WONDERFUL EXPERIENCE AT QIN-NA COURSE
Practicing Shaolin Qin-Na (Chin-Na) in a public park in Zhencheng, China
Dear all,
It has been a most wonderful experience at the Qin-na course.
The course itself was amazing, but it was the daily training and chats with my fellow course participants that made it memorable.
Great to see old and new faces, and of course Sifu!
Some highlights that came to mind:
1) Practicing Qin Na in the public park: It was quite a surprise to see so many people active in the park at 8am in the morning! There were people dancing, playing badminton and stretching. We even caught a glimpse of someone practicing Taijiquan. Still, we managed to draw a small crowd of curious onlookers as we practiced.
2) Walking up the long flight of stairs and giving a silent prayer of gratitude and thanks to the giant Guan Yin statue, Then descending down back to the square to practice Qin-na, a compassionate art, under the watchful eye of Guan Yin. Very befitting.
As we demonstrated our chosen qin-na sequences to Sifu, he gave us different variations to consider, as well as finer points of applying the moves. As usual, it is a treat to watch Sifu gracefully execute the moves and counters. He makes it look easy!
There was a monk who quietly observed us as Sifu was teaching us. He was earnestly mirroring some of the qin-na moves that was shown.
3) Training in Er Long Shan was a treat. The air was fresh and the sights scenic. Force training felt more powerful with the abundance of fresh chi there.
4) Having breakfast at a small road-side stall with the mountains and fields opposite us. Sifu made a comment that in the past, kungfu knights would stop by tea-houses like this to have a meal and piping hot tea while they took a break. Sure feels like it!
5) On the last day during rehearsal, everyone showcased their chosen set to perform. It was a treat to watch them perform - Shaolin,Taijiquan,Wing Chun, Cloud Hands, San Zhan, Dragon Strength,etc. It reminded me of how it might have been in the Shaolin Temple, when different Shaolin masters specialized in their styles. It is heartening to see that our school encompasses a wide range of kungfu styles,reflecting the breadth and depth of the Shaolin Arts.
It was fun practicing and sparring with everyone, though i seem to have some 'claw' marks on my wrist and arms by the last day. All that groping...
Thanks for Bernie's new present - a no-shadow kick to my groin
Thanks to Anton and Tony for organizing this whole thing! It must not have been easy, juggling so many itineraries over the course of several days (not to mention coordinating the arrival and departure times). But as Sifu says, we flow with the opponent moves and adapt accordingly.
It was a pleasure getting to know each and every of my fellow course mates. I have learned a lot from our practice and chats together.
Last but not least, thank you Sifu for your generosity and always smiling from the heart!
Regards,
FJ
How would you counter a qin-na attack, "Fierce Tiger Descends Mountain", like this?
The above discussion is reproduced from the thread Going to China in the Shaolin Wahnam Discussion Forum.
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