Authentic Martial Art training in nature

The Julian Hitch Martial Art Schools of Excellence have established a Chinese Wing Tsun centre in the picturesque location of Montenegro. Surrounded by breathtaking views, selected students train every day on the top of a mountain, overlooking the Adriatic (Mediterranean) Sea. Students have the chance to practise this authentic Shaolin Kung Fu in a whole variety of environments, including in the forests, within dark caves and in the sea. Taught personally by Si-Fu Julian Hitch, each year only the most dedicated students are invited to this centre for intensive training. Those chosen have shown not only the correct attitude, but a desire to learn martial arts in its deepest form.

The centre includes rough, but furnished accommodation. All the necessary facilities are contained there: kitchen, toilets, showers, and there is an abundance of fresh food available, with fish caught daily.  Each student shares a room with another student, building the connection between members of the kung fu family. The entire focus of the training is to practise ancient techniques and knowledge within a traditional setting similar to those of their Kung Fu ancestors. In keeping with ancient Shaolin teachings, no alcohol in permitted to be consumed (indeed, it is also central tenet that all teachers within our schools are teetotal).
 
Training at the centre takes students out of their ordinary milieu, enabling them to see the beauty of the natural world around them. Historically, the connection between man and nature has always been an important one for those wishing to train martial arts to the highest level. Indeed, the natural environment has been key part for those seeking enlightenment; Bodhidharma, who introduced Chan Buddhism to China and is known as the founding father of Shaolin Kung Fu, is reputed to have spent seven years meditating in a cave before entering the Shaolin monastery.
 
The raw and undisturbed nature of Montenegro helps students to free themselves from the superficial attachments of the consumer society and see life from a different viewpoint. The training also takes students out of their ‘comfort zone’ and challenges them in ways that is simply not possible in Western Europe: Montenegro is a place of extremes where the mountains rise up out of the sea and the sweltering summers are followed by freezing winters.

The Julian Hitch Martial Art Schools of Excellence have established a Chinese Wing Tsun centre in the picturesque location of Montenegro. Surrounded by breathtaking views, selected students train every day on the top of a mountain, overlooking the Adriatic (Mediterranean) Sea. Students have the chance to practise this authentic Shaolin Kung Fu in a whole variety of environments, including in the forests, within dark caves and in the sea. Taught personally by Si-Fu Julian Hitch, each year only the most dedicated students are invited to this centre for intensive training. Those chosen have shown not only the correct attitude, but a desire to learn martial arts in its deepest form.

The centre includes rough, but furnished accommodation. All the necessary facilities are contained there: kitchen, toilets, showers, and there is an abundance of fresh food available, with fish caught daily.  Each student shares a room with another student, building the connection between members of the kung fu family. The entire focus of the training is to practise ancient techniques and knowledge within a traditional setting similar to those of their Kung Fu ancestors. In keeping with ancient Shaolin teachings, no alcohol in permitted to be consumed (indeed, it is also central tenet that all teachers within our schools are teetotal).
 
Training at the centre takes students out of their ordinary milieu, enabling them to see the beauty of the natural world around them. Historically, the connection between man and nature has always been an important one for those wishing to train martial arts to the highest level. Indeed, the natural environment has been key part for those seeking enlightenment; Bodhidharma, who introduced Chan Buddhism to China and is known as the founding father of Shaolin Kung Fu, is reputed to have spent seven years meditating in a cave before entering the Shaolin monastery.
 
The raw and undisturbed nature of Montenegro helps students to free themselves from the superficial attachments of the consumer society and see life from a different viewpoint. The training also takes students out of their ‘comfort zone’ and challenges them in ways that is simply not possible in Western Europe: Montenegro is a place of extremes where the mountains rise up out of the sea and the sweltering summers are followed by freezing winters.
Montenegro

The centre also aims to give the students, many of which have lived in cities their whole lives, the chance to see a different perspective of life and an appreciation of other cultures. Students invited to the Adriatic Centre will also visit the local countryside, led by knowledgeable local guides who are part of the training centre. 

Nature
Montenegro has the last rainforest in Europe (Biogradaska gora) and 4 national parks. In the River Tara it is renowned to have the cleanest river in Europe, and the canyon it flows through is the second longest canyon in the world after the Grand Canyon. The canyon is protected as a UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site and features biodiversity such as Crna Poda pines which are up to 400 years old.
 
History
Montenegro it is one of the oldest European states, but one of the world’s newest countries. It has a rich, if turbulent history. Much of this is due to its location. As a Balkan country it is on the cross-road between Europe and Asia and Montenegro has been described as the country where “6 continents merge”, Christian, Muslim, Illyrian, Byzantine, Turkish, and Slav civilizations have all been combined here. Montenegro has also changed its name numerous times – from Prevalis in the Latin era, to the medieval state Zeta, and in modern times Crna Gora (Montenegro).
 
On 3 June 2006, after a referendum the Parliament of Montenegro declared independence from Serbia. Montenegro was last independent 88 years earlier, before merging into newly-formed Yugoslavia after World War I. After the dissolution of Yugoslavia it became part of the Union of Serbia and Montenegro for 3 years.
 
Background
Montenegro is a small nation covering 14,000 km2 with a population of around 670.000. It faces the south part of the Adriatic Sea and is situated approximately 500km from Rome, 1,500 km from Paris and a 2,000km from Moscow. It borders Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Kosovo, and Albania. Montenegro’s capital and largest city is Podgorica. The walled-town of Kotor is one of the best preserved medieval old towns in the Adriatic and is a UNESCO world heritage site.

The centre also aims to give the students, many of which have lived in cities their whole lives, the chance to see a different perspective of life and an appreciation of other cultures. Students invited to the Adriatic Centre will also visit the local countryside, led by knowledgeable local guides who are part of the training centre. 

Nature
Montenegro has the last rainforest in Europe (Biogradaska gora) and 4 national parks. In the River Tara it is renowned to have the cleanest river in Europe, and the canyon it flows through is the second longest canyon in the world after the Grand Canyon. The canyon is protected as a UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site and features biodiversity such as Crna Poda pines which are up to 400 years old.
 
History
Montenegro it is one of the oldest European states, but one of the world’s newest countries. It has a rich, if turbulent history. Much of this is due to its location. As a Balkan country it is on the cross-road between Europe and Asia and Montenegro has been described as the country where “6 continents merge”, Christian, Muslim, Illyrian, Byzantine, Turkish, and Slav civilizations have all been combined here. Montenegro has also changed its name numerous times – from Prevalis in the Latin era, to the medieval state Zeta, and in modern times Crna Gora (Montenegro).
 
On 3 June 2006, after a referendum the Parliament of Montenegro declared independence from Serbia. Montenegro was last independent 88 years earlier, before merging into newly-formed Yugoslavia after World War I. After the dissolution of Yugoslavia it became part of the Union of Serbia and Montenegro for 3 years.
 
Background
Montenegro is a small nation covering 14,000 km2 with a population of around 670.000. It faces the south part of the Adriatic Sea and is situated approximately 500km from Rome, 1,500 km from Paris and a 2,000km from Moscow. It borders Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Kosovo, and Albania. Montenegro’s capital and largest city is Podgorica. The walled-town of Kotor is one of the best preserved medieval old towns in the Adriatic and is a UNESCO world heritage site.

Gallery

 To see more photographs of training in our Adriatic centre please visit our Gallery

 To see more photographs of training in our Adriatic centre please visit our Gallery

© Julian Hitch 2007 | disclaimerDevelopment: Dene Simpson