Annual Training Campout

Date: Mon, 12 September 2005

Sorry it’s been so long since I’ve gotten an email out.  My computer was in the shop for a week, then I had to play catch up, and so on.

Here’s a training tip that most of us don’t make nearly enough use of – from time to time make a point of training outside your usual workout environment.  It blows out the cobwebs, challenges you physically, and goes a long way toward keeping things interesting.

Having said that, I wanted to let you know I’m hosting my 16th Annual Training Camp.

The date is October 22nd & 23rd.  It will be at our traditional location in the Shenandoah area, about 1 hour west of Washington, D.C.  If you want to join us, you can fly into Dulles or National Airports.

We will bow in at 9 a.m. sharp on Saturday 10/22 and will train – with breaks for water, snacks, lunch – until around 4 p.m.  Then there will be a Black Sash demonstration and advanced rank testing for some students who are attempting Brown Sash and above.

All the training is outdoors on a hilltop with a view of the autumn colors for miles in all directions.

The curriculum this year will focus on Hsing I.  Specifically, Snake, Horse, and Monkey.  The fighting applications on these are very fast, hard, and smooth.  If you want to add Hsing I to your book of tricks, this is your chance.

We’ll also offer classes on Combat Tai Chi, and  Pushing Hands. Finally, anyone who wants to will have a chance to learn the complete Shaolin 2 Person Set “Tu Gi” (Sudden Attack).  This is a fast, powerful form that works legs, hammer fist strikes, takedowns and sweeps.

Saturday evening we’ll cookout over open fires and enjoy kicking back in lawn chairs.  Everyone needs to bring their own tent, gear, food, (beer/wine is allowed) etc. Sunday morning we’ll have one more class on Hsing I and we’ll bow out by 10 a.m. Expect to be back inside the beltway by noon.

Cost is:

$150 for non-school members, $120.00 if you pay by October 1st.

$75 for school members or their guests, $60 if you pay by October 1st.

To reserve your place you can use any major credit card by simply calling me at 703-920-9746.  Once you’ve registered, I’ll send you directions, the curriculum, a list of things to bring, and everything else you need to know.

The campout is a fun, safe, and very educational day and a half of training geared for adults.  The amount of training you get would cost you many times the amount charged if you learned all the material through seminars or tapes.  Plus the location is beautiful, and is one of the reasons people come back year after year.

The atmosphere is informal (it’s not a “boot camp”), safety is first, and everyone has a great time.  Everyone who comes to train is made to feel welcome.

Looking forward to seeing you there!

Rob LaPointe