Shaolin 72 Fist Kung Fu

When there is not time for thinking and it is do or die,
only a well trained routine will do.

Some 2000 years ago, Buddhism found favor in China and started to spread. Around the fifth century an Indian Buddhist Monk followed the path of Buddhism to China and found his way to court where he gained favor. With the Emperors help, he built a Buddhist Temple, far away from everything on the side of Mount Shao in the small forest, Lin. Forty years later, another Buddhist Monk traveled to China eventually ending up in the Shao-Lin temple, where he did not initially gain entrance. He was scathing of the way the Monks slept instead of meditating. The details of this are somewhat contested so I will not go into that any further.

Eventually, the Indian monk gained entrance and introduce hard Yogic exercises in the temple. A generation later, Chinese turned against Buddhism and the temple was destroyed and it took another generation before the temple was functional again. And this is (most likely) when Shaolin Kung Fu was born. Understanding that the temple had to protect itself, not just through barking temple dogs but with real protection, Shaolin invited martial artists to stay with them for a while, or even retired and become part of the temple. Over a period of time, they developed the 72 Fists of Shaolin. After Yoga, 72 Fist Kung Fu was the second 'form' of exercise in the Shaolin Temple.

No, we do not know the specific routines they taught fifteen-hundred years ago. But WEB research, visit to China, Henan and Shaolin, and around 200 books, and thirty years study allows us to take a good guess what this style was like and some principles came across despite the many years.

What is 72 Fist Kung Fu

Chinese characters are a type of logogram, which are written symbols that represent syllables or even words instead of sounds like the phonetic alphabet. The phonetic alphabet would use two to several characters to represent one Chinese Hanzi. So too the 72 Fists. Instead of a technique or another technique, 72 Fists are a complete combination leading to a specific outcome, usually ending an attack. Instead of training a punch, a kick, or a block, a 72 Fist does is a complete package against a single attacker, blocking, punching, evading; whatever is required to stop an attacker. When dealing with several attackers, you string the appropriate 72 Fist routines together, never using the same one again. It is a bit like a magicians code, never show a trick the second time and never be predictable.

Warning

Shaolin Kung Fu is an ART. The level of detail in each technique is high, even if you do not see it right away. If you are just in for a quick grading or think you know martial arts and want to pick up some idea, go ahead, but you will be missing the point. If you like learning about the how, what and why, you are probably spot on with us. I find that the why of things is more important than anything else, then the what and how."

But First...

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How does online training work?

Learn the 72 Fist routine, practice it, make it work for you, then record yourself twice from the front, twice from the side and send it in for evaluation. Each Fist Grading costs $25, and if you do not pass, you get two more chances without any payment. You grade successfully any 8 Fists, you pass the first level. Next, 8, the next level and so on until you reach the tenth level, Brown Sash. You choose 5 of the Fist's and make them you own, like movie quality, flawless performance! Then you develop your own 72 Fist Routine, five to eights movements. If it is good enough, you pass. If it is excellent, you pass well. If it is awesome, it will be added as a new fist after the seventy two and you will be credited, if you allow.

Learning, Growing, Knowing

Like the Shaolin Monks of then, we are prepared to learn from other marshal art styles. If you have a particularly interesting, unique routine, different from any of the 72 Fists, submit it to us for possible inclusions in the post black sash segment.

Martial Art is Dangerous!

We, the Shaolin Academy and I, Sijo Robert Z have to make you aware that you are solely responsible for anything that you do to yourself or others using our kung fu. You need to be responsible for your safety and anyone else's safety, EVEN IF THEY ARE THE ATTACKER! Your kung fu needs to be so good, that you can stop an attack, without sending the person to Intensive Care. Disproportionate responses are unwelcome and unethical. Also, Shaolin NEVER ATTACK. We do not turn our back son an attacker but we also do not attack. If you agree to this and read the Information, Awareness and Indemnity form to the right, then you can continue. Yes, I know, I can not stop you anyway, but we do not train or cooperate with violent criminals.

MARTIAL ARTS IS DANGEROUS!

The Shaolin Academy only makes this material available, beyond this point, under the provision that you, the user (reader, potential student, interested person, etc.), indemnify the Shaolin Academy, it's Master & Instructors; and any person or persons from any liability arising from you following, learning, using or anything else derived from any Word, Picture, Video on the Shaolin Academy WEB pages! If you can not agree to this please click here NOW.

The safe way
to pay.

The safe way
to pay.

If you wish to train the Shaolin Academy Kung Fu/Martial Arts/Self Defence/Weaponry; you must agree to be safe and responsible, indemnify the Academy and Instructors and follow the rules and guides as stated above. Register yourself for only $29/y reoccurring subscription for the Foundation Levels and $35 per year for the Advanced Animal and Specialist Levels with the Shaolin Academy and receive Master Level support when you ask for it. Once you have subscribed you will receive confirming e-mails from both PayPal (almost immediately) and the Shaolin Academy (within 72 hours) with instructions how to proceed. And when you are ready book your for a Assessment or just a Review below at the bottom of this page.

72 Fist Kung Fu Levels

L1 - 72 Fist Kung Fu

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

L2 - 72 Fist Kung Fu

 

 

 

 

 

 

L3 - 72 Fist Kung Fu

L4 - 72 Fist Kung Fu, for One handed defence.

L5 - 72 Fist Kung Fu

L6 - 72 Fist Kung Fu

L7 - 72 Fist Kung Fu

L8 - 72 Fist Kung Fu

L9 - 72 Fist Kung Fu

Unallocated Need Recordings

What Now

Pick a fist, any fist, watch it three to five times, then, if you can, train it Tai Chi style before a mirror or reflective surface. Once you can execute the movements safely and correctly with your eyes closed, speed up the 72 Fist Routine to about three/quarter street defence speed, NOT QUICKER. Record yourself and send in the recording with a payment of US$25. You will receive feedback and if the feedback is 75% or better, you can start practicing the Fist for real defence. If you fail, I will tell you why and and where you have two more shots without cost. If you pass, I will tell you how well. 60%<74% is pass but needs practice. 70%<89% is very good. 90%> is Black Sash level and this Fist Routine will credit toward one of the five techniques required for Black Sash.

But consider! Just because you pay for the grading, you are not guaranteed a pass. Over 50% of first grading's failed and sometimes miserably thinking that this was a certificate for money deal. Give me a $1000 and I will still not accredit you at even the basest Shaolin Kung Fu Level. Reputation is worth more than money, at least to me. Remember, one payment, thee tries which also means that you can pass then try and improve your result.

72 Fist Kung

To complete a level, you will need to show us that you know the warm-up routine. It is part of my obligation to ensure that you are taking adequate steps to safeguard your health and well being and this includes warming up before you start any form of training. We can not control that you do warm up, but we can ensure that you know the warm up. Before you seek any form of accreditation, send us your warm-up routine or copy the one below. No payment required for this part of your grading. Just below the warm-up explanation are some other supporting techniques and information. It may be beneficial to look at it first even if you are eager to look at the fists. At least, review the Warm Up (even if you have your own) then the Safety Info.

Epilogue

Blow we have an extensive list if direct links to the various recordings. Have a look and i (Sijo) hope you enjoy the information presented as much as i enjoy kung fu and spreading it to the world the way i understand it! Oh, at the bottom of the page is a two minute promo video of our training.

Help us maintain this information, videos and WEB site with a yearly donation and receive direct access to Grand Master Robert Z with most any questions relating to health, wellbeing, and martial arts.

We are please to hear from you and answer you martial art, health and developmental questions. If you wish to train with us, the first 3 sessions are free. It is best to try these before making any commitment. If you have any other questions or would lust like to explore some possibilities, you can;

Call us between 11am and 5pm, Tuesday to Friday & Sunday on 0458 742 654 that is 0458 SHAOLIn e-mail us at the Shaolin Academy Drop into our venue any Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday at 6 pm or Saturday at 10.30 am for teenagers (10y+), adults, and seniors or Saturday at 9.15 pm for Tiny Tigers and Cool Koalas (Family's and bub's >10y). Or in a special case, you can also arrange a personal meeting with Master Robert Z. You can call him on 0458 742 654 (0458 SHAOLIn).