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Fit Is Not Healthy: A Shaolin Monk's Guide To Exceptional Wellness


In the age of social media, many people train for a body they perceive looks attractive to other people. When I was training at the Shaolin Temple, we didn't even have a camera. Nothing was documented. We trained to conquer our mind and body and become the best we could in our chosen art form.

Since coming to the West, I’ve noticed that many fit people aren't healthy. And many people whose body looks good on the outside, aren't well on the inside. When a student first comes to train with me, I ask them to throw away the scales, the smartphone,  the mirror and train for the pure motivation of inner and outer wellness. What matters most? Health or looking good?

Gym Training has its merits but it doesn't address the whole body. One of the keys to successful training is balancing the Yin and Yang. This means training internally as well as externally.  From a Shaolin Monk’s perspective, a well and healthy body is flexible, has good stamina, a strength and leanness to the muscles, and a mind and body that works in harmony. 

A weight trainer’s body is muscular but tends to be stiff. A weight lifter will usually be unable to do the splits. Their range of movement will be limited and slow. A yoga student will be flexible but ask them to do the Five Fundamental Kicks and there will be no stamina or explosive power to their kick. 

Why are splits important or being able to kick?  Even if you can't do the splits, it's good to attempt them because it opens up the hips and the legs. The Five Fundamental Kicks are a dynamic stretch.  Combining dynamic stretching with static stretching is the best way to increase flexibility Combining explosive movement with slower movement and anerobic training with aerobic training gives an alertness to the body. 

The Yin Training a Shaolin Monk does is Qigong. (I’ve written many articles about Qigong so I won’t go into details in this article.) A cook always sharpens their knife. Qigong is the sharpening of the knife. 

A Shaolin Monk trains all the time. When we punch, we do punch meditation, when we kick, we do kick meditation, when we eat we do eating meditation.  Eating mindfully has been found to help with digestion and even weight loss. Mindfulness has become very popular recently because it's been shown to prevent anxiety and depression. There’s nothing complicated about it. We simply connect our mind, body and heart into a whole and then we feel whole. We are no longer distracted and looking for something to complete us. We are already complete. 

But how can you implement a Shaolin Monk’s wellness into your life? As you continue in your week, stay connected - not to what’s happening on your smart phone - but to what’s happening in your heart, mind and body. Be aware of any distraction. This is all energy going outward. When our mind and body are stable, energy naturally returns.

If you’re not a martial artist then incorporate some kung fu movements and Qigong movements from the Kung Fu Workout For Beginners  and Qigong Workout For Beginners into your workout.

If you like this article please share it and let me know how you get on in the comments below. #shaolinmonkwellness

Photos by Sasha Gusov


22 comments


  • Rainier Calderon

    After training with Shifu Yan Lei, I realized how the combination of Qi Gong and Kung Fu truly worked together to surpass any idea I could of had for my martial arts potential before. I now truly believe Qi (the life force of the body) exists and thrives when you are centered in your martial art. Shifu Yan Lei gave me a life I could never have dreamed of and I am eternally grateful!


  • Andrey Kravets

    Thank you for taking the time to help us understand the way you see things. I very much agree with your view on health. Thank you for being such an inspiration. Keep up the great work. One day I would like to join a shoalin school and learn the correct forms from those who understand. Thank you. Stay blessed. Stay healthy.


  • Meezy

    Thank you Shifu for letting us know.


  • Felicity Hunt

    As ever a clear essay on the merits of a balanced lifestyle, I always enjoy your writings as they resonate with me and inspire me to train well and continuously! With very best wishes


  • ALAN E TAYLOR

    Hi,
    I have been practising Qi Gong for 30+ years, the last 5-6 years I have trained from Shifu Yan Lei’s books(2) and DVD’s (5) and never felt better, I am not young anymore so splits are difficult, but I persist and also use the bamboo brush with the training. I also meditate.Its life changing, I just wish Shaolin had been accessible years ago! Alan E Taylor


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