Testimonials
Voices from the Journey
Hear directly from those who have experienced Kung Fu Zen Healing firsthand. Our guests share their personal stories, reflections, and transformations — from breakthroughs in health and wellness to deeper connections with Chinese culture, martial arts, and ancient healing traditions.
Each testimonial offers a glimpse into the unique blend of movement, meditation, and TCM care that makes every retreat an unforgettable journey of body, mind, and spirit.
Harald, 73 • Germany • September 2026
Hello,
I’m slowly getting back into everyday life. My cold and the pressure in my ears are easing, and the jet lag is gradually fading. What remains is a big smile on my face and the excitement of telling everyone about our experiences in China, whether in our Qigong groups, to family members, or at the sports club.
What a wonderfully organized trip it was, and what an incredible amount of work you put into preparing it, Norbert! Thank you so much! It gave Marianne and me the confidence and reassurance we needed to embark on and successfully manage such a demanding journey.
I particularly enjoyed the retreat: its fantastic location, the lovely room, the picturesque practice areas and training spaces, the beautiful weather, the training itself, as well as the various activities and excursions.
During the second part of the trip, in Xi’an and Shanghai, the highlights naturally included our almost exclusive visit to the Terracotta Army, the magnificent temples, the spectacular shows, and the boat cruise in Shanghai. There is hardly anything I wouldn’t mention!
And then there was Nian Yi! I have never met such a wonderful, dedicated Qigong-Trainer and organizer. The amount of preparation she did, and how she adapted and improved things for us at short notice, was simply remarkable. She deserves enormous praise!
With both of you, there was always a sense that everything was perfectly organized and seamlessly coordinated—a truly dream team! 🤪
The instructors and support staff at the retreat were outstanding, both professionally and personally.
The food, on the other hand, wasn’t quite to my taste. But then again, medicine rarely tastes good, does it?
I felt that my medical needs were taken seriously and that I received excellent care, including medication and treatment. Unfortunately, that isn’t always something one can take for granted, even with doctors back home in Germany.
I wouldn’t extend the retreat portion of the trip; if anything, I would shorten it by a day. After all, we flew 10,000 kilometers to discover something of China, not to spend our time practicing in an isolated “goldfish bowl,” as someone put it!
I also see some potential to streamline the program, particularly the philosophy sessions. As someone who enjoys theory, I often found it difficult to follow what was being discussed. Paul is a wonderful person and also very good at spontaneous Qigong. I think incorporating some of his Qigong exercises alongside a few philosophical reflections, as a warm-up and way to loosen up before calligraphy, would make a lot of sense.
And then there was Tai Chi! I was open to giving it a try, even though I’m not the most naturally coordinated person. But every time I thought, “Now I’ve got it!”, another, even more complicated movement was introduced! I’ll watch the video and perhaps try a few things, but I doubt Tai Chi will become part of our regular practice. I would have preferred a nice, short, more dynamic Qigong exercise!
Perhaps we’ll fly to China again one day. One thing is certain: this trip has definitely whetted my appetite for more! 😄
Marianne, 69 • Germany • September 2026
The impressions stay with us! They bring a smile to our faces, and the conversations about this wonderful trip just never seem to end.
What did we enjoy most?
The overall structure of the trip was perfect for me: two three-day retreats, separated by two exciting days visiting the Shaolin Temple and the Longmen Grottoes, followed by a few days of sightseeing filled with wonderful impressions of the cities, cultural events, and food. It was an ideal combination.
The preparation for the entire trip was reassuring and welcoming.
Throughout the journey, we always felt very well looked after and advised. No matter how small the problem, every effort was made to find a solution, whether it involved a cold, financial difficulties, or translation.
The retreat
The practice locations were wonderful, often set against truly impressive backdrops.
I particularly enjoyed the morning Qigong sessions by Nian Yi, with greater emphasis on the lower Dantian. I now incorporate this focus into my home practice almost every day and have also introduced it to my own Qigong group.
The Eight Brocades, which we already knew, were given a fresh new perspective.
I really enjoyed the combination of philosophy, meditation, and calligraphy. After six days, I had not only enjoyed the sessions but had perhaps also begun to develop a feel for them. However, I felt that the philosophy component was too extensive, as we lacked the background knowledge needed to fully understand and follow the concepts.
I found the guidance provided by Dr. Wang, who monitored our diet, both interesting and helpful. It encouraged me to reflect on how I could eat more healthily, even though I had assumed that my diet was already quite healthy.
I also greatly appreciated the opportunity to make use of additional medical treatments at the retreat. Everyone was free to decide for themselves how much they wanted to take advantage of these services.
With so many activities on offer, however, the breaks were a little too short, and the overall daily schedule felt too full.
Xi’an and Shanghai
The exciting days in Xi’an and Shanghai made the trip complete! 👍 The lost afternoon with “Jürgen” therefore didn’t matter too much and, looking back, is something that simply makes us smile.
What will stay with us?
Every single day will remain in our memories, whether it was the temples, the Longmen Grottoes, our time at the retreat, Yu Garden, the Terracotta Army, the water town, the night market, the TV tower, the boat cruise, or so many other unforgettable experiences.
Thank you both so much! 🙏🙏🙏
Angelika, 68 • Germany • September 2026
When I booked the journey to China to take part in classes for Qigong, Taichi and calligraphy, I didn`t really know what to expect, I was just curious.
Since I had been teaching Qigong in Germany for more than 25 years, I had the feeling that I needed some inspiration and freshening up my knowledge.
But it was more than just that. I could experience some treatments of TCM and even though I didn`t have physical problems it was interesting for me to see how different the diagnostic approach of TCM is.
As a physical therapist my thinking is more anatomical and functional, but to treat the meridians for a better flow of energy with a special diet was a new experience for me.
Also, the approach to calligraphy with Paul Wang was very inspiring and I will try to keep learning how to become so relaxed, that I feel to be one unit with the brush.
But what I liked most were the Qigong and Taichi classes, and I hope I will find teachers for Taichi in Germany who can hold up with the outstanding teachers we had on this journey. I would really like to practice Taichi for myself for the following time.
Thank you, Nian Yi for organizing such a wonderful schedule and day trips to beautiful places like the Longmen grottoes and the holy Songshan mountain.
If there was any problem, you tried to solve it instantly, even though it was not always easy, because everybody had different needs.
I had been in China before, but this was a very special experience for me and I am glad, I took the long flight one more time.
Irmgard, 66 • Germany • September 2026
Preparing for the Trip
The preparation and planning Norbert provided for our trip were excellent. He was always available to answer our questions and gave us extensive support, particularly with the technical aspects, such as WeChat Pay, the eSIM card, entry registration, and much more. It was wonderful that Norbert shared his knowledge so openly with us and guided us through every step of the process. His support gave us confidence and made preparing for the trip so much easier.
Our Retreat Hotel
I liked the retreat hotel. The rooms were spacious and clean, and everything was provided except for a wardrobe for our clothes. The rooms were cleaned daily, and the towels were changed every day.
The location was good and peaceful, and there were plenty of rooms and spaces available for our activities.
I would definitely join this retreat again.
TCM-Based Nutrition
I found the Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) approach to nutrition absolutely fascinating. I was amazed by what the doctors could learn from examining my tongue and feeling my pulse.
The food itself tasted healthy, with relatively little seasoning, but it clearly did my body good. After leaving the retreat, I noticed a distinct difference between the food we had eaten there and the meals during our sightseeing tour, even though we certainly hadn’t been eating badly on the tour either.
One small suggestion: Perhaps Dr. Wang could give a presentation explaining the principles behind our dietary approach. Why, for example, should we eat the soup first, followed by vegetables and tofu, and only then the relatively small portion of carbohydrates? Understanding the reasons behind these recommendations might make it easier for us to put them into practice back home in Germany.
Training
Nian Yi
The Qigong with Nian Yi was the highlight of each day for me. Her stretching routine did me so much good. I absolutely love it and intend to continue practicing it at home.
Nian Yi explained and demonstrated the Qigong very clearly. It was exactly the right program for my body.
Master Li and his Daughter
Both were well prepared and did an excellent job teaching the Eight Brocades and the 8-Form Routine. They both have a wonderful sense of body awareness and move beautifully. At times, all I could do was watch in amazement!
Dr. Paul Wang
I found the lessons too focused on the spiritual and philosophical aspects. I already knew beforehand that this wasn’t really my world. I took part and may have gained a few useful insights, but personally, there was too much theory for my taste.
Dr. Sun
Dr. Sun brought my back back to life! For two years, I had been experiencing limited mobility in my lower back. I had sought osteopathic treatment in Germany, but without much success.
After just one treatment with Dr. Sun, my vertebrae were back where they belonged, and my back was pain-free. I am simply delighted!
The treatment for my hallux was also successful. I hope this means I won’t need surgery in the future.
The Tour of China
The Shaolin Temple, the music festival in Dengfeng, the Longmen Grottoes, and the White Horse Temple were all wonderful choices of attractions, and everything was superbly organized.
Xi’an
Xi’an, with the Terracotta Army, the impressive city wall, and the excellent guided tour with Ms. Ping, was another highlight. Everything was extremely well organized. The famous noodle meal was a great experience, and the show was spectacular. China certainly knows how to put on world-class performances!
Shanghai
I had already seen the main highlights of Shanghai on my first trip to China. As for Jürgen, there’s really nothing more to say—it was simply bad luck.
Apart from that, Shanghai is certainly worth a visit. Riding the Maglev train was a particularly special experience.
Helga, 67 • Germany • September 2026
Week 1
What I liked was that the excursion took place on day one and the retreat was broken up by the Wednesday outing. Otherwise, I would have found it monotonous.
Nutrition: Dr. Wang’s food was not especially tasty, rather bland, yet I could clearly feel my body detoxifying and regenerating. Now that I am sick back home, my body craves this way of eating: three warm meals a day, no bread, plenty of soups and steamed vegetables. I still use chopsticks too. I take smaller bites, eat more slowly, less food overall, and without distractions.
Calligraphy: It is lovely, but the philosophy behind it was far too abstract for me. I like philosophy, just not this kind. The evening meditation sessions were also not really my thing. I had never done meditation so intensely before, but now I know what it is like. Moving meditation is more for me. I enjoyed Tai Chi again, getting to learn a different style. It also showed me that I prefer my own Wu style. I got knee pain practicing Chen style, something that has never happened with my style. Learning new things was fun, including the Eight Brocades. That said, I will probably not keep practising it at home, as I already have enough to work on with my own style and lack the time. I have been so ill recently that I have not trained at all.
Moxibustion: I am not sure whether I would do it again. You barely feel the treatment itself. It probably supports the nutrition regimen!? I do not know if it is necessary.
Dr. Sun: Absolutely fantastic. I cannot feel my spine at all, even after all the sitting and lying down forced by my illness. My left bunion is almost gone; it would probably have needed another 1–2 treatments. But mobility in my big toe is back!!! He then treated my shoulder: I had no idea it needed treatment, and only afterwards realised how mobile my shoulder can be! The treatment is extremely painful, but it is worth enduring. It is so painful that this type of treatment is likely not permitted in Germany.
One thing that was not ideal, though I suppose this is how it is in China: there are no cupboards. You truly live out of your suitcase, so you never feel settled.
Week 2
The trips and sightseeing visits were wonderful. At the Terracotta Army, I would have liked a bit more time to also visit the museum. Naturally, it was lovely that we were practically alone there. I had no idea shopping was so cheap in the water town and that a shopping afternoon had been scheduled. It would also have been nice if this had happened before the Yu Garden. During free time, I missed suggestions for extra activities or places to go. The night market was very noisy and crowded; I would have liked alternative options. The same applied in Shanghai, especially on the final day when we had to kill time.
What I missed was a proper, detailed tea ceremony. I would have liked to learn more about the different varieties of Chinese tea. The tea session we had was more impromptu and, in my opinion, limited in the range of teas.
But overall, for me it was an amazing journey full of impressions!!! You all did a fantastic job!!!
Giesela, 73 • Germany • September 2026
The trip to China had a well-rounded programme. For me, the nine-day retreat was especially important. Everyone was able to follow the highly competent instruction in Qigong and Tai Chi. The opportunity to receive medical consultations and treatment from TCM doctors, together with the corresponding dietary regimen, contributed to my wellbeing.
Nian Yi and Norbert kept the group’s needs well in mind and also accommodated individual requests whenever possible.
The selection of venue and hotels, as well as the sightseeing tours to historical sites, was well chosen; each tour was led by knowledgeable guides. I also really enjoyed being able to practise the art of calligraphy.
An all-round successful trip!
Katja, 62 • Germany • September 2026
- The preparation phase with Norbert and his advice was excellent; I could board the flight without any worries or concerns.
- Fantastic organisation – from the pick-up in Beijing all the way through to our farewell in Shanghai.
- My personal highlight was the lessons with Paul: very challenging and profound!
- The morning Qigong sessions with Nian Yi were great. I am continuing to practise them at home, and I would have loved to learn more…
- Dr. Wang’s careful supervision of our diet did me a lot of good. A short session with him on nutrition theory would have been nice.
- The classes with Master Li and his daughter were also very good and purposeful.
- The excursion destinations were well chosen – TOP!
Norbert Strehlow, 54 • Germany • October 2025
About two and a half years ago, I underwent a major surgery on my right foot. All the ligaments had to be reconstructed, and a detached cartilage was reattached. After the surgery, I spent around eight weeks in a wheelchair and was not allowed to put any weight on my foot. When I finally started walking again, I noticed severe limitations due to arthritis in my ankle: climbing stairs, jumping, or running was nearly impossible. In Germany, I was told I would have to learn to live with it.
During a visit to China, I was treated by Professor Sun. After the first session, I already noticed significant improvement. After a few more treatments, my foot is now about 90–95% restored. I can walk, run, jump normally – and most importantly, I can actively play with my grandchildren and even play football with them again.
I was also treated by Professor Li for a mild, age-related enlargement of the prostate. Although it was considered normal in Germany, I frequently had to get up at night three to four times to use the bathroom. Professor Li identified the issue through pulse diagnosis and treated me with acupuncture and Chinese herbs. The result: I now rarely get up at night, sleep much longer, and enjoy more restful nights.
Thanks to the treatments from Professor Sun and Professor Li, my quality of life has improved enormously, both physically and in daily life.
Laurent Paiser, France, October 2016
About a month ago I decided to leave France to come to China to study kung fu for 3 months. Those past weeks and since I arrived at the school were truly a deep and beautiful experience. I was greeted well and felt like I was part of the family since day 1. I always felt very at ease and my mind became gradually even more peaceful and calm while my body improved. I got more flexibility, more explosive power and a way better coordination even tough I practiced kung fu for about 4 years already.All of the other students were very friendly, interesting and open minded people, the only recommendation I could give is to bring a good book or something to share about your culture, it will make the experience even more interesting!And if you’re serious about learning kung fu to reach a high level, then plan to study there many years. Definitely one of the best life experience I ever had. Thanks a lot!Laurent Paiser, France, October /2016
Robert Lendon • England • October 2016
I can’t think of any constructive criticism really, it has been a wonderful experience. I found the meditation and philosophy incredibly challenging at first which required a lot of efforts but inevitable in gaining understanding in these areas. As I explained earlier I thought the relationship between all the areas of study and kung fu was very good and formed a valuable insight into internal focus. It was very special to feel like part of the family.Thank you for everything I learned and for the experience. Robert Lendon, England, 07/Oct/2016
Sebastian Prischmann • Germany • June 2016
I joined the Kungfu Garden retreat for one weekend and felt warmly taken care from the first to the last minute. I was not sure what to expect but was very positive surprised. I was picked up at Nanshao subway station what worked very well. The Kung Fu Zen Garden Retreat is located in a village in the outskirts of Beijing. The premises are lovely decorated in traditional Chinese style. Though it is not a temple the whole place calms one down and gives you a relaxing and peaceful feeling. I was welcomed by Naomi and given a comprehensive introduction into the daily schedule and how everything is going on. Naomi is kind of the manager, speaking pretty well english and translating most of the time. We were 3 people in total joing the retreat for this weekend hence I had one room for my own. The daily schedule is fully packed but don’t be concerned there is enough time for relaxing and reflecting. The Kungfu exercise are very well prepared and the level is slightly increasing during the stay. Watching the Masters showing the exercise itself was like a feast for the eyes. The Qigong oriented exercises in the morning and evening are relaxing and good to improve concentration. Also the meditation exercises were a great experience.The food is vegetarian, what I appreciated very much, though incredible delicious and variedly. Overall I enjoyed the 3 days very much and will definitely come back again for a longer retreat. I strongly recommend this retreat. Sebastian Prischmann GermanyJune 2016.
Leonard Stahl • Switzerland • August 2015
I had a wonderful time at Kung Fu Zen Garden Retreat.The place is probably the most peaceful place on earth. I have been staying there for 2 months to train my kung fu skills. It was a hard but pleasant training with master Xingxi and my Kung Fu brother Weifeng. When you are looking for a Kung Fu School that is NOT like a military training camp, this is the perfect place for you. The atmosphere is familiar and uncomplicated. If you decide to take a day off, when you’re exhausted or just up for a weekend trip to Beijing, it’s completely alright with them. But this easy-going attitude does not mean that the training is less strenuous or challenging. Your muscles will definitely enjoy the weekend breaks ;)Not only did I improve my kung fu skills, I also learned a lot about meditation, Buddhism and my own body awareness. The training usually begins at 6 a.m. with Qigong breathing exercises. After a few weeks with early-morning-Qigong I was able to feel how my Qi was getting stronger and stronger. The Chinese breakfast is served after the breathing exercise. It’s very different to the western breakfast I’m used to. We usually had steamed bread, scrambled eggs and a lot of different tasty vegetables. The food was mostly bought at the local market and was convert into delicious traditional Chinese meals.Between the training lessons you have enough time to learn Chinese, meditate, listen to some music, read or whatever you’d like to do.If you have any questions don’t be shy and ask the school manager Naomi! She definitely has her heart on the right place and will try to help you whenever you’re in trouble. In case you’d like to have some further information don’t hesitate to ask Naomi for my email address. Leonard Stahl SwisslandAugust 2015.
Manuel Olivera • Mexico • October 2016
It was a great experience, the content was carefully planned and delivered in a good way. The balance between rest and activities is the optimum. food is amazing as well as the location and its surroundings. Although the time on this retreat is short to teach too much kung fu, as a kung fu practitioner I wished the kung fu practice was a little more about sparring and other group or couple exercise. I really think this is a worth living experience and I am grateful to all masters and people at kung fu zen.Thank you. Manuel Olivera Mexico Oct/2016
Catalina Munoz Mejia •, USA • September 2016
KUNG FU & ZEN, two words that I never thought could go together but now I believe they should never be separated. Master XingXi, Master Paul Wang, Master Weifeng and Ms. Naomi Lee. I learned a ton during these past three weeks, not only about the beautiful martial art of Kung Fu but also about Health preservation, living a Zen life, the importance of a daily Zen meditation practice, Chinese philosophy, and Calligraphy among other things. I can’t thank them enough for all they’ve done for me. It was a life changing experience that I will never forget. A big thank you to my Kung Fu brothers Pol, Jane, Brodie, Laurent, Rob, Lucas, and Manuel. I will always cherish our time together. May you always live in Peace!The full story of my experience with Kung Fu Zen please visit my blog: www.cataintheworld.comhttp://cataintheworld.com/2016/10/24/learning-kung-fu
Zeimes Paul • Luxembourg • October 2016
Dear Naomi & dear Masters, I am very thankful that I was a part of your retreat ! It was really exactly that what I needed. I was not that interested in real fighting skills, but I was open to also learn a bit about kicks and selfdefense. And yes! I enjoyed even this part! I never thought I would be able to kick as high as my head or even further, so thank you! This was a big improvement in that short period of time. The morning breathing routine, was exactly what I was looking for, a good feeling, perfect.The meditations, Chinese classics classes and the calligraphy classes, couldn’t be any better ! I enjoyed every moment.The master exactly knew when to say what to give the right hints so that we could learn and recognize for ourself. I knew that I allready had done much progress in looking at the world when I was here at home, and the master knew how to keep pushing this progress and simultaneously looked that I keep on the bottom. That I don’t get lost in the insights. For that I am really thankful ! I grew a lot because of you all, the participants and the environment. Really, thank you ! It felt like a big family, it was a pleasure to live, eat and make fun with you under one roof. One more time thank you 🙂 Now back here in Luxembourg, I am going on on the way, being satisfied where I allready am – excited what will come next, open minded for everything that comes and even don’t expect anything. It is good, it will be good and also the past, was good. If nothing will change, we will see us next year With lots of love, Zeimes Paul aka Pol Son
