Probably there is not a single person in the Internet space who has not heard of Shaolin monks. These tremendously agile and dexterous people are not only capable of kicking your buttocks. To gain the honour of being regarded as a “Shaolin monk” requires a humongous amount of resilience, dedication, motivation, and, most of all, patience.
Shaolin monks are exposed to extremely stringent exercises 365 days of the year. Every morning for the Shaolin monks starts with 2 hours of meditation before sunrise which is followed by a rapid climbing of more than 1,000 stairs and hundreds of other exercises. That is how their endurance, stamina, and strength build up. They are allowed to eat only twice a day. Meat is not forbidden but it is a rare occurrence in their diet.
Shaolin Kung-Fu
Kung-Fu or Gung-Fu is related to any practice, research, or study that necessitates great amounts of energy, hard work, and time to complete. Incepted in the Shaolin Monastery in the Song Mountains (嵩山), Shaolin Kung-Fu revolves around the belief in Buddhism’ natural superpower and is based on Chan Buddhism’s wisdom. Shaolin Kung-Fu incorporates a whole theoretical and technical system established on the basis of martial arts, highest level of skills and diverse techniques. The Shaolin Temple is located in China’s Henan province.
The performance of the Shaolin monks
Less than a month ago, I had the immense pleasure to marvel at their masterful skills in the National Palace of Culture in Sofia. The show was called “Shaolin Monks: The Mystical Power of Kung-Fu” and it was performed by Shaolin monks whose age varied from 6 years to more than 70 years. Every single one of these magnanimous men demonstrated envious amounts of agility, strength, and swiftness. At the end, the eldest monk made everybody stand up and showed us amazing breathing exercises. Be prepared for jaw-dropping photos.
Have you been to such a performance? How was it different? What did you enjoy the most?
Hung Thai [Up Up and a Bear]
Looked like an amazing show Svet! I don’t want to brag, but you know I’ve trained in the martial arts since I was in the womb. LOL… I wish. My nieces take Karate though – I think I can leech off their martial arts energy, right?
Svet
It was spectacular indeed! Ha-ha, I have always known that you are hiding a warrior inside! :))
Laura @Travelocafe
This must have been soooo cool to watch! Thanks for sharing it with us.
Svet
Thank you for reading it! If I say it was a pleasure, that would be an understatement 🙂