Shaolin Monks Myths and Logic: Review Training Tactics (highlights)

What makes Shaolin warrior monks fighting skills legendary?

 Qi (internal energy  training)  Flickr: Onafly 

 Let's look at their training methods from the 2001 documentary Shaolin Monks - Myths and Logic. The documentary was broadcast by the National Geographic Channel which has produced some stellar martial arts documentaries such as Human Weapon, Fight Science. The training techniques are 5m 30s (05:30) into the following video clip.



Watching the documentary, I began to think that the Shaolin Monks' training is very akin to what the special forces in most military units have to go through. It's extremely vigorous and pushes the endurance, spirit and discipline to the limits.

• Candle extinguishing by punch - build speed by contnually knocking out the candle, with the speed of your punch, which is by no means an easy fit. The candles are relit after successful 'knockout.'. 
• Horsestance Waiter - holding ceramic bowls on their heads and each thigh, Shaolin monks train to withstand hours of agony, if their stance falters, the bowl will smash on the ground.
• Cold water striking - on a cold day, the monks strike or slap the water 
• Dried beans Hand Strike - up to an hour at a time,  pushing hands into dried beans is painful but strengthens delicate fingers.
• 2 Finger Handstand - the ultimate is there was only one monk - Hai Deng who could achieve the one finger handstand. He has since passed away (from natural causes - not the handstand!)
• Mountain sprint - run up the mountain in 20 minutes and crawl down headfirst. 
• Neck conditioning by strangulation - advanced training includes suspension from a tree around the neck - which looks akin to mass suicide, but the theory is that the monks should be able to fight while been strangled.
  
  

Don't forget that the meaning of the word kung fu - means 'hard work', so just when you feel like giving up in your training, think of how hard the Shaolin Monks are training at this very moment! The key attributes required in the Shaolin way are: Endless practice, extreme effort and total devotion [to] harness the power of kung fu. Repetitive action is key = repeat, repeat, and repeat again until the action is second nature.  Only those who meet the ancient definition of kung fu or one with  an urring devotion can become a Shaolin Master - elite of the elite.