Small group, no more than 11 students, for more hands on time with Eli.
Please note: if you are a WTBA instructor you might be better off attending one of the Foundations Camps
You can ask Eli which camp would suit you more.
Please note, we sometimes have cancelations, so if you want to book into a camp that is fully booked, let us know.
December 2nd-9th 2023. Fully Booked
April 6th-13th 2024. 1 Place left
November 2nd-9th 2024. 9 places left
Places books out fast, make sure you book in no to save your place.
Who is it for:
This camp is aimed at people with no prior training at all, up to someone who has not yet passed their full grade 1 instructors degree with the WTBA.
Of course even if you have passed your grade 1 instructors, you can still get a lot of great training here to perfect what you already know.
However if you can make it to one of the Instructor Camps, these would be more suitable for an instructor.
What will it be like:
There will be 7 hours of training each day.
You will learn all areas of the WTBA syllabus, or just the ones you want.
If for example you are not interested in the combat/self-defence area of training, you are more than welcome to do some more practice on form or push hands etc during that session. Obviously for any partner drills you'd need someone else who also doesn't want to do combat.
Keep in mind that even the combat area can be done slowly, so it is suitable for everyone.
Everything will be taught from scratch, you don't need any prior training, but learning a few things from video before you come will greatly increase how much you can take home from camp. You will be given some videos to learn a bit before camp.
Naturally, if you do have some prior experience with the WTBA or another style, you will be able to get through to a higher level by the end of the week.
It is unlikely that a total beginner would be able to get to instructor grade in one week, at least I've never seen that happen, but you will get through how much you can, work on it all at home then maybe you can get your instructor grade at the following camp.
Those who already know a large part of the syllabus might be able to attain instructorship here.
The camp will be limited to 11 people, the purpose of this is that you get far more hands on training with Eli.
Eli will teach and explain the general principles to the whole group, or sub groups, he will then go around and give individual advice to every student throughout each session.
Aside from the training, we'll be staying right on the sea.
It is a great escape from the cold, warm sunny training and swimming in the sea during the break time.
Check out the videos and pictures below.
What will be taught:
We will work through the WTBA syllabus of the student grades. Those students who have already passed grade 4 will be shown the extra things they will need to pass the first Instructor grade.
You will have the chance to take a grading during camp as well, if you want.
Exactly what will be taught will depend on who is attending. It's generally not possible to get through all the foundations in one week, so most people will focus on no more than two. If you pass grade two for example, then the next camp you come to, you'll be able to start with grade three.
Three main areas of practice:
1.
Qigong and Slow Form.
We will start with Qigong and Foundations of Movement, then moving onto the YLC Taiji form, or the Bagua Circular form, you choose one.
Since it's a small group, Eli can teach both forms at once. For more information on choosing Bagua or Taiji as your main solo form, click here.
2.
Partner Training Drills.
This area is where we pair up and practice the methods within the student foundations.
It's martial, but not rough martial, at least not when you first start out.
These set training drills teach us important skills that can be used in the martial practice, but a student should never consider themselves as combat ready from only practicing drills, this is where area three comes in.
3.
Combat/Self-Defence.
This area is where we practice fighting, don't be scared, if you are a total beginner you will be treated as such.
This area is still done slowly to start off with, the speed and pressure you use will depend on your current skills.
If you know nothing, you don't need to worry about getting punched in the face on day one.
We will practice pad work to learn how to strike, attack/defence methods, working our way through from the most simple to the more difficult areas.
Our focus in the WTBA is for use in self defence, not competition.
We learn to deal with the most dangerous of situations, life or death, as well as a drunk kid swinging a punch at you in the parking lot, where a more gentle method is used.
This is a mixture of Bagua and Taiji. Covering striking and grappling.
Retreat Schedule:
Day 1
Arrival day, get to camp after 4pm, chill out or do some training, but no official classes.
There is no dinner on this first evening.
Days 2 to 7 training schedule:
7am
Warm Ups.
7:15am
Qigong then Taiji or Bagua form.
9:30am
Breakfast.
Join the group meal or do your own thing.
10:30am
Partner Drills.
12:30pm
Lunch. Join the group meal or do your own thing. Then you should still have two hours free to go for a swim, chill out, or do some more training.
3pm
Partner Drills or Combat.
5pm
Form & Qigong Flow Practice.
5:30pm
Finish. Chill out and get ready for dinner.
6pm
Dinner.
Join the group meal or do your own thing.
Day 8
Leaving day, pack up and head home in the morning, we need to be out by 9:30am.
There is no breakfast this last morning.
Things most likely to be covered:
Breath Work with Movement.
The building blocks of the internal martial arts and Qigong.
Moving our bodies in harmony with the breath.
Standing Three Circle Qigong.
Strength and balance within stillness.
Everything we practice stems from what we learn in this Qigong.
Taiji or Bagua form.
This is our solo practice, teaching us how to move from the centre, balance & grounding, stretching & mobilising, activating the Qi. Almost every movement has a martial application, therefore even if moving slowly, we are furthering our understanding of combat.
You choose either Taiji or Bagua, most start with Taiji.
Dragon Prawn Boxing.
A simple martial drill to learn about moving the centre, staying loose and heavy, as well as the difference between attacking and yielding.
Push Hands.
This is we learn about structure and grounding, redirection of force, reading the intent of our partner & the importance of being neutral.
Chee Sau.
Listening skills through softness, learning to feel your partners movement before it happens,
always using the path of least resistance.
Taiji Grappling.
This is combat training for self-defence.
Grappling is used either to subdue an opponent in a less violent manner, (when the situation is not serious) Or as a way of locking up their guard so you can strike with the elbows.
It's very important we know how to defend against grappling type attacks.
It's also a very useful skill to have if your attacker has better striking skills than you, perhaps they are a boxer who only trains striking.
This session is done standing up.
Small San Sau.
This is a martial partner form, using variations of the Taiji form postures up to single whip. It’s done in a way to emphasize waist movement. Sometimes exaggerating parts to make it easier for the student to understand the principles.
You’ll also learn a lot of other fighting principles through the applications practiced.
The form can also be seen as a combat strength workout.
Taiji Boxing.
This is combat training for self-defence.
Taiji boxing is the use of our hands to strike, fist or palm.
Defending against the most common striking attacks.
Not to be confused with the western sport of Boxing.
There are a lot of similarities, but in Taiji boxing we only use gloves in training to protect our partner. We train on the assumption that in a real fight we will not have them on.
Therefore, there are a lot of differences to how we strike and move.
Form & Qigong Flow Practice.
Eli leads a run through part of the form, then we all do standing Qigong together.
Things below practiced for those past grade 2. Or sometimes we might all have a play around with these anyway.
Taiji Ground Fighting.
This is combat training for self-defence.
In self-defence we never want to take the fight to the ground, but, it could still happen.
Therefore, it’s very important that we know what to do once we get there!
The main goal is to learn how to get back to your feet as soon as possible.
We don’t hang around down there trying to get an arm bar on, unless we’re learning a technique like that in order to be a good attacker for our training partner.
Kick Defence.
When it comes to self-defence, kicking is considered an advanced technique, you don’t want to risk losing your balance. However, defence against kicks is necessary.
So, in this session we will focus on the defence part. Dealing with kicks to the legs and body, maybe a little to the head if there is time.
Of course in order to practice the defence, we need someone to throw the kick, therefore you will still have to learn at least the basic ways of kicking.
Partner Circle Walking.
Martial practice drill to learn about reading your partners movement.
The practice is done at long range, teaching us how to close that gap in order to attack, as well as how to read when our partner will try this on us.
Cost:
€650 Total for training and 7 nights accommodation.
€200 Deposit to hold your place.
A further €300 due by 3 months before start date.
With the balance payable in cash on arrival.
Late bookings will be €100 extra.
Please note these fees are only refundable if we are able to find someone else to fill your place.
Inclusions:
Bottled drinking water.
Tea & Coffee.
Bedding, Towels.
WiFi.
Street Parking if you hire a car.
Food Situation:
For only €150 you can join the breakfast, lunch & dinner meals, during the 6 training days, this saves you having to go out and find food.
Please note, you cannot prepare your own food in the kitchen when the group meals are being prepared.
The meals fee needs to by paid with your second payment 3 months before start date.
Your Accommodation:
Queen Bed in private room.
Queen Bed in private room with private bathroom.
Single Bed in triple room.
Bunk Bed.
Who gets what:
Private Rooms with Queen Beds will be reserved for couples, or two good friends who want to share a bed.
If no couples are joining us, in this case there will be a €100 surcharge for who ever wants the private room, and €180 surcharge for the private room with private bathroom.
Ladies and Seniors will get first choice, because I'm old fashioned like that.
Most people will stay in the triple rooms, the sooner you book the better bed option you'll get.
Location:
The Waterfront Sky Villas
Thomas Ashby,
Marsaskala MSK 1373ST.
When you turn onto Thomas Ashby, we are the first villa on the left.
20 minutes from the airport by taxi.
3 minute walk to the sea.
Google Maps link
https://goo.gl/maps/ATpuAbgqU6JYiw9h8
Check out the place we'll be staying below!
Still warm on new years eve!
