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Get ready to join the most in-depth training at Nam Yang Kung Fu Retreat. Their popular course, the Shaolin Warrior Program, is suitable for any level of experience. You will learn freehand, six to nine weapons, chi development, "breaking" mental discipline, relaxation, philosophy, and culture. Do you want to look better, feel better and think better? Do you want to increase your confidence? Do you need to relax your mind as well as your body? After a year with Nam Yang, you will emerge as a truly different person.
You will be staying at Nam Yang Kung Fu Retreat. All of the rooms are designed with serious kung fu students in mind. Every room has an inspiring mountain view from the front door and a roofed front terrace to sit in the shade and get the benefit of the views and the fresh mountain air. They are within a very easy walking distance of the training facilities and the restaurant.
There are two types of room, shared and private rooms. Shared rooms can accommodate two people. They are spacious, have separate bathrooms and toilet or washrooms, and are equipped with fans. They are arranged in two buildings, each with six rooms. The front terrace is two meters deep and serves as a social area where students can relax and chat outside of training time.
The private rooms are designed for single occupancy. These rooms are finished to a high standard with tiled walls and thicker mattresses. Each "house" has two rooms which are completely separate. They are located slightly further away from the center of the retreat, which gives a quieter feel. Nam Yang also supplies communal tea and coffee making facilities and fridges.
The one-year program is designed to produce well-trained, talented Shaolin fighters. From this course, it is easy to transition into instructor training if you want. Don’t miss your chance, immerse yourself in Kung Fu in Thailand’s "Land of Mist".
This course is run by Nam Yang Puglistic Association, founded in Singapore in 1954 by Great Grand Master Ang Lian Huat and dedicated to passing on the real arts of old China. Nam Yang has now become an international community with branches in Thailand, UK, Russia, Italy, and Germany.
Train with experienced professional teachers, including Master Iain Armstrong in relaxed, constructive atmosphere. Leave your ego behind and become part of the community. This course is taught for Westerners. Here in Nam Yang, they understand what you need. Complex concepts are explained in clear English by experienced teachers. There is no need for translators.
In this program, you will immerse yourself in the culture and lifestyle of Shaolin Kung Fu and experience for yourself what it is all about. One year is enough to really get into serious training and good physical shape. It is also possible to reach a good level of competence during the program. You will learn:
You will have the option to take the first six gradings (examinations) in the Tiger Crane style of kung fu and receive certificates. After the program, you will feel fitter and healthier, enhance your confidence, clear your mind, likely to experience a weight adjustment, improve your flexibility, detox your body, and enjoy your self. During the course, you will easily be able to transition to Nam Yang Kung Fu Retreat instructor training program should you wish to do so.
Fast, accurate, and deadly, the tiger-crane combination is a classic southern Shaolin style which emphasizes intricate hand techniques thrown from a solid, stable stance.
Being close to the original Shaolin white crane, this style emphasizes the use of touch sensitivity to connect to an opponent and feel their movement and intention, countering them immediately when they initiate a move - before it can become dangerous. It also uses "springy" power generated from the tendons rather than the muscle - the hallmark of genuine Shaolin Kung Fu.
The tiger-crane stance is fairly high allowing for mobility and fast stepping. The hand techniques are thrown from close range so as to maximize their chances of success and generally target weak points where they will have the greatest effect. At an advanced level, springy power from the tendons can be used to generate a power which penetrates deeply into the body and affects the internal organs - ask an instructor for a safe, controlled demonstration!
Usually referred to as "Shuang Yang" for short, this is the internal form of the white crane art. It is performed in a very soft, relaxed way, gently opening the chi flow in the meridians, training elasticity into all of the tendons and massaging the internal organs. Whilst superficially very similar to Tai Chi, it is part of the Buddhist Shaolin tradition, rather than the Taoist Wutan tradition.
Many people practice the Shuang Yang primarily to benefit their health, vitality, and longevity. Whilst the slow, gentle nature of the training make it ideal for older or less fit people, make no mistake: this is a genuine martial art.
The Shuang Yang art uses mostly the bow arrow stance - a longer stance than the tiger crane art. Weight is sunk down and movement is generated from the core of the body, moving out to the limbs like a wave through water. Training connects all of the tendons in the body into one resilient, elastic network with incredible strength. All movements are performed with the whole body. Shuang Yang training is particularly suitable for China - the Chinese art of twisting joints, pressing pressure points, and sealing off the flow of breath or blood.
As a crane art, the Shuang Yang develops touch sensitivity and encourages sticking to an opponent, neutralizing their attacks and then countering decisively.
Shuang Yang training gently stretches and releases the body’s tendons in a slow rhythmic fashion, increasing its strength, and stimulating chi to flow.
Shuang Yang practice involves a great deal of flexing and twisting in the torso, as well as opening the meridians and energizing the tendons, which strengthens muscles which you do not usually use. It also wrings out and cleans the internal organs, pushes fluids along their course and manipulates the joints of the spine, keeping them moving freely to promote a healthy spine and body.
Shuang Yang training is performed in a meditative state and is a genuine "meditation in motion". It requires sinking of the chi, calming of the mind, and breathing from the core of the body. Regular practice greatly improves health, vitality, and combats aging.
Weapons have always featured strongly in Shaolin Kung Fu training and are one of the most popular parts of the syllabus - even in the modern era. Training starts with simple basics such as how to stand, grip the weapon, and extends to cover simple and advanced moves, strategies, tactics, target areas and much more.
The weapon training is not just "show style". The genuine art of weapon used for combat will be taught. Unlike in many other cultures, the Shaolin weapons were still used for war very recently, such as by the Chinese army in WWII and by kung fu groups as recently as the 1970s. Some of the teachers here at Nam Yang have direct experience with these weapons - this is not something which you will find in many schools.
Weapon training teaches you to extend your concentration and your energy (chi) beyond your bodies into the weapon. This means that when you go back to freehand training, it is very easy to get your energy right down to your hands and feet.
The training works like a sort of weight training: performing with weapons, especially heavy weapons strengthens your muscle and tendons and conditions us to exert more power. Many techniques are complex and intricate and develop your co-ordination: this is particularly true of the double weapons. Heavy weapons require a great degree of stability and balance so as to be able to wield them with speed, power, and accuracy. This provides excellent stability training.
Many of you are vaguely aware of the great benefits of chi kung meditation to your health and longevity but don’t really understand how it works.
Chi circulates around your bodies, in a daily cycle, mainly but not entirely through pathways called meridians and vessels. Chi is stored in energy centers or reservoirs called tan tiens.
The two main sources of chi are the Earth (yin chi) and the sky (yang chi). When the chi in your bodies is circulating freely, and is balanced between yin and yang, you will enjoy good health.
Opening the meridians through stretching exercises and guiding chi through them facilitates strong, smooth circulation of the chi. Drawing in fresh chi from the earth and sky keeps your chi plentiful and allows us to balance yin and yang.
Expelling stale or excess chi keeps your chi fresh and prevents it becoming excessively strong. By its nature, chi kung (also known as qi gong or ki gung) is simple and easy yet amazingly effective. Anyone can practice it successfully, regardless of age or fitness. The essential requirements are a properly trained instructor and good, fresh air. The basic chi kung system taught is Tong Ling (clearing and circulating) chi kung.
Martial chi kung goes a step beyond chi kung for health. It develops abilities well beyond those of normal people. Mastery of this type of chi kung is what enables martial arts masters to perform such "superhuman" feats as punching the ends of bricks, washing in broken glass, rubbing red-hot metal, and being hit with hammers and axes.
Vein Tendon chi kung is a simple but effective system which tones all of the tendons in the body and increases its elasticity so that it can store energy.
Tat Moh chi kung is a straightforward system which emphasizes reverse abdominal breathing and therefore trains elasticity into the internal organs, energizing them and making them resilient to injury.
The Sum Chien routine from the Tiger-Crane Combination Art is perhaps the most powerful exercise for martial chi kung. It involves building elasticity into the whole body and then using it to store energy in the lower tan tien (the lower chi energy center of the body), releasing it in explosive bursts down to the hands, and then returning it to the tan tien to be used again. It incorporates reverse abdominal breathing and exercises absolutely all of the tendons in the body.
Martial chi kung can be learned by people of reasonable fitness, male, or female. It takes regular training over a period of time to achieve a high level of skill, but the exercises can be learned in a relatively short space and then practiced anywhere.
Meditation forms an intrinsic part of the training program. Generally you are taught how to perform simple, safe meditations and then encouraged to practice them in their own time, quietly and comfortably. On nights of the full moon, a special meditation together at midnight is practiced directly under the full moon.
These can be combined with natural or reverse abdominal breathing. Full moon meditations take advantage of the pure yin energy which emanates from the moon at midnight (the most yin hour) when it is full (the moon’s most yin phase). These special meditations give you an amazing charge but are best practiced under supervision, at least to start with! The complement to the full moon meditations is the practice of chi kung just at sunrise on the day of the new moon, taking advantage of yang energy.
The self defense training is very practically based and can be tailored to suit the individual. What is emphasized is avoidance as opposed to confrontation (it's much safer) and techniques which do not inflict serious injury (killing or maiming an attacker is likely to get you into very serious trouble in most countries, especially if they are a local).
Practical self defense involves forward planning, awareness, positive body language, quick thinking, diplomacy, and confidence. Physical confrontation is a last resort. If it does get physical, takedowns and restraints are both good options - they prevent an opponent from hurting you without inflicting injury on them.
It may be necessary to disarm them first. The defense techniques that are taught are based on kung fu, Chinese boxing and a great deal of experience. The training, which is simple and effective, will enable you to travel without fear.
Conditioning and flexibility are vital for any martial artist. At Nam Yang Mountain Retreat, morning meditation and soft arts are complemented by approximately one hour of active workouts and stretches in the afternoon to improve endurance and elasticity. Conditioning routines are borrowed from various martial and athletic disciplines to maximize stamina, cardio, and strength improvement while maintaining safety and a mind for technique.
Stretching routines employ methods from both kung fu and yoga to greatly improve joint and muscle flexibility and teach body relaxation. Students often notice significant improvements in flexibility and elasticity after leaving the mountain retreat.
Master Iain is a Kung Fu philosopher and author with 36 years of living in Kung Fu. Trained personally by Grand Master Tan Soh Tin in Singapore, he’s a two-time world champion and veteran of real street battles. Famous for his high-quality Kung Fu teaching, his instructional films and magazine articles, and for his demonstrations of Iron Shirt Qigong, Master Iain is a mine of information but retains a very practical, down-to-earth, and realistic approach. Most people who meet him are struck by his air of calm, patience, and wisdom.
Ophir found Nam Yang looking for personal recovery, injury management, and healing. He found our training and stretching routines aided him in this direction and found more than what he was looking for regarding personal development. Eager to make his life better and aid those around him, he joined our instructor team seeing that it would do just this! Ophir is usually present at Nam Yang 4-6 months a year. He also assists with the Children's Classes.
Michael is an integral and very much valued member of the Nam Yang family. He first came in 2015 and loved it so much that he returned to become an Instructor. Passionate about Kung Fu and Nam Yang's history, he strives to live Kung Fu in all aspects of his life, as well as helping others looking for the same thing. When not at the Retreat, he teaches Kung Fu and Qigong in Guatemala and assists students coming to the Retreat remotely as our Ambassador.
Buddhason comes from a Chi Kung background with 20 years experience, has passed a 1 year medical Chi Kung course, and is a qualified teacher of both yoga and meditation, having studied Vajrayana Buddhism under several master lineage holders. He came here to build up his Chi in preparation for performing Chi healing and to be part of a community focused on self-development. He chose Nam Yang because we offer chi kung teacher training and have an English speaking master with real/serious credentials: lineage holder, world champion etc.
Prisca first came to the Retreat in 2021 to connect body and mind and find something to help her evolve. She enjoyed it so much that she returned in 2024 to join the instructor team. She aims to become a great teacher, sharing her passion for Kung Fu and how it supports people in their daily lives. For her, Kung Fu is a way of life that brings happiness and lightness. She hopes to open her own school in France in the future.
From a young age, Shawn wanted to learn Kung Fu as a means to master himself and become the best version of himself. After facing a personal challenge, he decided to pursue this path at Nam Yang in 2022, which came highly recommended by a friend. As an Instructor, he aims to teach others how to become their best selves and plans to train for life, continuing to learn and grow. Shawn has previous experience in Karate as a child, and has been training Kung Fu for 6 years.
Brad first came to the Retreat in 2024, but has been training with Nam Yang Pugilistic Association as a student of Master Iain for 26 years. He first started training with Nam Yang through the Nam Yang Kung Fu Club in Epsom, England. He enjoyed his time so much there that he decided to come to the Retreat and become an Instructor. He finds honor in being an Instructor of Nam Yang, to help those who lack self-confidence and raise them up to see their potential. One day, he hopes to attain the title of Master.
Thailand is a great country with a relaxed, happy positive vibe. This is why it is so popular with tourists. It is easy to travel to, easy to get around in, and easy to get by in English - unlike many countries in Asia! Very importantly, visas are easy to get.
The Pai Valley is an area of incredible natural beauty. High in the mountains, it epitomises the kung fu dream of training in pure, fresh air with awesome views well away from the distractions of modern life and the pollution of modern cities. It is easy to grow and prepare healthy, natural food in the farmland around Pai and this allows you to eat the sort of diet which best supports your training.
This area is famous amongst the Chinese for having some of the best chi in the world. It flows down from the plateau of Tibet, high in the Himalayas towards the lower land to the south. This makes it perfect for the practice of kung fu and chi kung.
Pai is an incredible town with a unique culture. It is massively popular with travelers and has all of the facilities that you might want. Very easy to get by in English. A fun town where everyone wants to stay longer.
Pai town center is less than 10 minutes from the retreat by moped but cannot be seen from the retreat because of a mountain spur. Ideal really - when at the retreat, you will feel that you are right away from the town but get there when you want is not so difficult.
The are many fascinating excursions available locally for temples, caves, hill tribe villages, Chinese tea growing communities, elephant camps, rafting, waterfalls, and walking. If you are going to spend your time and money on the training experience of a lifetime, why not go somewhere truly special?
This kung fu training will take place in Nam Yang Kung Fu Retreat, Pai, Thailand. When Nam Yang Kung Fu Retreat set out to design the Kung Fu Retreat, they inspired to make all of their dreams about a perfect kung fu, chi kung, and meditation school come become reality. They spent many years choosing the ideal location then set about building a full time, a residential school with all of the elements needed by serious students and teachers alike.
Nam Yang Kung Fu Retreat has been perfecting the retreat over the last 10 years and although they are constantly fine-tuning and improving they are now close to the ultimate kung fu venue. This is a place where you can live, eat, and breathe kung fu.
The retreat is set on two acres of land on the side of a mountain spur, bordering the jungle, and with awesome views across the Pai river valley to mountains which rise steadily to the mighty Himalayas.
In the early morning, when you begin training, the mountains are usually shrouded in mist which gradually clears as the sun rises. Indeed, the sun rises are a highlight of many people's stay. The school is built in the local Shan style architecture according to Chinese Feng Shui principles.
The views from the retreat are truly awesome and all of the rooms are built so that when you walk out of your front door you get the full impact. Most of their students say that although the pictures look amazing they do not do justice to the reality!
Two large training areas. Both with breathtaking views. One is open air, perfect for early morning chi kung. The other is roofed and matted but unwalled to ensure a constant circulation of fresh air. Ideal when the sun is hot.
This is divided into a matted training area, a hard floor training area and an area with equipment such as the general's pole, punch bags, kicking dummies, weights, parallel bars, chin up bars, gymnastics rings, and much more. It is designed to provide serious kung fu students with all that they need. It is not at all a hotel gym!
Restaurant or kitchen serving healthy food cooked with medicinal herbs. Tea and coffee making facilities. Library, washing machines, and clotheslines. Wi-Fi good enough for video calls and to stream video. The retreat has a good stock of training equipment including weapons, focus mitts, kick shields, skipping ropes, and much more.
The kitchen, gardens, and orchards provide healthy, organic food which you collect and serve fresh. They specialize in growing herbs. Whilst they are not able to grow all of your own food - you support poor farmers in the hill tribe villages by buying food directly from them at market prices ensuring that they get a good income and you get the best quality food.
For most of Nam Yang Kung Fu Retreat guests, the food is one of the highlights of their stay. Quality food is essential for martial artists in hard training. Nam Yang Kung Fu Retreat has their own kitchen garden, herb garden, and fruit trees all of which are entirely organic. Nam Yang Kung Fu Retreat is now partially self-sufficient for fruit and vegetables. What they don’t grow by themselves, they will choose carefully usually from the local farmers' market or from people they know well.
The rice is bought from a rather remote hill tribe village in the mountains. By buying rice directly from poor ethnic minorities, they support their families. Nam Yang Kung Fu Retreat prepares local style food with an emphasis on the use of beneficial herbs to increase its value. Their diet is calculated to best support your kung fu training as they understand that you are what you eat.
Food prepared on site is as fresh, organic and healthy as possible and is usually delicious local Thai or Shan style, or occasionally Chinese or southern Thai style. Meals will start with one or two types of fruit and usually some salad. Nam Yang Kung Fu Retreat then typically serve two main dishes with rice. Most dishes are vegetarian but Nam Yang Kung Fu Retreat does serve meat. There will always be at least one vegan dish as part of each meal. Nam Yang Kung Fu Retreat will also try their best to cater for specialist diets.
Nam Yang Kung Fu Retreat supply breakfast daily and evening meals on training days. Drinking water is supplied free with meals and is available from the kitchen free of charge at any time for resident students. They also serve specialist teas two to four times a day. Either high-quality Chinese tea - something integrally connected with kung fu training - or herbal tea for health benefits.
The instructors eat in the dining area, together with the students, which is a testimony to the quality of the food and helps provide a good ethos for the school. Meal times are therefore ideal for discussing kung fu and asking questions. Almost any style of food can be purchased in Pai, (Italian, western, middle eastern, Chinese, Indian, and much more).
The local diet is based mainly around rice, meat, fresh-water fish, vegetables, fruit, and spices. Kindly note that seafood is relatively expensive in the mountains. Local fruit and vegetables are great, fresh, and very cheap.
Pai is a hub for adventure tourism. Most of the students hire a moped so as to get around and appreciate what the area has to offer. Moped hire is very cheap. Safety first is recommended when dealing with mopeds. There is a huge range of activities available locally, including:
There is a masseuse available on call who specializes in traditional Thai massage, herb massage, and oil massage. The cost of the massage is from 200 TBH per hour. Compared to prices in the West, this is ridiculously cheap!
Chiang Mai International Airport
88 km
Transfer available for additional US$ 108 per person
The best way to get to Nam Yang Kung Fu Retreat is to fly to Bangkok or to Chiang Mai. Chiang Mai is much nearer to the Kung Fu Retreat but Bangkok has more flights and is usually cheaper. There is an abundance of hotels, guest houses, etc. in Bangkok to suit all budgets, should you need to arrange an overnight stay.
If you are on a budget to get to Chiang Mai, we suggest flying to Bangkok and taking a train to Chiang Mai or a bus. Please be aware that trains in Thailand often run very late. The trains are very comfortable and afford great views of the Thai countryside. If you are on a very tight budget, you can go to Kao San Road in Bangkok and get an overnight coach for about 300 THB or so. This is the least comfortable way to travel. We recommend the flight, especially if you have not spent much time in Thailand before.
Once you are in Chiang Mai, you will need to get to Pai. You have a choice between taking a minibus, taxi or flight.
The minibus trip from Chiang Mai is about 150 THB and has awesome views. It takes about three and a half hours, most of which is spent on amazing winding roads through mountains the like of which you have probably never seen before. The views are breathtaking and the journey is an adventure in itself so we recommend that you travel during daylight. We suggest taking a minibus with the provider Prempracha Transport. To get there from the airport, simply take a taxi with a meter or a Tuk Tuk to Chiang Mai Arcade Bus Station. It should take 15 to 30 minutes depending on traffic and cost very little.
You can book your seat in advanced online and pick up your bus ticket once you arrive to the bus station. Once you arrive, if you didn’t book your seat in advanced, you will need to book on to the next available minibus.
Minibuses run between about 6.30 am and 5.30pm. If you arrive in Chiang Mai later than about 3:30 pm, you are likely to need to either stay overnight in Chiang Mai or get a taxi to the Kung Fu Retreat. If staying overnight, which is the cheapest option, we recommend that you still go to the Prempracha office when you arrive and book on to a minibus for the next day. Then look for a guesthouse. You should be able to get a nice room near the centre of Chiang Mai with fan for 400 to 500 THB. If in doubt, try looking on tripadvisor.
We can arrange for a taxi from Pai to come to the airport to meet you. Alternatively you could speak with drivers in the taxi rank outside the airport. Recently taxis have been charging about 4,200 THB for the trip. This does vary and will likely be higher if late at night or in December / January. If we arrange a taxi for you we will need to pay in advance so please do not pay the driver otherwise he will think that he has just got the best tip of his life and likely take a week off! If you do want to give a tip, 100 to 250 THB would be about right.
Wisdom Airlines has recently started providing flights from Chiang Mai to Pai for 1790 THB per flight for 1 person. Currently, you can book tickets in person, online, through a booking agency or by phone. We suggest doing this in person or through a booking agency though as sometimes the website does not always work. Wisdom Airlines is the only carrier that flies from Chiang Mai to Pai.
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