3 months, September 2nd, 2007-November 24th, 2007

James Stark

The time I have spent at Kunyu Mountain Shaolin Martial Arts Academy has been very special to me both in terms of the experience of living in China but also what I have learned.

I have made a lot of close friends while being here. The people in general studying at the academy were friendly and helpful to me. The masters although very strict (which I thought was good) were also very friendly and eager to help you with anything you were having trouble with.

I would definitely recommend the academy to both beginners as well as more advanced people who study martial arts, although I would stress that what is taught at the academy is very traditional martial arts, taught in a very traditional way which can take a while to get used to. Then what else would you except in China if you have come here to study?

The training is very tough but good and definitely has become fitter, stronger, more flexible and focused. It has also helped with some aspects of other martial arts I study I must stress it is not a holiday camp! The facilities are adequate to train in but the food does take some getting used to. (It’s Chinese food). The washing and toilet facilities aren’t to the standard of back home in Britain but after all, it was In China and I got used to them fairly quickly.