| Great Advice on Shaolin Kung Fu Exercises | | | | or foot. Shaolin Kung Fu is that powerful, my friend. |
| It was Michael Freeman's second day at the Kung-Fu | | | | "Hey, man, I came here to be a better fighter I ain't |
| academy and I took a hard look at him. He was built | | | | gonna be no weight-lugging chump, man!" Freeman |
| like King Kong, was as hairy as King Kong, wore Mr. | | | | continued his rocking and rolling. |
| T's hairstyle, but he had Oprah's puckered lips and | | | | Well, it was my Shaolin Kung Fu training that helped |
| Michael Jackson's darkly-lined eyes. This made me a | | | | me maintain my cool. Otherwise, Michael Freeman |
| little suspicious of his motives for being here, but I was | | | | would have been dead meat by now. "Freeman, |
| in full concentration mode as I began enlightening him | | | | please pay attention So far, you have learned that in |
| with some basic Shaolin Kung Fu tips. | | | | Shaolin Kung Fu, you have to focus on your breath |
| "Freeman, in Shaolin Kung Fu, the Chi (breath) must | | | | and your body movements while observing and |
| unite with the Li (force). Do not lose focus, because | | | | connecting with the five elements of nature. Now |
| the brain must coordinate with the heart, the heart | | | | here's the fourth tip: Shaolin Kung Fu requires you to |
| must coordinate with the mind and the mind must | | | | be an expert in fist work. You must move your arms |
| govern the way you breathe. Be determined and you | | | | in such a way that the enemy cannot gain sight of |
| will be rewarded." I began educating Freeman. | | | | your fist. Your arms and fists must move at the speed |
| "Man, you just sound like my Auntie when she's | | | | of light and for that to happen, you will have to train |
| chanting hymns in choir practice! Ha!" Freeman | | | | your sinews in such a way that when you punch, your |
| guffawed, his lips vibrating, his eyes filled with | | | | arm must glide like a bird landing on a lake." |
| merriment. Hmmm, Freeman was a casual customer. | | | | "Sure, leg movements are important too: In fact, there |
| I smiled back, "Thank you, Freeman. In Shaolin Kung Fu, | | | | are seven kinds of leg movements in Shaolin Kung Fu, |
| it is necessary for the body to be agile, swift and | | | | but we'll come to them later on." I pointed out. |
| packed with energy. The movement of all parts of the | | | | "Got any cool underarm movements, eh, Balboa boy?" |
| body must be co-ordinated and you must focus on | | | | Freeman laughed, looking at me with merriment in his |
| your body movements. If you move forward one step, | | | | eyes. I wished he'd go away. |
| your hand should move, too, in sync. Even when you | | | | "Okay, Freeman, this is your last tip for the day: In |
| hit, do not focus on your fist or the force you put | | | | Shaolin Kung Fu, your eyes, ears and heart must be in |
| behind it just concentrate on your body rhythm. | | | | perfect rhythm. Your eyes must follow the enemy's |
| Understood?" | | | | movements and your ears should be sharp enough to |
| "Man, is this a ballet school or what? Ha!" Freeman | | | | detect the softest of sounds this, while your heart is |
| laughed, his lips puckering even more. A a little voice | | | | steady, cool and calm. If you are able to achieve this |
| inside my head told me Freeman was an irreverent | | | | state, you will not err. That's enough for today |
| type. | | | | Freeman, class is finished. Now please join me for a |
| "Thanks again, Freeman. Now, pay attention: In Shaolin | | | | bout of Shaolin Kung Fu sparring." |
| King Fu, the five elements of nature wood, fire, earth, | | | | "Hey Rocky, whatever you say! Hee, hee" Freeman |
| metal and water form a unique fusion during a fight. | | | | called out grinning ear to ear, not knowing what he |
| You must observe them and the arrangement of the | | | | was getting into. |
| universe around us. When you practice Shaolin Kung | | | | That was the last time Freeman ever clowned around |
| Fu, you will come to understand that your Chi (breath) | | | | in my Kung Fu class. And in case you are wondering, |
| can influence these five elements. When you reach | | | | no, I didn't destroy him but that's another story for |
| that level of understanding, you will be able to move | | | | another day. |
| very heavy objects with one movement of your hand | | | | |