March 2024: Student review of Evangelia Vatsaki (3wan@hotmail.gr)

I have stayed and trained at the Kung Fu school of Shenjing shan for a whole year.
Planning to come here and train, and actually being here and training proved to be two completely different things! I came here like many, driven by my love for kung fu and its origins and with the dream to train under the traditional masters.
The training here has its way to get through you, humble you and ground you.
I've developed so much in this period of one year. My coordination changed, my flexibility went over the roof (hey I've managed to do the splits after about six months and for the first time at 36 years old! I had a yoga background which helped, but I've never managed before!) I gained back the joy of movement of my childhood! At the same time, I saw the necessity of strengthening training and my body healed and aligned. The progressive training throughout this year ended with practising the Bagua Dao (heavy sword) which helped me gain a more precise sense of structure.
I'm leaving with a much better posture and attitude towards my body and towards life in general.

I practiced Baguazhang and Tai Chi. Through my practice, my attention became more sharp, I became more focused and aware. My body really went through a change this year, opening and realigning. I came to understand Kung Fu better.
Through experiencing my own movement, I see nature's movements better too.

I observe the strong connection between these arts and nature now, even further than before. I can somehow feel and understand animals' movements more now. Through Tai Chi I came closer to realising the fundamental powers of natural elements, the whirling of the winds and the waters, the circular motion underlying many natural phenomena and my own motions as a human being.

The training is intensive and consistent. Although it was hard to see daily progress, I was seeing my Bagua and Tai Chi getting better on a monthly basis. I've been keeping monthly reviews/journals for each month that I've trained here, and getting back to those fills me with joy regarding my progress!

I trained under shifu Qu, a master that has the ability to guide his students towards where they need to go, inspiring and challenging them just at the same time.
Seeing him putting aside time for his sword training daily, was setting the perfect example for us.
Through discipline and hard work, he's patiently aiding each of his students to reach her/his own potential. Learning through his example, I'm so appreciative of the opportunity to be living next to him and observe his movements, how he's applying the principles of his Kung Fu in daily life... I've learnt a lot from him. Through his firm attitude yet gentle guidance, he's helped me to see things more closely and clearly and better my training and my Kung Fu.

I had the chance also to learn some exercises and a few things about traditional medicine from master Wang that arrived at the school after my sixth month there, and I am very grateful for this opportunity. Just observing his dedication and his way of moving (climbing trees with such ease!) and balance was an inspiration for me.

The scenery here is magical, its a place where you can find peace, train uninterrupted, and find the time and the space to do a lot of work with oneself. See deeper, follow along energy cultivation and deeper layers of healing the internal organs through the Qigong sessions, improve your memory and focus through forms training, gain balance and a healthier outlook.

I'm a vegetarian and I have managed to perform all of the exercises through a simple diet, which gave me even greater strength.
But I even got a healthier appetite and relationship with food here, feeling confident and strong in my body.

A few words about the space. The rooms are spacious with large windows and the garden of the school has many trees where you can rest in your free time.
During the summer I had adjusted a hammock, elevating my feet while reading through the weekends.
There's a small library too in the school with some interesting books in English:)

I followed along the afternoon classes of language, massage and calligraphy. Most of the students during my stay were choosing to rest during this time or train at the gym. (Yes, there's a gym here with machinery and you're allowed to use it any time:))
I enjoyed the classes though and they gave me a more spherical understanding of the culture and the martial arts as well.

This has been a deeply transformational year for me and I feel that I have accomplished what I came here to do. I'm leaving feeling happy, strong and grateful, with a healthier body, heart and mind. I wish everyone could give this gift to themselves.

I have made some really good friendships for life here, brothers and sisters. This is a strong experience and it's really good to have others to share it with. Living and training all together under the same roof gave me strongly a sense of belonging to a Kung Fu family and I found great joy in it. I mean, if you love Kung Fu, it doesn't get much better than that!..
The people at the nearby village too, mostly farmers, simple and warm hearted people. Visiting the local market and interacting with them, bridging different cultures, was of great value. We had certainly some unforgettable moments and laughs, trying to practice my Chinese with them at the village's square.

I want to end with an interesting fact: older Chinese people used to say "Yao Kung Fu?" which translates into "Do you have time?"...
Do you have the time to devote and prioritize your wellbeing and cultivate your skills? It's a great gift to give to yourself. I'm so grateful that I did that!

Thank you!