Strengthening Arms

Shaolin Tong Zi Gong

Self Defence Course – Shaolin Qinna Course

UK Shaolin Temple is pleased to announce that we are organising a self-defence course (Qinna) to take place on 18th January 2015. This course will cover basic self-defence techniques including grappling,  joint locking, defence against knife attacks and takedowns. These techniques are formalised under the Chinese Chin Na system.

This may sound difficult to many of you but in fact all of the techniques included in this course are simple and can be effective with less effort than you may expect. They can also be learnt by anyone, you don’t need to be skilled in martial arts and we also welcome complete beginners of martial arts to join this course.

It is a part of our basic human instinct to defend ourselves against attack and this course will help you prepare yourself effectively.

Read More: http://www.shaolinculture.net/self-defence-course/

Finger Strength Training

Shaolin Iron Palm Training

Iron Palm or Iron Hand (Chinese: 铁掌功) is a body of training techniques in various Chinese martial arts. It is originally one of the 72 arts of the Shaolin temple. These conditioning techniques are typically meant to condition the hands to allow a practitioner to deliver very powerful blows without injury to his or her hands.

Iron Palm is a broad term covering many different conditioning methods. Some Iron Palm systems are considered internal and others are purely external in training methods. Martial artists who practice Iron Palm training are not unified in their training and techniques. Some teachers treat their Iron Palm methodology as a valuable secret, and only share their specific techniques, training methods, and herbal remedies with a select few.

Iron Palm is not a martial arts style unto itself, but a type of conditioning featured in many schools of Chinese martial arts. Some non-Chinese martial arts styles, such as Muay Thai and many schools of Karate, also feature hand conditioning; however, the term “Iron Palm” is not normally used to describe these types of training.

Iron Palm Training

Iron Palm training often involves three primary components:

1. Strengthening of the striking limbs by developing the tendons and ligaments from the shoulders to the fingertips, then striking or slapping relatively hard objects enclosed in canvas/leather bags. Following a conditioning session, the striking area is usually treated with a medicinal aid created from plant derivatives, usually a traditional Chineseliniment called Diedajiu (Dit Da Jow). A common belief among practitioners is that failing to apply Diedajiu after Iron Palm training sessions can have negative effects on long-term health, such as movement limitation, arthritis, and other nerve damage to the hands. Small blood clots can also occur if good Diedajiu is not used causing eye blindness through clots in small capillaries (blood vessels). Soaking and thorough massaging of hands after training is imperative.
2. Using proper technique to strike with greater force: As in other martial arts, students learn specific body mechanics with the intent to produce a more powerful strike. Students train to relax the body and release residual tension in order to move faster. This is usually done with standing meditation routines designed to release the residual tension in the body and develop “linking” power.
3. Engaging in Qigong exercises in order to develop “qi” (also chi). This Qigong training coordinates breathing to improve mental focus, resulting in a more powerful strike.

Methods

Schools of Iron Palm training are often divided into “direct” or “indirect.” Both methods usually consist of striking progressively harder surfaces. Some practitioners also refer to their training as Nei Jing (“internal”) or Li (“external”), this deals with the Qi energy or type of force (jin) used. In the “direct” method the hands are thrust into buckets or containers of the medium; the hands come into direct-contact with the substance. In the “indirect” method, the practitioner strikes bags or other containers filled with various materials. As training progresses, the bags or buckets filled with increasingly resistant substances starting with beans then sand, progressing onto gravel or rocks, then finally lead and iron shot. Practitioners can measure their progress based upon the number of strikes performed in a particular training session or by the amount of clock time spent training. Relaxation while training strikes and use of good Diedajiu medicine is imperative to proper success. Proper breathing is also essential for maximum effect/success.

The Chinese Martial Arts can utilize a wide variety of open and closed hand strikes. Hardening the hands is also considered by some to supplement speed and strength lost through aging. Iron palm practitioners often demonstrate their abilities by breaking hard objects such as bricks, coconuts, stones and boards with their bare hands or in some cases hitting a steel object rapidly without sustaining injury. These demonstrations were often street performances used to make money for a martial artist or martial arts school.

Private lessons

If you prefer to develop your skills in an intense, personal and focused format, why not try Shaolin training through private tuition. UK Shaolin Temple offers expert private tuition with our headmaster Shi Yanming. Here you have the opportunity to explore Shaolin cultural disciplines on a deeper level and enjoy a rich knowledge exchange.

To help you experience what one-to-one Shaolin tuition is like, UK Shaolin Temple is offering a 30% reduction for private lesson if you book a date between September 2014 and October 2014. For more information please check our website at:

http://www.ukshaolintemple.com/shaolin/private_lessons.html 

Kung Fu for Family

Have you been struggling to find an activity that can appeal to the whole family? Something that’s active and fun as well as challenging? Well, we might just have the answer for you.

UK Shaolin Temple’s kung fu training offers physical exercise that is creative and stimulating. Unlike some martial arts groups, our focus is not on the superiority of skill or strength. Our focus is on the journey of self-improvement. Our kung fu training will bring your whole family together as adults and children train side by side. It will also draw you closer together as you share in the same developmental journey and aspirations.

Our Shaolin Kung Fu training offers benefits for the whole family.

• Improve mobility, fitness and balance
• Develops flexibility and athleticism
• Develops coordination and spatial awareness
• Improves confidence and interpersonal skills
• Provides an outlet from everyday struggles and strife
• Essential self-defense skills

 Our training has been immensely popular among families. Why not try it for yourself? Don’t miss out on our free trial lesson offer to all new students. And if that wasn’t enough, family discounts are also available.

Interested? Bring your family along to our family friendly UK Shaolin Temple classes located in Hampshire and Dorset. Please click the link below for more information.

http://www.ukshaolintemple.com/shaolin/kungfu-for-family.html