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  • FASHION
    • LOVE WTF
  • FINE ART
    • A NEW WORLD
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    • INKED
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    • LIVE GIG
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MANY QI

May 05, 2016 in Travel, China, Kung Fu

The first time I passed through the gates of the Shaolin Temple, I was both excited and terrified. What had I signed up for?? Oh, just to traveling to the birthplace of Shaolin Kung Fu, to train there for three months, without any martial arts background what so ever. Ok.
The second time, however, I was quite familiar with the routines, the kung fu way of thinking and the training. I had even been told I looked like Beatrix Kiddo (Kill Bill) when I preformed my staff form… the greatest compliments of all time!
In the video below, you can have a look at my experience with the Shaolin training.

The village life started early. At 5 A.M. We would wake up either by the rooster’s call, the nuns praying, or the children shouting to the count of four – YI, ER, SAN, SI! The strict regime the children had to follow everyday was both admirable and scary.
Although our training might be incomparable to what the Chinese kids went through everyday, it was quite hard nevertheless. Monday to Friday, 7 hours a day we were running up and down the mountain, kicking and stretching and learning new moves. All of this under constant encouragement from Shifu: "Faster!" "Lower!" "Many Qi!"

I learned a lot during my stay in China, not only about martial arts, but also about myself. About how my Norwegian lungs were struggling through Chinese powertraning, and how my stiff legs were forced into positions I thought impossible. But most importantly, I learned about Qi.

Qi is described as “life force” or “life energy” and it’s the underlying principle in Chinese martial arts and traditional Chinese medicine. Qi is both external and internal energy, and through practice like Qi Gong (which represent the study of Qi), you build your inner strength by stimulating the flow of internal energy. When your Qi is balanced, you will have benefits such as improved health, increased power and awareness of oneself.

"Faster!" "Lower!" "Many Qi!"
May The Force be with you Amitufo

May The Force be with you
Amitufo

Tags: Travel, China, Henan, Dengfeng, Shaolin, Kung Fu, Qi, Backpacking, adventure, Pilgrimage
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Kaja Sitron Juul 30 years Photographer Norway    Passion: Travel, culture, art and photography    Favorite color:    Yellow

Kaja Sitron Juul
30 years
Photographer
Norway

Passion:
Travel, culture, art and photography

Favorite color:
Yellow


OH BLOG, MY BLOG

I am a person who love to travel, and I love to share my adventures with others. Here you can follow my physical and spiritual journey, and read about the obstacles and adventures life has to offer.

Life is a journey, and I'm learning more everyday, about the world and about myself.

If you have any questions or just want to get in contact,  I would love to hear from you. Just leave a comment or send me an email:

god_juul@live.no

 

"Remember that sometimes not getting what you want, is a wonderful stroke of luck"
- Dalai Lama


Follow me on Instagram @kajasitron

💛
"In walking I open myself to something within, which is also something in the world. This process reveals the importance of paying attention to the immediate, to what is present to us at any given moment" - Slean Slavin

#spiritual #spirituality #growing #teaching #learning #pilgrimage #thruhiking #norgepålangs #NPL
💛 "In walking I open myself to something within, which is also something in the world. This process reveals the importance of paying attention to the immediate, to what is present to us at any given moment" - Slean Slavin #spiritual #spirituality #growing #teaching #learning #pilgrimage #thruhiking #norgepålangs #NPL
💛
Don't be afraid to shine your light and show your vibrant colours.
Even though other people think you are too bright or vivid, doesn't meen you have to turn it down or change 💛
:::
Shine baby, shine ☀️🌟✨🌟☀️
:::
#shineyourlight #lightbeing #lightworker #love #pilgrimage
💛 Don't be afraid to shine your light and show your vibrant colours. Even though other people think you are too bright or vivid, doesn't meen you have to turn it down or change 💛 ::: Shine baby, shine ☀️🌟✨🌟☀️ ::: #shineyourlight #lightbeing #lightworker #love #pilgrimage
💛
When I walked through Norway, I came across beauty I find hard to describe👣
:::
Wild, running rivers crept over moss-covered stones like serpents 🏞️
The warm light from the evening sun reflected in the icy blue glacier in the far distance of the snow covered mountains. 
I was filled with wonder and the beauty became my fuel⛽😍☀️
:::
#beautyallaround #nature #pilgrimage 📸🚶‍♀️#thruhiking #norgepålangs #NPL 🇳🇴
💛 When I walked through Norway, I came across beauty I find hard to describe👣 ::: Wild, running rivers crept over moss-covered stones like serpents 🏞️ The warm light from the evening sun reflected in the icy blue glacier in the far distance of the snow covered mountains. I was filled with wonder and the beauty became my fuel⛽😍☀️ ::: #beautyallaround #nature #pilgrimage 📸🚶‍♀️#thruhiking #norgepålangs #NPL 🇳🇴
💛
Each flower is a soul opening out to nature - Gerard de Nerval 🌸🌺🌻🌺🌸
:::
#mountainflowers #northernnorway #tough #survivor #pilgrimage #crosscountry #thruhiking #npl 🇧🇻
💛 Each flower is a soul opening out to nature - Gerard de Nerval 🌸🌺🌻🌺🌸 ::: #mountainflowers #northernnorway #tough #survivor #pilgrimage #crosscountry #thruhiking #npl 🇧🇻
💛
Up in the mountains, I was quite isolated. No phone signal and no other company than an occational herd of reindeers🦌🦌
:::
As the heat from the sun was surprisingly intense, the animals had their own way of cooling down: Find a spot of snow, and stay there☀️❄️
:::
Far away from everything up here, these reindeer was shepherded from helicopers🚁 Pretty fascinating to watch and interesting to learn. :::
#narvikfjellene #reindeer #herding #pilgrimage #crosscountry #npl 🇧🇻👣
💛 Up in the mountains, I was quite isolated. No phone signal and no other company than an occational herd of reindeers🦌🦌 ::: As the heat from the sun was surprisingly intense, the animals had their own way of cooling down: Find a spot of snow, and stay there☀️❄️ ::: Far away from everything up here, these reindeer was shepherded from helicopers🚁 Pretty fascinating to watch and interesting to learn. ::: #narvikfjellene #reindeer #herding #pilgrimage #crosscountry #npl 🇧🇻👣
💛
As I approached the Sami village Staloluokta, so did several helicopters 🚁 Not only did they come with provision for the local kiosk, they also brought tourists who wanted to reach the village and spend some time in the mountains, but were unable or unwilling to walk the whole way. Pretty cool! 😎👣
:::
Here's a picture of the local church, located on a hill with the view of the Norwegian mountains in the background ⛰️😍🇧🇻 :::
#almosthome #pilgrimage #npl #sapmi #sapmivillage #hiddentreasures #north #sweden
💛 As I approached the Sami village Staloluokta, so did several helicopters 🚁 Not only did they come with provision for the local kiosk, they also brought tourists who wanted to reach the village and spend some time in the mountains, but were unable or unwilling to walk the whole way. Pretty cool! 😎👣 ::: Here's a picture of the local church, located on a hill with the view of the Norwegian mountains in the background ⛰️😍🇧🇻 ::: #almosthome #pilgrimage #npl #sapmi #sapmivillage #hiddentreasures #north #sweden
💛
Apart from the time when my boyfriend came to visit me, I only had two days on the trail in someone else's company:
:::
Day 29, I met Marit in the mountains of Dividalen, Troms. And like Marit said: "it was like hiking with a friend." 😂💖
And day 45, I spend the whole day with my Dutch friends Mette and Martin
:::
I met them the day before in a cabin located in the village of Låddejåkkå in Padjelanta National Park, Sweden. We spend a nice social evening in the common room and decided to hike together the very next day👣👣👣
:::
In Mette and Martin's company, the hike was so pleasant, and so easy! We walked and talked non-stop, taking pictures and eating lunch. As we passed the most charming pond with spectacular view, we decided to pitch up our tents and camp for the night. I was almost crying seeing my tent in company with two others ⛺ 🏕️ ⛺
:::
We sat by the water and ate dinner before saying good night and retreating into our separate tents.
:::
#friends #blessed #grateful #beautifulmemories #pilgrimage #thruhiking #crosscountry #norgepålangs 🇧🇻
💛 Apart from the time when my boyfriend came to visit me, I only had two days on the trail in someone else's company: ::: Day 29, I met Marit in the mountains of Dividalen, Troms. And like Marit said: "it was like hiking with a friend." 😂💖 And day 45, I spend the whole day with my Dutch friends Mette and Martin ::: I met them the day before in a cabin located in the village of Låddejåkkå in Padjelanta National Park, Sweden. We spend a nice social evening in the common room and decided to hike together the very next day👣👣👣 ::: In Mette and Martin's company, the hike was so pleasant, and so easy! We walked and talked non-stop, taking pictures and eating lunch. As we passed the most charming pond with spectacular view, we decided to pitch up our tents and camp for the night. I was almost crying seeing my tent in company with two others ⛺ 🏕️ ⛺ ::: We sat by the water and ate dinner before saying good night and retreating into our separate tents. ::: #friends #blessed #grateful #beautifulmemories #pilgrimage #thruhiking #crosscountry #norgepålangs 🇧🇻
💛
And I think to myself
What a wonderful world - Louis Armstrong
:::
#beautyallaround #nature #pilgrimage #crosscountry #npl
💛 And I think to myself What a wonderful world - Louis Armstrong ::: #beautyallaround #nature #pilgrimage #crosscountry #npl
💛
As I was hiking in Norway, I got to know more about the Sámi - the indigenous people of the north. I've learned about the culture in school, but to see the nomadic reindeer herding lifestyle with my own eyes, was special 🦌
:::
I talked to several Sámi in Máze and Kautokeino, I even met a Sámi rapper who showed me his music and taught me a few Sámi words to help me decipher my map of the north:
Jávri = water💧
Várri = mountain 🏔️
Johka = river 🏞️
:::
In Padjelanta National Park in Sweden there are several Sámi villages where I could buy fish and bread, and could spend the night in one of the tourist cabins close by. Definitely worth a visit! 🍞🐟👣
:::
#sami #sapmi #sonsanddaughtersofthesun #culture #northernnorway 🇧🇻 #pilgrimage
💛 As I was hiking in Norway, I got to know more about the Sámi - the indigenous people of the north. I've learned about the culture in school, but to see the nomadic reindeer herding lifestyle with my own eyes, was special 🦌 ::: I talked to several Sámi in Máze and Kautokeino, I even met a Sámi rapper who showed me his music and taught me a few Sámi words to help me decipher my map of the north: Jávri = water💧 Várri = mountain 🏔️ Johka = river 🏞️ ::: In Padjelanta National Park in Sweden there are several Sámi villages where I could buy fish and bread, and could spend the night in one of the tourist cabins close by. Definitely worth a visit! 🍞🐟👣 ::: #sami #sapmi #sonsanddaughtersofthesun #culture #northernnorway 🇧🇻 #pilgrimage
💛
If you are planning to hike the NPL, I warmly recommend to stop by Umbukta Fjellstue🏡
Thor Inge, the owner, has himself crossed the country on foot twice, and was offering all the npl's a night for free👣🇧🇻
:::
I arrived in the early evening to find the restaurant closed and all rooms occupied.
But one of the employees there, Sølve, rose to the occasion, and offered me to use the big party tent they had in the back as my camping spot⛺
And as for the restaurant being closed, well, that didn’t stop Sølve from serving me food. His food, in fact. A huge plate of chicken and rice🍛🍴
:::
“But Sølve, I cannot eat your food.”
“Aaach, I don’t like rice much anyway.” 😂😍
:::
Umbukta had also received my package of resupply, so I went to my tent-within-a-tent and filled my backpack with all kinds of goodies 🍫🍫🍫
:::
#beautifulsouls #service #thruhiking #norgepålangs #NPL #pilgrimage #inceptiontent #umbuktafjellstue
💛 If you are planning to hike the NPL, I warmly recommend to stop by Umbukta Fjellstue🏡 Thor Inge, the owner, has himself crossed the country on foot twice, and was offering all the npl's a night for free👣🇧🇻 ::: I arrived in the early evening to find the restaurant closed and all rooms occupied. But one of the employees there, Sølve, rose to the occasion, and offered me to use the big party tent they had in the back as my camping spot⛺ And as for the restaurant being closed, well, that didn’t stop Sølve from serving me food. His food, in fact. A huge plate of chicken and rice🍛🍴 ::: “But Sølve, I cannot eat your food.” “Aaach, I don’t like rice much anyway.” 😂😍 ::: Umbukta had also received my package of resupply, so I went to my tent-within-a-tent and filled my backpack with all kinds of goodies 🍫🍫🍫 ::: #beautifulsouls #service #thruhiking #norgepålangs #NPL #pilgrimage #inceptiontent #umbuktafjellstue
💛
Would you like to hike in Norway and spend a night in a cabin on a location like this??😍 Check out ut.no and dnt.no for more information about all the cabins you can visit. Totally worth a visit!! 🇧🇻💖🇧🇻
:::
#lovenorway #welcometothemountains #north #epic #nature #norgepålangs #utno #dnt
@turistforeningen @utno
💛 Would you like to hike in Norway and spend a night in a cabin on a location like this??😍 Check out ut.no and dnt.no for more information about all the cabins you can visit. Totally worth a visit!! 🇧🇻💖🇧🇻 ::: #lovenorway #welcometothemountains #north #epic #nature #norgepålangs #utno #dnt @turistforeningen @utno
💛
After many long days of solitude and challenges, wind, rain and detours, I came across this beautiful grass-covered emergency hut with a flowery welcome-sign on the door🌲👣
:::
Waves of exhaustion washed over me, while I lay in my sleepingbag watching the flames dance in the fireplace, heating up the tiny room🔥🔥🔥
:::
True happiness 🌄💛
💛 After many long days of solitude and challenges, wind, rain and detours, I came across this beautiful grass-covered emergency hut with a flowery welcome-sign on the door🌲👣 ::: Waves of exhaustion washed over me, while I lay in my sleepingbag watching the flames dance in the fireplace, heating up the tiny room🔥🔥🔥 ::: True happiness 🌄💛
💛
My pilgrimage led me on the trail of Nordkalottleden last Summer.
3 things I learned along the way:
:::
1) Whatever I want to do, I can do. It's all up to me. I just have to follow my heart 💛
2) Every struggle is given to me so I can learn from them 💪🏻
3) God never puts me through more than I can handle 🧘‍♀️💕
:::
I am forever grateful for my walk through Norway and I can't wait for my next adventure to start 🇳🇿💖
:::
#nordkalottleden #hiker #pilgrimage #pilgrim #lifewisdom
💛 My pilgrimage led me on the trail of Nordkalottleden last Summer. 3 things I learned along the way: ::: 1) Whatever I want to do, I can do. It's all up to me. I just have to follow my heart 💛 2) Every struggle is given to me so I can learn from them 💪🏻 3) God never puts me through more than I can handle 🧘‍♀️💕 ::: I am forever grateful for my walk through Norway and I can't wait for my next adventure to start 🇳🇿💖 ::: #nordkalottleden #hiker #pilgrimage #pilgrim #lifewisdom
💛
If I could live in a simple wooden cabin in the Norwegian mountains, no electricity or water, I would. Just nature and me 🌄🗻 (and my Simon) 💖
:::
I loved hiking through Setesdalen. It had that authentic vibe of Norwegian culture I always found so charming. I just wanted to put on my #bunad and show off my true (red, white and blue) colours 🇧🇻
:::
#norwayinmyheart #proudnorwegian #npl #norgepålangs #visitnorway #thruhiking
💛 If I could live in a simple wooden cabin in the Norwegian mountains, no electricity or water, I would. Just nature and me 🌄🗻 (and my Simon) 💖 ::: I loved hiking through Setesdalen. It had that authentic vibe of Norwegian culture I always found so charming. I just wanted to put on my #bunad and show off my true (red, white and blue) colours 🇧🇻 ::: #norwayinmyheart #proudnorwegian #npl #norgepålangs #visitnorway #thruhiking
💛
🎶 Don't need no TV I don't need no phone
Don't need a speedy car to get me home
Don't need no nothing all I need is time for the simple life 🎶 - Casey Abrams
💛 🎶 Don't need no TV I don't need no phone Don't need a speedy car to get me home Don't need no nothing all I need is time for the simple life 🎶 - Casey Abrams
💛
I remember every person I met on the trail.
To be honest, it wasn't that many, but they were all a part of my beautiful journey 🚶‍♀️
:::
Everytime I stopped to talk, I would gain something. It could be information about the trail or the weather, a piece of cake or simply a friendly smile🤗☀️
:::
It all meant a lot to me, and that's what I love about the simple trail life; you'll get grateful for all the small things you maybe otherwise would have taken for granted 💖🌺🌱
💛 I remember every person I met on the trail. To be honest, it wasn't that many, but they were all a part of my beautiful journey 🚶‍♀️ ::: Everytime I stopped to talk, I would gain something. It could be information about the trail or the weather, a piece of cake or simply a friendly smile🤗☀️ ::: It all meant a lot to me, and that's what I love about the simple trail life; you'll get grateful for all the small things you maybe otherwise would have taken for granted 💖🌺🌱
💛
For three months, this was my home 🏕️
Whatever I needed, I had in my backpack and whatever I found, I ate (... of eatable stuff) 🍓🍄🐟
:::
I love the simple life and I miss it everyday. I can't wait for my next trail adventure #teararoa2019 #nz 🏞️
:::
#norgepålangs #npl #simplelife #traillife #nature #lovenature
💛 For three months, this was my home 🏕️ Whatever I needed, I had in my backpack and whatever I found, I ate (... of eatable stuff) 🍓🍄🐟 ::: I love the simple life and I miss it everyday. I can't wait for my next trail adventure #teararoa2019 #nz 🏞️ ::: #norgepålangs #npl #simplelife #traillife #nature #lovenature
💛
'Sheep in sunset'
:::
#sheeppower #thruhiking #norgepålangs
💛 'Sheep in sunset' ::: #sheeppower #thruhiking #norgepålangs
💛
I was prepared for a few challenging days before entering Reisadalen, but I was not aware of HOW challenging... Rain, wind and giant mosquitoes tried to make me turn around and go home 🌧️🌬️
:::
Reisaelva was so full of water, the path was completely flooded. I managed to take a few photos before stumbling and dropping my camera in the water 📷💦😭
:::
#pilgrimage #shithappens #cameradeath #brokenphotograherheart #norgepålangs
💛 I was prepared for a few challenging days before entering Reisadalen, but I was not aware of HOW challenging... Rain, wind and giant mosquitoes tried to make me turn around and go home 🌧️🌬️ ::: Reisaelva was so full of water, the path was completely flooded. I managed to take a few photos before stumbling and dropping my camera in the water 📷💦😭 ::: #pilgrimage #shithappens #cameradeath #brokenphotograherheart #norgepålangs
💛
'The active enjoy water when it flows, but those who are quiet find pleasure when it is still' - Bai Juyi
:::
#reflections #pilgrimage
#thruhiking #norgepålangs #NPL
💛 'The active enjoy water when it flows, but those who are quiet find pleasure when it is still' - Bai Juyi ::: #reflections #pilgrimage #thruhiking #norgepålangs #NPL