Seven Star Fist is one of the most ancient styles of Shaolin martial arts. Legend has it that the moves are inspired by the Big Dipper. Consisting of the most basic moves in Shaolin martial arts, it is one of the required courses for beginner monks.
Seven Star Fist is one of the most ancient styles of Shaolin martial arts. /CGTN
The fist features the Seven Star Claw, where elbows, wrists, legs and body work together with agility. The practical techniques are brief and vigorous and designed for close-quarter combat. You attack your rival strategically in short spurts. With outstanding attack and defense techniques and rock-solid leg positions, one can defeat strong opponents with little effort.
The fist features the unique Seven Star Claw. /CGTN
"The key to the Seven Star Fist is the stability of the legs. A wonderful punch needs tight muscles from head to toe. Every part of the body is engaged. Positions and steps, the spirit and the essence; these elements go through all the moves of the fist," said monk Shi Yanqin.
The key to the Shaolin Seven Star Fist is the stability of legs and tight muscles from head to toe. /CGTN
As one of the 34th generation of monks in Songshan Shaolin Temple, Shi Yanqin can tell the stories of the Seven Star Fist vividly. The 19-year-old has already mastered the skills of the Fist.
Shi Yanqin is one of the 34th generation of monks in Songshan Shaolin Temple in Henan Province, central China. /CGTN
Learning Shaolin kung fu was his childhood dream. His dream came true, but it was not how he imagined. Walking on timber piles, practicing, praying… everything is a test of endurance. He encountered hurdles and considered giving up. One might never know how hard it is to persist unless they have a similar experience.
The body moves fluidly after a thousand practices. Repeating the basic moves again and again improves his skills, and cultivates the developing heart, letting him know the meaning of persistence. With an unyielding spirit, his efforts have paid off, and he is now an outstanding monk martial artist.
Repeating the basic moves again and again improves a practitioner's martial arts skills. /CGTN
"For the same move, sometimes I could practice it for eight to nine hours. I always had the same routine every day," said Shi.
In his spare time, Shi arranges many activities for himself like shooting videos, singing and playing tricks on his fellow apprentices. Life in the Shaolin Temple is quiet, yet he always finds joy; people can rediscover themselves through the rigors of a simple life.
The practical techniques are brief and vigorous. /CGTN
For this young man, there may be a long way to go before he reaches the true "unity of the spirit and the technique." Being able to get rid of distractions and have breakthroughs is also a kind of self-cultivation.