Shaolin kungfu is well-known as one of the most prominent schools of Chinese martial arts. It has complete routines, flexible moves and complicated branches. In addition to basic fist and leg moves, it also features many weapons, such as blades, cudgels, hammers and swords.
Shaolin kungfu is one of the most prominent schools of Chinese martial arts. /CGTN
Because of its unique culture, Shaolin Temple has become a sacred place for martial art enthusiasts. Shi Yanmeng is one of them. His obsession with martial arts began in his childhood. At the age of 15, he passed stringent tests to become one of the 34th-generation disciples of Shaolin Temple.
Shi Yanmeng is one of the 34th-generation Shaolin Temple disciples. /CGTN
Shi Yanmeng has been improving his skills with the spear. The Shaolin spear requires swiftness and agility and has been passed on for more than a millennium. He's been practicing the spear, taking his time to learn selected moves in various styles. The techniques are very elaborate.
The Shaolin spear has been passed on for more than a thousand years and features swiftness and accuracy. /CGTN
The most important thing in practicing the spear is the combination of strength, speed and accuracy. One's wrists must be strong. Some of the basic spear moves, like the "block, grab and stab" technique, require wrist control and strength.
The powerful and swift moves require explosive force and speed. Performing the technique required coordinated wrist and body movements, your waist strength drives the shoulders, then your elbows, then your wrists, and eventually, it goes through your hands. This brings the whole-body strength to the tip of the spear to maximize it.
Shi also practices archery with his fellow apprentices in his spare time to help improve his accuracy.
"Strength alone is not enough for the practice of Shaolin spear," he said. "No matter how strong you are, it does not work without accuracy."
Archery is training for accuracy, as well as inner cultivation. /CGTN
The feature of Shaolin kungfu is "the unity of Zen and martial arts." Practice and meditation are a fundamental part of the daily routine of the warrior monks.
Whenever he encounters a roadblock, he uses his training to calm his mind and focus on a solution.
"When you focus all your mind on martial arts, you can improve the techniques as well as the inner world," said Shi.
Practice and meditation are daily routine of warrior monks. /CGTN
"The master told me that if I wanted to practice well, I must calm down first and focus on one single thing," Shi explained.
"If I am distracted, I could fall into a dilemma. I have to clear away all distractions and try my best to concentrate. Only in this way can I practice it well."
Shi Yanmeng in practice. /CGTN