One Month Kung Fu Training At Henan, China

For over 1,490 years, Shaolin kung fu remains to be one of the oldest traditional martial arts in China that flourished in modern times. However, this martial arts discipline did not have an easy history. Years after the legendary Buddhist monk Bodhidharma introduced Zen and self-defense in Henan Province, well-trained and disciplined monks at the Shaolin monastery were soon drawn into political conflicts. Their fighting skill effectively classifies them as 'special forces.'

Almost Extinct Martial Arts. Unfortunately in 1644, the last Ming emperor was replaced by the first of the Qing dynasty. This imperial line saw the Shaolin sect as a disruptive element in society simply because they enjoyed generous patronage from the earlier imperial line. Since then, Shaolin kung fu suffered generations of persecution from government authorities.

Patience and perseverance have allowed Shaolin kung fu to reemerge and eventually prosper in modern times. The current government now capitalizes Chinese martial arts to boost the tourism potential of otherwise isolated regions like the Henan Province.

Shaolin Tourism Education. Today, the original Shaolin kung fu is being cultivated by the Songshan Shaolin Traditional Wushu Academy. The authorization from the International Liaison Department allows visiting foreigners to experience traditional kung fu training at Henan.

The regular one-month package already includes 29 nights of accommodation with 3 meals per day. The training program is intended to fit the visiting enrollee's specific goals. Apart from the 7-hour intensive kung fu training, other activities also include meditation sessions, morning Buddhist ceremony, and Qi Gong & Tai Chi exercises.

It is important to take note that the Songshan Academy does not only limit its program to Chinese martial arts alone. In fact, the other aspects they offer to enrollees include calligraphy, Mandarin, and Buddhism (history and philosophy) courses. Overseas physicians who are eager to expand their horizons can even enhance their related medical practice via the Medical and Holistic Treatments program in the Shaolin Temple Medical Center.