Warriors from China .. And Kungfu in Leiden

The Volkenkunde Museum in Leiden is displaying three of the world famous Terracotta Warriors until 10 March 2013. To co-incide with this stimulating exhibition, Shaolin Wahnam Amsterdam will be offering introductory classes in the museum every Wednesday teaching Chi Kung (moving meditation) and Kungfu (martial arts). Participants will also be able to ask questions about the Buddhist and Daoist statues on display, adding a living element to the exhibition.

The classes will start on Wednesday 9 January and run weekly until March 27, from 16.00 to 17.00.

These classes are open to everyone of all ages and sizes, no prior experience or knowledge required.

Attendance is 10 Euros per person, which includes free entry to the museum.

It is possible to attend just one class, several or all of them, on a week-by-week basis.

For more information on the museum and the exhibition, visit http://volkenkunde.nl.

Taijiquan, Tui Na and healing

Taijiquan

Sifu Maxime Citerne from Shaolin Wahnam France will be teaching a one-day Taijiquan seminar on Saturday 7 May in Amsterdam.

Wahnam Tai Ji Quan - Introductory Course / The Fundamentals (4 hours of tuition)

Content: Philosophy, Entering the Great Void, Wahnam Tai Ji Quan force training (Lifting Water & Stances), Yin-Yang differentiation, Important elements of Taijiquan, first part of 'Grasping Sparrow's Tail' Set, Fun and Basic Self-Defence training

Price: 75 Euros

Tui Na

Friday 6, Saturday 7, Sunday 8

Sifu Mark Appleford from Scotland will be available for Tui Na (Chinese Massage) treatments in Amsterdam. It costs 40 Euros for a 30 minute treatment, longer appointments available. he is extremely good and I can't recommend him enough. There are only a few appointments available, strictly first come first served.

"Tui Na uses the same medical model as acupuncture but instead of using needles, it uses the application of massage/manipulation of the body's soft tissues which directly affect the meridian system. Tui Na alters the movement of chi to establish a harmonious flow which allows the body to balance itself, increasing the healing process. Methods include the use of the hard, arm and elbow to massage the soft tissue of the body and stimulate the acupuncture points. Through the use of manipulation techniques, the muscle and skeletal structure is realigned to help with disorders that directly affect the meridians. Tui Na is an excellent mode of therapy that can help many conditions ranging from acute sports injuries to internal conditions such as anxiety and stress."

Information supplied by Sifu Mark Appleford

Dorn Method and Ground Zero Correction

Friday 6, Saturday 7 and Sunday 8

"Content: The Dorn method is a soft healing method for the spine, the vertebrates and the joints. Simple and effective, this method helps to re-balance the body (often strained from prolonged wrong standing position, outstretched hip joint or traumatic injury). This method is effective for any back or neck disorder issues; the nervous system being related to important meridians running along the spine, this method may improve distant conditions such as tinnitus, chronic headaches or painful menstruations. The Ground Zero correction smoothly balances the first vertebrate which is an important and delicate energetic 'door'.

The Dorn Method and Ground Zero correction are also suitable as a simple check-up method (like a dentist check-up routine). In our clinical experience, such check-up is useful in 90% of all cases.

The treatment only involves 'soft' manipulation. This is NOT chiropraxis, there is No pain or 'shock' to the joints and muscles.

The treatment lasts between 20 and 30 minutes."

Information supplied by Sifu Maxime Citerne

Cost: Shaolin Wahnam students 30 Euros, non Shaolin Wahnam 40 Euros.

Please note; it is not recommended that someone attend a Tui Na and a Dorn method treatment on the same day. If you wish to attend both, please schedule an appointment on a separate day.

To confirm an appointment please email darryl.collett @ shaolinwahnam.nl (remove spaces)

New courses and classes; April and May 2011

April 2011

18 Shaolin Techniques for Health & Vitality

Tuesday evenings, 20.00 - 21.30

This four week course will serve as an introduction to the Eighteen Shaolin Techniques and will be taught as physical exercise. The techniques flow beautifully into one another and create an overall holistic exercise that will leave you mentally fresh and physically free.

This four week course costs 50 Euros.

Cosmos Breathing aka Dan Tian Breathing

Thursday evenings, 20.00 - 21.30

A review for those who have already attended the 12 week Dan Tian Breathing course, or the one day course taught by Grandmaster Wong Kiew Kit.

This course runs from March 31 to April 21 (4 weeks) and costs 100 Euros.

May 2011

Chi Kung Open Classes

Tuesday evenings, 20.00 - 21.30

May 3, 10, 17 and 24

Free if attending the 'Introduction to Shaolin Cosmos Chi Kung' course, otherwise 25 Euros per night

An Introduction to Shaolin Cosmos Chi Kung

(aka Generating Energy Flow)

Tuesday evenings, 20.00 - 21.30

This 12 week course serves as a perfect start for complete beginners and returning students.

'Chi Kung' means 'Energy Art' and works by stimulating and harmonising our existing energy flow. The smoother our energy flows, the better our organs and facilities can operate. Shaolin Cosmso Chi Kung is "high-level Chi Kung", which means that the results are obtained quickly, tangibly and in a very relevant manner. Someone practicing this Art would notice rapid results in their health, concentration, energy levels and attitude to life.

This course runs from 3 May to 19 July (12 weeks) and costs 300 Euros

Intermediate or Advanced Chi Kung course

Thursday evenings, 20.00 - 21.30

This course will be either Dan Tian Breathing or Cosmic Shower

This course will run from 28 April to 14 July (12 weeks) and cost 300 Euros

Shaolin Kungfu

Monday evenings, 19.00 - 22.00

Traditional Shaolin Kungfu taught as an internal martial art. Potential students are advised to attend either the 'Eighteen Shaolin Exercises' course or the 'Introduction to Shaolin Chi Kung' before starting Kungfu.

This class is ongoing throughout the year and costs 100 Euros per month

All classes and courses are taught at the Hub Studio, Westerstraat 187-14 (1st floor)

To register for any of these courses email darryl.collett @ shaolinwahnam.nl (remove spaces)

The Shaolin Wahnam Chi Kung Syllabus

The Chi Kung syllabus in Shaolin Wahnam consists of three stages

• Elementary
• Intermediate
• Advanced

The Elementary Stage introduces the student to the basics in Chi Kung training and helps build the best foundation for good benefits and further development. The main emphasis is in achieving and maintaining radiant health and abundant vitality.

The Intermediate Stage includes many new techniques and skills and those previously learned are methodically deepened and refined. Personal development is highlighted. The students is taught how to reach their potential through Shaolin Cosmos Chi Kung.

The Advanced Stage moves the emphasis to spiritual cultivation. Powerful techniques and skills are taught that pave the way to the essence of Shaolin Chi Kung. The student matures into a high-level Shaolin practitioner.

Every stage includes four courses and each course is taught over 12 weeks. Contrary to the Shaolin Kungfu syllabus, the order of learning different Chi Kung courses can vary. A student may start the Intermediate Stage with any of the courses on offer. The exception to this rule is the first course of the syllabus, Generating Energy Flow, which is the first course for every student.

Progress with our Chi Kung training does not end with completing the 3rd stage - the vast scope and depth of the Shaolin Arts would easily allow composing dozens of different syllabuses. However, the purpose of our Chi Kung syllabus is to enable the student to grow into a high-level Shaolin practitioner, providing the student with the skills and confidence to choose the direction of their further progress. After completing the syllabus, the student can focus on deepening their skills and preparing for more advanced training, either by themselves or under the instruction of their Sifu.

• Elementary Stage

1) Eighteen Lohan Hands, Part 1 aka Generating Energy Flow

Form: The first eight patterns from the Eighteen Lohan Hands

Skills: Co-ordinate form and breathing to generate an energy flow

Application: To maintain general good health and vitality

Philosophy: A clear understanding between Chi Kung and gentle physical exercise

2) Eighteen Lohan Hands, Part 2

Form: The remaining ten exercises of the Eighteen Lohan Hands

Skills: To generate an energy flow using form, breathing or mind

Application: To overcome illness and maintain good health

Philosophy: Chi Kung is a cultivation of jing, chi and shen or physical form, energy and spirit

3) Self-Manifested Chi Movement

Forms: Three sets of self-manifested chi movement exercises, namely "Fish Flip", "Dancing Fairy" and "Swallow Through Clouds"

Skills: To generate vigorous energy flow using form

Application: It is platinum-card Chi Kung for overcoming pain and illness, as well as maintaining good health

Philosophy: How Chi Kung can overcome pain and illness and promote health, vitality and promote longevity

4) Massaging Internal Organs

Forms: Using Separating Water, Merry-Go-Round and Nourishing Kidneys

Skills: Massaging the lungs, stomach and spleen, and kidneys

Application: Overcoming emotional as well as physical problems

Philosophy: The relationship between emotional problems and blockages within respective organs

• Intermediate Stage

5) Shaolin Eighteen Techniques

Forms: The Eighteen Shaolin Exercises for Health & Vitality

Skills: The exercises may be practiced at the physical, chi kung, martial or spiritual levels

Application: Maintaining fitness, overcoming pain and illness, martial application and spiritual cultivation

Philosophy: Different levels and functions of Chi Kung practice

6) Shaolin Eighteen Lohan Arts

Forms: 18 exercises from the Eighteen Lohan Art

Skills: Generating Energy Flow and exploding force

Application: Maintaining fitness, overcoming pain and illness, generating force and spiritual cultivation

Philosophy: Difference between internal force and physical strength

7) Internal Force and Mental Clarity

Forms: The best selection for a students' needs from the following Force Training methods; "Three Circle Stance", "Lifting the Sun and Moon", "Horse Riding Stance", "Golden Bridge", "Lifting Water" and "Grasping Sparrow's Tail"

Skills: Developing internal force and mental clarity, especially for non-Kungfu students

Application: Enhancing our work and play

Philosophy: Why not thinking of anything leads to mental clarity

8) Cosmic Shower

Forms: "Carrying The Moon" or "Lifting The Sky"

Skills: Generate a Cosmic Shower

Application: To cleanse as well as strengthen the practitioner physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually

Philosophy: The two dimensions of Chi Kung, namely cleansing and strengthening

• Advanced Stage

9) Abdominal Breathing

Forms: the technique of Abdominal Breathing

Skills: To build a pearl of energy at the Dan Tian

Application: To attain peak performance in work and play

Philosophy: The three functions of internal force

10) Sinew Metamorphosis

Forms: The 12 exercises of Sinew Metamorphosis (also known as Yi Jin Jing)

Skills: To develop mental clarity and internal force

Application: To attain peak performance in work and play

Philosophy: Becoming a Scholar-Warrior

11) Cosmic Breathing, aka Dan Tian Breathing

Forms: The technique of "dan tian breathing"

Skills: To pulsate with the Cosmos

Application: To expand the spirit

Philosophy: The meaning and significance of jing, chi and shen, or form, energy and spirit

12) Merging with the Cosmos

Forms: Any one or two of the 'Sinew Metamorphosis' exercises

Skills: To expand into the Cosmos

Application: To attain a spiritual awakening

Philosophy: Moral development and spiritual cultivation

This syllabus was initially created by Grandmaster Wong Kiew Kit and originally posted by Sifu Markus Kahlia of Shaolin Wahnam Finland. My sincere thanks and appreciation to them both.

New Courses and classes; October 2010

Generating Energy Flow (An Introduction to Shaolin Cosmos Chi Kung)
Wednesday evenings, 8.00 - 9.30
Starts October 13th and runs for 12 consecutive weeks
Costs 300 Euros

The Eighteen Lohan Hands (The complete system for holistic health and development)
Thursday evenings, 8.00 - 9.30
Starts October 14 and runs for 12 consecutive weeks
Costs 300 Euros

Chi Kung Open Classes
Wednesday evenings, 8.00 - 9.30
October 13, 20, 27 & November 3rd
Free if taking the 'Generating Energy Flow' course, otherwise 25 Euros per night

The Fundamentals of Shaolin Kungfu
Monday evenings, 7.00 - 9.00 for the first 6 months, 8.00 - 10.00 from then on
Open classes in January, April, July and October.
Potential students should register their interest. A decision will then be made whether they should start Kungfu or practice Chi Kung first.


All courses and classes will be held at the Hub Studio, Westerstraat 187-14 (1st floor)

Review Courses; July & August 2010

Review courses - July

Review Course - Generating Energy Flow (An Introduction to Shaolin Cosmos Chi Kung)

Wednesday evenings, 8.00 - 9.30

July 7, 14, 21, 28
Costs 100 Euros

Review Course - Massaging Internal Organs (For the lungs, stomach and kidneys and the related emotional cleansing)
Thursday evenings, 8.00 - 9.30
July 8, 15, 22, 29
Costs 100 Euros

Review courses - August

Review Course - The Eighteen Lohan Hands (The complete system for holistic health and development)
Wednesday evenings, 8.00 - 9.30
August 4, 11, 18, 25
Costs 100 Euros

Review Course - Sinew Metamorphosis (For courage, clarity and tremendous Internal Force)
Thursday evenings, 8.00 - 9.30
August 5, 12, 19, 26
Costs 100 Euros

New courses - July

The Fundamentals of Shaolin Kungfu
Monday evenings, 7.00 - 9.00 for the first 6 months, 8.00 - 10.00 from then on.

All courses and classes will be held at the Hub Studio, Westerstraat 187-14 (1st floor)

Chi Kung & Singing workshop

A special opportunity to participate and discover the common ground between chi kung & singing. By combining both disciplines into one workshop, we create a joyful state of mind to open the senses and explore the connection between movement and sound, body and voice.

Do you enjoy singing and also want to be more aware of how you communicate? This workshop will enhance the skills of relaxation, listening and better breathing to develop the range and colour of your voice.

The workshop will be from 14.00 - 17.00 on Saturday 15th May at the Hub Studio, Westerstraat 187-14 (1st floor). This first workshop has a special introductory price of 50 Euros. Places are limited so confirmation and prior payment are obligatory.

For confirmation and payment details, email darryl.collett@shaolinwahnam.nl

About the Instructors

Sifu Darryl Collett is taught by Shaolin Grandmaster Wong Kiew Kit and has been teaching Chi Kung for over 7 years. He believes Chi Kung allows us to get the most out of our lives by embracing our true potential.

Kirsten Schotteldrier studied classical singing and directing at the Folkwag Conservatory in Essen and studied with famous singers around the world. For the past 14 years, she has been teaching people of all skill levels and backgrounds how to overcome traumatic experience, false use and to find better expression through their voice.

New courses; April 2010

Generating Energy Flow (An Introduction to Shaolin Cosmos Chi Kung)
Wednesday evenings, 7.30 - 9.00
Starts April 7th and runs for 12 consecutive weeks
Costs 300 Euros

Massaging Internal Organs (For the lungs, stomach and kidneys and the related emotional cleansing)
Thursday evenings, 8.30 - 10.00
Starts April 1st and runs for 12 consecutive weeks (including Koninginnenacht)
Costs 300 Euros

Chi Kung Open Classes
Wednesday evenings, 7.30 - 9.00
April 7th, 14th, 21st, 28th
Free if taking the 'Generating Energy Flow' course, otherwise 25 Euros per night

The Fundamentals of Shaolin Kungfu
Monday evenings, 7.00 - 9.00 for the first 6 months, 8.00 - 10.00 from then on
Open classes in January, April, July and October.
Potential students should register their interest. A decision will then be made whether they should start Kungfu or practice Chi Kung first.

Chi Kung review class. Prior attendance at any course is required
Wednesday evenings, 9.00 - 10.00
Costs 50 Euros per month
Feel free to come from 8.00 onwards to drink tea, check in and catch up with each other.

All courses and classes will be held at the Hub Studio, Westerstraat 187-14 (1st floor)

Grandmaster Wong Kiew Kit highlights the modern Scholar-Warrior

"In our school, we do not merely teach Chi Kung, Shaolin Kungfu or Wahnam Taijiquan; we teach a way of life that is meaningful and rewarding for ourselves and to other people.

We are quite clear about our aims and objectives. For most of us, we choose the scholar-warrior ideal. For those of us who are more advanced in our training, we aspire to be warrior-monks. We do not really go to war to be warriors or shave our heads to be monks. We aspire to these ideals, such as the clarity of thought and intellectual depth of a scholar, the courage and righteousness of a warrior, and the compassion and cosmic wisdom of a monk.

Actually all of us are warriors. If you compete in sport, work in a profession, or engage in business, you are a warrior. But we do not want to be a crude warrior, like one who is proud of a scar received from a football match, stabs his colleagues in their back, or drives his competitors to bankruptcy. We want to be a scholar-warrior or a warrior-monk, someone who not only excels in his profession or business, but also is a wonderful husband, father and friend, someone who is successful in life as well as compassionate and wise.

And we are no day-dreamers. We set our vision, and we find direction to our destination. We know the journey involves hard work, but we are confident we can accomplish our task. We know our Chi Kung, Shaolin Kungfu or Wahnam Taijiquan training will give us the mental clarity and internal force besides courage and determination needed for our journey, and we use our Ten Shaolin Laws to guide us in our daily conduct.

Our training is systematic, disciplined and very good fun. Laughter is a common sound in the training room."

Grandmaster Wong Kiew Kit

The Ten Shaolin Laws

There is no legal binding on the Ten Shaolin Laws; one cannot be prosecuted in a law court if he breaks these laws. The binding is moral. But they are not forced upon the follower; the follower accepts them because he chooses to, because he believes they are helpful to him in his physical, emotional, mental and spiritual cultivation. If he breaks the laws, despite sufficient warnings, he may be asked to leave the Shaolin training, not as a punishment, but because the training is not suitable for him.

The Ten Shaolin Laws

1. Required to respect the master, honour the Moral Way and love fellow disciples as brothers and sisters.
2. Required to train the Shaolin arts diligently, and as a pre-requisite, to be physically and mentally healthy.
3. Required to be filial to parents, be respectful to the elderly, and protective of the young.
4. Required to uphold righteousness, and to be both wise and courageous.
5. Forbidden to be ungrateful and unscrupulous, ignoring the Laws of man and heaven.
6. Forbidden to rape, molest, do evil, steal, rob, abduct or cheat.
7. Forbidden to associate with wicked people; forbidden to do any sorts of wickedness.
8. Forbidden to abuse power, be it official or physical; forbidden to oppress the good and bully the kind.
9. Obliged to be humane, compassionate and spread love, and to realize everlasting peace and happiness for all people.
10. Obliged to be chivalrous and generous, to nurture talents and pass on the Shaolin arts to deserving disciples.

The Hague classes February - April 2010

Shaolin Cosmos Chi Kung

Generating Energy Flow

Thursday 19.30 -21.00 - starting February 11

All classes take place at The Treehut, American Book Center, Lange Poten 27a The Hague

For registration and further details, contact Sippe Douma at sippe.douma@shaolinwahnam.nl

Amsterdam classes January - March 2010

Shaolin Kungfu

Levels 1 & 2

Monday 19.00 - 21.00

Levels 3 & higher

Monday 20.00 - 22.00

Shaolin Cosmos Chi Kung

Generating Energy Flow

Wednesday 19.00 - 20.30

Cosmic Shower

Wednesday 20.30 - 22.00

All classes are taught in the Hub Studio, Westerstraat 187-14, Amsterdam.

For registration and further details, contact Sifu Darryl Collett at darryl.collett@shaolinwahnam.nl

Instructor profile: Sifu Darryl Collett

Sifu Darryl Collett (Scotland, 1973) first started practicing martial arts in 1986. In August 2000 he travelled to Malaysia to train with Grandmaster Wong Kiew Kit. After returning to the UK, he immediately stopped practicing all other arts and concentrated on Chi Kung. After advice from his Sifu, Wong Kiew Kit, he started practicing Shaolin Kungfu in 2001 and has never looked back.

His aim is to introduce high-level Chi Kung to a much wider audience and to pass on these Arts to the next generation of deserving students.

Sifu Darryl Collett now lives and teaches in the centre of Amsterdam, offering Shaolin Cosmos Chi Kung and Shaolin Kungfu. He is also available for private lessons and business clinics.

Which Art suits me best - Chi Kung or Kungfu?

Shaolin Wahnam Netherlands focuses on teaching Shaolin Cosmos Chi Kung and Shaolin Kungfu. Each student is encouraged to identify their goals and will be guided towards the most appropriate course.

Shaolin Cosmos Chi Kung

A energy based series of exercises to stimulate health and vitality.

'Chi Kung' means 'Energy Art' and works by stimulating and harmonising our existing energy flow. The smoother our energy flows, the more efficiently our organs and facilities can operate. 'Shaolin Cosmos Chi Kung' is "high-level Chi Kung", which also means that the results are obtained quickly, tangibly and in an extremely relevant manner. Someone practicing this art would notice rapid improvement in their health, concentration, energy levels and attitude to life.

Shaolin Kungfu

A traditional martial art with a strong emphasis on skill development and strategy.

Created first as a system of spiritual cultivation as secondly as a highly effective martial art, Shaolin Kungfu is unrivaled in scope and opportunity. The four main areas of Shaolin Kungfu are Health and Vitality, Combat Efficiency, Mind Expansion and Spiritual Cultivation. These are all covered within Form, Force, Application and Philosophy. Someone who practices Kungfu would be confident, quick-witted, able to make accurate assessments and rapid decisions.

About Shaolin Wahnam

Shaolin Wahnam Institute is an international school dedicated to promote authentic Shaolin Arts as taught by Grandmaster Wong Kiew Kit. Shaolin Wahnam Netherlands was established in 2007 and is offering classes in Amsterdam, Den Haag and Utrecht.

The Shaolin Arts help students to accomplish their goals and enjoy a warm, vibrant and balanced life.

Originally from ancient China, the Shaolin Arts are a holistic combination of techniques, skills and philosophies that have been developed and refined over centuries of use. Combining the most relevant tools to match the desired results, students can expect real, tangible and definite benefits in their lives.

Founding Principles of Shaolin Wahnam Netherlands

To preserve and pass on the Shaolin arts to the next generation of deserving students, regardless of age, sex, religious beliefs and ethnicity.

To allow a rich, vibrant and powerful life

To share these benefits with others so they can achieve the same

To propagate real, tangible and definite benefits in daily life