Read about Shaolin Kung Fu Masters in National Geographic Magazine

Published: March 2011

Shaolin Kung Fu

Battle for the Soul of Kung Fu

In the shadow of China’s legendary Shaolin Temple, a kung fu master’s disciples confront the changing world of martial arts.

By Peter Gwin

Photograph by Fritz Hoffmann

Kung Fu Fighting

Watch as writer Peter Gwin and photographer Fritz Hoffmann receive a quick lesson in the martial arts from a Shaolin monk.

 

Ancient Arts for Modern Students

A Google search reveals somewhat more than 10,000 Qi Gong and Tai Chi videos online.

(Any student of the Tao Te Ching is smiling right about now since Lao Tzu mentions "the ten thousand things" over and over in his book.)

You can watch Qi Gong on PBS and Tai Chi on YouTube. If you recall that at Body Balance we practice Yang Style Long Form Tai Chi, you might even be able to sort through the search results and view performance, demo and instructional videos of our form.

The question arises: can you learn the ancient arts from a video?

Traditional teachers might say no for a few reasons:

• Your Shih Fu transmits not only the form itself, but also the lineage. Learning from a certified teacher means that s/he takes personal responsibility for the accuracy of the form, its applications and the preparations that help a student gain full knowledge of the practice and its healing benefits. 
• These ancient arts are transmitted from person to person. If Shih Fu demonstrates Brush Knee, you can see how s/he gathers energy and moves through the center using the hand to ward off a low kick.  The video may show a front view or back view. But even a video can cover all the angles.
• You can't ask questions of the Shih Fu performing in a video. You might post a comment, but you can't share your insights through a conversation with your colleagues at the studio. Transmission seems to be most effective in person.

Traditional teachers working with modern students might say yes for a few reasons:

•  A video might be useful as a refresher for home practice for media-savvy students who  are actively learning a form from a Shih Fu.
• Video may be a useful way to record a form so that its knowledge will reside in more than one mind. (Practitioners of ancient arts and languages are debating this point around the world right now.)
• Video may be a useful teaching tool for providing instant feedback to students on their performance of forms and their understanding of the principles of Tai Chi.
• It seems be alright to post short portions of a form, such as competition or performance forms, without making the entire set available.

While you are unlikely to be able to buy a Body Balance Tai Chi DVD any time soon, don't be too surprised if your modern teachers use modern methods to transmit these ancient arts.

Keeping practicing!
Shih Fu Catherine 

Xie Xie to Shaolin Monks and everyone at Body Balance Academy

Xie xie (thank you) to Master Shi Yong Yao, Master Shi Chung Jun, Master Shi Chung Chiang, Shih Fu Eileen Hancock and everyone who helped in any way to create a wonderfully energetic and successful weekend of Kung Fu, Qi Gong and Tai Chi performances and seminars.

Special thanks to students who performed so gracefully and powerfully in the Saturday night show:

Adonijah Bouba Camara
Shaolien Chen-Graf
Kailash Cain
Isaiah and Iley O'Connell
Kiala Lujan
Nathaniel Welch
Neona Welch
Kaia Smith
Romain Telles
Chandra Moore
Shih Fu Jean Kono
Raymond Smith
Shih Fu Catherine Stifter
Tina Heck
Mattias Schossig
Chris Hooley
Larissa Gilbert

Thanks to Grace Wong for translation throughout the event.

And many thanks for music, lights, sound and photography:
Bill Douglass, David Lovere, Moussa Camara, Immanuel Alston, Brahm Catron
If you are a member of Facebook, view David Lovere's Photo Album of the event.

A very special thank you for all around management genius to Summer Lujan.

Apologies for leaving out any mention of people who helped in other ways. We thank you too.