Nam Yang Kung Fu Retreat Day Courses
Nam Yang Kung Fu Retreat Day Courses
5
About
5 minutes from Pai, we are a Kung Fu training centre with first-class facilities, a peaceful jungle location and great mountain views. Learn Kung Fu, Chi Kung, self-defense and meditation from two-time World Champion Iain Armstrong and his team of friendly instructors. We also grow and serve fresh organic food and provide comfortable accommodation. Whether you're an experienced martial artist or a beginner, a stay with us will boost your confidence, fitness, mental clarity and general well-being. If you have ever dreamed of learning the ancient art of kung fu amongst remote, forested mountains in the wilds of Asia, this is your chance! What is your kung fu dream? What is stopping you?
Duration: More than 3 hours
Suggest edits to improve what we show.
Improve this listingTours & experiences
Explore different ways to experience this place.
Full view
What is Travellers’ Choice?
Tripadvisor gives a Travellers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travellers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Top ways to experience Nam Yang Kung Fu Retreat Day Courses and nearby attractions
The area
Address
Reach out directly
Best nearby
Restaurants
153 within 5 kms
Attractions
24 within 10 kms
Contribute
Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
5.0
175 reviews
Excellent
166
Very good
2
Average
1
Poor
1
Terrible
5
Ocean
Brisbane, Australia4 contributions
Nov 2023 • Friends
I have just completed the 200 hour Qigong Instructor training course at Nam Yang Kung Fu retreat and it has been one of the best courses I have ever attended. The instructors who delivered the course were very professional, friendly and knowledgeable and no question was left unanswered. Personal attention was given to each of us to assist in fine tuning our practices. I arrived a bit overweight and thanks to the physical classes, I am now fit and toned and feeling very strong. The meditation classes were fantastic and have taken me deeper than I have ever gone previously. The schedule is structured so you have plenty of time to practice the routines in between classes. Master Iain has created a beautiful safe space here to learn and grow. If you are thinking about taking this course, I highly recommend it. Your life will be positively changed forever.
Written 28 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Iain A
We really appreciate your positive words and look forward to welcoming you back soon Ocean, Iain. 🙏🏻
Written 29 November 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Meander63369930435
2 contributions
Nov 2023 • Solo
Just completed the 4 week Qigong teacher training at Nam Yang and it was a truly life changing experience! The course itself was really in depth and covered so many topics and the teachers were so professional and passionate about their subjects.
The teaching quality was excellent - the knowledge and experience of the teachers was evident from day 1 and I have learned soooo much over the 4 weeks. Overall I was really impressed by the course structure and content. It was hard work, but so enjoyable and I felt like I have learnt as much as I possibly could in 4 weeks!
The place itself is stunning - you feel as though you're in the middle of nowhere, being surrounded by rolling hills and beautiful views, but actually it's only a 10 minute scooter ride away from Pai town, where there are loads of restaurants, shops and cafes, so the location is ideal. The accommodation at the retreat is simple, but to a good standard, and is well maintained. The food is great and it's lovely how everyone eats together, so there's a real community feel :)
I already miss my Nam Yang family, but hopefully I'll return in the not so far future.
Thank you so much Master Iain and all of the Nam Yang team for such an awesome 4 weeks, and now I'm a qualified Qigong teacher (!) and can't wait to put all my new knowledge and skills into practice :) 👌
The teaching quality was excellent - the knowledge and experience of the teachers was evident from day 1 and I have learned soooo much over the 4 weeks. Overall I was really impressed by the course structure and content. It was hard work, but so enjoyable and I felt like I have learnt as much as I possibly could in 4 weeks!
The place itself is stunning - you feel as though you're in the middle of nowhere, being surrounded by rolling hills and beautiful views, but actually it's only a 10 minute scooter ride away from Pai town, where there are loads of restaurants, shops and cafes, so the location is ideal. The accommodation at the retreat is simple, but to a good standard, and is well maintained. The food is great and it's lovely how everyone eats together, so there's a real community feel :)
I already miss my Nam Yang family, but hopefully I'll return in the not so far future.
Thank you so much Master Iain and all of the Nam Yang team for such an awesome 4 weeks, and now I'm a qualified Qigong teacher (!) and can't wait to put all my new knowledge and skills into practice :) 👌
Written 27 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Iain A
My most sincere thanks for your kind words. I look forward to hearing about your progress as a teacher Laura, Iain.
Written 29 November 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Jenny D
Broome, Australia12 contributions
Nov 2023 • Friends
We travelled from Australia to do our 200 hr QiGong ( Chi Kung) Teacher training course & have enjoyed every minute. The retreat is situated in a most beautiful part of Thailand & the course was extremely comprehensive being taught by some fabulously experienced teachers lead by Master Iain Armstrong. The teachers are passionate about their skills & teach with enthusiasm & expertise. We have just finished our 4week intensive course & are leaving very satisfied & much more confident & enthused to share & teach our QiGong experience back home in Australia. I was most impressed with Master Iain being so hands on with our course, very professional & encouraging which truly enhanced our time at Nam Yang Kung Fu/ QiGong retreat.
Written 23 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Iain A
Thanks so much for your positive words. I am really glad that we were able to give you such a positive experience Jenny, Iain. 🙏🏻
Written 29 November 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
stefano a
2 contributions
Jun 2023 • Solo
I spent 4 weeks in Nam Yang, participating in QiGong classes and KungFu training. It is a beautiful place, a sanctuary in the middle of the Thai mountains. I was there at the beginning of the rainy season and everything was lush and green. The location is great, you are in the middle of nature, only seeing hills and trees around you. However, the vibrant village of Pai is only 10min on a scooter (or a nice 40-min walk) and you can experience shopping, parties, and all types of food and events.
I appreciated that Mater Iain was very involved in classes and teaching students personally. He gave master classes, met us every morning for tea, and took time to get to know the students, where do they come from, what they wish to achieve, etc. It was a life-changing experience to learn from Master Iain, who has so much wisdom to share. Other teachers are also great, each of them has their own approach, but they are all very experienced and knowledgeable, teaching and practicing for years. I felt very lucky to learn from each of them. Our group was also a mixture of people from different backgrounds and parts of the world which brought different perspectives and interesting stories.
The food is simple but good and healthy, the accommodation is also simple, but just as in the pictures and was sufficient enough for my needs. The website has all the information and example schedule so looking there, I was expecting that my QiGong training will also include meditation and voluntary Kung fu and I was glad to be able to try all of it.
I enjoyed my time in Namy Yang because I have learned not only about Qigong and Kung Fu but also some important life lessons. I think it's great that you can take any approach that fits you, train hard and get grading, you can take it slow and focus on inner work, you can enjoy social life and culture in Pai, but you can also make it a spiritual trip and stay in the school with quiet and nature surrounding you. I hope I will get to come back for visit soon because after the month the place somehow became my home.:)
I appreciated that Mater Iain was very involved in classes and teaching students personally. He gave master classes, met us every morning for tea, and took time to get to know the students, where do they come from, what they wish to achieve, etc. It was a life-changing experience to learn from Master Iain, who has so much wisdom to share. Other teachers are also great, each of them has their own approach, but they are all very experienced and knowledgeable, teaching and practicing for years. I felt very lucky to learn from each of them. Our group was also a mixture of people from different backgrounds and parts of the world which brought different perspectives and interesting stories.
The food is simple but good and healthy, the accommodation is also simple, but just as in the pictures and was sufficient enough for my needs. The website has all the information and example schedule so looking there, I was expecting that my QiGong training will also include meditation and voluntary Kung fu and I was glad to be able to try all of it.
I enjoyed my time in Namy Yang because I have learned not only about Qigong and Kung Fu but also some important life lessons. I think it's great that you can take any approach that fits you, train hard and get grading, you can take it slow and focus on inner work, you can enjoy social life and culture in Pai, but you can also make it a spiritual trip and stay in the school with quiet and nature surrounding you. I hope I will get to come back for visit soon because after the month the place somehow became my home.:)
Written 26 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Iain A
Sincere thanks for your kind words. We all look forward to welcoming you back here, Iain.
Written 29 November 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Nancy R
2 contributions
Aug 2023 • Couples
We spent two weeks at the Nam Yang Kung Fu retreat, where we signed up for path of the warrior to learn about qigong and kung fu. It was an amazing experience! Two weeks was a good amount of time to learn the basics and find out how interested you are in kung fu and continuing it in your daily life. I think one week would have been too short as there are 2 days off each week.
We started each day at 6am with qigong which was a great start to the day, I am normally not at all a morning person, but it was worth it to get up and do qigong in such a wonderful setting with fresh air and good energy.
There is a schedule each training day that includes things like qigong, kung fu training, meals and tea time. The training is really great, you learn a lot of different elements of kung fu and also includes normal workouts and stretching. There is a lot to remember with the kung fu but even over just 2 weeks it all started to come together. On some days you can opt to go to meditation too. The instructors are great, they are patient and try to help you to improve your technique. You do a combination of individual and partner exercises. The stretching was really beneficial, a good amount of time is taken with it and I feel more flexible now than when I started.
We are both vegans so just wanted to share that the food at the retreat is tasty and can be made vegan, you just have to let them know. The food is usually a soup, a vegetable dish, rice and fruit, so quite simple and with asian flavors. There are also a lot of places in the town of Pai that offer all sorts of vegan dishes and cakes and even a couple of places can deliver vegan food directly to the retreat via the FoodPanda app.
For days where there is no training, you can go to town. Pai is a really nice town and there is a night market with a lot of food stalls. The shopping is great as well, we ended up buying some nice clothes for a fraction of what it would cost at home. So you can pack light as you can just buy any clothes or things you need in town and you can easily do laundry at the retreat. We also did a half day tour of Pai with one of the tour groups. I highly recommend this as you get to see everything at a pretty good pace.
We went in August which is the rainy season, but don't let that deter you if that's when you can go. It didn't rain all the time and there were quite a lot of sunny days too. And I think the rain was nice to keep things a little cooled off, as the training can get quite intense and sweaty! However, with the rainy season come things like more mosquitos so that's something to consider. I am allergic to the bites and the non Deet mosquito sprays that I brought with me didn't really work that well. However, there at least 2 really good pharmacies in Pai who speak English and can help you. Also antibiotics are available over the counter in Thailand should you find you need some!
I am not used to so much nature and the various sounds. There is often a light saw buzzing sound from I think cicadas or something similar and my new favorite gecko, the Tokay gecko, where the male makes a really loud sound that sounds like he's saying To-Kay - that guy woke me up a lot so maybe earplugs could help if you are a light sleeper. There are also a lot of ants so be careful with crumbs and such, we opted to only eat outside food in the dining area after one night where we found some ants in the room - just under the amount where we might have freaked out :) But the cleaning staff came to the rescue the next day with some spray and then it was all good. On a side note, most toilets in Thailand cannot handle toilet paper so it's not prefer and remember to throw it in the bin instead.
All in all it was a fantastic trip and I highly recommend that you visit the retreat if you have an interest having this kind of kung fu experience. We hope to return some day or else continue with qigong and kung fu at home.
We started each day at 6am with qigong which was a great start to the day, I am normally not at all a morning person, but it was worth it to get up and do qigong in such a wonderful setting with fresh air and good energy.
There is a schedule each training day that includes things like qigong, kung fu training, meals and tea time. The training is really great, you learn a lot of different elements of kung fu and also includes normal workouts and stretching. There is a lot to remember with the kung fu but even over just 2 weeks it all started to come together. On some days you can opt to go to meditation too. The instructors are great, they are patient and try to help you to improve your technique. You do a combination of individual and partner exercises. The stretching was really beneficial, a good amount of time is taken with it and I feel more flexible now than when I started.
We are both vegans so just wanted to share that the food at the retreat is tasty and can be made vegan, you just have to let them know. The food is usually a soup, a vegetable dish, rice and fruit, so quite simple and with asian flavors. There are also a lot of places in the town of Pai that offer all sorts of vegan dishes and cakes and even a couple of places can deliver vegan food directly to the retreat via the FoodPanda app.
For days where there is no training, you can go to town. Pai is a really nice town and there is a night market with a lot of food stalls. The shopping is great as well, we ended up buying some nice clothes for a fraction of what it would cost at home. So you can pack light as you can just buy any clothes or things you need in town and you can easily do laundry at the retreat. We also did a half day tour of Pai with one of the tour groups. I highly recommend this as you get to see everything at a pretty good pace.
We went in August which is the rainy season, but don't let that deter you if that's when you can go. It didn't rain all the time and there were quite a lot of sunny days too. And I think the rain was nice to keep things a little cooled off, as the training can get quite intense and sweaty! However, with the rainy season come things like more mosquitos so that's something to consider. I am allergic to the bites and the non Deet mosquito sprays that I brought with me didn't really work that well. However, there at least 2 really good pharmacies in Pai who speak English and can help you. Also antibiotics are available over the counter in Thailand should you find you need some!
I am not used to so much nature and the various sounds. There is often a light saw buzzing sound from I think cicadas or something similar and my new favorite gecko, the Tokay gecko, where the male makes a really loud sound that sounds like he's saying To-Kay - that guy woke me up a lot so maybe earplugs could help if you are a light sleeper. There are also a lot of ants so be careful with crumbs and such, we opted to only eat outside food in the dining area after one night where we found some ants in the room - just under the amount where we might have freaked out :) But the cleaning staff came to the rescue the next day with some spray and then it was all good. On a side note, most toilets in Thailand cannot handle toilet paper so it's not prefer and remember to throw it in the bin instead.
All in all it was a fantastic trip and I highly recommend that you visit the retreat if you have an interest having this kind of kung fu experience. We hope to return some day or else continue with qigong and kung fu at home.
Written 20 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Iain A
Sincere thanks for your kind and detailed review. I am glad that you had such a positive experience and hope that you will return in the future Nancy, Iain. 🙏🏻
Written 29 November 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Mathis
France2 contributions
May 2023 • Solo
I spend 10 weeks in Nam Yang. I met kind and helpfull people, beautiful place and a very good team of teachers. The schedule is well balanced and the food very healthy. I really felt that I learned pure Kung Fu, with its applications, its soft and hard part and It's artistic side. We evolve slow enough to learn completely.
Written 10 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dear Mathis,
My most sincere thanks for your most positive review. You are a great student who learns really fast and trains really hard. I hope that you will keep up your training and that you will return in the future to learn more Mathis, Iain. 🙏🏻
Written 1 August 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
William B
1 contribution
Oct 2022 • Solo
Spent an amazing 3 months here. Came to learn Qigong and Kung Fu wasn't disappointed. I came to retreat at a point in my life where I needed some direction, and some time to work on myself. Master Iain created a wonderful place to do this. Met a lot of awesome people, and loved Pai. The teachers were incredible and know how to push you to reach your potential. I left knowing myself better, and ready to move forward once I left.
Written 25 April 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
It is great to hear that we were able to deliver what you needed. We always do our best. I hope that all goes well for you in the future and that we will be able to welcome you back one day,
Iain.
Written 1 August 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Annette j
1 contribution
Mar 2023 • Solo
The Kung fu retraite was exactly what I was looking for! I joined the retraite for 2 weeks to get in good shape, kind of reset myself. I was in between 2 contracts and wanted to be physical and mental fit before starting the new assignment. The daily training programme, good food, peaceful environment, friendly, professional instructors and simple life contributed to this all. I learned a lot about Chi Kong as well. Besides reaching my personal objectives it was a nice experience to train and stay in the retraite with other people from all
over the world. We had some nice excursion togerher as well.
over the world. We had some nice excursion togerher as well.
Written 9 April 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dear Annette,
Very many thanks for your review. I think that you sum up the 'Kung Fu Retreat experience' very well. I am very glad that we were able to give you such a good experience and hope to see you back here in the future Annette, Iain.
Written 1 August 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
kalman2017
Jerusalem, Israel9 contributions
Feb 2023 • Solo
This is the "Real Deal". My objective was to tweak my ongoing Qi Gong practice, rejuvenate my body and soul, and to be around like-minded people. I met all of my objectives and so much more. The typical day starts early as there were a lot of activities to fit in; practical classes in Qi Gong, Tai Chi, stretching, calisthenics, and meditation, Theory classes on how to teach Qi Gong and a highlight in the morning Tea time with Master Iain. BTW Master Iain himself taught many of the classes assisted by the other instructors. All the instructors were skilled, competent, and patient. Classes ran 5 days a week with Wednesday and Saturday off from formal training although all facilities were available 7 days a week Breakfast and dinner was provided. on formal training days with only breakfast provided on off days. There was always a vegan option available, which I found extremely satisfying/tasty. You ate as a group including with Master Iain and the instructors. The retreat is located right outside of Pai (4 KM from the center of Pai). Many students rented scooters for the duration of training (around 100-150 baht (3-5 USD) a day ) and could drive into town within minutes. I chose to walk which took about 30 minutes. All in all, loved the place and plan to return for Level 2.
Written 2 April 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Very many thanks for your positive words. 🙏🏻 We do try very hard and I am glad that we were able to give you such a positive experience. You will certainly be very welcome back for the Level 2 teacher training course,
Iain.
Written 1 August 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Jordan Y
2 contributions
Jan 2023 • Solo
The accommodation is poor - my bed consisted of a very thin ‘mattress’ and my room had no air conditioning or proper toilet. For other students there were hot water problems, sewage smells and rats making noise around the buildings at night.
Some students were unhappy about the specific training programs (monk/ warrior) and they felt there wasn’t much difference between the two. Others were promised that their limited physical mobility needs would be adhered to, and then on arrival, felt let down.
Some teacher training classes felt a bit unprepared - worksheets or diagrams would have been nice.
The retreat isn’t within walking distance of a shop and there was no greeting package of a toilet roll or a bottle of water on arrival. This wasn’t very welcoming as the nearest shop is a 10 minute cab ride, most students hire mopeds to get around.
In the promo video there is a real emphasis on air quality but it can be very poor some days, due to farmers burning their fields.
But the major issue for me they overcharge hugely, around £70, when they arrange transport from chiang mai to pai. Which I feel is really wrong, considering we are ‘one big Kung fu family’ as Iain said.
The criteria for passing the course felt a bit unclear too and they said students would have three attempts and then only given two.
I hope that they make some changes and proceed to treat people fairly. I think they really overcharge for the courses.
I think it’s important also to mention serious moped accidents are very common in pai so please be careful if you hire one.
Some students were unhappy about the specific training programs (monk/ warrior) and they felt there wasn’t much difference between the two. Others were promised that their limited physical mobility needs would be adhered to, and then on arrival, felt let down.
Some teacher training classes felt a bit unprepared - worksheets or diagrams would have been nice.
The retreat isn’t within walking distance of a shop and there was no greeting package of a toilet roll or a bottle of water on arrival. This wasn’t very welcoming as the nearest shop is a 10 minute cab ride, most students hire mopeds to get around.
In the promo video there is a real emphasis on air quality but it can be very poor some days, due to farmers burning their fields.
But the major issue for me they overcharge hugely, around £70, when they arrange transport from chiang mai to pai. Which I feel is really wrong, considering we are ‘one big Kung fu family’ as Iain said.
The criteria for passing the course felt a bit unclear too and they said students would have three attempts and then only given two.
I hope that they make some changes and proceed to treat people fairly. I think they really overcharge for the courses.
I think it’s important also to mention serious moped accidents are very common in pai so please be careful if you hire one.
Written 28 February 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dear Jordan,
Indeed you left on bad terms with a feeling of bad energy so a bad review was to be expected.
Your main complaint seemed to be that I gave you a level 1 pass, not a level 2. This was a compromise - I was indeed quite reluctant to award you a pass but you persuaded me. Making these decisions is always going to be difficult - but it is my job and I have to do it. Our school has a very strong reputation for maintaining high standards. This gives our certificates a great deal of power. If I compromise our standards, the people who have worked really hard to gain our certification lose out and this is unfair.
At the introductory meeting, I pointed out that Pai has a ‘party town’ side to it and that this can be a distraction, best avoided while studying with us. In reality, a number of the group, you amongst them, got quite into the partying and it your training suffered as a result. This culminated in your room mate’s motorcycle accident. It certainly brought everyone down and affected the course. Common sense says, though, that after drinking heavily from 8.00pm to 2.00am (6 hours) to ride off on a motorcycle without a crash helmet is a very bad mistake. I realise that the accident affected you very much and that things would likely have ended much better had it not occurred. About this, I feel very sorry.
We are not a luxury resort, nor do we ever make any pretense to be. We are a place of serious learning. Our facilities, whilst not luxurious, fit their purpose well.
The major issue for you was the taxi ride from the airport. I sat down with you and discussed this at length and then canceled your return taxi and gave you a full refund of 90 British pounds with which you said you were fully satisfied. As I explained to you, we actually lose money on the taxi bookings. And of course, it is going to be much cheaper of you get a public bus. The only reason we provide a taxi booking service is that many people are worried about arriving in a foreign country whose language they do not speak and having to get from the airport to our Retreat. We don’t particularly encourage people to book taxis through us. I often consider withdrawing the service but a lot of our students do want the peace of mind so, for the time being we will continue to offer it. I encourage anyone who wants to save money simply to book a public bus.
At our meeting on the first day I explained the culture of our association, which has a long tradition stemming from China. It is a culture of respect and dignity. At our Retreat we strive to provide a ‘safe space’ in which everyone can grow. Psychological studies show, without any doubt, that people thrive when they feel safe, valued and accepted. On the second to last day of the course you asked to speak with me privately then, quite unexpectedly, became rude and aggressive and demanded a further refund, even though you had already accepted the refund that you had been given and had received the taxi service that you had paid for. I appreciate that you were affected by your room mate’s accident and that you were unhappy that you did not get the highest level pass. You had the option to speak politely, though. I have to maintain behavioral standards at all times to keep our Retreat that ‘safe space’ for the students. I can not accept aggressive outbursts. I asked you about six times to reconsider and complete the course. I would much rather that you had done so and left on better terms feeling that you had succeeded. It is a loss for us and for me personally when someone leaves dissatisfied. I regret it. It is very rare and I will work hard to try to prevent a recurrence.
I wish you well in the future. I am sorry that you left unsatisfied. I hope that you will still practise what you learned from us and that it will benefit your health in the future Jordan, Iain.
Written 1 August 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
TwittiElGrande
5 contributions
Hello. We are group of four people, and wondered if there any courses for 2-3 days, and what the costs?
Thank you
Danielle Callaghan
Manly, Australia177 contributions
Hi! I’m not sure if this would be our kind of thing but we are intrigued and was wondering is it possible to do a 1 day taster class or afternoon session? How much would this cost also! Thanks :)
Dear Danielle,
Very many thanks for your mail. You will be most welcome at our Kung Fu retreat!
Yes, we do have Day Course training sessions.
Unifying the mind, body and spirit is at the core of our practice so we certainly expect to be able to help you achieve your goals. We have a great track record in using our ancient but sophisticated arts to help people like yourself transform them self physically, mentally, spiritually and emotionally. We specialise in developing self-esteem, confidence and all round fitness and will be very happy to help you achieve your personal goals.
Here is our schedule with prices for our Day Course Sessions:
Morning training: 700 Thai Baht. 6.00 – 9.15am Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday.
Mid day training: 600 Thai Baht. 11.00am – 1.15pm Sunday, Tuesday, Friday.
Afternoon training: 600 Thai Baht. 3.30 – 6.00pm Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday.
Just let us know the date that you intend to come and the sessions that you are interested in so we can take note of it.
Do please consider residential training, though, as it will give you the full ‘Retreat’ experience. Most people tell us that they get a lot more out of staying here.
If you have any more questions or need any help, please message us here or send us an email.
We very much look forward to meeting you all, Danielle!
Iris,
Personal Assistant to Master Iain, Nam Yang Retreat.
Danielle Callaghan
Manly, Australia177 contributions
Hi! I’m not sure if this would be our kind of thing but we are intrigued and was wondering is it possible to do a 1 day taster class or afternoon session? How much would this cost also! Thanks :)
Iain_Armstrong
Pai, Thailand5 contributions
Dear Danielle,
Very many thanks for your mail. You will be most welcome at our Kung Fu retreat!
Yes, we do have Day Course training sessions.
Unifying the mind, body and spirit is at the core of our practice so we certainly expect to be able to help you achieve your goals. We have a great track record in using our ancient but sophisticated arts to help people like yourself transform them self physically, mentally, spiritually and emotionally. We specialise in developing self-esteem, confidence and all round fitness and will be very happy to help you achieve your personal goals.
Here is our schedule with prices for our Day Course Sessions:
Morning training: 700 Thai Baht. 6.00 – 9.15am Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday.
Mid day training: 600 Thai Baht. 11.00am – 1.15pm Sunday, Tuesday, Friday.
Afternoon training: 600 Thai Baht. 3.30 – 6.00pm Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday.
Just let us know the date that you intend to come and the sessions that you are interested in so we can take note of it.
Do please consider residential training, though, as it will give you the full ‘Retreat’ experience. Most people tell us that they get a lot more out of staying here.
If you have any more questions or need any help, please message us here or send us an email.
We very much look forward to meeting you all, Danielle!
Iris,
Personal Assistant to Master Iain, Nam Yang Retreat.
Sammi C
Belfast, UK49 contributions
Hi! I am looking to come to Nam Yang Retreat with my boyfriend in September (roughly around 22nd September) - I notice you do not train on Saturdays or Wednesdays, when is the best day to arrive?
We are both beginners to martial arts, and I have some problems with my back. Would this be an issue?
We would ideally stay for one week - is this enough time?
Thanks
Dear Sammi,
Very many thanks for your message. You and your boyfriend will be most welcome at our Kung Fu Retreat!
Yes, we do presently have availability for the dates which you have asked for.
Unifying the mind, body and spirit is at the core of our practice so we certainly expect to be able to help the both of you achieve your goals. We have a great track record in using our ancient but sophisticated arts to help people like yourselves transform themselves physically, mentally, spiritually and emotionally. We specialise in developing self-esteem, confidence and all-round fitness and will be very happy to help you achieve your personal goals.
Most of our students are complete beginners so we are very used to getting people like yourselves off to a strong start.
The cost per person for 1 week is $459 US for a room shared between two.
Yes, you can certainly attend the Retreat even for just a week, and still achieve an enriching experience. Many of our students learn a great deal about themselves while staying here, as you will see from our reviews here on Trip Advisor. It would of course be better if you could stay for longer, but you will still learn a variety of things while you are here for a short time and it will give you a good introduction to Kung Fu, qi gong, and meditation.
There are no fixed start and end dates for our courses and the students can begin at any time that they prefer or on the day that they arrive, but we are strongly recommending new students to arrive on a Wednesday or Saturday. Wednesdays and Saturdays are rest days so if you arrive in these days, you will be able to relax and prepare yourself for your early morning training the next day.
The restdays are a great opportunity for our students to relax, meditate, workout at our kung fu gym or explore the local dishes and the attractions in Pai.
With regards to your back problem, Master Iain and the rest of the team assure you that we should be able to work around it and will look after you. We would be happy to offer you advice. We are a very friendly group here and we adapt our training to each individual student so will be happy to accommodate you.
If you have any more questions or need any help, please send us a message here or email us, and we will be glad to help you out. :)
We very much look forward to having you and your boyfriend here with us at our Kung Fu Retreat, Sammi!
Iris,
Personal Assistant to Master Iain, Kung Fu Retreat.
Daniel W
1 contribution
Hey! I was wondering how much time you'd suggest to train for someone who've never been exposed to Kung Fu? And also, how much does it cost?
Thanks!
Iain_Armstrong
Pai, Thailand5 contributions
Dear Daniel,
Very many thanks for your interest. You will be most welcome at our Kung Fu Retreat!
We do presently have availability for different dates, length of stay, and room types. It would be useful to know the dates that you intend to come to confirm availability.
Unifying the mind, body and spirit is at the core of what we practise here so we should certainly be able to help you achieve your goals. Building confidence and self-esteem, as well as physical fitness are our specialty and I am sure that we can achieve a great transformation in you. The physical and mental training in our Shaolin Warrior Program will allow you to reach the innumerable benefits of qi gong, meditation, and Kung Fu training. Most of our students are complete beginners so we are very used to getting people like yourself off to a strong start.
It is hard to give an average length of stay, but we recommend staying for as long as possible. Training for 1 - 3 months is incredibly beneficial. A 2-month stay would be a lot more productive and ideal than one month.
The cost for 1 month is $2160 US for a private room or $1559 US for a room shared between two.
For 2 months, it is $4320 US for a private room or $3118 US for a shared room.
For 3 months, it is $6000 US for a private room or $4313 US for a shared room.
We do adjust our teaching to suit your goals and fitness level, but I would also like to recommend that you take the Intensive Introductory Course alongside the Shaolin Warrior Program.
If you book the Intensive Introductory Course, you will get an extra 5 hours per week of individualised training, which runs during the long mid-day break in the program. We use the intensive course to focus on the more difficult elements of the training. The price for the Intensive Introductory Course is $200 US / person for 2 weeks. This course is ‘optional’, but extremely useful for those without prior experience of our arts.
If you have any more questions, kindly ask. When you are ready to book, please let me know.
We very much look forwards to having you at our Retreat, Daniel!
Iris, personal assistant to Master Iain.
BONJOUR,
qui peut me donner des informations sur cette école. j'aimerai faire un séjour prochainement a savoir :
les cours sont dans quelle langue ? Pour s’y rendre es compliqué ? quel est la solution la plus pratique pour y allé en partant de Bangkok.
merci pour vos réponses
Iain_Armstrong
Pai, Thailand5 contributions
Cher Didier,
Merci beaucoup pour votre courrier. Vous serez le bienvenu lors de notre retraite de Kung Fu!
Nous avons actuellement la disponibilité. Il serait utile de connaître les dates auxquelles vous avez l'intention de venir, ainsi que la durée prévue de votre séjour.
Unifier l'esprit, le corps et l'esprit est au cœur de ce que nous pratiquons ici, donc nous devrions certainement être en mesure de vous aider à atteindre vos objectifs. Construire la confiance et l'estime de soi, ainsi que la forme physique sont notre spécialité et je suis sûr que nous pouvons réaliser une grande transformation en vous. L'entraînement physique et mental de notre programme Shaolin Warrior vous permettra d'atteindre les innombrables avantages de l'entraînement au Kung Fu.
L'anglais est la langue commune ici et toutes les leçons sont menées en anglais. La conversation entre étudiants est presque toujours en anglais.
De Bangkok, vous avez la possibilité de prendre un avion, un train ou un bus pour Chiang Mai. De Chiang Mai, vous pouvez choisir de voyager à Pai en prenant un minibus ou un taxi.
Vous pouvez trouver les informations de voyage ci-dessous:
* De Bangkok à Chiang Mai:
En arrivant à Bangkok, vous avez la possibilité de prendre un vol pour Chiang Mai), prendre un train de nuit de la gare centrale de Bangkok, Hua Lam Pong, ou choisir l'option la moins chère d'obtenir un bus de nuit à Kao San Road. Vous pouvez également prendre un bus géré par le gouvernement allant à Chiang Mai au terminal de bus nord et nord-est de Bangkok ou Mo Chit. Prendre le vol est le plus idéal.
* Pour aller de Chiang Mai à Pai:
Vous pouvez choisir un vol (environ 1900 Baht), un minibus (environ 200 Baht) ou un taxi (environ 4 100 Baht). Le minibus est le plus populaire avec un court trajet en taxi la dernière partie du trajet.
Vol de Chiang Mai à Pai - Vous pouvez essayer de vérifier la disponibilité de temps en temps car il n'y a pas de vols vers Pai pour le moment. Donc, vous devrez peut-être utiliser le minibus ou le taxi comme option alternative. Les deux fonctionnent 7 jours par semaine.
Minibus de Chiang Mai à Pai - Le prestataire de bus le plus populaire est AYA. Leur bureau à Chiang Mai n'est plus à la gare. Le service AYA est maintenant basé près de Tesco. La nouvelle adresse est Kamthiang Plaza, 60-60 / 1 Srimonkol Rd., Patan Muang, Chiangmai 50300. Pour s'y rendre depuis l'aéroport, prendre un taxi avec un compteur. Ça devrait être facile. Une fois que vous arrivez, réservez sur le prochain minibus disponible si vous n'avez pas déjà réservé. Les minibus circulent entre 7h30 et 17h00. Si vous passez la nuit à Chiang Mai, vous devriez être en mesure de trouver une chambre dans une maison d'hôtes pour environ 500 - 600 Baht / nuit.Même après avoir ajouté le coût des repas, les taxis etc cela fonctionne moins cher qu'un taxi pour Pai. Vous pouvez ensuite prendre un minibus à Pai le matin. Bien sûr, vous ne pourrez faire la séance d'entraînement du matin que si vous prenez le taxi.
Un taxi de Chiang Mai à Pai - Nous pouvons certainement organiser un taxi pour venir vous chercher à l'aéroport de Chiang Mai si vous le souhaitez. Les taxis coûtent environ 4100 Baht. Il y a aussi des taxis en dehors de l'aéroport - je vous conseille d'accepter un prix avant de partir.
* De la ville de Pai à la retraite:
The Retreat est à environ 30 minutes à pied du centre de la ville de Pai, à environ 15 minutes de la périphérie. Le moyen le plus simple, le moins cher et le plus facile d'aller de l'aéroport à la retraite est en taxi. Pour un taxi appelez le 0810234483. Le trajet devrait prendre environ 5 minutes. Le coût pour un taxi est d'environ 250 Baht. La moto-taxi est de 100 Baht. Demandez 'Kung Fu' ou Kun Iain / Kun Pu.
Si vous avez d'autres questions, s'il vous plaît envoyez-nous un mail. Lorsque vous êtes prêt à réserver, s'il vous plaît laissez-nous savoir.
Nous sommes impatients de vous accueillir bientôt à notre retraite. Didier!
Iris, assistante personnelle de Maître Iain.
~~~
Dear Didier,
Very many thanks for your mail. You will be most welcome at our Kung Fu Retreat!
We do presently have availability. It would be useful to know the dates that you intend to come, as well as your intended length of stay.
Unifying the mind, body and spirit is at the core of what we practise here so we should certainly be able to help you achieve your goals. Building confidence and self esteem, as well as physical fitness are our specialty and I am sure that we can achieve a great transformation in you. The physical and mental training in our Shaolin Warrior Program will allow you to reach the innumerable benefits of Kung Fu training.
English is the common language here and all lessons are conducted in English. Conversation between students is almost always in English.
From Bangkok, you have the option to take a plane, train or bus to Chiang Mai. From Chiang Mai, you can then choose to travel to Pai via flying, taking a minibus or a taxi.
You may find the travel information below:
*From Bangkok to Chiang Mai:
Upon arriving in Bangkok, you have the option to take a flight to Chiang Mai, get an overnight sleeper train from Bangkok’s central station, Hua Lam Pong, or choose the cheapest option of getting an overnight coach in Kao San Road. You can also catch a government-run bus going to Chiang Mai at Bangkok's Northern and Northeastern bus terminal or Mo Chit. Taking the flight is the most ideal.
*To get from Chiang Mai to Pai:
You could choose a flight (approx. 1900 Baht), minibus (approx. 200 Baht) or taxi (approx. 4,100 Baht). Minibus is the most popular with a short taxi ride the last part of the way.
You can try checking for availability every now and then as there are no flights to Pai at the moment. So you may need to use minibus or taxi as an alternative option. Both run 7 days a week.
Minibus from Chiang Mai to Pai - The most popular minibus provider is AYA service. Their office in Chiang Mai is no longer at the train station. AYA service is now based near Tesco. The new address is Kamthiang Plaza, 60-60/1 Srimonkol Rd., Patan Muang, Chiangmai 50300. To get there from the airport, take a taxi with a meter. It should be easy. Once you arrive, book on to the next available minibus if you have not booked already. Minibuses run between about 7.30 am and 5.00pm. If you stay overnight in Chiang Mai you should be able to find a room in a guest house for about 500 - 600 Baht / night.Even after adding the cost of meals, taxis etc this works out cheaper than a taxi ride to Pai. You can then catch a minibus to Pai in the morning. Of course you will only get to do the morning training session if you take the taxi.
Taxi from Chiang Mai to Pai - We can certainly arrange a taxi to pick you up from Chiangmai airport if you want. Taxis cost about 4100 Baht. There are also taxis outside the airport - I would advise that you agree a price before setting off.
*From Pai Town to the Retreat:
The Retreat is about 30 minutes walk from the centre of Pai town, about 15 minutes from the outskirts. The simplest, cheapest and easiest way to get from the airport to the Retreat is by taxi. For a taxi call 0810234483. The ride should take about 5 minutes. The cost for a taxi is around 250 Baht. Motorcycle taxi is 100 Baht. Ask for 'Kung Fu' or Kun Iain / Kun Pu.
If you have any more questions, please just mail us. When you are ready to book, please let us know.
We very much look forwards to having you at our Retreat soon Didier!
Iris, personal assistant to Master Iain.
Do they have weekly classes and would they teach a 9 yr old?
Iain_Armstrong
Pai, Thailand5 contributions
We run a children's class 9.00 - 9.50 am every Saturday which is suitable for children 6-12 years old. You will be welcome to try it. If you could let us know when you would like to come for the first time we would appreciate it.
We look forward to meeting you Nicolas,
Iain.
Kinley G
Ao Nang, Thailand
Do they teach people how to control ones own mind or like meditation etc?
Iain_Armstrong
Pai, Thailand5 contributions
Dear Kinley,
Yes, we do teach a lot of the 'mind kung fu'. In fact this is one of the things that we specialise in. We teach both seated meditation and moving meditation. The emphasis is more on the moving meditation since we find this the most effective approach for most people.
A lot of people find that our teaching helps them very greatly to clear their minds and gain a mental reset. You might like to take a look through the reviews that people have posted.
If you choose to join us here we will be very happy to meet you Kinley,
Iain Armstrong,
Chief Instructor, Kung Fu Retreat.
Pranshu
5 contributions
Is this place open everyday ?
I am planning to do a course on Saturday, will I be able to do so ?
Iain_Armstrong
Pai, Thailand5 contributions
Dear Naag,
Very many thanks for your mail. I am afraid that we do not train on Saturdays (or Wednesdays). You would be welcome to train with us on Sunday. If you have more questions, please message us.
Kind wishes Naag,
Iain Armstrong,
Chief Instructor.
Hi I have been reviewing your courses for sometime now but hesitant about what course to do...I've had a few burdens in my life and would find this as a stepping stone to get my life in the right direction.....please what would be option
Iain_Armstrong
Pai, Thailand5 contributions
Dear Danny.
Very many thanks for your enquiry. You will be most welcome here at the Kung Fu Retreat. Many of the people who come here do so in order to clear their minds and strengthen their purpose. You should definitely opt for the Shaolin Warrior Program. It is the basic course which most people follow. You might also choose to do the intensive introductory course and some private tuition.
How about emailing us through our website and letting us know which dates you are interested in? You could also ask any specific questions which you might have.
I hope to get the chance to met you in the near future Danny,
Iain Armstrong,
Chief Instructor, Kung Fu Retreat.
Is this your Tripadvisor listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim your listingNam Yang Kung Fu Retreat Day Courses (Pai) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos) - Tripadvisor
Frequently Asked Questions about Nam Yang Kung Fu Retreat Day Courses
- Hotels near Nam Yang Kung Fu Retreat Day Courses:
- (2.23 km) Pura Vida Pai Resort
- (2.46 km) Family House Zen Boutique Resort
- (2.66 km) Pai Village Boutique Resort
- (3.59 km) Reverie Siam
- (2.86 km) Suandoi Backpacker Resort
- Restaurants near Nam Yang Kung Fu Retreat Day Courses:
- (2.62 km) Om Garden Cafe
- (3.18 km) Cafecito
- (2.66 km) Two Sisters Restaurant
- (2.59 km) Charlie and Leks
- (2.60 km) Na's Kitchen