Kung Fu Basics + Peace Games Training in Orinda, California (3 Days)

3 Days, Multiple Departures

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Kung Fu Basics + Peace Games Training in Orinda, California (3 Days)
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  • Itinerary
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Learn directly from Grand Master Marilyn Cooper! Private lessons in standing or seated meditation, Taoist Qigong breath-work, Northern Shaolin, Taijiquan, Push Hands, Chin Na, and the basics of the primary Chinese weapon (staff, broadsword, straight sword, spear).

Highlights

Learn Taoist meditation, breathwork, and Yi Ch'uan

Learn 2-person forms such as Push Hands if you come with a partner

Daily morning and optional afternoon review of your chosen forms

Combat forms like 2-person broadsword, Chin Na, or the 88 for advanced-level partners

Enjoy walks and hikes around San Francisco Bay area

Learn the Tai Chi Peace Games

All forms are posted on YouTube for review

2 nights accommodation

Skill level

Beginner

Intermediate

Advanced

Program

Training is available in the morning and afternoon so that students can either practice in the afternoon or enjoy the San Francisco Bay Area - the redwoods, the beaches, Chinatown, wine country - all the wonders of the region. Free hiking on safe, wide trails across the street from Sifu's residence is also possible.

Students who want to learn the Tai Chi Peace Games are most welcome and may be permitted to be on the list of Peace Games Ambassadors. Sifu and her students have already brought the Peace Games to many international sites, such as Addis Ababa, Ahero, Nepal, Vienna, Paris, Nijmegen, and Ydrefors, but there are so many more sites that want them. No prior training is necessary for the Peace Games training. They are exceptional for teachers who want to develop a harmonious classroom environment.

To attend lessons, you must be over 16 or accompanied by a legal guardian, and no age limit for elders. Tai Chi is done without using strength or speed and improvements in balance and circulation are guaranteed. Qigong is designed to stimulate circulation to the brain, which will enhance concentration, focus, and memory.

About

Qigong and Taoist meditation for healing, focus, energy, and healing

Tai Chi warm-ups, form training, push hands, small group class

Pai Da and stretching before bed

Private lessons with Grand Master Marilyn Cooper

2 nights accommodation

Meals

Airfare

Airport transfers

Please book your flight to arrive at San Francisco International Airport (SFO). Airport transfer is not provided. You may take Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) Pittsburg / Bay Point / Antioch yellow line to arrive at Orinda station. Marilyn Cooper can arrange a pick-up for you from the Orinda Station, less than a mile away.

You can also take BART from Oakland Airport.

Food

Daily meals included - breakfast, lunch, and dinner consisting of seasonal, local, and organic from carnivore to paleo to low carb to vegetarian to vegan options. All meats are grass-fed, all eggs free-range, all fish sustainable and antibiotic-free, and all produce is local and in season.

Grand Master Marilyn Cooper is also a gourmet chef and the farmers come to her block every Saturday, all year round, so meals are prepared from local produce, all organic, fresh, and in-season. Paleo or vegan options are possible. Also offered are organic coffee, homemade coconut milk, aged Pu Erh or green tea, spring water.

If you prefer to eat out, you can choose the no-meals included package. There are many food options within 2 blocks - Thai, Mexican, Japanese, Chinese, Starbucks, and also a Safeway supermarket less than a block away if you need different snacks or would prefer to prepare your own meals.

Accommodation

There are two twin beds in the bedroom of this apartment, which is on the 3rd floor. The bathroom and kitchen are shared. There are two additional bathrooms on the 2nd floor. Children over six accompanied by a legal guardian are accepted. There is a huge playpark downstairs for children. Filtered shower water or bath, towels, and sheets are provided. Mi casa es su casa, says Sifu Marilyn.

Trip insurance (strongly recommended).

"Sifu Marilyn is a gracious host, dedicated practitioner, and skilled teacher. She has a wonderful depth of knowledge, foundation, and honor for the origin of these practices. All of which informs her ability to meet her students where they are and create a learning experience tailored to their benefit. The more you have the more you will learn. In the old tradition of handing down information one-on-one, Sifu Marilyn holds nothing back. I had a great time working on my form and general kung fu knowledge, training in the park, and meeting her gracious and supportive community of students and fellow teachers. Thank you very much!!"

- Nathan Harlow

"First off I am writing this as a 30 plus year practitioner of Korean Martial Arts and so review this training from a seasoned perspective. A year ago, we were fortunate enough to travel to the Shaolin temple in China and train for a day as part of our tour to China. It was a great experience but only enough to whet our appetite for more. My son, a second degree black belt, especially wanted more of the Chinese martial arts experience. After doing a thorough internet search we decided to visit and train with Sifu Marilyn Cooper this summer. Sifu Marilyn Cooper has decades of experience and has an obvious love of teaching. She is both patient and demanding. She was able to demonstrate both form and application with equal facility. In addition to the physical training, we had many enlightening conversations and her other students with whom we shared group classes were equally helpful and a delight to train with as well. Based on our level of martial arts proficiency, Sifu Marilyn tailored a program that included not only tai chi form and push hands but also a strong focus on shaolin style tan tui training. In addition to learning the 12 forms within this style, we also learned applications for all the moves we learned. This was incredibly useful as we intend to bring this knowledge back home to incorporate into our pre-existing repertoire of techniques. For anyone that is interested in learning tai chi, shaolin, or both, Sifu Marilyn Cooper has our highest recommendation!"

- Anthony Chou

Gallery

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Kung Fu Basics + Peace Games Training in Orinda, California (3 Days)
About The Host
Marilyn Cooper

Marilyn Cooper

Grandmaster Marilyn Cooper has been training and teaching for over 50 years. She's a tournament grand champion in Northern Shaolin and an international gold medalist in Tai Chi. She has trained lei tai and push hands champions as well as students who have started their schools. GM Cooper runs a national non-profit organization that teaches Tai Chi Peace Games to at-risk youth all over the world. Grandmaster Marilyn Cooper welcomes everyone, and in particular, loves to train and teach women how to defend themselves.

Itinerary

Morning

07:00 am Taoist meditation for healing, focus, energy, and healing. Microcosmic energizing breath work.

08:00 am Breakfast options, all organic: fruit, yogurt, nuts, maca mocha smoothie, organic, low acid coffee, Pu Her tea, oatmeal, eggs, omelet, toast, butter.

09:00 am Tai Chi warm-ups, form training, push hands, small group classes on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays.

12:00 pm Lunch options, seasonal, local, organic vegan, vegetarian, or paleo. Low glycemic, complex carbs (such as sweet potatoes, yams, or squash) for quick-burning fuel options.

Afternoon

One private lesson in the Peace Games, the Peace Partnership Project, Tai Chi Ch'uan, Push Hands, or Xing Yi 5 Elements or Qigong forms.

Experienced practitioners may request to learn one or another form in particular as seen on the video Grandmaster Cooper specializes in the 64, or the Guang Ping Yang Tai Chi Ch'uan form, for fighting, healing, and longevity. This powerful form is the link between Chen and Yang styles, energetically and historically.

Evening

6:00 pm Dinner options, seasonal, local, organic vegan, vegetarian, or paleo. The evening meal will be animal or vegetable protein with veggies for a slow burn and muscle repair. All desserts and snacks will be homemade, nutritionally sweetened, and provide fiber. Dark chocolate only.

Meditation for relaxation, the Microcosmic sedating cycle breath work.

Location
Things to keep in mind

A reservation requires a deposit of 20% of the total price. The deposit is non-refundable, if the booking is cancelled. The rest of the payment should be paid on arrival.