Practicing Shaolin Kung Fu - FlowingZen.com - A Florida school teaching Cosmos Chi Kung, Shaolin Kung Fu, Tai Chi Chuan, and Zen.

Practicing Shaolin Kung Fu
by Sifu Anthony Korahais

This article is for those who are taking or have completed the Shaolin Kung Fu Level 1 course.

I hope you enjoyed your introduction to Shaolin Kung Fu, and that you caught a glimpse of the depth and beauty of this art. Ten years after my first introduction to Shaolin Kung Fu, I can honestly say that it just keeps getting better and better.

If you have not yet read them, the following articles are important:

For those of you who are wondering what to practice, this article will help. Now that we're doing Shaolin Kung Fu, we can begin to practice a little longer. In the beginning, we should work up to this, following the principle of "gradual progress". Eventually, we should aim to practice for 30 minutes once or twice a day.

On days when you don't have much time, just practice your normal 10-15 minute Cosmos Chi Kung session. When you have time, use one of the sample routines below. Don't add too much too fast. Slow and steady wins the race.

Below are the names of the fundamental patterns and skills covered in the Introductory course. Click on the highlighted names for images:

Below are some good practice routines. Remember: make sure that you don't over-practice. Whether you practice for 5 minutes or 50, you should feel fresh after the session. And most importantly -- enjoy your practice!

Routine #1: The First Week
20-30 minutes

Entering Zen
Lifting The Sky or Pushing Mountains or Carrying the Moon
Three Levels to Earth
Lifting the Sun and Moon
The Art of 30 Punches
Black Tiger Cleanses Claws
Flowing Breeze Swaying Willows
Standing Zen

Routine #2: The Second Week
30-40 minutes

Entering Zen
Lifting The Sky or Pushing Mountains or Carrying the Moon
Three Levels to Earth and/or Dancing Crane and/or Touching Toes
Lifting the Sun and Moon
Chi to Dantian
3-Direction Stances
Lohan Carrying Water
The Art of 30 Punches and/or 3-Direction Punching
Black Tiger Steals Heart
Single Tiger Emerges Cave
Flowing Breeze Swaying Willows
Standing Zen

Routine #3: The Third Week
30-40 minutes

Entering Zen
Lifting The Sky or Pushing Mountains or Carrying the Moon
Three Levels to Earth and/or Dancing Crane and/or Touching Toes
Lifting the Sun and Moon
Chi to Dantian
3-Direction Stances
Lohan Carrying Water
The Art of 30 Punches and/or 3-Direction Punching
Black Tiger Steals Heart (with Drag Step)
Single Tiger Emerges Cave
Flowing Breeze Swaying Willows
Standing Zen

Routine #4: The Fourth Week
30-50 minutes

Entering Zen
Lifting The Sky or Pushing Mountains or Carrying the Moon
Three Levels to Earth and/or Dancing Crane and/or Touching Toes
Lifting the Sun and Moon
Chi to Dantian
3-Direction Stances and/or 4-Direction Tigers
Lohan Carrying Water
The Art of 30 Punches and/or 3-Direction Punching
Black Tiger Steals Heart and/or White Snake Shoots Venom
Single Tiger Emerges Cave and/or Golden Dragon Plays in Water
Flowing Breeze Swaying Willows
Standing Zen

After the 4th week, you can start to customize your own routine. Experiement with what works best for you. Remember that Shaolin Kung Fu must be alive, and this also applies to your practice. Don't worry about covering all of the material every day. Unless you are practicing 2 hours a day, it will be virtually impossible. Instead, mix things up. And most importantly, have fun. Shaolin Kung Fu is meant to enrich our lives, not enslave us.

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