England Sam Laing( 2 months May,2007—July,2007)
samlaing_01@hotmail.com

Master Wang:
First of all I would like to say a massive thank you!
I was very nervous about coming to the academy as it was my first trip away from home alone, but as soon as I stepped through the gates a whole class full of students, which made me feel so much better, greeted me.

I had a hard first few weeks getting used to the heat, the food and the training which was very hard but the masters and the students all helped me through and now I love this place and don’t want to leave!

I trained for just over four weeks under your supervision and I am still shocked to about just how much I have learned.

It was truly a privilege to be tutored by such a skilled Shaolin master and I have respected and appreciated everything you have ever taught me.

I hope I will return home with the same dedication to my training as I have gained here and who knows one day return to further my training!

I hope it brings you some happiness to know that you personally have made my experience here in China a great one!

Thank you so much again for all that you have done for me, I won’t forget it!

James Sweetman

Although my time at the Academy was short, I’ve never had a more memorable month. Whilst training found I had muscles I didn’t even realize existed. Then after training those newly found muscles really made themselves known as they proceeded to ache for days afterwards.

I came to the Academy on a whim, but as I come to going home I find it so hard to leave. Not only because of advancements in training (finishing my staff form, completing my Mantis form, learning to kick up, etc) but also because of the people and way of life at the Academy. Everyone is so welcoming and helpful. The masters are both patient with you and also push you to give your best. Least of all to say I wish I could stay longer.

David Greenhill
email: d_a_greenhill@hotmail.com
I have greatly enjoyed my time here at the Academy and even through I have been here for only one month. I feel that I have learnt a lot. When I read on Real Gap that I was to be taught by Shaolin masters, I never thought I would be taught by some of the best masters in the world. I feel truly honoured and grateful to be taught by such masters and respect them greatly. The accommodation here is a lot better than I expected and was realized to find they had hot showers. I was not too keen on food here but I would not ask them to change it as it is to their religious taste and l respect that. The masters, translators and staff were all welcoming and friendly throughout my stay and I will miss them. The training though sometimes tough and sore! Was always enjoyable and I learnt a lot. Thank you for this opportunity to train with such respected masters in a comfortable environment.

Marc. Fourie ?(June 10th-July 7th) Email: mrfourie@hotmail.com

Baji Training

As a total novice with no prior experience, I found the Biji class a fantastic introduction to martial arts. I signed up for a month of training. From the start it was evident that hard work and patience is required to see the benefits of any martial art. I was shown the basic principles of Baji, taught methods in body conditioning, shown various Baji applications regarding grips, holds and throws for self defense. My class was also instructed in performing a traditional Baji form, which includes many methods, and principles relating to the Baji martial art, highlights of the month was training in the mountains and learning the Baji form under master Chen’s instruction.

Master Chen is a great example of a man who has dedicated his life to perfecting a martial art. He is a man of great character and also the person whom I respect the most at the academy. He has proven this as a martial of Baji and as a teacher. I will miss my daily training with him.

Matt Scmvven June 08th, 2007

Before I come to the academy I knew the facilities were basic so it was no shock to the system when I arrived. Unfortunately due to the lack rain there was a water shortage for the majority of my stay. This meant that the water was only on for two hours a day which meant you had to squeeze a shower or washing your clothes into the time which did get a little frustrating and tired. But that ended within 12 days.

Everyone in the academy was great all the students were friendly everyone got or with each other. The translators and masters were very helpful and were always around if you m\needed help with anything,