Hello everyone! Thank you all for your continued support during my Shaolin online course. I also want to thank everyone who has supported and helped with these classes to spread the basic skills of Shaolin Kung Fu. The purpose of this training is to bring health and fulfilment to people’s lives through Kung Fu training and culture. I hope everyone will practice seriously and consistently. Please be patient in your training and pay careful attention to the detailed descriptions of each class on the website.
As we finish the Shaolin online course, I would like to explain a little bit about the culture and characteristics of Chinese martial arts. Martial arts is a method of self-cultivation which helps people to reach their potential. When you hear “Chinese martial arts” or “Kung Fu”, many people only think of movies and performances. However, true traditional martial arts practice is not just about beautiful movements. Chinese martial arts are expressed through the wisdom and experience gained over time and through continued testing. When learning traditional martial arts, the first step is to become relaxed and quiet, removing stiffness from your actions. For example, when practicing standing meditation, you are aiming to find a state of balance in your body, opening the acupuncture points and meridians to improve your health. Try practicing this at home for 3 to 6 minutes. If you keep practicing every day, you will start to feel the acupuncture points on your shoulders and neck opening and your posture improve.
The practice of Shaolin Kung Fu should not be too focused on movements and physical abilities, instead focusing on the characteristics and essence of the style. Visualisation has always been key to the long-term practice of Kung Fu monks, who observe and imagine as an important part of their practice. The monks studied and imitated animals to understand the principles they adhered to and the style characteristics they embodied. Traditional Kung Fu movements are full of details which draw inspiration from the natural world of animals, replicating their unique movement characteristics rather than their physical shapes. Once you understand the principles of Kung Fu, your body characteristics and the characteristics of different forms, it becomes your Kung Fu. As long as you pay attention, study seriously and your breathing is strong, you can learn traditional Chinese martial arts no matter what age you are. Over time, challenging yourself and remaining consistent with conscious training will lead to inner strength, self-confidence and a calmer mind.
Traditional Kung Fu has been passed down from master to student for generations, with the guidance of the master shaping the student into the desired characteristics. With my online course, this continues in a new format, with the written details on the website and the spoken advice in the videos providing the careful constructive feedback that a master would usually give to the student in person. When you are following the online course, please be aware of the difference between learning and training, which are both closely linked but also distinct. Learning involves taking in new ideas and new material, whilst training means to practice this material and consolidate it, making it your own through hard work over time. The balance and combination of both are necessary to progress your martial arts abilities.
When you’re training the material learned in the online course, please listen carefully and read the lesson details repeatedly rather than just focusing on copying the movement patterns. Today, many people struggle with lack of motivation, fighting spirit and confidence. I hope these online videos give you a chance to help improve your self-discipline and invest a little time every day in your health and wellbeing. Training is not always easy, but if you stick with it you will see the benefits and joy it brings you.
Bruce Lee once said “I do not fear the man who has practiced 10,000 kicks once, but I fear the man who has practiced one kick 10,000 times.” In martial arts, your perseverance is what matters, not the number of movements you learn. Even if you just practice for 10 minutes every day, in three years’ time, you will be grateful for your choice. Whether you are an office worker looking to become more active, an elderly person who wants to maintain mobility and strength or you are someone who wants to become a professional master one day, these classes can benefit you. Your investment of energy and sweat will not only bring you a strong body, but a cleaner and quieter mind. If you want to see more online video classes or book an online class with me, please visit kungfuschoolchina.com for details. Thank you for watching. I hope this video has helped give you a greater understanding of Chinese martial arts and has inspired you to keep Kung Fu training.
- Master Wang 🙏
