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Exploring Chinese Civilization: more than just martial arts in Chinese kung fu

Global Stringer

03:02

Shaolin martial arts is one of the most famous traditional martial arts in China. It has a time-honored history and far-reaching influence. The most prominent feature of this type of kung fu is that it fuses Zen concepts into martial arts, advocating meditation as part of the practice.

Kanishka Sharma, an Indian martial arts expert, has been nurturing his Shaolin kung fu dream since he saw a kung fu movie as a child. At the age of 21, he came to China to study this art, an experience he describes as a dream come true. Kanishka believes that Chinese martial arts are different from modern boxing or mixed martial arts (MMA) as they are defensive in nature. Referring to the Chan, Wu and Yi (Zen, martial arts and medicine) concepts in the Shaolin culture, Kanishka says Chinese martial arts have immense cultural value. Kanishka has taken what he learned back to India and hopes he can continue to help teach and promote Shaolin kung fu.

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