Shaolin Wahnam Institute
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The Shaolin Wahnam Institute is an international school dedicated to the promotion of the Shaolin Arts. These arts include Shaolin Qigong (Chi Kung), Shaolin Kung Fu, Zen and Taijiquan. The school was established in the 1980s by Grandmaster Wong Kiew Kit of Malaysia. Within the last 15 years, the school has spread worldwide and includes thousands of students. Instructors under Grandmaster Wong teach in many countries around the world, each with their own students and practice schedules.[1] Grandmaster Wong is the 4th generation successor of the Venerable Jiang Nan of the Southern Shaolin Monastery.[2] Grandmaster Wong is recipient of “Qi Gong Master of the Year” at the 2nd World Qi Gong Congress in San Francisco.[3]
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[edit] Shaolin Kung Fu
Shaolin Kung Fu as practiced in the Shaolin Wahnam Institute emphasizes traditional training methods. One type of training which emphasizes internal force development is Zhang Zhuang or Stance Training.[4] These are stationary postures, a type of quiescent qigong(as opposed to dynamic qigong such as in the 18 Lohan Hands). Another set of advanced training exercises for developing internal force for martial application and spiritual development is known as Sinew Metamorphosis.[5] In Shaolin Wahnam, students are first introduced to the skill of Generating Energy Flow, following the principles of “first circulate, then build"[6] and “first be healthy, then learn to defend yourself”.[7]
Traditional forms are also utilized, as the Shaolin Wahnam Institute believes that the forms as passed down in Kung Fu sets from past Masters are to be used in real fighting exactly as they are practiced in solo. Virtually all the techniques from other martial arts can be found in these Shaolin Kung Fu forms as practiced in the Shaolin Wahnam Institute. In order to bridge the gap between solo form practice and Free Sparring, a systematic sparring methodology has been refined by Grandmaster Wong. This enables a smooth transition to free sparring while traditional stances and forms remain intact in actual free sparring. This is in contrast to schools that discard traditional techniques to spar similarly to kickboxing.[8]
In basic training, more emphasis is placed on combat sequences and cooperative yet realistic partner work.[9] The most basic sequences cover striking. Further sequences address kicking, felling and qin na, translated as “hold grip”; this Shaolin Kung Fu training, therefore, covers all four categories of attack.[10] Some more advanced sets include “Cross Roads at Four Gates”, “Shaolin Five Animals” and “Tiger Crane”.[11] One set used specially for force training is “The Art of One Finger Shooting Zen”.[12]
The Shaolin training also incorporates combat elements beyond patterns, techniques and sequences of techniques. These are tactics and strategies. Shaolin philosophy is rich in tactics and strategies.[13] Taijiquan is also an integral part of the Shaolin Wahnam Institute. It is practiced as Kung Fu and often resembles Shaolin patterns. The same basic stances, footwork and skill practiced in Shaolin Wahnam Kung Fu are practiced in Shaolin Wahnam Taijiquan.[14]
[edit] Qigong
The basic qigong practice in the Shaolin Wahnam Institute is the Shaolin 18 Lohan Hands, a set of dynamic qigong exercises focusing on health and vitality.[15] Sinew Metamorphosis is a set of exercises with less physical movement. Sinew Metamorphosis are more powerful and meant for advanced practitioners training high-level internal force for martial application and/or spiritual cultivation.[16] Qigong is a type of Chinese Medicine.[17]
[edit] Zen
Zen is not just sitting meditation. In fact, it is an integral part of Kung Fu and qigong training as well. Practicing Zen means cultivating the mind. In Shaolin Wahnam, this can be achieved while performing a qigong pattern, practicing a Kung Fu set (which is qigong) or performing daily activities. There is also formal Zen training as traditionally known. This can be performed while sitting, standing, lying down or walking.[18]
In Shaolin Qigong, Zen is practiced throughout the exercise. Chi Flow (also known as Flowing Zen) usually follows some dynamic or quiescent qigong patterns and is performed in a Zen state of mind (also known as a Qigong State of Mind). The end of the practice completes with Standing Zen, which develops mental freshness and can lead to spiritual breakthroughs("satori" in Japanese).[19] Shaolin Kung Fu as practiced in the Shaolin Wahnam Institute is also a practice of Qigong. It is therefore done in a Zen State of Mind, which enables calmness in combat situations, continuing the smooth flow of internal force, anticipation of the opponent's moves and spontaneous application of techniques. Practice may also lead to a "satori".[20]
[edit] Training Centers
Permanent locations of the Shaolin Wahnam Institute exist, one of which is located in the mountains of Costa Rica.[21] Another is located in Frankfurt, Germany.
[edit] External links
- List of Certified Shaolin Wahnam Instructors
- Shaolin Wahnam Mountain Retreat Costa Rica
- Shaolin Wahnam Center Frankfurt
[edit] References
- ^ http://www.shaolin.org/general/instructors-list.html
- ^ http://www.shaolin.org/
- ^ http://www.eastwestqi.com/wqf/wqf.htm
- ^ http://www.shaolin.org/general-2/stance-training.html
- ^ http://www.shaolin.org/chikung/yi-jin-jing.html
- ^ http://shaolin.org/answers/ans03a/jun03-1.html
- ^ http://shaolin.org/answers/ans00b/sep00-2.html
- ^ http://www.shaolin.org/discussion/sparring.html
- ^ http://www.shaolin.org/discussion/sparring.html
- ^ http://www.shaolin.org/answers/ans05b/jul05-3.html
- ^ http://www.shaolin.org/general/videos-kungfu-sets01.html
- ^ http://www.shaolin.org/video-clips-3/shaolin/special-03/special25.html
- ^ http://www.shaolin.org/video-clips-3/shaolin/special-07/special56.html
- ^ http://www.shaolin.org/taijiquan/wahnam-taijiquan01.html
- ^ http://www.shaolin.org/chikung/lohan.html
- ^ http://www.shaolin.org/chikung/yi-jin-jing.html
- ^ http://www.nqa.org/qigong.html
- ^ http://www.shaolin.org/zen/what-is-zen.html
- ^ http://www.shaolin.org/chikung/vital-energy.html
- ^ http://www.shaolin.org/shaolin/greatest.html
- ^ http://outside.away.com/outside/bodywork/200804/fitness-camps-shaolin-wahnam-retreat.html
