Testimonial by Lin Zhikai
OK. Some thoughts on working with Drew after spending a few days at his Prana Dynamics workshop from a total newbie. The thing is, until you’ve seen something with your own eyes and felt it through your own body, it’s hard not to have questions and even a few nagging doubts. Especially given that I was coming in with absolutely no experience in the system at all.
Was it going to be worth the time? The cost? Was this for real? Would I learn anything at all?
After all, I’ve pored in a ton of time trying to wrap my brain around internal martial arts. It has felt like one rabbit hole nested inside another, and no matter how many times I worked my way through the Tai Chi classics (countless times with many translations) and any number of online courses, progress still felt glacial and insights murky.
So was it worth it? The short answer? Heck yeah.
The system that Howard put together and Drew taught wasn’t just brilliant but fully graspable. Which isn’t to say that there wasn’t a lot. Or that I’ve done more than tasted the tip of the iceberg. The system runs deep. Very deep. And I know I’ll be processing things for a long time to come.
But the workshop was just wall-to-wall aha moments for me. I was utterly blown away. By the end of the first day alone, my head was stuffed with so many thoughts and ideas I could almost feel them dripping out of my ears as I fought to hold on. Things that made absolutely no sense to me in the past suddenly became clear. Connections I had never put together clicked.
And that was just one day in. Over the next couple of days, the full-throttle assault continued (in the best way possible). So. Many. Insights. And not just insights but things I was able to start using right away in my practice. Drew just gives and gives and gives.
This isn’t to say the material is easy. I’ve been digesting non-stop ever since. And I’m still trying to get it all into my body. So there’s work involved. Lots of it, and it isn’t instant. But what Drew did was put things in motion that had been deep frozen in ice for a long time for me. And I have zero doubt that what he gave is going to be more than lasting.
So what I got from Prana Dynamics was big. Huge.
Finally, some words about Drew. Because there’s no way to separate the teaching from the teacher, and Drew was so relatable and so open. The martial arts world can be notoriously fractious with secret after secret kept hidden and buried.
Drew is like fresh air. He speaks in plain language with simple explanations. He demonstrates what he teaches with clarity and simplicity. And if you’ve got questions? Just ask, and he’s got answers. And not just answers. He’ll demonstrate and work with you to help you figure it out. He has a gift for teaching.
Plus, he brings a very deep well of experience in many disciplines to the table. That was also a gift because his experience let him show us how Prana Dynamics fit into different styles, giving context to everything he taught. By the end of it, it became clear just how much power the system could generate.
Lastly, I just want to express my personal gratitude for what Drew put together. His spirit and love for the art bled into every part of what we did. All of the attendees were open and willing. Not just to learn but to share. Danny and Charlie, who helped demonstrate, were beyond incredible. And the entire workshop went beyond. By nature, I’m introverted and new situations aren’t always easy for me. But Drew made me feel like family. He gave way beyond what was promised. There was laughter and smiles. Even a genuine sense of joy. It was brilliant.
For anyone thinking about it? Just do it.
