Powerfully Fit men’s Retreat

10 Day All-Inclusive

Live, eat and train like a Warrior Monk in this fully-immersive Men’s fitness retreat.
Learn the centuries old methods for developing lasting strength and power.

DEC 6, 2020 - DEC 15, 2020

Book by OCT 21, 2020

Harness the power and discipline of Shaolin Kung Fu to reach your fitness goals.

Awaken Your Inner Shaolin Warrior

For: Men, All levels of ability

Harness the power of Traditional, World Class Shaolin Kung Fu Training while experiencing the culture of China through the unique lens of the Shaolin Monastic Lifestyle.

In our 10 Day Powerfully Fit Men’s Retreat, you will live, eat and most importantly train like a Shaolin Warrior. We invite Men, 18 years and older, of all skill levels (including no experience at all!) to this fully immersive retreat. Training under Shifu Shi Yan Jun, 34th Generation Shaolin Warrior Monk and Head Master of the SWTC, you will develop the skills and discipline that build lasting physical and mental strength.

Join others like you on the journey to becoming Powerfully Fit!

Retreat Activities

As the only Training Center granted the honor of operating within the grounds of an active Shaolin Temple, ALL SWTC retreats include benefits of temple stay; temple accommodations, daily Buddhist ceremonies, 3 high-nutrition vegetarian meals a day, and access to the thousand-year-old architecture.

Kung Fu Training

Fundamentals
Stances
Flexibility
Basic Self Defense Techniques

Internal Martial Arts

Training
Meditation
Soft Qi Gong
Hard Qi Gong

Styles

Sanda Boxing/Techniques
Meihua Quan
Meihua Poles
Power Stretching
Power Training

Traditional Chinese Medicine

You’ll learn the benefits of Traditional Chinese Medicine including simple and accessible practices anyone can do at home.

Yin & Yang of Nutrition
Internal Organ Health
Meridians, Acupressure, and Moxibustion
Detoxing through Feet
- Footbath
Chinese Tea as Medicine
- Tea Ceremony
Shaolin Medicine
- Patches

Option to Participate in daily Buddhist Ceremony with Temple Monks
Excursion to Dian Ancient Town Hot Springs
Overnight Health Spa Experience
Dinner, Breakfast
Free time for sightseeing, shopping, etc.

Optional Add on Excursions:
Guided Kunming Tour, Visit UNESCO site Stone Forest

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival Day

Transportation from Airport to Temple via Scheduled Shuttle*
Registration at Temple, Room Assignments and Orientation
Welcome Dinner
INCLUDED: Dinner, off-grounds

Day 2:

Kung Fu Training Session 1: Kung Fu Basics
Traditional Chinese Medicine Session 1: Nutrition
Kung Fu Training Session 2: Sanda Boxing
Optional: Buddhist Ceremony (Morning & Evening)
Optional: Sitting Meditation, Medical QiGong
INCLUDED: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner at Temple

Day 3:

Kung Fu Training Session 3: Power Stretching, Basics cont.
Traditional Chinese Medicine Session 2: Nutrition cont.
Kung Fu Training Session 4: Sanda Boxing cont.
Optional: Buddhist Ceremony (Morning & Evening)
Optional: Sitting Meditation, Medical QiGong
INCLUDED: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner at Temple

Day 4:

Kung Fu Training Session 5: Hard Qi Gong, Basics cont.
Traditional Chinese Medicine Session 3: Nutrition cont.
Kung Fu Training Session 6: Meihua Quan
Optional: Buddhist Ceremony (Morning & Evening)
Optional: Sitting Meditation, Medical QiGong
INCLUDED: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner at Temple

Day 5:

Kung Fu Training Session 7: Sanda Techniques
Traditional Chinese Medicine Session 4: Understanding Your Channels of Qi & Application
Kung Fu Training Session 8: Mei Hua Poles
Optional: Buddhist Ceremony (Morning & Evening)
Optional: Sitting Meditation, Medical QiGong
INCLUDED: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner at Temple

Day 6:

Kung Fu Training Session 9: Kung Fu Basics cont.
Traditional Chinese Medicine Session 5: The History & Purpose of Tea
Kung Fu Training Session 10: Power Training
Optional: Buddhist Ceremony (Morning & Evening)
Optional: Sitting Meditation, Medical QiGong
INCLUDED: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner at Temple

Day 7: FREE DAY, Leave for Excursion

FREE DAY. Explore the local surroundings or the beautiful temple grounds at your leisure or take a day of rest.
Leave for Overnight Excursion
Optional: Buddhist Ceremony (Morning & Evening)
INCLUDED: Breakfast, Lunch at Temple. Dinner off-grounds.

Day 8: Return from Excursion, FREE DAY

Return from Overnight Excursion to Dian Ancient Town Hot Springs
Optional: Buddhist Ceremony (Morning)
INCLUDED: Breakfast off-grounds. Lunch & Dinner at Temple.

Day 9:

Kung Fu Training Session 11: Kung Fu Basics cont.
Traditional Chinese Medicine Session 6: Bringing Your Health Home
Graduation
Farewell Dinner
INCLUDED: Breakfast, Lunch at Temple. Dinner off-grounds.

Day 10: Farewell

Check Out
Transportation to Airport from Temple via Scheduled Shuttle*
Optional: Buddhist Ceremony (Morning)
INCLUDED: Breakfast, Lunch at Temple.

*Provided Transportation to and from Kunming International Airport via our Shuttle service is only available at scheduled times (3PM on Day 1 Arrival and 1PM on Day 10 Departure). You are responsible for arranging other means of transport to and from the Airport if your travel times do not align with the provided shuttle service. You are required to give advanced notice if you will be making alternative transfer arrangements.

what's included

Temple Accommodations
3 Daily Vegetarian Meals
11 Kung Fu Training Sessions
6 Traditional Chinese Medicine Sessions
Daily Optional Temple Activities
1 Overnight Excursion (transportation, entrance and guide)
Scheduled Airport Transfers (arrival and departure)
Welcome Dinner
Farewell Dinner
Official Shaolin Gray Uniform
Official Shaolin T-shirt

NOT INCLUDED:

Alternative Airport transportation
Airfare
Visa
Alternative Accommodation (local hotel)
Off-grounds Meals (unless otherwise noted)

Accomodations

You can choose between our shared monk rooms and single monk rooms.

Shared Monk Rooms will be separated by male and female students. You will not be permitted inside the shared room of the opposite sex.

Single Monk Rooms. We also offer single monk rooms. These rooms have limited availability, so if you wish to secure your spot in one of these rooms, you’ll need to book well in advance of your stay. Single Monk Rooms are non-refundable, non-transferable and can not be rescheduled once booked and reserved. No Exceptions.

During your stay, you will also have access to WiFi, a laundry area, two automatic washing machines, and a shared washing facility.

Items such as: bedding, towels, and linens are included in your registration fee. You’ll be responsible for providing your own toiletries, washing powders, extra blankets, etc.

Alternative Accommodations are available via local hotel at your own additional cost. The hotel is in close proximity (about 3 minutes walking distance) to the temple. Please, inform us at time of booking if you are interested in hotel accommodations.

Your Dining Experience

All meals will be served in the dining hall with the Shaolin monks. You will be expected to follow their eating habits and etiquette. Meals will occur at set times each day; 7am, 12am, and 6pm. The monks do not talk during meal times, and students will be expected to follow the same observations.

All meals are vegetarian, and can be adapted to different dietary needs and expectations. Please, inform us of any dietary restrictions and requirements at time of booking.

About the Temple

We are the only training center that operates within the walls of an active Chinese Temple. You’ll train, eat, sleep, and meditate alongside the Shaolin Temple monks. Comprised of 4 Temples, some of the architecture in the complex is over a thousand years old. During your stay we encourage you to explore the temple grounds (respectfully of course) and participate in the optional Buddhist activities.

About Kunming

The Temple complex is located in the city of Kunming, the City of Eternal Spring. Located at the edge of the Lake Dian, Kunming enjoys wonderful weather year round, as its name suggests. The city is surrounded by other local temples, limestone landscapes and lakes. Take the opportunity on your FREE DAY to venture off temple grounds and visit the sights of this gorgeous city.

Your Temple Life: Building a temple to take home

During your retreat, you’ll train, sleep, eat and generally live like a monk. This will include learning and upholding the Temple’s religious and cultural practices (at least while on Temple grounds and while in your uniform or tshirt). Don’t worry! Retreat attendees will receive a packet with guidance on this, and our staff will be there to remind you. It’s a very integral part of the overall experience of any stay at the Temple.

You’ll learn things like bowing and greeting protocols toward the monks and each other, taking respectful postures in the vicinity of Buddha (and other statues), dining etiquette, and more. You’ll also be taught the importance and meaning of presenting yourself modestly on Temple grounds (in dress and action) and how your Temple garment (the provided gray uniform) encourages self-worth, sameness and connection between you and other guests of the Temple. Finally, you’ll learn why residents and guests of the Temple do not partake in alcohol, meat, cigarettes, sexual acts, or public displays of affection within the complex (or outside in uniform or temple tshirt).

Through adhering to these practices first-hand for the duration of your retreat, you’ll come to understand their healing and purifying benefits, the value of mutually respecting your body and those of others, and the discipline the Temple monks have committed themselves to for centuries.

Following these rules may be challenging for our foreign visitors, but be assured they are part of the journey. And though it may be different from what you’re used to, they play a large part in the growth you’ll be experiencing physically, mentally and spiritually on the retreat. These practices are centered in staying healthy, diligent and respectful of humanity – including yourself.

Even after you leave China, you’ll forever live in the temple of your body and mind. We hope this ideal is something you’ll take with you no matter how far your journey home.

Through adhering to these practices first hand for the duration of your retreat, you’ll come to understand their healing and purifying benefits, the value of mutually respecting your body and those of others, and the discipline the Temple monks have committed themselves to for centuries.

Faqs

Do I need a VISA?
Yes, travel to China requires a VISA, unless traveling from exempt countries such as Singapore, Hong Kong, and Taiwan.

What Visa do I need?
For a 10 day visit you will require a Tourist visa L type.

Do I need an invitation Letter?
Yes. The Temple will issue you a formal tourism invitation letter upon Booking and receiving your non-refundable deposit.

How do I get to the Temple?
There will be organized a pick up from the airport at 3 pm on Sunday, the day before the retreat will start.

What Airport should I arrange travel to?
Kunming Changshui International Airport

Can I arrive by Train or Bus?
Those traveling from neighboring countries can travel by train or bus, but are responsible for their transport to the temple from their respective bus terminals or train stations.

Do I need travel insurance?
We strongly recommend buying comprehensive travel insurance prior to your retreat.

I see meals are vegetarian, can I bring my own meat-based foods?
No. We live inside a Buddhist Temple where the monks maintain a 100% vegetarian diet. Meat products are strictly prohibited on the Temple grounds.

Can you accommodate food allergies, intolerance and/or sensitivities?
Yes, we can accommodate some food restrictions. Please inform us of your special circumstances in advance so we can verify if your particular request can be accommodated.
We can usually accommodate most types of dietary requirements. Please submit an inquiry here for official confirmation.

How do I sign up?
Click the sign-up button. 🙂

What if I have a question?
Send us an email. info@shaolintemple.com

What happens if I get sick/injured?
A translator can accompany you to a local medical facility or hospital. For minor injuries or ailments, the temple can provide basic aid and recovery information.

Does the Temple provide us medicine?
The Temple does not provide specialized medical support. For medical issues, we advise consulting a specialist.

Does the Temple cover me for medical expenses?
The Temple does not cover medical expenses. You are strongly advised to buy comprehensive travel and medical insurance before the retreat begins. You are solely responsible for medical expenses incurred during the retreat.

Can I use the internet?
In China, there are internet restrictions. If you wish to visit websites such as Google, Facebook, YouTube purchase VPN software, install and test it prior to traveling to China. Yes, VPN software is also required to access these sites on mobile, but most services provide for both laptop and mobile platforms.

Can I take photos inside the Temple during my stay?
Yes, you can. You are not restricted from taking photos during your time at the temple. Photos will be taken by staff during training and will be shared at departure.

What happens if I book and then can’t go?
Your 50% deposit is non-refundable and will serve as your cancellation fee. If you cancel more than 60 days prior to the start date of the retreat, you can be partially refunded for the remainder of your payments. Cancellation after 60 days, unfortunately is a forfeiture of all funds paid. However, you are welcome to transfer your balance to sign up for a retreat (held within a year of cancellation) that you ARE able to attend. The full details of payments and cancellation can be found in the terms and conditions of our retreats.

Do I need to speak Mandarin?
You are not required to speak Mandarin. The group will have an assigned translator on site.

What is the weather like?
Kunming is known as a city of perpetual spring, and generally has mild temperatures year round. However, we encourage all attendees to check weather conditions online closer to the date of the retreat in order to get a more accurate idea of what it will be like during the retreat. This is especially recommended for those who are very sensitive to temperature/weather conditions or are traveling from countries with drastically different conditions.

What do I need to bring?
Please bring a Bathing suit, Shower slippers, Toiletries, a Water bottle (for daily use), any Prescription Medicines, Medicine for flu/stomach issues, Sun protection, Mosquitoes protection, Umbrella.

Here's how it works.

Retreats are paid in two parts.

Non-refundable Deposit – Make a 50% non-refundable deposit to save your spot.
Final Payment – Your final payment of the remaining balance is due no later than 45 days before the retreat start date.

After completing the Booking Form, you’ll receive an email containing information on making your deposit. From there, you’ll be guided through the process of getting your Letter of Invitation from us.