The Shaolin Summer Camp U.K.
For those that don’t yet know, the Shaolin Summer Camp U.K. is an international and annual event held in the U.K. where Sifu Wong Kiew Kit personally teaches high level Chi Kung and Kung-Fu to deserving students new and old. This years Camp was held in Brighton Sussex, in July.
For the past few years I have had the honor of being involved in the organization of the event and enjoyed it immensely. To host Sifu in my home country really is a huge joy.
The courses are always amazing and always exceed expectation, be it Chi-Kung or Kung-Fu courses. This year the Chi-Kung courses on offer were particularly amazing and well received and the ‘Hoong Ka Triple Stretch’ Kung-Fu course also caused quite a stir drawing student and instructors from all over the world to train in this treasured Kung Fu set that has such a rich history in our school. Not to be easily forgotten was an excellent ‘Zen’ course hosted by Sifu Fleur in London and of course taught by Sifu. It was an amazing venue and a equally amazing course.
Other aspects of the camp- International Family
As well as offering excellent and rare courses in Chi Kung and Kung Fu, the Summer Camp has other aspects to it. It is a great chance to meet with other students, train outside of the classes, meet open hearted/like minded people, generally socialize and have a good time. For lucky instructors, we also get to spend extended periods (on journeys and at meals) with Sifu, where we can continually ask all manner of questions that we have accumulated during our training. We also get to meet up with other instructors who we may not have seen for a while catch up with each other, and drink beer J
Mainly this will just be a fun chance to have a look back at the Summer Camp through some nice pictures, hopefully it will inspire you to attend next year and join in the fun. I look forward to seeing you at next years Summer Camp in the U.K.!!
Posting more soon!
Robin
Sifu Arrives in Brighton!
In the U.K. we have had the past three Summer Camps in the city of Brighton and Hove, East Sussex. Amazingly, in the two years previous I had never taken Sifu onto the famous Palace Pier. However this year we managed to fit a quick visit in before the courses started on the next day.
Luckily the sun was shining when Sifu, Rin and I visited Brighton Beach and Palace Pier which you can see in the background.
Sifu enjoying Ice Cream on Brighton's Palace Pier.
Later on
Later on my Si-Heng Anthony Spinichia arrived from Las Vegas. So Sifu, Anthony, Rin and I went for a bit of a tour around the Sussex countryside. Here are a couple of pics from the day.
Vintage Rolls-Just after we finnished lunch in a country pub. Sifu and Anthony spotted a Vintage Rolls Royce and had a good chat with the owner's brother.
Upon reflection, Sifu said although the Rolls was beautiful, he prefers modern cars.
Sifu, Rin and Anthony Amberley museum
Chi-Kung at the Summer Camp
Sifu teaches Chi-Kung at the highest level, and focuses mostly on the aspects largely missing from the majority of Chi Kung taught to today, that is on the Energy and Mind aspects. The majority of Chi Kung today focuses on accumulating Chi Kung forms or patterns; however this really misses the essence of Chi Kung which is to generate an energy flow. The first Chi Kung course at this year’s Summer Camp was “Generating Energy Flow”. In the whole day students only learnt 3 Chi Kung patterns but were able to achieve the skill of ‘entering a Zen state of mind’ and also the outlined skill of generating energy flow! If you would like to experience energy flow yourself come to the U.K. next year.
Sifu addresses Chi-Kung participants.
Listening intently to Sifu’s instructions
Participants enjoying the training on ‘Generating Energy Flow’
Trip to the South Downs
In the lunch breaks between Chi Kung and Kung Fu sessions, I like to take Sifu and other instructors to places of interest. This year the camp was held in Brighton which is next to the ‘South Downs’ and area along the south coast of England noted for it’s beauty. We took the chance to go up to ‘Devils Dyke’ (Sifu said a better name would be ‘Angel’s Haven’ or something similar) a near by beauty spot, where I tested my luck and asked Sifu if he wouldn’t mind if we took some photographs of him training, luckily Sifu was happy to oblige and we captured some really nice images on what was evidently a beautiful day.
"Sifu, will you let us take some pictures of interesting Chi Kung patterns?"...“Oh yes, of course!!”
Sifu demonstrates a little known Chi-Kung pattern ‘Fish Flip’
Sifu demonstrates a little known Chi-Kung pattern ‘Fish Flip’ part 2
Sifu demonstrates a little known Chi-Kung pattern ‘Sparrow Through Clouds’
Sifu also partook in a little ‘Wing Choon Chi Sau’ with U.K. instructor Tim Franklin.
Wing Choon Chi Sau
Sifu prepares to Kick
Chi Sau
Tim defends Sifu’s kick
Sifu covers Tim’s attack
Barry-Chi Kung-Pushing Mountains
Barry-Tai Chi Chuan-Grasping the Sparrows Tail
Me=Robin -Tai Chi Chuan- Push the Boat
Me-=Robin –Tai Chi Chuan-White Crane Flaps Wings
Me-=Robin –Tai Chi Chuan- Green Dragon
Anthony-Wing Choon-Siu Lim Tao
Anthony-Wing Choon-Punch
Anthony- Wing Choon-Thrusting fingers
First day of Chi Kung- Generating Energy Flow
More enjoyment during Chi Kung.
During a Chi Kung course Sifu may talk for an extended period of time offering participants a chance to rest and avoid the risk of doing too much Chi Kung and thus becoming Chi’d out. It’s a great chance to ask questions and find out more fascinating information.
Completing a great Chi-Kung session!
Question time- Students are encouraged to ask questions and share experiences after the training sessions.
Talk time with Sifu after a Chi Kung practice session.
Sifu loves teaching-evidence is in his big smile!
Instructors asking Sifu questions over cups of tea, very English.
Shaolin Wahnam Instrcutors asking Sifu all manner of questions. Questions range from Kung Fu to the Cosmos.
Applications at after Dinner
A good friend and fellow instructor Mark Blohm flew from Taiwan to take part in the Kung Fu course. He was also the willing participant in Sifu’s applications after we asked Sifu to demonstrate at the dinner table and after dinner in the apartment. It was a lot of fun taking the pictures!
Sifu covers and strikes, even at the dinner table.
Sifu shows us some applications from the ‘Shaolin Seven Star’ set
And also some nice places to grip.
Hoong Ka Triple Stretch course participants.
There was a great group taking the Kung Fu course this year with a lot of instructors in attendance, many travelling from abroad. This year’s course was covered the Hoong Ka Triple Stretch course which was the specialty of Sifu’s first Sifu ‘Uncle Righteousness’. All the different training partners made for a very rewarding training experience. With a variety of sizes and skill levels to deal with in the partner work and sparring sessions, many said they found the ’Hoong Ka Triple Stretch’ set taught this year very profound in both Combat application and Philosophy. We had participants from Las Vegas, Canada, Belgium, Switzerland and many more besides. Many of the course participants have contacted me since the course saying that they are training this set everyday with excellent benefits. Well done to everyone that took part!
Group picture for the ‘Triple Stretch’ course
Graduation Dinner in full flow.
Some of the ‘Triple Stretch’ participants enjoying the social part of the course.
Richard from Brighton giving a speech. It’s now regular practice for all participants to give speeches after the graduation dinner. It makes for very good scholar training
Sifu gives the closing speech.
Excellent Zen course!
Here are a few pictures form the Excellent Zen course held in a very special venue. The course was organized by Sifu Fleur. The venue? Middle temple in the centre of London. Sifu’s teaching was exceptionally high level, many participants were amazed at the depth, simplicity and efficiency of the day. Personally the seated meditation was my favourite part of the day.
View from the Zen training room.
Dinner at the grand table in the main hall
A monkey ‘looking like a crane’ in the hall-Max from London
Sifu in the grand hall
Little trips.
Here a few of pictures from little excursions we took before after and during the Summer camp with Sifu and other instructors.
Left to right, here is Markus, Roland Sifu and Mark Blohm’s hand at a pub outside Brighton. All of us, (apart from Sifu who is drinking the Wine of America- Coke) are sampling our Kung Fu brother Mark Tranter’s very own beer-named Dark Star (I believe), very nice!
Kung Fu brothers! Anthony and Roland in Arundel, Sussex.
Sifu and I in Bogner Regis, Sussex,
And so this brings the Summer Camp picture show to an end. I hope you enjoyed the pictures and hope to see you next year in the U.K.!!!
Best
Robin
