The History of Shaolin Kung Fu

Shaolin Temple was built in 495 AD by wandering Indian Monk Ba Tuo, the building of the Temple was a gift by The Emperor of whom was also a Buddhist.

In 527AD Shaolin Temple had another visitor by the name of Putidamo (more familiarly known as Damo or Bodhidharma) upon arrival at Shaolin Temple he saw that the Shaolin Monks were weary and in poor health after long arduous periods of Meditation. With his yogic skills in hand Damo went into the Song Mountains to meditate and devise a series of exercises to eradicate the Monks unwholesomeness, these two exercises are known as “Yi Jin Jing” and “Xi Sui Jing”.

Although these are still taught today these are not Damo’s original transmission. However variations of these exercises are still practised today which still instill peace and harmony in both body and mind.

Through the ages martial skills were brought to the Temple through those seeking refuge from the outside world, the skills were then honed and finely tuned by the monks and over the ages have developed into what can be seen today, with each teacher (Shifu:师父) sometimes showing a different interpretation of a common form.

However it must be remembered that the Shaolin Culture is not just knowledge of self defence skills. It must be embedded in the mind of the practitioner that the body cannot do anything without the mind directing it. Shaolin Temple therefore puts into order three practices; Mind (Chan 禅; Buddhism & Meditation), Yi 医 (medicine), and Wu 武 the martial arts or cultivation of the body, they all work together in harmony and aid one another.

The History of Chen Tai Chi

Chen family Tai Chi was born over 400 years ago in the same province as Shaolin Temple (Henan), and has an illustrious history, the lineage has now been transmitted for more than 19 Generations.

Chen Tai Chi is formed of spiralling, twining energies which aid many aspects of our human bodies, from improved circulation, better metabolism, massage of internal organs etc… As with all other systems of Tai Ji Quan the Dantian (Qi Hai, point just below the navel) is where many of the movements originate from turning the waist smoothly and freely, from here the internal energy can accumulate to be either stored or released.

It has been listed within many newspaper articles worldwide that Tai Chi has countless benefits, especially with those suffering from cancer, arthritis etc… The deep respirations can help with the cardiovascular system and cause an increase in white blood cells which in turn help to fight against disease.