Songshan Shaolin Temple Wushu Academy

Songshan Shaolin Temple Wushu Academy is an international martial arts situated about as close as you can get to the actual Shaolin Temple. This makes the school an ideal choice for those who ultimately plan to visit the famous Songshan Shaolin temple during their stay in China.

The headmaster of the school Shi Yan Jun (Du Shifu) is the main martial arts master at the school. Du Shifu has a been teaching martial arts for more than a decade and has a lot of experience teaching international students. Master Du is renowned for being able to get his students to a high level quickly and efficiently.

Another significant member of the school management team is Andreea. Andreea is responsible for taking care of the day to day management of the school and well-being of the studnets. She provides the students with a reliable contact point for any issues, questions or help they might require during their time at the school.

Throughout the year the school runs various different training packages. These include the more intensive short-term and long-term training options. Weightloss & Meditation Camps (July-Sept), Rest & Rejuventation Camps (July-Sept). And Kung Fu holiday packages for families and adventure travelers (April-Oct). These various training options are arranged and handled in a way that is sensitive to the needs of the longer-term intensive training students and all training is tailored to the individuals needs, abilities, backgrounds and of course aims and objectives.

The Academy offers full board while you stay in China. Offering students 3 types of accommodation: BASIC, PREMIUM and PLATINUM. The BASIC accommodation is shared as well as the washing facility. Wi-Fi facility can be arranged in your room for 160rmb per month. For PREMIUM and PLATINUM you can opt for single occupancy for an addittional fee. PREMIUM and PLATINUM offers Wi-Fi, en suite bathroom and AC (the use of AC has an additional charge of 20rmb/day). PREMIUM category has twin rooms with a TV and kettle. PLATINUM category benefits from the choice of either a double bed or twin room.

For students who stay at the academy for at least one month, they will receive a certificate with the official academy stamp. In the certificate you will be written your grade from the examination. The Academy is certified by the Chinese Government and offers 3 types of certificates: Certificate of Completion of the Training, Degree Certificate and Master Certificate. The Master Certificate is stamped by the Shaolin Temple.

Overall the location and unique setting of this school close to the Shaolin Temple physically and also in terms of its set up provides students with a number of major benefits. Being so closely linked to the Shaolin Temple means that students get unique access to the actual Shaolin Temples facilities. Facilities such as the Temple itself, its suroundings and cultural sites, plus of course the meditation center, and traditional medicine and cultural centers.  

Shifu Shi Yan Jun is an Authentic 34th Generation Shaolin Warrior Monk of the Shaolin Temple as well as a 17th Generation Disciple of Mei Hua Quan. He is currently ranked in martial arts as a level 8 Master.

Shifu Shi Yan Jun he has spent more than 15 years teaching students who want to fulfill their Kung Fu dream from both China and the rest of the world. Shifu Yan Jun is the Founder and President of the Songshan Shaolin Traditional Wushu Academy in China and he is the main instructor of the school.

Master Sun has studied martial arts since chilhood begining with his father and later following local masters until the age of 17 when he joined the Chinese army. While in the army he learned self-defence techniques used in direct comabt and hard cardio training.

He has participated at many National competitons in Sanda with outstanding achievements. At 25 years old he started his journey in Tai Chi Quan, mostly Yang Style. And has been awarded gold medals for taichi.

His teaching career began in 1979. Other achievments include: Calligraphy competition prizes, first prize in traditional singing and charity performances. Master Sun has a distinguished lineage, is extremely talented in Tai Chi, Caligraphy, Canto, self-defense techniques, health and longevity practices, nutrition, buddhism, Chinese language and charity.

In addition to the above masters during peak times famous masters from the Shaolin Temple or other Warrior Monks will often teach at the school or assist during classes. This offers students a unique opportunity and also ensures that class sizes are small so students get the attention that they need.  

School Training runs from Monday to Friday and begins at 05:30 and finishes at 20:30. Half an hour is set aside for breakfast and a three and a half hour break is allocated for lunch. An outline of the daily training schedule for the Summer is given below. Please be aware however, class times will change slightly with the seasons and individual teaching plans that are dependent on the style of kung fu you train.

Master Shi Yan Jun (Du Shifu) - Qigong, Shaolin Spear, Shaolin Staff, Shaolin Sword, Shaolin Fists, and Sanda: Training is personally tailored to suit the students length of stay and what they would like to learn. Moving Qigong's, Taichi, stretching, fitness as well as forms practice and Sanda are all things that Du Shifu will teach.

Master Sun - Qigong, Yang Style Taichi, Caligraphy, Health and Longevity Practices, and Self-Defence: Training is again personally tailored to suit the students length of stay and what they would like to learn. 

The following are optional classes that students can attend to supplement their kungfu training.

 Optional Classes: 
• Buddhisim
• Mandarin Classes
• Calligraphy Classes
• Traditional Chinese Medicine - Tui'na & Accupunture

The Mandarin, Buddism, Calligraphy and TCM classes offer students a basic introduction to the subjects. They are not geared towards acheiving a qualification. With the Mandarin classes we advise all our students to bring or order a selection of basic Mandarin books to help provide the structure you will need to get the most out of your lessons. SMA will help you choose the right books and those who book through SMA will also get 400 usd worth of language learning and martial arts materials absoultely free as soon as they pay their application fee.

Short to Long-term Training Plans - The following training plans will give you some indication of what long term students are likely to learn.

1 week to 3 months: Shaolin Ji Ben Gong or Kung Fu Basics such as: kicks, basic jumps, improved flexibility, improved stamina and endurance. Long Term Students - kung fu training, shaolin kung fu, kung fu school, kung fu, martial arts instruction, China Tai Chi (24 Yang Style, Chen Style, Tai Chi Gun (stick), Tai Chi Jian (sword), Tai Chi Spear, Qi Gong (longevity & health care, body conditioning, break bricks with bare hands - Iron palm), Ba Duan Jin Qi Gong, Shaolin Forms (from one to 6) with their applications such as Wu Bu Quan, Shaolin Da Hong Qua & Shaolin Xiao Hong Quan, Tong Bei Quan, Palm Quan, Shaolin Luo Han Quan, Mei Hua Quan, Sanda (kicks, 2 person sparring), Weapons (straight sword or broadsword, whip, chain, Ba Gua (Eight Trigrams), Yin & Yang theories, Wu Xing (Five Elements theories), Basic Chinese Mandarin (basic conversation and writing), Calligraphy basics, Chinese Traditional Medicine basics (acupuncture, massage, the Gua Sha treatment, Tui Na), Chinese philosophy (Taoism, Buddhism, Confucianism), Basic knowledge of Kung Fu theory and history.  

4 months to one year: In addition to the above you will be able to learn more punching and kicking techniques including their applications, improved flexibility, Tai Chi and Qi Gong (increase your Qi and be able to break wood on your leg and arm without injury, break bricks with knee or elbow), learn Shaolin forms (6 to 15) with their applications in direct fighting, paired practice, animal forms (tiger, eagle, snake), advance weapons forms (spear, double spear, two-section staff, three-section staff, double sticks, double chains, whip, straight sword or broadsword, Damo & Fengmo staff, Shaolin 13 spear), fighting techniques and their application on street fighting, Mei Hua Quan (Hufa Fist, practice on high poles, Five- stance pole skills, 12 sets of sparring, 24 sets of grappling, kickboxing practice one against many, weapons specific to Mei Hua Quan) , Zhou Yi (The Theory of Changes) Ba Gua Zhang, Qin Na, Wing Chun, Xing Yi, medium level of Chinese Mandarin (conversation and writing), Calligraphy, Chinese Culture and philosophy.  

More than one year: In addition of the above you will increase your Qi level (break an iron bar over your head, hammering a nail into a wood with your hand, heal your injuries and illnesses, Fire gong, advanced iron and sand palms), learn more than 20 Shaolin forms with applications (Big Luo Han Quan, Pao Quan, Shaolin cross attack Quan, Free chosen art Quan, Shaolin Tai Zhu long routine Quan, Gong Li Quan, Shaolin Luo Han 18 hands, Taizu long fist and so on), animal forms (tiger, monkey. snake, crane, mantis, eagle, leopard and drunken style), weapons (double broadsword, double hooks, bull whip, double chain whip, southern staff including sword, Shaolin 3 section cudgel, Damo sword routine, Damo straight sword, Shaolin Spring & Autumn saber routine, 9 section intermediate iron-whip routine. pair practice, Drunken staff, Drunken straight sword, double broad sword, 7 star broadsword, Shaolin palm blossom sword, Shaolin 21 spear, Shaolin flying daggers, Shaolin rope dart, double whips and so on), hitting vital points, advanced breathing techniques, higher skilled routines of Quan (forms) and weapons, the essence of Shaolin Martial Arts (you will subdue your enemy with one hand), Mei Hua Quan ( 26 sets for sparring, 72 sets for grappling, usual weapons (such as Mei Hua halberd, Mei Hua big axe, Tigers head double hook, Mei Hua double straight sword, Mei Hua double hammer), unusual weapons (such as: double hook, hand-held halberd, body armor, big and small Luozi spear, big nunchuku, oil bottle spear, 3-section staff, small crutch), sparring with bare hands, you will achieve the Three Internal Coordination (neisanhe). These are coordination between mind and intention (Xin & Yi), intention and internal energy (Yi & Qi), internal energy and strength (qi and li). It is the higher stage of Mei Hua Quan in practical fight and will make your fist and footwork move too fast to be clearly seen in the fight. Constant advanced training will bring out all-around development of the Waidan and the Neidan and the practitioners of martial arts have reached the profound stage where internal energy and mind are unified. You will fight one to more than eight sparring with bare hands. One against group sparring with weapons such as falchion against three spears, Paipa staff against a group of staffs, Five-tiger ben against a group of long spears. This is the advanced level of Mei Hua Quan and will make you reach the most profound stage of theory and skills of Mei Hua Quan.  

Certification of completion: All students who complete their training at the school will be awarded an official school certificate for the time they have trained. You can even achieve a ranking in your Kung Fu if you train hard enough. The ranking system used by the Shaolin Temple has 9 levels and by training intensively and diligently for at least 3 years you can achieve a 4th level. This is the Duanwei System.  

Kung Fu Holiday Packages - In addition to the above the school also offers two different kung fu holiday packages. Click the link for further details of these great packages. Running from April to October. These All inclusive packages are specially tailored with a higher standard of accommodation, sightseeing and services.

Special Shaolin Health & Longevity Camps - The School Runs also from July to September a special weight loss camp and a relaxation and rejuvenation camp. For further details click the links below.

1. Weight loss & Meditation the Shaolin Way
2. Relaxation & Rejuvenation with Qigong and Meditation.