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Spend an active afternoon learning Shaolin Kung Fu, qigong and weapons basics in the mountains of northern Thailand. This three-hour session combines skill-focused drills, breathwork and a garden-to-table dinner to finish.
Spend an active afternoon learning Shaolin Kung Fu, qigong and weapons basics in the mountains of northern Thailand. This three-hour session combines skill-focused drills, breathwork and a garden-to-table dinner to finish.
The late-afternoon sun presses warm into the training yard as a mixed group of beginners and experienced practitioners fold into low stances. You feel the ground beneath you—packed dirt, probably years of footwork and ritual—and the air carries the scent of lemongrass and wood smoke from nearby kitchens.
Verified experiences and guided adventures in the surrounding area.
Operated by Nam Yang Kung Fu Retreat Day Courses · Chiang Mai, Chiang Mai Province
The late-afternoon sun presses warm into the training yard as a mixed group of beginners and experienced practitioners fold into low stances. You feel the ground beneath you—packed dirt, probably years of footwork and ritual—and the air carries the scent of lemongrass and wood smoke from nearby kitchens.
This program brings elements of Chinese Shaolin Kung Fu, qigong (chi kung), and meditation into a modern wellness retreat set in the mountains of northern Thailand. Shaolin techniques trace back centuries to the Shaolin Temple in China; here the forms are simplified for newcomers while still referencing traditional stances and weapons work. Northern Thailand’s geology—steep ridges, river valleys, and pockets of mixed teak and bamboo forest—creates a quiet backdrop that favors focused practice and recovery. The local culture leans Lanna: measured, hospitable and food-forward, which shows in the retreat’s kitchen gardens and evening meals.
Practical guidance: arrive 5–10 minutes early for warm-ups; classes run about three hours and end with dinner. Expect basic calisthenics, stance drills, striking and, on set days, weapons training or breaking techniques. Instructors tailor progressions for varied fitness levels, so disclose injuries or mobility limits ahead of time. Bring a reusable water bottle, light layers for sweat and cool mountain evenings, and training shoes or barefoot-friendly mats. Be prepared for hands-on correction and a steady, repetitive cadence—this is skill work as much as cardio.
The experience balances physical conditioning, breath work, and a communal pace—ideal for travellers seeking active learning with restorative surroundings.
moderate.
3 hours.
Suitable for people with a moderate fitness base—ability to squat, lunge, and perform bodyweight movements comfortably is helpful.
No—most students are beginners and instructors provide progressions; tell them your experience so you can be guided appropriately.
Yes—dinner is served after class with standard, vegetarian and vegan options; meat is served on select days per the program note.
Provide any mobility restrictions, recent injuries, or pregnancy at booking or arrival so instructors can modify drills.
The program accepts a range of ages—check booking requirements for specific age bands and disclose if booking for minors.
The training borrows core practices from traditional Shaolin systems while being adapted at the retreat since its opening in 2008 to suit international guests.
The retreat emphasizes low-impact living—on-site gardens, filtered tap water, and reduced single-use plastics—so bring a reusable bottle and minimal disposable gear.
Nam Yang Kung Fu Retreat Day Courses operates guided outdoor trips and adventures with an emphasis on safety, stewardship, and memorable experiences.
The late-afternoon sun presses warm into the training yard as a mixed group of beginners and experienced practitioners fold into low stances. You feel the ground beneath you—packed dirt, probably years of footwork and ritual—and the air carries the scent of lemongrass and wood smoke from nearby kitchens.
The late-afternoon sun presses warm into the training yard as a mixed group of beginners and experienced practitioners fold into low stances. You feel the ground beneath you—packed dirt, probably years of footwork and ritual—and the air carries the scent of lemongrass and wood smoke from nearby kitchens.
This program brings elements of Chinese Shaolin Kung Fu, qigong (chi kung), and meditation into a modern wellness retreat set in the mountains of northern Thailand. Shaolin techniques trace back centuries to the Shaolin Temple in China; here the forms are simplified for newcomers while still referencing traditional stances and weapons work. Northern Thailand’s geology—steep ridges, river valleys, and pockets of mixed teak and bamboo forest—creates a quiet backdrop that favors focused practice and recovery. The local culture leans Lanna: measured, hospitable and food-forward, which shows in the retreat’s kitchen gardens and evening meals.
Practical guidance: arrive 5–10 minutes early for warm-ups; classes run about three hours and end with dinner. Expect basic calisthenics, stance drills, striking and, on set days, weapons training or breaking techniques. Instructors tailor progressions for varied fitness levels, so disclose injuries or mobility limits ahead of time. Bring a reusable water bottle, light layers for sweat and cool mountain evenings, and training shoes or barefoot-friendly mats. Be prepared for hands-on correction and a steady, repetitive cadence—this is skill work as much as cardio.
The experience balances physical conditioning, breath work, and a communal pace—ideal for travellers seeking active learning with restorative surroundings.