Sam Sutcliffe

British, October 2, 2010—August 2, 2011. Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Admitedly there will be days when you can’t face training, if you can learn to push through this i think you will truly experience training the Chinese way.

I had never studied martial arts before arriving at Mailing Shan, with that in mind i was rather worried that everyone there would be well above me and i would learn far slower than anyone else. This however was not true at all, the masters teach you at a pace that you can deal with no matter your skill or how fast you pick something up. 

Life quickly settles into routine when you arrive at Mailing Shan, you get up, you train, you rest, then repeat. I think this needs to be understood before coming to Mailing Shan, as a western cultured person it is a difficult concept to get used to, back home if you train or go to the gym you can stop whenever you please and often will not reach your potential as your mind tells you that you have had enough...The training experience in China is MUCH harder, but I believe that why you are looking here... Admitedly there will be days when you cant face training, if you can learn to push through this i think you will truly experience training the Chinese way. You will also be absurdly proud of yourself for doing what very few people get to do, Train with shaolin masters!

The Masters and the school itself are fantastic! you are surrounded by people who are all interested in training, all ready to help and you have no other concerns or worries, in my mind the perfect way to train. The conditions are nothing like what you would be used to at home, but it is part of the training, I have to say one thing i noticed when i got home is how much more patience resolve and confidence i have in myself, i can always look back and say, "after i pushed myself through that, what is this in comparision..." a good little motivational motto due to my time in China.

Finally i wish to say to anyone who is interested in training in China, No matter how long you come to train for i hope you enjoy it as much as i did and that if you need to know anything about the lifestyle or and questions in general on what happens while you are there, email me i will happily help all I can.