What makes airbending so graceful and spiritual? This deep dive uncovers the real martial arts, monks, and philosophies behind Avatar: The Last Airbender's Air Nomads — from Baguazhang to Buddhism, Shaolin Temple to Daoist sages.
On China’s sacred Mount Emei, Buddhist nuns are preserving a centuries-old martial tradition. Trained in Emei-style Kung Fu, these warrior women balance spiritual discipline with remarkable martial skill. Discover how they compare to Shaolin monks, how they train, and why their legacy still matters today.
Preparing to train kung fu—whether at home or in China—is about more than fitness. This guide explores how to approach your journey from all angles: mental, physical, and cultural. Learn what to expect, how to prepare, and why anyone—regardless of background—can begin.
In the final part of our series featured in Martial Arts Magazine Australia, we explore the incredible depth of styles, forms, and weapons taught at the Shaolin Temple. Far from being a fixed curriculum, Shaolin Kung Fu is a living archive—home to over 700 forms and a vast arsenal of traditional weapons. This section reveals how the temple preserves, adapts, and transmits martial knowledge through hands-on tradition, discipline, and purpose.
In Part 2 of our article series featured in Martial Arts Magazine Australia, we explore the five foundational categories of Shaolin training—neigong, waigong, yingong, qinggong, and qigong—and how they integrate into a holistic system that develops not only martial skill but energy control, physical resilience, and mental clarity. With insights from Master Shi Xing Jian and the Maling Academy, this section reveals the inner architecture of true Shaolin Kung Fu.
In Part 1 of our new series featured in Martial Arts Magazine Australia, we explore how the Shaolin Temple became a haven for martial artists across China—preserving, evolving, and synthesizing styles into what is now known as Shaolin Kung Fu. Discover why it’s said that “All martial arts under heaven come from Shaolin.
Taolu, or martial arts forms, are more than choreographed routines—they're living manuals preserving centuries of combat, philosophy, and training. This in-depth article explores the evolution, function, and enduring value of taolu across Shaolin Kung Fu and other Chinese martial arts systems.
In a recent livestream, YouTuber IShowSpeed took viewers on a journey through China, including a fascinating visit to the Shaolin Temple where he trained under a kung fu master. Explore how IShowSpeed's experience is sparking renewed interest in traditional martial arts and what it means for the global spread of Shaolin Kung Fu.
China's ethnic minority fighters—Yi, Tibetan, Kazakh, Mongol, and others—are reshaping the world of MMA with a powerful blend of traditional wrestling, rural grit, and deep cultural pride. This article explores their origins, fighting styles, and the cultural forces driving their success in modern combat sports.
Tiger Style Kung Fu (Hǔ Xíng Quán) is one of the most powerful and aggressive styles in Chinese martial arts. Inspired by the tiger's raw strength and unyielding spirit, this style focuses on crushing strikes, clawing techniques, and relentless forward pressure. Practitioners develop explosive power, endurance, and fearlessness through rigorous conditioning and combat training. Whether in traditional Shaolin forms or modern martial applications, Tiger Style remains a testament to the strength and discipline of true martial artists.
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