Special Events/Seminars/Classes

SUNDAYs in 2025, beginning in May
2:00-4:00 PM $40 per participant
Silat -Introductory/Intermediate/Advance Classes with Joshua.

New to Martial Arts? Long term student of Martial Arts? Looking to cross-train your current martial art practice? All physical abilities and knowledge levels are welcome to attend these classes. We will be presenting and reviewing introductory drills with proper body mechanics for the Bruneian Silat Introductory techniques and skills.

Hosting Venue: Kensington Metropark, 4570 Huron River Parkway, Milford, MI 48381. We will meet at Baywoods picnic shelter parking area @ 1:50 PM. Park amenities include public restrooms. Please note: admission to the park is separate and on a need-basis. There are 3 entrances to the park, all offering $10 day-pass per vehicle or accepting Metro Park Yearly Passes for resident/non-residents. The areas we will be training on are grass, compacted ground, and sand for different portions of the class. Light protective/closed-toe footwear is recommended and encouraged.
**In the event of inclement/hazardous weather, we will take shelter as advised by park security. We will gladly issue credit in the event Mother Nature or Metro Park Staff require us to cancel due to weather-related issues. Safety First! We will reach out to you via phone/text for urgent changes, and follow up with email communications based on the contact information you provide during class registration. Generally our classes are ‘rain or shine’ - and we roll with what Michigan’s weather presents. Thank you for understanding! Please register early as class spots are limited to preserve quality instruction time, partner work, and appropriate group size. Registration links will be posted as we approach April.

To register, please contact Echo Shadow Essence for the required forms. Once registration is submitted, you will receive confirmation via email, including park map, and payment options. If you have any questions, please feel free to call/text 517-294-6088 or email us at nadia@echoshadowessence.com.

Michigan welcomes Guro Rick Faye
and
Guro Peter Kwong!

Join us in Mackinaw City, Michigan for a Silat Summer Camp with Guro Rick Faye and Guro Peter Kwong this August 15th, 16th, and 17th!

Experience Silat and Southeast Asian Martial Arts in Michigan’s beautiful
Up North Woods along the shores of Lake Huron and Lake Michigan.
All disciplines of martial arts and all ages are welcome. This event provides hands-on training, expert guidance from world-renowned legends and a chance to connect with fellow students.

Event Details
Cost: $350 (early-bird registration until July 1st*)
Date: August 15 - 17, 2025
Location: 600 W. Central Ave., Mackinaw City, MI 49701
Dates/Times:   
Fri., Aug. 15th - 3-8 PM
Sat., Aug. 16th - 9-12 PM + 1-4 PM
Sun., Aug. 17th - 1-6 PM

*Event cost increases to $400 after July 1st

Visiting Mackinaw City, Michigan Information
You are in for a treat this summer- Michigan waters, woods, and Silat with Guro Rick Faye and Guro Peter Kwong!

-Are you flying to Michigan to attend the seminar? Pellston Airport (PLN) offers convenient daily-connecting flights! Fly into PLN swiftly from Detroit Metropolitan Airport (DTW) for less than the cost of a rental car at DTW and save yourself 4 hours of driving from Detroit.
Resource: https://emmetcounty.org/experiences/airport/index.php

Our venue is St. Anthony’s Event Center of Mackinaw City (600 W. Central Ave., Mackinaw City, MI 49701). There are several lodging accommodations, some within walking distance of the seminar!

Here are a few lodging suggestions:
Vindel Motel - 2 blocks from the silat camp venue!
Hamilton Inn Select Beachfront and several of the common hotel chains like Days Inn, Baymont, Holiday Inn Express, and Quality Inn offer spacious rooms and suites!

Is camping more your speed? Why not- It’s Northern Michigan! Here are a couple of local camping options:
Mackinaw Mill Creek Campground
Mackinaw City / Mackinac Island KOA Journey
Mackinaw Campground

-Also worth mentioning, if you feel so inclined, St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church of Mackinaw City is next door to our venue and offers mass times as well as an ongoing drop-site that accepts food donations for the local food bank. All are welcome and invited to attend mass, prayer, etc. For us at Echo Shadow Essence, we believe in building longer tables and not taller fences. If you can and are able to donate to the local community, whether it is non-perishable food items for the food bank or supporting local businesses and the historical society as you tour the city, please know your contributions are acknowledged and deeply appreciated. Our seminar times were crafted with participants in mind- enough time to train and learn paired with attractions and operating hours of the surrounding establishments. Please enjoy all that the area abundantly offers!

Things to do & see/Attractions:
-Mackinaw City is home to Colonial Michilimackinac, Old Mackinac Point Lighthouse, Historic Mill Creek, and Michilimackinac State Park. Some things were made to be seen and experienced firsthand and these points of interest are unlike any others! To better see what the area is all about, check out the chamber’s video at https://www.mackinawchamber.com/mackinaw-movie/

-You are only minutes from the Headlands International Dark Sky Park! This year’s seminar occurs during The Perseids, one of the best meteor showers of the year. Depending on weather and cloud cover, you are welcome to join us for a group Nature Immersion Experience to enjoy a spectacular sunset along the beach/shoreline and stay for the impressive night sky displays without light pollution. We will offer gear and red-light flashlights while supplies last to borrow, but you are welcome to bring your own if you prefer. This is a unique and memorable fauna-rich forest preserve unlike anywhere else!

-The Mackinaw City Chamber of Commerce has a wealth of information about the local businesses and amenities. Please consider this points of interest map to help plan your trip:
https://www.mackinawchamber.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/2024-Points-of-Interest-Map.pdf

-Mackinac Island: home to Mackinac Island State Park (which is about 82% of the island according to mackinacparks.com). Catch one of the many ferry rides to the island and (re)discover Fort Mackinac, The Richard & Jane Manoogian Mackinac Art Museum, Biddle House, featuring the Mackinac Island Native American Museum, the Benjamin Blacksmith Shop, American Fur Co. Store & Dr. Beaumont Museum, and McGulpin House.

REGISTER FOR AUGUST 2025 SEMINAR in Mackinaw City, MICHIGAN

(Re)Connect with Nature in 2025

Nature Immersion Experiences/Forest Therapy Walks with Nadia, Certified Forest Therapy Guide.

FREE Wednesdays (virtual only); 1 hour:

Give yourself permission to dedicate time to self-care, relaxation, and respite mid-week with this Virtual Walk option. New to (re)connecting with Nature? Not sure what it’s all about? This is a great opportunity to try it on! You are invited to connect with Nature from your own indoor/outdoor location via Zoom. To ensure comfort and connection, space is limited to 10-12 participants. The Zoom link will be emailed to you on the day of the walk/immersion. When you register, the email address you provide will be sent the password guidance and any additional information pertinent to the walk/immersion. The themes of the virtual walk/immersions change seasonally whereas the public Saturday walk/immersions change by setting and by seasonal conditions.

Saturdays (in-person only) year-round
$40 per participant; 2 hours

Private and small group walks/Nature Immersion Experiences are available by appointment throughout the year. You are invited to connect with Nature with Nadia as your guide. To ensure comfort and connection, space is limited to 15-20 participants. Light protective/closed-toe footwear is recommended and encouraged. When you register, the email address you provide will be sent any additional information pertinent to the walk/immersion. The themes of the public Saturday walk/immersions change by setting whereas the virtual walk/immersions change seasonally.

To register, please email/text/call to complete the required forms. Once registration is complete, you will receive confirmation via email, including park map, and payment options. If you have any questions, please feel free to call/text
517-294-6088 or email us at nadia@echoshadowessence.com.