(No availability) 7 Day Traditional Shaolin Kung Fu Training in Samothraki
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Greece Martial Arts Retreat
You are invited to this intensive and immersive martial arts retreat led by Thomas Croc of the Nam Yang Kung Fu School, which is beginner-friendly and appropriate for all ages and levels of experience. The training retreat will follow the teaching style of the Nam Yang school based on traditional Shaolin Kung Fu and the Tiger Crane Kung Fu style. The retreat will include classes on Qi Gong (Chi Kung), Shuang Yang, the internal white crane Shaolin form, pushing hands and sticky hands, traditional fighting, Kung Fu drills, Shaolin weapons, theory, and meditation.
Meet the instructors
Read more
Highlights
- The retreat welcomes beginners and is suitable for all levels
- 30+ hours of intensive training in Qi Gong and Shaolin Kung Fu
- Retreat with a small group and a lot of personal attention and tutoring
- Learn from a highly experienced instructor of the Nam Yang Kung Fu school
- Stay in an amazing location on a Greek island in a high-quality retreat center
- Waterfalls, hot springs, beaches, and ancient temples are in close proximity
- You will have a day off to enjoy the island
- 6 nights accommodation
Skill level
- Beginner
- Intermediate
- Advanced
Accommodation
You will be staying at the Mariva Bungalows & Yoga Retreat Centre which offers a high-quality air-conditioned seminar space for your practice, while also using locations in nature for different sessions. Accommodation is in private or shared rooms with a balcony and forest or sea view; all rooms have a fridge. Many restaurants and cafés can be found in close proximity.
Program
The camp will follow in principle the curriculum of the Nam Yang Kung Fu School, which includes different classes with a different focus. You will aim to have a balanced schedule every day and can adjust to the group's energy levels as you move through the retreat. The program will be a combination of the two pillars of Chinese Martial Arts:
(1) The Internal Arts classes: Qi Gong, Shuang Yang (Internal Form similar to Tai Chi), walking and sitting meditation, and
(2) the External Arts practice which is namely the Kung Fu classes which include Sum Chien, Tiger Crane Kung Fu techniques (strikes, blocks, kicks), interactive exercises such as Pushing Hand, Sticky Hands, and fighting applications, and one kind of Shaolin Weapon. In addition, there will be a daily session on Kung Fu theory and philosophy.
The training will also include workouts and stretching sessions for strengthening and elasticity. There will be time for a warm-up and a cooling down/stretching before and after every dynamic session.
All sessions are beginner-friendly and the instructor is available to assist with any difficulty of students. Kung Fu practice is always conducted in a respectful and playful way. The aim is to strengthen your bodies/minds and have fun by interacting with each other and challenging each other.
The retreat will focus on the key elements of Traditional Shaolin Kung Fu at the Nam Yang Kung Fu School. You will explore the ancient and powerful Shaolin Arts and experience the Kung Fu lifestyle by living together in a natural setting and practicing daily. The art of the Shaolin is the art of living and learning from nature, the art of finding a balance between soft and hard, water and fire, yin and yang.
The retreat offers you 6 full days of training (6 hours of active practice and 1.5 hours of theory per day) and one day off where you can sleep in, rest, relax, and explore the beautiful surroundings. It is the perfect combination of vacation and training. You will also have an evening session on the day of arrival and an early morning session on the day of departure.
Sample daily schedule - general outline
Day 1: August 5
- Arrival/check-in (anytime)
- Pending payments
- Opening circle
- Dinner
Days 2 to 3: Practice days - August 6 to 7
- 3-hour morning practice starting with Qi Gong at sunrise, Shuang Yang, and Kung Fu
- Free time - Breakfast
- 1.5-hour Mid-day session: Theory
- Free time - Lunch
- 3-hour evening practice: Kung Fu training and fighting applications
- Free time - Dinner
Day 4: August 8
- Morning practice
- Breakfast
- Free day
Days 5 to 6: Practice days - August 9 to 10
- 3-hour morning practice starting with Qi Gong at sunrise, Shuang Yang, and Kung Fu
- Free time - Breakfast
- 1.5-hour Mid-day session: Theory
- Free time - Lunch
- 3-hour evening practice: Kung Fu training and fighting applications
- Free time - Dinner
Day 7: August 11
- Free morning
- Checkout
What you will be learning and practicing in the retreat:
- Chi Kung for health and longevity
‘Chi’ (Qi) is a natural energy that pervades all things. Chi Kung is the practice of charging the body with fresh, balanced Chi, eliminating stale Chi, and circulating Chi through all of the meridians and to every cell of the body.
- Shuang Yang
The internal art of the Shaolin White Crane Kung Fu, a rarely taught soft form. This is a very relaxed, fluid art which develops suppleness, mobility, calmness, and balance.
- Sitting, standing, and walking meditation of the Buddhist tradition
Meditation supports your training by calming your mind, relaxing your body, circulating your Chi, and enhancing your awareness.
- Tiger-Crane combination Kung Fu, the classic Fukienese Kung Fu
The Tiger-Crane combination art is a close-range art using mostly hand techniques including striking and seizing.
- "Sum Chien"
The original Shaolin internal power training exercise.
- Chi Kung for internal power
Also known as "Hard Chi Kung" or "Martial Chi Kung"
- Pushing Hands/Sticky Hands
Touch sensitivity drills that provide direct, hands-on contact, and train speed, reactions, and strategy while remaining safe.
- Shaolin weapons
In this retreat, you will mostly focus on the Tan taw (Chinese broadsword)
- There will also be sessions of workouts, stretching, and relaxation to aid and better develop your physical fitness. Massage treatments are available upon request.
Instructors
Thomas Croc
Thomas Croc is a Kung Fu instructor allied with the Nam Yang Pugilistic Association since 2017. He has trained and still works as an instructor at the Nam Yang Kung Fu Retreat in Thailand while also offering independent teaching around the world. His Kung Fu style is that of the Southern Shaolin lineage (Tiger Crane Style) which includes traditional contact fighting and Shaolin weapons. This Kung Fu places great emphasis on internal work. Meditation and Qigong are key parts of the Kung Fu training and the practice aims to cultivate balance, stability, and flexibility.
Location
The retreat takes place in a unique natural setting, on the lush island of Samothraki in northern Greece. During free time, participants can enjoy the beautiful surroundings of Samothraki, which include waterfalls and lagoons in close proximity, hot springs, ancient temples, and many beautiful beaches. Samothraki is not the easiest place to get to but it's definitely worth the effort!
Food
Daily breakfast and dinner will be provided during this retreat.
The following meals are included:
- Breakfast
- Dinner
The following dietary requirement(s) are served and/or catered for:
- Regular (typically includes meat and fish)
What's included
- 30+ hours of intensive training in Qi Gong and Shaolin Kung Fu
- 6 nights accommodation
- Daily breakfast and dinner
- Transport from the village to the venue
- Assistance with travel arrangements
What's not included
- Airfare
- Airport transfers
- Lunch
- Personal expenses
- Massage treatments
How to get there
Recommended Airports
Alexandroupoli Airport (Dimokritos Airport)
49 km
Transfer not provided
Arrival by ferry
Samothraki is 2 hours by ferry from Aleksandroupoli. You will enjoy the journey with amazing views and seagulls that flock and follow the ferry.
Arrival by train or bus
You can also reach Alexandroupoli by train or bus from big cities with international airports, such as Kavala, Thessaloniki, or Athens. For more information, please send an inquiry.
Arrival by car
It could also be an option to drive from Kavala or Thessaloniki. Northern Greece is less touristic and very scenic. Cars can cross with the ferry to Samothraki. Croc Kung Fu is available to assist you with your travel arrangements or any questions or concerns, please send an inquiry for more information.
Cancellation Policy
- A reservation requires a deposit of 30% of the total price.
- The deposit is non-refundable, if the booking is cancelled.
- The rest of the payment should be paid on arrival.
