DDA recently hosted our fifth annual martial arts training camp in Shanghai, Nov 20th – Nov 28th.
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This year we were joined again by old friends Ms. Evelyne Tissier from France, Ms. Sheila Gent and Mr. Kip Akram both from the UK, as well as several new friends, Mike Gentile from the USA, Ms. Anne Lund from Norway and Ms. Julia Paul from the UK.
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This year’s camp started with a welcome banquet on 19th November for the guests and masters attending the camp, giving everyone a chance to get to know one another at an informal gathering, where DDA President Rose Oliver presented the camp participants with their camp memento of a crystal cut-glass engraved trophy, to commemorate their attendance at the fifth annual camp.
This was followed by daily early morning training in the local park with Master Wang Ming Bo, as well as daily training with several of Shanghai’s top martial artists: DDA’s regular teachers Master Liu Ji Fa, Master Wu Mao Gui, Master Liu Hong Cai, Master Shou Guan Shun, Master Ren Gang and Dr Li Yong from the Conjoint Health Advisory Service.
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Saturday 20th November started with early morning qigong and basic foundation exercises in the park, followed by a day of sightseeing around Shanghai. First stopping at Jing An Temple, where the temple was celebrating a special festival. We all had a chance to mingle with the local populace, all gathering in the temple to wish for good health and prosperity and to pay homage.
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After visiting the temple, we repaired to the Casa Pepe Teahouse, Restaurant and Cultural Centre at No.284 An Fu Rd in Jing An District, where we shown around the beautiful teahouse, wine cellar, showrooms and grounds, after which we were treated to a wonderful Chinese Tea Ceremony on the 2nd floor’s tearoom overlooking the sumptuous garden full of mature cedar and elm trees.
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The tea master prepared a delicious array of Pu Er, Long Jing green tea and oolong for our delectation, explaining the different brewing and preparation methods for each of the teas, in addition to answering questions from the guests. Yvonne, the teahouse’s representative and host, whose English is perfect, translated the questions and responses and took excellent care of us during our visit.
The day ended with a home-cooked meal at Rose Oliver’s home, with Master Wang Ming Bo acting as culinary master-chief!
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The fun and cozy atmosphere contributed to the bonding and relaxed camaraderie between the group for the remainder of the camp.
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Sunday’s itinerary proceeded with training in the park with Master Shou Guan Shun and his group of students. The 2 hour session covered push hands, Xing-Yi walking lines and tendon stretching and joint opening foundation exercises.
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After training we visited Mr Lin Yu Hua’s home to view his priceless collection of Chinese antiques and porcelains, some of them dating back over a 1000 years, all in pristine “museum” quality, some of which Mr Lin kindly allowed us to handle, giving everyone a genuinely intimate experience of the beauties of China’s ancient heritage.
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The evening was dedicated to training in Tuina with a workshop on TCM with Dr. Li Yong, plus an open Q & A session.
Rose also presented Dr Li with his memento for 5 years service to DDA’s camps.
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Monday was a full day’s training with Master Shou Guan Shun in Yang Style Taiji and applications, plus integrating the applications into pushing hands practice.
Many of the participants were already familiar with Master Shou from previous camps and from his successful tour of the UK back in July this year.
In the evening Master Wang Ming Bo took the group through some meditation and qigong practices.
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The following two days were spent in Nanxun, the peaceful and picturesque canal town on the cusp of Zhejiang and Jiangsu province.
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Still undiscovered by tourists, unlike Zhu Jia Jiao and Zhou Zhuang, Nanxun still maintains it’s old traditional way of life, with residents washing their clothes in the river and little commercialism other than a few traditional local dishes eaten by the locals and some delicious food on offer in the restaurants, again frequented by the local populace.
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With tours of some of the ancient homes of some of the famous residents and scholars of the town, and a laid-back, guided boat tour down the canals, we all had a great chance to catch up on some rest and recuperation in the tranquil, peaceful setting of this beautiful town, far removed from the hustle and bustle of the big city.
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With Taiji practice in the clean, fresh air and languid backdrop of the river, plus the delightful antique furnishings of Mr. Li’s “Nanxun Guesthouse”, with antique wooden Chinese beds and furniture, it was a wonderful trip.
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Thursday 25th November was a full day’s training with Master Liu Ji Fa, focusing on Wu Style Dan Tian training, Wu Style Taiji form, pushing hands and the Wu Style 13 Push Hands Patterns. Master Liu’s inimitable style and sense of humour always makes his classes a joy to participate in and this year was no exception.
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The evening session featured Master Liu Hong Cai, working on Silk Reeling and the pushing hands energies of “Ward Off, Roll Back, Press and Push” with specific training exercises to understand and develop these powers.
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Friday was dedicated to Tong Bei with Master Wu Mao Gui, primarily working on Tong Bei’s single movement training exercises and walking lines, to train power release and integrated body power.
The afternoon session worked on a few moves from the first Tong Bei form to give the students a taste of how Tong Bei’s power and application rationale is used in sparring and combat.
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Master Wu’s patient and exact teaching was much appreciated as always, and his crisp clean Fa Jing power discharge demonstrations are always a delight to behold, even when one is on the receiving end of a short demo of the application!
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The evening seminar was held by Master Ren Gang, who delivered a lecture on Taiji philosophy, the underlying concepts of “Wu Ji, Yin and Yang, Four Ounces Deflects a Thousand Pounds and A Fly Can’t Land and a Feather Can’t Touch” from Wang Zhong Yue’s classic treatises. Following the lecture Master Ren was also presented with his 5th annual DDA Camp memento.
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Saturday 27th started with a very enjoyable early morning Qigong session with Master Liu Hong Cai in the local park, followed by a day of shopping and sightseeing around Shanghai’s Yu Gardens and the Wushu Academy and martial arts supply shop.
The day ended with another meditation session and camp revue with Master Wang Ming Bo and Rose Oliver.
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The last day of camp, Sunday 28th November ended with an informal gathering and performance by all the camp masters, camp participants and a few guests, including new DDA Ba Gua teacher, Master Chen An Tian, a regular performer at previous DDA Masters Performances; followed by a closing ceremony and banquet lunch.
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The 25 guests enjoyed another delicious dinner at the Hong Rui Xin Restaurant on Mei Ling Nan Road, mixing sparkling conversations and fun, allowing the mixture of international and domestic guests the chance to share each other’s company, enjoy a relaxing and friendly atmosphere and savour the wonderful experience of the 9-day camp.
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The participants were all presented with their camp certificates, signed by all the masters and Rose; plus a calligraphy scroll by Master Wang Ming Bo’s father, all featuring Taiji postures from the form.
The masters were also awarded their 5 year DDA camp mementos, as a thank you gift from DDA founder Rose Oliver, for all their help and continued support over the last five years.
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A wonderful time was had by all at the camp and at the performance on 28th; thank you again to all the participants for supporting our 5th annual camp this year and my sincere gratitude to all the masters and many friends who helped make this year’s camp such a success and who continue to offer their unwavering support, guidance and friendship in DDA’s endeavours.
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We look forward to seeing everyone at our 6th annual camp. In the meantime best wishes to everybody in their training and we wish you all good health, happiness and fun in Taiji!