Training with the Shaolin Monks by Joseph Barnes.0:08
I watched in awe as the man threw himself into the air and spun across the stage.0:17
He landed gently and crouched down like a tiger ready to attack.0:22
With his sword held out in front of him.0:26
It was impressive, but nothing prepared me for what came next: a man balancing his body on tips of spears!0:29
I gasped in amazement all the way through this incredible performance of the Shaolin monks.0:36
Trained in the art of kung fu at the world-famous Shaolin Temple in China, these monks are so strong that they can break bricks on their bodies, and so skilled that they can fight blindfolded without getting hurt.0:42
After the performance, I just knew I had to learn more about them.0:54
So I did a little research, and then last summer I travelled high into China's Yuntai Mountains, where the stunning scenery takes your breath away, for a month of training at a real Shaolin school.0:58
I arrived late at night, exhausted by my long journey, but the next day I was woken up by a bell at 5:40 for a run to the top of a nearby mountain.1:10
I struggled slowly upwards, and by the time I reached the top, the Chinese students had crawled back down on their hands and knees to build their muscles and were back at the academy warming up.1:20
I looked on in horror as students practiced doing the splits.1:33
How will I survive a whole month here?1:37
To my relief, I soon learnt that foreigners don't train with the Chinese students.1:41
And when my new shifu, or teacher, Master Jin Long arrived, he was calm and patient, not fierce and proud like I had imagined.1:46
We began by practising mabu, a basic kung fu position.1:54
For this, you stand with your legs bent, as if sitting on a chair.1:59
It looked simple, but I couldn't do it for more than a few seconds.2:03
I felt like a failure.2:07
Master Jin Long came over and told me that I would learn little by little, After the class, he told me that a key secret to kung fu was repetition and that I would improve greatly after a lot of2:09
An hour later, we finally got breakfast—large bowls of rice and vegetables.2:22
Afterwards, it was straight back down to the gym to practice basic punches and kicks.2:27
In the afternoon, I chose to study tai chi, a martial art which focuses on controlling energy.2:33
Physical training finished at 6 PM after an exhausting 8 hours.2:39
Fortunately, evenings were a time to work out our minds with 2 hours of either Mandarin Chinese or meditation classes.2:44
Building mental strength and control is an essential aspect of kung fu too.2:53
By the time the first day was over, I felt almost sick from exhaustion.2:58
But as I showered, to my disappointment, in a cold shower, There is no hot water at the school.3:02
I told myself that if Shaolin monks could train from 5 AM until late in the evening under much harsher conditions, with many of them beginning at the age of 5, then I could survive a month here.3:08
Well, the month flew by and by the end I felt incredible.3:19
I couldn't have imagined what a life-changing experience it would be.3:24
The monks constantly told us that we would build character and learn humility through hardship and discipline.3:27
And that's exactly what I experienced.3:33
Although I couldn't quite break bricks on my head, I left the academy with a new inner strength and determined to work hard to achieve my goals in life.3:36
Still, upon my return, I couldn't wait for a hot shower and a relaxing sleep in my comfortable bed.3:45
Клик по слову — перевод и «+ в мои слова» (в любом режиме). Клик по строке или таймкоду — перейти к этому месту записи.