Frequently Asked Questions

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Why should I train in Shaolin Gung fu, than any other Martial Art?

No one has said you should. "All the Gung Fu of the world has its roots at Shaolin Temple" All styles of martial arts share fundamental techniques and each style has its own characteristic techniques they also share fundamental tactics and its own characteristic tactics. They share fundamental training methods each has its own characteristic training methods, over centuries of development and dedicated research by generations of masters and by the necessity of having to protect the temple and the absorbtion of gung fu from all over china, all these essential parts of any martial arts system is contained within Shaolin Temple Gung Fu. In fact many of the most famous Gung Fu styles have actually originated at Shaolin temple or have evolved from a shaolin style Wing chun, Tai chi, Hong gar, Kune etc. also there is evidence that japanese Karate originally came from Shaolin Temple. So all the characteristic techniques etc are found in Shaolin Gung fu. Also the fundamental principals ie. the technique, tactics, training methods AND theory have developed much further because of the centuries of continuity of development, obviously with this amount of time and depth of analysis the Shaolin Gung Fu goes beyond technique of which there is an inexhaustable range, beyond tactics which are tried and trusted, beyond the training (which is at Shaolin Temple is demanding and thorough) beyond all these things is the approach, the motivation and the heart of the Gung Fu practice.
With the right approach, motivation and heart all martial arts practice is benificail to the student. Gung fu is a tool to achieve an end. You should use Gung Fu,, not be used by Gung Fu : Gung fu is any martial art, is any endevour that requires hard work to reach a virtueous goal.

I am turning 54 and admittedly a bit unhealthy. I want to start some kind of Martial Art, do you think I will be able to cope with Shaolin Gung fu?

You say you wish to learn martial arts, you say your 54 and unhealthy, but you worry that you you won't be able to cope with Shaolin training. If you WANT to learn martial arts then dont delay! Shaolin training is very demanding make no mistake but if you want to learn real martial arts you must NOT BE AFRAID - Bu yao pa! Actually Shaolin Gung Fu is not purely a physical endevour but a union of mind and body, hard and soft, internal and external training but the Shaolin Gung Fu students must learn to use hard and soft together, internal and external together, mind and body together. You can say that a young man is limited by his internal development and old man is limited by his external state. In a young man his body trains his mind, the old man uses his mind to train his body. With hard work and perseverence both are successful utilising the correct balance.

Should I learn the Buddha way if I want to train in Shaolin Gung fu?

No, although in fact Shaolin Gung Fu is actually Buddist training its purpose is at its highest level is a specialised type of meditation. The focus of Gung fu is to develop a well balenced individual with awareness and concienceness, one with virtues and understanding, a strong will and above all a good heart. If you have such individuals society is harmonious and united. If you have such a society then you have such a country and such a world. This is not only the Budda way, but the way of all great religions and traditions. So the focus of Gung Fu training is on individual well rounded development, however in order to learn Shaolin Gung Fu there are certain Buddhist rules and principals that must be obeyed.

My child is just 4 years old, and is desperate to do Gung fu. I'm really worried about letting him do it, as I think it will make him violent with his sister, or at school. What do you think?

Shaolin Gung Fu training ALWAYS begins - "before you teach Shaolin Gung Fu you must first train the heart" In this respect training at the beginning is geared towards eliminating negative tendancies, establishing discipline and wider awareness also to improve the faculty of concentration and of course the benefit of the physical exercise is enormous for the development of self expression and confidence which is often at the root of anti-social behaviour.

Do I need to bring any equipment with me, and what should I wear?

No, comfortable loose fitting garb, flat shoes but most of all, a willing heart.

What is the difference between Qi Gong, and Gung fu?

The truth is that Gung fu and Qi Gung are parts of the same thing such as inhaling and exhaling are part of breathing. In the sense of your question Gung Fu is the external training of the body and the body mechanics where as Qi Gung is the internal training and the cultivation and direction of Qi. The line where one begins and becomes the other is relative. Gung fu training emphasises muscular development and vigourous exercise, Qi Gung emphasises the internal aspects. Shaolin Gung Fu emphasises that: "if you want your Gung Fu to fly like an eagle you must do Qi Gung, if you want your Qi Gung to fly like an eagle, you must do meditation".

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