by letting the individual express themselves through the movements, embracing ‘active meditation’. Shaolin Kung Fu is not just a martial art, it is not something you practice two hours a week, it’s not for fighting, and it’s for peace. Shaolin Kung fu is a life long commitment, a way of life. Kung fu can be transferred into any activity from making a cup of tea to most famously putting on your jacket. It can be practiced by any age young and old alike.
‘Gong’ is that of achievement or results. The word Qi Gong is a system of ‘energy cultivation’ within your body. This is what makes some impressive Shaolin feats possible.
With Si added to the above (forth tone) Shaolin Si, the name Shaolin literally means “Temple in the woods of Mount Shaoshi”.
Shaolin Kung Fu can be practiced anywhere. Wu Shu (Mandarin translation ‘martial arts’) shoes have been developed especially for strenuous training sessions and it’s advised for Kung Fu practitioners to wear the correct shoes to train in. Wearing the incorrect shoes can restrict movement, damage your joints and support bad technique. Robes are worn by Monks and Disciples, although it’s perfectly fine for students to wear robes with their teacher consent to connect to the Shaolin way of life. Lightweight satin trousers and t-shirts should also be worn for unrestricted movement, specifically designed for strenuous and flexible techniques. Some students wear Chinese Buddhist pendants for protection or beads on the left wrist.
Si
This is the true meaning and translation of the word Shaolin, in Shaolin Kung Fu. 少 林 寺
Shaolin Si Sponsored by Black Eagle Martial Arts www.black-eagle.co.uk
少林
Shaolin Shaolin is a mixture of two things, shao (forth tone) and lin (second tone). Shao refers to ‘Mount Shaoshi’ in the Songshan mountain range and lin literally means ‘forest’. The monks climb the mountain and train daily at the temple below.
By Tom Metcalfe
Qi Gong is a type of Kung Fu Training for health, martial arts and awakening to ones true nature. Chi (pronounced chee and also spelled qi) is your internal energy. Life giving energy within the body, mind and spirit. Everyone and everything has Chi. Chi is the life force found in all living things and when you die, your chi is no longer there. It can take a lifetime of study to understand and develop Chi. You can improve your chi flow through breathing exercises and simple movements. With more Chi you can live a more balanced healthy life through the natural flow of your energy. Good health and strong, balanced Chi are almost one and the same. Even though your Chi is located in your whole body your dantian is the best home for your Chi. Your dantien is just below your navel and several inches in toward your spine.
寺
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The current Shaolin abbot Shi Yong Xin has decided to embrace modern day culture and promote Shaolin. The official first branch in the UK was the Shaolin Temple UK set up by Shifu Shi Yanzi who continues to teach today endorsed by the abbot himself. Similar Shaolin schools have been set up all over the world to help preserve and expand the system/ Buddhist influence.
Without Chi there is no life, there is no Kung Fu.