Forums IMPORTANT: PLEASE READ Spring Forest Qigong Level I and II courses

I have enrolled in a 1-day level I and a 2-day level II SFQ course on the first weekend of October at Ramsey Community College. Can anyone give me a "heads up" on what I can expect from the course. I have been practicing SFQ off and on (more on than off) for over two years and have wanted to take these courses for quite a while. Finally managed to have the time and money to travel to Coon Rapids. I am really looking forward to meeting Master Lin.

Well you can't get anything from me starfish of experience. I'm curious as to why you aren't going for a level III course, if you've been doing I and II for two years.

As for Chunyi that I can help a little, since he visited the retreat one evening. He is a very kind, warm and giving person. Very unassuming. I look forward to studying with him some day soon.

I expect that your studies will take a great leap forward. You will undoubted benefit from his energy during your courses. I guess that it'll be much like having your father run alongside the bike and giving you a big push. You still have to do it, but you'll get such a boost in momentum that you'll be riding in no time.

PS. Isn't consistency one of the six keys to success. So enough with the on and off stuff.

Sending love,
Iam2

P.P.S. Do come back and share your experience of studying with him.

p.p.p.s. I had to come back and fix the english. Sheeeesh.

[This message has been edited by Iam2 (edited September 15, 2003).]

Aloha Starfish,

Having had the level I & II for almost 2 years now, taking the two classes will be a good refresher, support, and healing experience for you. He'll be teaching it in style similar to the way it's presented in the level II video.

No two classes are the same. The classes tend to be about 70% standard level specific information, and the other 30% depends on the needs of and where the group is at -and of course there's Chunyi's gentle humor throughout.

Normally you'll have Chuni's assistant Jim in theclass and my wife, Darcie. If Darcie is there, that could be interested as she's due at the end of September!

You'll have an option to purchase product there, as the people there will have to purchase the video et. al, that you got with the home study course.

I enjoyed Iam2's learning to bicycle metaphor.

Since you have the manuals for each of the courses and are fairly familiar with them, this will allow you to be with what he's teaching rather than become a newspaper reporter jotting down facts. Bring your two manuals with you and you can add insights and additional ideas when they show up for you or from him.

He'll be sending energy while he's teaching, so it will be the cheapest three days of healing you'll find (other than doing it yourself -which you'll also be doing.)

Enjoy yourself in the Twin Cities and stop by Learning Strategies to say hi if you have the time.

Much Love, Shawn

Thank you for the response, Iam2. I have mostly practiced level I and have not been ready to move on to level II. Don't ask me why or what is stopping me. Just going at my own pace, I guess. (Who knows how long it will take me to get to level III and IV !!!). I was happy to hear you say that the course will give me a leap forward. It is exactly what I am hoping for. I feel that I am at a turning point, and that push on the bike is an accurate description of what I need. As for the on and off stuff, I too am tired of the inconsistency. This is no longer how I want to practice SFQ.

Shawn, my thinking is just as you stated. Since I know the material (not Level II as well as Level I), I will be able to be with what Master Lin is teaching. Thanks for the invite to Learning Strategies and best wishes to you and your wife. I have never been to the Twin Cities and look forward to visiting that part of our country.

One more thing to expect:

During Lunch everyone walks down to the Chinese restaurant across the street and eats there. Master Lin says its the best Chinese restaurant in Minnesota!

**Oh, and he doesn't encourage taking notes.

Cool !

Okay, that's really cool Nacho. However, what style(s) of cooking do they practice at the restaurant?

Oh geez. Well, um, I'd say Chinese style, but I'm pretty sure that's not the correct answer. I'm sure Shawn would know better than me. However, what they do have is an all you can eat buffet filled with seasoned chicken legs (my favorite), rice, and a bunch of other food you'd find at typical chinese restaurants. The desert part of the buffet consists of watermelon, cheese "things", and even ice cream. They also have a huge selection of dishes to pick from in their menu, but I was never brave enough to try any of it so I can't help you out there. Everything is moderately priced so you don't have to worry about money.

A buffet is good. Quick and you can always find something good.

I'm particular to Szechwan. Thai is a little spicier than I like. The Vietnamese I've had is hit and miss; some great and some bland.

That was not an urgent or even important question. Nor is this one. How long is the retreat. I mean what kind of start and stop times can we look at. Another 7:00 to 23:00, or is it more like 8:00 to 16:00, or a full day of Qigong with the Master 5:00 to 24:00?

Thanks for playing along, sending love,
Iam2

Aloha Iam2,

Mmmm...dangerous conversation -food!

You're both pretty funny. Thanks for bringing up the "side bonus" of taking a class Nacho.

Kowloon Resturant in Coon Rapids is the name of that Chinese restaurant. It has a polite staff and very good food. Master Lin can give you suggestions of some wonderful off-menu dishes while you are there. He (and I), would also highly recommend the Peking Garden near the U of M.

As for class lengths, that depends on whether the format is a class, intensive, or retreat. They tend to be:

• Weekly Classes: 4 days once a week for 3hrs per meeting

• Level 1 Intensives: 8.5 hours, one day (includes time for lunch)

• Level II & III Intensives: 8.5 hour first day (includes time for lunch), 4 hour second day.

• Retreats: Vary
  

You can find this information on the Anoka-Ramsey Community college site you posted earlier.

His retreats do not tend to be of the "long" intensive variety as you experienced at the Learning Strategies Retreat.

Much Love, Shawn

[This message has been edited by Shawn_Grim (edited September 16, 2003).]