Path of the Warrior: Learn Kung Fu and QiGong in Pai, Thailand

A 4-week pass to the Kung Fu Retreat to be used whenever you wish. Twenty-eight nights accommodation, 20 training days (2 rest days each week), daily breakfast, evening meals on training days, use of facilities including Kung Fu Gym and wifi. You may take a break during your 4-week stay if you wish or split it into 2 or more shorter stays.

I. TO THAILAND

The best way to arrive in Thailand is to fly to Bangkok or Chiang Mai. Chiang Mai is much nearer to the Kung Fu Retreat but Bangkok has more flights and is usually cheaper. There is an abundance of hotels, guest houses, etc in Bangkok to suit all budgets, should you need to arrange an overnight stay. There are usually a lot of good deals available and similar budget airfare sites. Otherwise, search individual airlines and check what deals they are offering.

II. TO CHIANG MAI:

For flights, check www.bangkokair.com they should come in at $28 - $57 each way and take about 1 hour 15 minutes.

For trains, you could get an overnight sleeper train from Bangkok. This can be done either from Krung Thep Apiwat Central Terminal (formally known as Bang Sue Grand Station) and also from Don Mueang Station. Tickets can be purchased in advance (recommended) online with 12go.asia and be received by either e-ticket, or picked up in person (pick up in person at their office or at the station, details provided while paying). Ticket’s could also be purchased in person.

Please be aware that trains in Thailand often run very late. The trains are very comfortable and afford great views of the Thai countryside. If you are on a very tight budget, you can go to Kao San Road in Bangkok and get an overnight coach for about 300 Baht or so. This is the least comfortable way to travel. We recommend the flight, especially if you have not spent much time in Thailand before.

III. TO PAI

You have a choice between taking a minibus or taxi.

Minibus – The minibus trip from Chiang Mai is about 150 Baht and has awesome views. It takes about three and a half hours, most of which is spent on amazing winding roads through mountains the like of which you have probably never seen before. The views are breathtaking and the journey is an adventure in itself so we recommend that you travel during daylight. You will want to book with the provider Prempracha Transport: https://premprachatransports.com/ To get there from the airport, simply take a taxi with a meter or a Tuk Tuk to Chiang Mai Arcade Bus Station. It should take 15 – 30 minutes depending on traffic and cost very little.

On Prempracha Transport website, you can book your seat in advanced and pick up your bus ticket once you arrive to the Bus Station. Once you arrive, if you didn’t book your seat in advanced, you will need to book on to the next available minibus.

Minibuses run between about 6.30 am and 5.30pm. If you arrive in Chiang Mai later than about 3.30pm you are likely to need to either stay overnight in Chiang Mai or get a taxi to the Kung Fu Retreat. If staying overnight, which is the cheapest option, we recommend that you still go to the Prempracha office when you arrive and book on to a minibus for the next day. Then look for a guesthouse. You should be able to get a nice room near the centre of Chiang Mai with fan for 400 – 500 Baht. If in doubt try looking on tripadvisor.

Taxi – You could speak with drivers in the taxi rank outside the airport. Recently taxis have been charging about $118 for the trip. This does vary and will likely be higher if late at night or in December/January. If you do want to give a tip, $2-$7 would be about right.

IV. PAI TO THE KUNG FU RETREAT

When you first arrive in Pai the easiest way to get to us is simply to book a taxi. The taxis are a little way up the main street. Motorcycle is the cheapest taxi and should cost less than $3. For a minibus / car 150 – 250. Ask for Kung Fu or Kun Iain / Kun Pu. Alternatively, hire a moped and ride to the Kung fu Retreat. It will take about 10 minutes.

Directions: Head out of town towards the airport / Mae Hong Son. On the far side of the airport turn right, parallel to the runway. We are the first turn on the left, about 400m down the road, on a sharp right hand bend. We have a prominent sign. A little way before our sign is a flashing orange sign signalling sharp bend / left hand turn.

FOR MOST OF OUR GUESTS, FOOD IS A HIGHLIGHT OF THEIR STAY

Our kitchen gardens and orchards provide healthy, organic food which we collect and serve fresh. We specialise in growing herbs. Whilst we are not able to grow all of our own food, we support poor farmers in the hill tribe villages by buying food directly from them at market prices ensuring that they get a good income and we get the best quality fresh food.

DIETS THAT WE CAN CATER FOR:

Vegetarian

Vegan


DIETS THAT WE CANNOT CATER FOR:

High Protein (Body Building)

Severe Nut Allergy

If you feel that you need a lot of extra protein to facilitate muscle growth, we suggest bringing a protein supplement.


LUNCHES

We do not supply lunches. Most of our students prefer to choose their own lunch from the wide variety on sale in the town. Since we draw students from a very wide variety of countries and cultures the food that we serve will be different from what many people are used to. Choosing a lunch that they are used to seems to be very helpful for many of the people who have recently arrived. We do have a student fridge available to store food so if you do not wish to go to town every lunchtime, no problem. It is also very easy to ask someone to buy you a lunch from the town and food delivery services now operate in Pai – so you can simply order food in! Many people choose to eat fruit for lunch, a choice influenced by the abundance of high-quality local fruit available very cheaply.

HOME FARM

We are extremely proud of our small farm! There is something incredibly rewarding about watching your food grow, picking it, and finally eating it. It also ensures that the food is absolutely as fresh as possible, naturally ripened and free of any harmful chemicals.

Our garden is expanding all the time so expect to see even more things growing when you arrive!

Because we grow our food naturally, the supply is seasonal. Different fruits and vegetables come into season at different times of the year. September – October is perhaps the most prolific months. The hot, dry season in March – April yields the least.

WHAT WE ARE GROWING:

VEGETABLES - Aubergines, gourds, a variety of greens, cucumbers, pumpkins, winter melons, green beans, Chinese radish, dill, carrots, sweetcorn, bamboo shoots.

FRUIT - Mangoes bananas, papaya, red dates, passion fruit, jackfruit, oranges, pomelos, limes, cafir limes, lum yai, Thai custard apples, tamarind, pineapple, guava, pomegranate. Trees which we have planted but which have not yet borne fruit: durian, avocado, egg fruit, coconut, star fruit, rambutan, lychee, snake fruit.

HERBS - Moringa, ginger, Thai ginger, lemon grass, holy basil, sweet basil, coriander, turmeric / curcumin, blue pea, mint, aloe vera, eucalyptus, black pepper,

COFFEE

Accommodation

All of our rooms are designed with serious Kung Fu students in mind. Every room has an inspiring mountain view from the front door and a roofed front terrace to sit in the shade and get the benefit of the views and the fresh mountain air. They are within very easy walking distance of the training facilities and the restaurant.

SHARED ROOM - These rooms hold two people. They are spacious, have separate bathrooms and toilet / washrooms and are equipped with fans. They are arranged in two buildings, each with six rooms. The front terrace is two meters deep and serves as a social area where students can relax and chat outside of training time.

Main room 4×3.5m with front and back doors.

Furniture: 2 single beds, 2 chairs, and shelf unit.

Fittings: wall mounted fan, main light, reading light above each bed, mosquito net over each bed.

En suite shower room 2×1.25m with heated shower and towel rail.

En suite toilet 2×1.25m with wash basin, mirror clothes hooks and 2 shelves.

Towel supplied.

PRIVATE ROOM - Designed for single occupancy. These rooms are finished to a high standard with tiled walls and thicker mattresses. They are located slightly further away from the centre of the Retreat which gives a quieter feel.

Main room 3x3m.

Furniture: single beds, chair, desk, wardrobe and shelf unit.

Fittings: wall mounted fan, main light, reading light above each bed, mosquito net over each bed.

Bathroom 2 x 1.5m with toilet, heated shower, wash basin, mirror and towel rail

Kettle for tea and coffee making.

Towel supplied.

Facilities

To get the best results in Kung Fu you need the right training facilities. It is not simply a question of high quality. You also need the right things and they have to fit right with your training program. That is why we are constantly adding to our facilities. We believe that after 10 years of development, we have it about right and that we are well ahead of what most other training centres have.

TRAINING AREAS

The training areas are sometimes used for private tuitions but usually are available for personal practice.

OUTDOOR TRAINING GROUND ( 8m x 18m )
The training areas are sometimes used for private tuitions but usually are available for personal practice.

ROOFED TRAINING AREA

Cleverly designed with roofs but no walls so that fresh air constantly blows through and keeps the temperatures down. These areas are ideal when the sun is hot or rain is falling. One is 14x14m, the other 12x12m. Both have stunning mountain views. The larger one is located under a Bodhi tree (Buddha tree) which gives a very calm, profound energy.

KUNG FU GYM

Not just another hotel style gym. This is a specialist Kung Fu / martial arts gym designed to provide the facilities that serious training demands. Facilities are a mix of old style kung fu equipment seldom seen now and more modern equipment which we think is beneficial.

IT IS DIVIDED INTO THREE SECTIONS

SECTION 1: GYM AREA

GENERAL’S POLES
Bamboo or wooden poles for training arm and leg techniques and toughening the body – especially the wrists. Considered essential by many of the old masters but usually ignored today because difficult to set up. We are very proud to have these.

TYRE DUMMIES
Another difficult piece of equipment to set up but one of the best for training direct kicks like the front thrust, side thrust and back thrust. Both power and technique are needed to make the tyre buckle. Feel welcome to kick these as hard as you like – that is what they are made for!

PUNCH BAGS
We have five heavy bags and one light bag. All are of different designs and are suited to slightly different training methods. Hung and filed to professional standards.

WEIGHTS
Although the use of weights is controversial in martial arts we do have a small weights set and bench. Good for use by martial artists, not intended for serious bodybuilders.

PARALLEL BARS, CHIN UP BARS, STRETCHING BAR AND GYMNASTICS RINGS
All of these are great for bodyweight training (callisthenics) which we think is ideal as part of a Kung Fu training regime since it emphasises strength and tendon development over muscle size.

SANDBAGS
A must in any credible Kung Fu school. Canvass bags filled with sand for iron fist training.

SECTION 2:

MATTED TRAINING AREA
Equipped with 2cm jigsaw mats.

SECTION 3:

HARD FLOOR TRAINING AREA
Has punch bags and wooden poles (Mei Hua Chong) for balance, stepping etc.

MEDITATION / PRAYER ROOM

The central point in the Retreat. This is where we have our altar to the Buddha as well as the principle Kung Fu deities Kwan Kung (the Chinese God who is the patron of Kung Fu and sworn brotherhoods) and Bodhidharma, (Tat Moh) the monk who founded the Shaolin tradition. Occasionally used for ceremonies it is usually available for quiet prayer, meditation and contemplation. It has a very unique, charged atmosphere. Respectful behaviour, please.

TREE HOUSE

Built into a huge, living teak tree in such a way as not to damage the tree but rather to harmonize with it. We love it! A great place to meditate, exercise, relax with a book or just admire the views.

WEAPONS

No Kung Fu school is complete without weapons! Although they are not as important a method of defence as in days gone past training with weapons is a great way to develop strength, stability, coordination and confidence. Perhaps, more importantly, it is fun! Few people fail to feel a thrill of excitement when they first enter the weapons room.

TRAINING EQUIPMENT

We are equipped with focus mitts, kick shields, rubber knives, various bamboo safety weapons, skipping ropes, boxing gloves and a variety of weights and stretching aids all of which are available for you to practise with.

"This program shall definitely impart patience, stability, raised self-esteem, and confidence and this is what even I am craving for. This course I feel is not just martial arts but it’s one with SILENT AGGRESSIVENESS meaning that this course probably imparts within us a calmness by meditation along with aggressiveness that may be needed if any need arises. I would honestly recommend going ahead and exploring the online course and making the best out of it."

- Dipti Kothari

"If like me you’re getting up there in years and you may think Kung Fu is for young people only, think again. Sure you may physical challenges that comes with an aging body, but Kung Fu is so much more than a physical activity. It has truly given me a whole new way of viewing every aspect of my life. I strongly recommend it for any age! They say all you need to do to be successful at it is to start and then not stop! Sounds like a good plan to me! Give it a try! I promise you will come away a different person."

- Gregory