Koom brings together martial arts training, self-defense, meditation, wellness and Moroccan cultural exchange in a peaceful environment away from the noise of the city.

Whether you are completely new to martial arts or an experienced practitioner, your training is adapted to your level, objectives and pace.

You don't come to Koom simply to take classes. You come to immerse yourself in a different way of living, training and connecting.

Koom was founded by Hicham “Sham” Essadki, whose journey through martial arts began in 1985.

After a successful career as a business leader in Silicon Valley, Sham returned to Morocco and reconnected with his Sufi heritage. His journey eventually took him to China, where he spent a year studying martial arts and traditional practices with Shaolin Buddhist and Taoist monks.

In 2018, with the permission of his Sufi master and Shaolin teacher, Sham returned to Morocco with a vision: to create a place where people could develop themselves through disciplined physical training, meditation, cultural exchange and genuine human connection.

That vision became Koom.

Today, Koom is a family home, training center and retreat environment near Marrakech where guests from around the world come to train, learn and experience Morocco in a different way.

Koom is not a conventional martial arts school and it is not a luxury spa resort.

It sits somewhere in between training, retreat and cultural immersion.

Our approach connects three elements:

Develop strength, mobility, coordination, endurance and practical self-defense skills through martial arts and physical training.

Use meditation, Qi Gong, Tai Chi and mindful practice to develop focus, awareness and discipline.

Learn through Moroccan hospitality, Arabic, local traditions, food, sustainable farming and optional cultural experiences.

The goal is not simply to learn techniques.

It is to develop skills and practices that you can take home with you.

Koom's training combines traditional Chinese martial arts, practical self-defense, internal practices and physical conditioning.

Traditional Shaolin Kung Fu forms, movement, conditioning and martial applications.

Punches, kicks, movement, balance, sparring and practical fighting skills.

An internal Chinese martial art emphasizing structure, movement, coordination, power and practical application.

Breathing, movement, stillness and internal practice designed to develop body awareness, relaxation and focus.

An internal martial art using controlled movement, balance, coordination and mind-body awareness.

Practical skills designed to improve awareness, confidence, movement and the ability to respond appropriately to physical situations.

Physical training focused on stamina, flexibility, strength, mobility and resilience.

Different meditation and mindfulness practices are offered to help participants develop focus, awareness and calm.

The Koom experience extends beyond the training hall.

Depending on your interests and the length of your stay, you may also explore:

• Moroccan culture and traditions
• Arabic language
• Calligraphy and writing
• Sustainable farming and herbal knowledge
• Acupressure
• Cultural exchange
• Sufi-inspired practices
• Moroccan food and hospitality
• Atlas Mountain excursions
• Marrakech and Medina experiences
• Horse or camel riding
• Other local experiences

These activities are designed to complement your training rather than distract from it.

There is no single Koom experience.

Before your arrival, we ask you about your objectives so that we can understand what you want to achieve during your stay.

You might come to:

Improve your martial arts

Learn self-defense

Build strength and mobility

Develop discipline

Improve your fitness

Learn meditation

Disconnect from everyday distractions

Experience Moroccan culture

Develop healthier habits

Simply step away from your normal environment and reset

Your objectives help shape your experience.

You do not need to be an experienced martial artist to come to Koom.

We welcome beginners, intermediate practitioners and experienced martial artists.

Training is adapted to your level, physical condition and objectives, with an emphasis on personal progress rather than competition with other participants.

The question is not:

“How good are you?”

The question is:

“What do you want to develop?”

Koom is located on a peaceful olive farm near Marrakech, surrounded by nature and away from the crowds of the city.

It is a family environment rather than a conventional hotel or resort.

Guests have access to accommodation, meals, training areas, gardens, meditation spaces and the surrounding natural environment.

The atmosphere is intentionally simple, personal and immersive.

You come here to train, eat, rest, learn and connect.

At Koom, we believe that meaningful change comes from practice.

You can read about discipline.

You can talk about confidence.

You can think about changing your habits.

But eventually, you have to practice.

Martial arts provide the physical practice.

Meditation provides the internal practice.

Cultural exchange provides the human practice.

And the retreat environment gives you the space to put those practices together.

Our goal is to help you return home with something you can continue—not simply something you experienced.

That is why every retreat includes a continuity plan to help you carry your progress into everyday life.

Our guests come from different countries, backgrounds and levels of experience.

Some arrive as experienced martial artists.

Others have never trained before.

Some come alone.

Others come with friends or family.

What they share is a desire to learn, experience something different and invest in themselves.

You don't have to fit a particular type of person to belong at Koom.

You simply need to come with an open mind and a willingness to participate.

A typical day may include:

Morning
Breakfast followed by martial arts and physical training.

Midday
Lunch, recovery and optional cultural activities.

Afternoon
Further martial arts training, Qi Gong, Tai Chi, conditioning or personalized practice.

Evening
Dinner, reflection, meditation or cultural exchange.

The schedule varies according to the season, group and individual objectives.

Koom offers retreats ranging from 7 days to longer immersive stays, allowing you to choose the depth of experience that suits your time and objectives.

If you are looking for a martial arts retreat in Marrakech that combines training, self-defense, meditation, wellness and Moroccan cultural exchange, we invite you to discover Koom.

Check your dates and tell us what you want to achieve during your stay.