Ireland Janice Mohan (October, 2006—July, 2007)
mowiejan@yahoo.co.uk
As a 19-year-old girl, the decision to come to China to study Kungfu was probably the biggest and most important one I have made in my short life and it has been a most rewarding experience.
Surrounded by the beautiful Kunyu Mountains and the pleasant orchards of the local villages, the academy offered me a chance to escape from the lazy western world and enjoy the simpler, more natural side of life. Exercise, fresh air and a good academy atmosphere contribute to an all-around healthy way of life. From day one, I knew I had come to the right place and that I was going to enjoy my time here.
As a practitioner of martial arts before I came here, I knew the difficulties involved in learning. However, I was completely unprepared for the demand Kungfu would have on my body. At the academy, the daily schedule enables you to get the most out of the day. The early mornings and dare I say it, this early nights are a schedule I have adapted. The training, of course, is pretty intense… as long as you show willingness to learn and train you will be pushed even further.
The basics and forms classes were something I enjoyed immersely. Kicks, sweeps, fist forms, weapons… I found they were truly what I had come here to learn. The more acrobatic side of things were not easy for me to pick up… I spent more time landing my bum than my feet. However, the gradual improvements I noticed each week helped lift my spirit and keep me going. Sanda, while it was not truly what a came to China for, became something I enjoyed immersely. The physical workout and the punching of heels became great for stress relief as well as a practical fighting skill. At the academy, I found the challenges of Kungfu mental as well as physical, exercising muscle and willpower, pushing my body as far as mind would allow it. The aches and pains of the first week are gradually replaced by feelings of greater flexibility and strength and an all-around better feeling in one’s self.
Of course, one of the things, which completed my stay here was the people. People come here from all over the world and it serves to make the place even more interesting. I can now claim to have friends from England, Indonesia, Africa, Iceland, America…we all come here with a common goal in mind-to study Kungfu. It may sound cliche but the academy is like one big family. It didn’t take long before I was calling it home.
Last but not least, I must mention the masters, whom, in my opinion, are amazing. I have to especially thank my master, Wei Shifu, for his dedication to training us and his patience. His knowledge of kungfu is profound and I am grateful to him for teaching and showing me what he could in my time here.
Over all, the nine months I have spent here have been the best of my life and now, that it comes to leaving all I won’t to do is stay.
P.S. I’d like to say a special thanks to the cleaning and cooking ladies. You gals are great, always smiling and happy.
www.chinashaolins.com
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