A thoroughly enjoyable experience and one that we should like to repeat.
It was an active
and sometimes, strenuous spiritual pilgrimage to
BEIJING - WUDANG MOUNTAIN
- SHAOLIN TEMPLE
We played Tai Chi in the local park and were honoured to be treated to one and
a half days training with Professor Li Deyin, (one of China's top 100 martial arts masters) and the creator of
many modern forms including the Taiji Kung Fu Fan Form. We were taught 5 Animals Play Qigong and had a day reviewing
the 24 Forms & Taiji Kung Fu Fan Form with Professor Li, Mrs Li & two of their friends / instructors. At the
end of the 2nd day we had a review of the 32 Sword Form with Tary Yip (our tour leader). This time was enjoyable, rewarding and inspirational. Whilst
in Beijing, we visited the Summer Palace, Great Wall, Temple of Heaven, Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square & Hutong area
and did much shopping, full of wonderful cultural experiences. All the sightseeing was breathtaking and most
enjoyable as the weather was perfectly warm.
We then flew to Wudang mountain, for the most wonderful scenery & views from visits
to the Purple Heaven Palace where we practiced 24 Forms in the courtyard, the cable car to the Golden Summit Temple, the South
Cliff Palace where we enjoyed the tea ceremony and experienced training with Wudang Taoist Master Zhang Jia Li at
the Princes Temple.
We then travelled by train to visit Song mountain, the home of
the famous Shaolin Temple, Pagoda Forest and the Buddhist Martial Monks. We took the cable car up the mountain
and walked the path around the mountains to the suspension bridge and some to the further Temple. The views were
breathtaking and the energy immense! We were privileged to be invited to Shaolin Chan Wu Yi Academy where Master Wu
Nan Fang and his students welcomed us to a lesson in traditional Shaolin arts and exchange. We were treated to some
wonderful displays of internal gong fu and demonstrated our 24 Forms, Lee & Vicky the Taiji Kung Fu Fan Form
and Tony & James showed some Chi-Do techniques and partner practice. This was a very special connection and many
of us did not want to leave.
All our tour guides were excellent and all credit is due to all who
came along to help us and especially Tary Yip who was our Expert Organiser, Tour Leader, Martial Arts Master & Good
Friend.
The conduct of our students, the ability to learn new forms and the remarkable cultural exchanges that
happened are a testament to our students.
Well done. We are proud of you all.
|
