuang Yang develops touch sensitivity and encourages sticking to an opponent, neutralizing their attacks and then countering decisively.
Shaolin Weapons
We teach the genuine arts of weapon use. Weapons have always featured strongly in Shaolin kung fu training and are one of the most popular parts of our syllabus – even in the modern era. You can try your hand with knives, swords, axes, hammers, spears and a variety of unique pole arms. Training starts with simple basics such as how to stand, grip the weapon etc. and extends to cover simple and advanced moves, strategies, tactics, target areas etc.
We teach the following weapons:
Cane
Chinese straight sword
Double axe
Double butterfly knives
Double crutch (tonfa)
Double daggers
Double iron ruler (tee pit)
Double short kek
Double thumb hook knives
Double thunder hammers
Double tiger hooks
Hook spear
Shuang tao (double knife of double Chinese broadsword)
Water carrier (peddler’s staff)
Horse cutting knife
Kwan tao (General Kwan’s knife or Chinese halbard)
Monk’s crescent
Monk’s spade
Nine ring big knife: long handle
Nine ring big knife: short handle
Shield and knife
Single ended staff
Snake head kek
Spear
Staff (straight pole)
Tan tao (single knife or Chinese broadsword)
Three section staff
Tiger fork
We also teach the following sparring sets:
Double dagger vs freehand
Double knife vs three section staff
Single / double knife vs spear
Stool vs hoe
Three section staff vs spear
Soft Qigong for Health and Long Life
Qi (chi) circulates around our bodies, in a daily cycle, mainly but not entirely through pathways called meridians and vessels.
Qi is stored in energy centers / reservoirs called Tan Tiens.
The two main sources of chi are the Earth (Yin Qi) and the sky (Yang Qi).
When the Qi in our bodies is circulating freely and is balanced between Yin and Yang, we will enjoy good health.
Opening the meridians through stretching exercises and guiding Qi through them facilitates strong, smooth circulation of the Qi.
Drawing in fresh Qi from the earth and sky keeps our Qi plentiful and allows us to balance Yin and Yang.
Expelling stale or excess Qi keeps our Qi fresh and prevents it from becoming excessively strong.
Qigong for Internal Power
It packs Qi into the internal organs, strengthening them, energizing them and making them resistant to injury/disease. It replenishes essential Qi in the kidneys, combating ageing and greatly increasing vigor. It builds springy, explosive strength which can be released at short range to produce large amounts of power.
The Sum Chien
Like many of the training systems developed in ancient Buddhist cultures, it is intended to reveal greater and greater depth of meaning through consistent practise and study. This is no quick fix – it epitomises the old Kung Fu saying: success follows perseverance. It is real Kung Fu. It forges strong character. It connects mind, body, breath, emotion and spirit. It is both the most basic and the most advanced of the Kung Fu routines. It is an advanced system of Chi Kung / Qigong in its own right and contains the basis of the famous Shaolin Iron Shirt Chi Kung art.
Workouts & Stretching
Conditioning and flexibility are vital for any martial artist. We stretch for 15 minutes in the mornings then in the afternoons we devote an hour to a physical workout and stretch session.
Conditioning routines are borrowed from various martial and athletic disciplines to maximize stamina, cardio and strength improvement while maintaining safety and a mind for technique.
Stretching routines employ methods from both Kung Fu and Yoga to greatly improve joint and muscle flexibility and teach body relaxation. Students experience significant improvements in flexibility and elasticity as a result of our training.
Pushing Hands & Sticky Hands
Pushing Hands
Fixed step pushing hands. Feet are kept firmly rooted to the floor; each partner tries to upset their opponent’s balance so as to dislodge their feet from the floor (uproot them); no striking is employed, only pushing, pulling, levering etc. Touch contact is maintained throughout.
Sticky Hands
Keeping touch contact, each partner tries to strike, unbalance, throw, lock and restrain their opponent. Strikes are controlled so as not to cause injury. Upper body techniques are mainly used ( i.e. hand, forearm, elbow, shoulder, head etc.), but sweeping with the legs is permitted. These drills are fun but incredibly useful.
Practical Self-Defense
Practical self-defence involves forward planning, awareness, positive body language, quick thinking, diplomacy and confidence. Physical confrontation is the last resort.
If it does get physical, takedowns and restraints are both good options – they prevent an opponent from hurting you without inflicting injury on them. It may be necessary to disarm them first. The defense techniques that we do teach are based on Kung Fu, Chinese boxing and a great deal of experience. We only teach methods that are simple and effective. Our Training Will Provide You With Confidence Which You Need To Travel Without Fear.
Meditation
Meditation forms an intrinsic part of our training program. Generally, we teach how to perform simple, safe meditations and then encourage students to practice them in their own time, quietly and comfortably. On nights of the full moon, we practice a special meditation together at midnight, directly under the full moon.
Full moon meditations take advantage of the pure Yin energy which emanates from the moon at midnight (the most Yin hour) when it is full (the moon’s most Yin phase). These special meditations give us an amazing charge but are best practiced under supervision, at least to start with! The complement to the full moon meditations is the practice of Chi Kung just at sunrise on the day of the new moon, taking advantage of yang energy.
Gallery
About The Host
Master Iain
Master Iain, two time world kung fu champion, is the founder & current Kung Fu Master of the world's first 'Kung Fu Retreat', deep in the forested mountains of Thailand's most remote province. He is the inheritor of one of the world’s most respected Chinese Kung Fu lineages which can be traced right back to the founding Masters of Shaolin Kung Fu 1,500 years ago! Master Iain is the first non-Chinese Master in the ‘Nam Yang’ lineage.
Itinerary
Things to keep in mind
FAQ
What is the purpose of the Kung Fu retreat?
The purpose of the Kung Fu Retreat is to provide a profound journey of self-discovery and transformation for individuals seeking to break free from the constraints hindering personal growth. Our curriculum emphasizes training not only the body but also the mind, emotions, spirit, and soul. Through intensive practice, you will strengthen your body, tendons, sharpen your reflexes, and discipline your minds, fostering a holistic approach to personal development.
What is the philosophical basis of your teachings?
Kung Fu is built around the three philosophies that have shaped China: Taoism, Buddhism, and Confucianism. We teach about all of these philosophies although more about Taoism and Buddhism than Confucianism. Please understand that these are philosophies, not religions and that our teachings are available to people of all beliefs.
When can I come to the Retreat?
Our retreat runs all year long. We have never closed! You can join us at any point of the year on any date you wish, and book to stay for as long as you’d like. We simply recommend you book to arrive on a Wednesday or a Saturday. For instructor training, please contact us as there are set start dates.
What is the language used at the Retreat? Do I need to know Thai or Chinese?
All teachers are fluent in English and most are native speakers. English is the common language here and all lessons are conducted in English. Conversation between students is almost always in English. It is also very easy to get by with English in the local area. While it can be helpful to know a bit of the Thai Language in getting around Thailand, you do not need to know Thai. Pai is very popular with western tourists so many speak English. If you need more help, our Thai Staff could assist you. Many of our teachers are also fluent in other languages.
Is the retreat suitable for beginners, intermediate, or advanced practitioners?
The Kung Fu Retreat is suitable for all levels. Any previous experience in martial arts should prove very helpful to you and will allow you to progress more quickly with our training. Should you have no previous experience, then you need not worry about being new to this. Many of our students arrive with no knowledge or experience in Kung Fu, Qigong or meditation, but all leave fitter, more experienced, and better than when they came. We will get you off to a very strong start and it is very likely there will be others here with zero experience.
Our advice: do not hesitate, you will not regret coming.
I am a female travelling alone, is it safe for me to come by myself? Do you have other Female students or Instructors?
Yes, Thailand is an extremely safe place! Thai culture is one based on politeness and social harmony, and as such, the crime rate is extremely low, if present at all. Females travelling alone should not worry about any danger. We also have female instructors and often have female students with us who have immensely enjoyed their fulfilling and exciting experience here.
How does your Retreat promote a healthy lifestyle?
We wake early, sleep early, exercise very intelligently, eat healthy and maintain a strictly stress-free environment. We also promote contentment and tolerance of each other. Very importantly, we employ special breathing methods around which our exercises are based, and we meditate regularly.
What are the age groups of the students at the Retreat? Could I come even if I’m in my 60s?
We welcome students who belong to all age groups. We have previously held kung fu classes for children, had students who are in their gap year, and have also accepted students who are in their 60’s and 70’s who have all done very well at our Retreat so you should have no problem at all. Master Iain himself is in his 60s.
I'm out-of-shape/not very fit. Is this suitable for me?
Yes, absolutely. We always take students as they are and support them towards their goals.
How many hours of training are included each day?
Students attending all lessons can expect about 35.5 hours of training per week.
Do I need vaccinations for Anti-Rabies or Malaria?
The injections are not particularly necessary. We certainly would not recommend rabies or anti-malarial. There is no malaria in Pai. The anti malaria drugs often have severe side effects. Having these vaccinations is definitely up to you. You do not really need any special vaccinations and there is no malaria in Pai. You might consider hepatitis A just as a precaution. The covid vaccination is not required.
Am I going to get hurt if I come train?
While we can’t guarantee that accidents won’t happen, the experience at the Kung Fu Retreat is designed to be completely safe. We have never had a serious accident, and everyone who comes here is encouraged to push themselves only to a level they are comfortable with a view to increasing their health, stamina, and flexibility. We do not encourage hard sparring since it often leads to injuries. When people attend one or two classes a week as is common in the West, having to miss a few weeks’ training because of an injury is no big deal. When you have flown all the way to Thailand and invested time and money in attending a Retreat like ours, it would be much more serious. This is why we are purposely very protective of our students. Please do understand that we do not accept liability for any injuries sustained whilst staying with us. If in doubt, please take out travel insurance.
I have Foot/Back/Knee Injuries. Can I still Train?
Our Chief Instructor, Master Iain, as well as our other instructors have reasonable knowledge of back issues, but they are not qualified to give any treatments. Running is not included in our program and we usually train barefoot. Our roofed training areas have 2 cm jigsaw mats which help make stepping on bare feet more comfortable. The most important thing to remember is not to do anything which could injure your knee, feet, or back, even if other people are doing it. So for example, do not squat lower than is safe. In the mornings much of the exercise is fairly soft and aimed at recovery and improving health so if anything, it should help. If in doubt, please contact us.
What happens to my booking if I have to leave early due to an injury?
If you booked with our cancellation insurance, you can get a refund on any unused portion of your stay. If you did not book our cancellation insurance, then you can request to save any unused portion of your stay as credit towards a future stay. Your credit will never expire.
What time can I check-in at?
Check-in opens at 2:00 PM and closes at 5:00 PM. While we recommend arriving on Wednesdays or Saturdays, check-in is possible from Monday to Saturday. Arriving after hours is available on request but incurs additional check-in fees. Self-check-in is available on request only if desired to check-in late and avoid the check-in fees.