JUL 23 - 28 | GLENDALOUGH, IRELAND | FULLY CATERED
Summer Retreat 2026
A Special Place to Be
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Stay
Stay in the breathtaking Glendalough Valley and share this experience with with a group of special people, your kung fu brothers & sisters from around the world.
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Train
Shifu Yan Xin awaits you here in Ireland—to guide you on the path of the Shaolin Warrior. Train your heart out, embrace the good kung fu pain, find your inner peace and awaken the true warrior spirit within.
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Nourish
Nourish your body with heartwarming, delicious, Asian-inspired vegetarian meals prepared by the Deersotone’s in-house master chef—and share in the laughter and joy.
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Explore
In the heart of Glendalough, explore not only the beauty of Ireland’s sacred valley, but the deeper terrain of your own spirit—the path of the True Warrior begins within.
Come & Join Us
Step away from the noise and into the rhythm of your own breath. Here, in the quiet of the Wicklow mountains, movement becomes meditation and training becomes transformation.
Come join us - not just for a retreat, but for a rediscovery of who you are and awaken what’s been waiting inside you.
After a powerful retreat in 2025, we return once again to the same sacred landscape - a place that held us, nourished us, and strengthened us.
In 2026, our Summer Retreat continues at The Deerstone, Luxury Eco Hideaway, deep in the Wicklow Mountains National Park, in the ancient valley of Glendalough - the Valley of the Two Lakes.
This land still whispers, its mountains steady your spirit, its waters remind you who you are.
Come join us for another year of practice, presence, and transformation.
Our 5-day immersive retreat is a powerful reset - a chance to step away from the noise of daily live, recharge your energy and bring out your warrior spirit.
Return with clarity in your mind, strength in your body, joy in your heart, and purpose in your soul - ready to step into the next unfolding of your life’s path.
Under the guidance of Shifu Yan Xin (a 34th Generation Shaolin Warrior), you’ll train in an environment designed for deep, authentic Shaolin practice - one that nurtures true presence, cultivates discipline and supports inner renewal.
The Shaolin Straight Sword
The Art of Graceful Power
This year, we enter the world of the Shaolin Straight Sword - an art known for its elegance, fluidity, and quiet power.
Light in the hand, precise in intention, the straight sword is traditionally called “君子之兵” (jūn zǐ zhī bīng) - the weapon of the noble one.
In ancient China, 君子 (junzi) doesn’t refer specifically to a “gentleman” in the modern, gendered sense. it means a person of virtue - someone who acts with integrity, restraint, compassion, and courage.
The sword was seen not just as a tool of combat, but as a mirror of one’s character.
Legends tell of scholar-warriors carrying the straight sword as a symbol of clarity and moral strength.
It was the chosen weapon of poets, healers, sages, and protector - those who fought not for domination, but to uphold balance and righteousness.
To wield the sword was to commit to refinement, discipline, and a higher way of being.
So when we call it “the weapon of the noble one”, we speak of an inner quality, not a gender.
We speak of the heart that stays steady,
the mind that stays clear,
and the spirit that stays aligned with truth
And in this spirit, the Shaolin Straight Sword remains a path open to all -
equally suited for the wellness seeker cultivating inner harmony, and the Kung Fu warrior refining skill, precision, and power.
Sunrise Session
Each day we will start the day with a morning run, Shaolin Stretching & Breathing Exercise
to awaken the body & spirit
Morning Session
Shaolin Qi Gong
After breakfast, we return to the body with Ji Ben Gong - the foundational drills of Shaolin. Known as the food of Kung Fu, these movements nourish your structure, sharpen your technique, and prepare your body to receive more advanced forms. Without them, Kung Fu is hollow. With them, it becomes alive.
Then, Shifu Yan Xin will guide you through a series of Shaolin Qi Gong and Nei Going (Internal Practices) . Drawing from his insightful experience, he has selected movements from this classic Shaolin form that are not only representative, but deeply beneficial to the body and energy system.
This practice is both Kung Fu and Qi Gong - a form that blends softness with power, breath with motion. You’ll move through postures that cultivate internal strength, focused calm, and a meditative flow state. In time, you begin to dissolve the separation between breath and movement, between form and formlessness - becoming one with the motion, and with the universe itself.
Afternoon Session
Shaolin Straight Sword
Training the sword is more than learning a form. It is learning a way of moving through life.
Each cut teaches clarity. Each step teaches balance. Each arc of the blade teaches the beauty of moving with purpose.
In practice, your body becomes softer yet more rooted. Your mind becomes focused yet more spacious. Your breath becomes the bridge between intention and action.
The sword shows you how to stand tall in your power - not through force, but through alignment, awareness, and presence.
And these lessons follow you home. They steady you in conversation. They guide you through uncertainty. They help you meet challenges with a sharper mind and a calmer heart.
Whether you come from the Kung Fu pathway or the Wellness pathway, the straight sword meets you where you are and leads you into a refined state of strength -
graceful, centered, awake.
Evening
Tea Chat, Meditation & Reflections
After dinner, we close the day in stillness and reflection. Begin with seated Qi Gong to soothe the energy stirred throughout the day, followed by meditation and reflection to connect deeper to your inner-self. End with a shared tea chat—an open space for questions, insights, and connection. Here, practice meets life, and wisdom flows like tea.
Other Special Elements
Gathering, music by the fire
Times to use venue facilities (Sauna, Jacuzzi, Hydro pool, Cold Plunge Pool)
Free Space for you to explore the surroundings, the mountains, the lakes.
Venue
We’ll stay at The Deerstones, a stunning eco-luxury hideaway nestled in nature.
Here, under sun and stars, you will train fiercely and rest deeply.
You will sweat, you will ache, you will laugh.
And you will discover a strength that was always within you.
A Sanctuary for Warrior Renewal
After each day of hard training and mindful qi gong, restore your body in harmony with nature.
Our retreat venue, The Deerstones, is more than a place to stay - it is a sanctuary designed for deep rest and rejuvenation.
Enjoy the healing contrast of fire and ice:
Step into the outdoor sauna to sweat out the old,
Sink into the Jacuzzi under open skies,
And awaken your spirit with the invigorating power of the cold plunge.
These elemental therapies echo the ancient Shaolin wisdom of balance—
Yang and Yin, heat and coolness, tension and release.
Together, they support your transformation from the inside out.
Accommodation
Option 1: Luxury Eco Cottages
Each of these luxury cottages have 3 bedrooms:
1x Twin bedroom
2x King Size Bedroom
All rooms comes with their own luxury bathroom, luxury toiletries (Made from organic Irish Seaweed, Brand: Voya), bathrobe and slippers.
A bespoke, Irish-made kitchen combined with comfortable lounge area
A private O-Care hot tub with outdoor shower.
A BBQ area with adjoining patio lounge
Wireless Movie Projector and Bluetooth Speakers
You have the option to share a room with another participant or have a room to yourself.
Option 2: Shepherds Huts
Great for those who value more personal space
1x Double Bed
Fully furnished with beautifully crafted interior with stove.
Mini kitchen including a fridge, kettle, toaster and cooker.
Shower en-suite with award winning Eco compost WC.
VOYA organic toiletries | Hairdryer.
Bathrobes & Spa towels.
Eco flip-flops.
Electric BBQ.
Private outdoor terrace.
Each unit includes a private wood-fired Japanese hot tub.
Schedule
**Hours may subject to slight variations during the eventDay 1:
Thur 23 July, 2026:
16:30 onwards | Check in & Settle Down
18:30 - 19:30 | Welcome Dinner
20:00 - 20:30 | Shaolin Stretch & Meditation
Day 2 | Day 3
Fri 24 | Sat 25 July, 2026
7:00 - 8:00 | Morning Run, Shaolin Stretching & Breathing
8:00 - 9:00 | Breakfast
9:00 - 10:00 | Shaolin Ji Ben Gong
10:00 - 12:00 | Shaolin Qi Gong
12:00 -13:00 | Lunch
13:00 - 14:00 | Rest nap
14:00 - 16:30 | Shaolin Straight Sword Training
16:30 - 18:30 | Free Time (Explore & use facilities)
18:30 - 19:30 | Dinner
20:00 - 20:30 | Stretching, Meditation, & Tea Chat
Day 4:
Sun 26 July, 2026
7:00 - 8:00 | Morning Run, Shaolin Stretching & Breathing
8:00 - 9:00 | Breakfast
09:00 - 10:30 | Shaolin Qi Gong
10:30 - 12:00 | Shaolin Straight Sword Training
12:00 - 13:00 | Lunch
13:00 - 14:00 | Rest nap
14:00 - 15:30 | Training
15:30 - 16:30 | Demonstration
16:30 - 18:30 | Free time ( Explore & use Facilities)
18:30 - 19:30 | Dinner
19:30 - 21:30 | Get together by the Fire ( Chats & Music)
Day 5:
Mon 27 July, 2026:
7:00 - 8:00 | Morning Run, Stretching & Breathing
8:00 - 9:00 | Breakfast
9:00 - 11:00 | Consolidation Training, Questions, Photos.
11:15 | Checkout, and Farewell Brunch, Calligraphy Gift Presentation.
The Retreat Package:
5-day, 4-night immersive Shaolin Kung Fu retreat with Shifu Yan Xin
6–7 hours/day of high-level, authentic training
Luxury accommodation with private bathrooms for all options
Nutritious vegetarian meals (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Daily access to Wellness Facilities: sauna, cold plunge, hydro pool, Hot tub
Evening meditations, fireside music, and community connection
Surrounded by the magic of Glendalough & Wicklow Mountains
Small, inspiring group of like-hearted people walking the path with you
Ways to Book
Members receive special pricing as part of their ongoing commitment to the KungFu.Life path.
We believe transformation should be accessible. Whether you're a long-time member or joining us for the first time, this retreat is your invitation to step into something deeper.
Pay in full
Bonus Gift: Receive a personalised Chinese calligraphy gift for your retreat journey: a word of wisdom chosen by Shifu Yan Xin and handwritten by Lila, our co-founder.
A keepsake for your path, created with love and intention.
Pricing 2026
KFL Members
€1695
Shared Twin Room (with 2 people)
Availability: 10
or 5x monthly payment of €339
€1865
Private King Room
Availability: 10
or 5x monthly payment of €373
€2050
Shepherds Hut (Stand alone unit)
Availability: 5
or 5x monthly payment of €410
** Kindly note: By booking your place, you acknowledge and agree to the Summer Retreat Terms and Conditions.
Non Members
€1895
Shared Twin Room (with 2 people)
or 5x monthly payment of €379
€2065
Private King Room
or 5x monthly payment of €413
€2250
Shepherds Hut (Stand alone unit)
or 5x monthly payment of €450
Not a member yet?
You are still warmly welcome - and we have something special for you:
If you’re joining this retreat, you’ll have the exclusive option to become a KungFu.Life member at a discounted rate- only available to retreat participants.
FAQ
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Yes, absolutely. The retreat is open to both members and non-members.
If you’d like to join our community and receive the the special member rate, you’re welcome to become a member before registering.
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Membership gives you access to weekly interactive live classes, members-only live programs with Shifu Yan Xin and resources, early event access, exclusive pricing, and a global community of fellow practitioners.
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Yes. This retreat is a great entry point—no matter where you are in your journey. Whether you're a longtime practitioner or just beginning, you'll be guided with care and depth.
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We believe in this path - and if it’s meant for you, we’ll find a way.
Reach out about a payment plan or bring-a-friend / family discount if you want to share a king room or Shepherds Hut.
For full terms & conditions of booking please click below
