The Facilities

Training Grounds

• Outdoor training area
  Sized 8m x 18m. The training areas are sometimes used for private tuitions but usually are available for personal practice.
• Roofed training areas
  Cleverly designed with roofs but no walls so that fresh air constantly blows through and keeps the temperatures down. These areas are ideal when the sun is hot or rain is falling. One is 14x14m, the other 12x12m. Both have stunning mountain views. The larger one is located under a Bodhi tree (Buddha tree) which gives a very calm, profound energy.

Kung Fu Gym

This is a specialist Kung Fu / martial arts gym designed to provide the facilities that serious training demands. It is split into 3 sections, offering a mix of old style kung fu equipment seldom seen now and more modern equipment which we think is beneficial.

Section 1 is an open training area containing the following:

• General's Poles:
  Bamboo or wooden poles for training arm and leg techniques and toughening the body – especially the wrists. Considered essential by many of the old masters but usually ignored today because difficult to set up. We are very proud to have these.
• Tyre Dummies:
  Another difficult piece of equipment to set up but one of the best for training direct kicks like the front thrust, side thrust and back thrust. Both power and technique are needed to make the tyre buckle. Feel welcome to kick these as hard as you like – that is what they are made for!
• Punch Bags:
  We have five heavy bags and one light bag. All are of different designs and are suited to slightly different training methods. Hung and filed to professional standards.
• Weights:
  Although the use of weights is controversial in martial arts we do have a small weights set and bench. Good for use by martial artists, not intended for serious bodybuilders.
• Parallel bars, chin up bars, stretching bar and gymnastic rings:
  All of these are great for bodyweight training (callisthenics) which we think is ideal as part of a Kung Fu training regime since it emphasises strength and tendon development over muscle size.
• Sandbags:
  A must in any credible Kung Fu school. Canvass bags filled with sand for iron fist training.

Section 2 is a matted training area equipped with 2cm jigsaw mats* Section 3 is a hard floor training area with punching bags and wooden poles (Mei Hua Chong) for balance, stepping, etc.

Meditation / Prayer Room

The central point in the Retreat. This is where we have our altar to the Buddha as well as the principle Kung Fu deities Kwan Kung (the Chinese God who is the patron of Kung Fu and sworn brotherhoods) and Bodhidharma, (Tat Moh) the monk who founded the Shaolin tradition. Occasionally used for ceremonies it is usually available for quiet prayer, meditation and contemplation. It has a very unique, charged atmosphere. Respectful behaviour, please.

Tree House

Built into a huge, living teak tree in such a way as not to damage the tree but rather to harmonise with it. We love it! A great place to meditate, exercise, relax with a book or just admire the views.

Weapons Room

No Kung Fu school is complete without weapons! Although they are not as important a method of defence as in days gone past training with weapons is a great way to develop strength, stability, coordination and confidence. Perhaps, more importantly, it is fun! Few people fail to feel a thrill of excitement when they first enter the weapons room.

Other Features

• Giant statue of Bodhidharma:
  Bodhidharma is considered the founder of Shaolin Kung Fu as well as Chan (Zen) Buddhism and is credited with introducing both shoes and, very importantly, tea into China.
• Dining:
  We have a large dining area where we prepare food and teas which we consider best compliment our training. We specialise in the use of beneficial herbs. Meals are a social time when students and teachers eat together and talk. The Kitchen is not available for use due to safety and hygeine.
• Gardens, turtle ponds, and turtoise gardens:
  We have a number of gardens and an orchard where we grow fruit, vegetables, herbs and coffee. You will be very welcome to walk around them and maybe sit down to meditate, relax or read. However, while Turoutses have nothing to do with Kung Fu training, they are still fascinating to sit and watch our pets while relaxing between training sessions!
• Tea table:
  Chinese tea and Kung Fu are inseparable! Our tea table serves as a focus for discussion of Kung Fu theory, ethos, tradition, philosophy, culture, history and values. We have a good selection of teas and are constantly experimenting with different ones.
• Smoking area:
  Although we do not encourage smoking, we realise that for some it is a necessity so we have a special smoking building far enough away from the rest of the buildings not to interfere with others. It is roofed with a light for night times but not walled so as to facilitate views and fresh air.
• Washing machines:
  We have two coin-operated washing machines that cost 30 Baht which will take care of laundry. We also have washing lines for drying clothes.