If you go to China and the Henan province and you will find the Songshan Shaolin Temple Kungfu Studio housed in the Song Mountain Shaolin Temple.  The studio teaches Shaolin Kungfu to students from around the world.

This special place has a long history but it is said that it was at Shaolin that the 6th-century monk Boddhidharma preached and meditated here until his death.  He was the founder of Zen Buddhism.

“The monastery grew larger and richer during the Sui, Tang and later dynasties. Its monks, threatened by bandits and other enemies, developed a system of self-defense that became known throughout the world as kung fu.”

It would be true to say the very best Kungfu experts come from this Monastery.  They possess the combination of the daily life of a monk with Boxing, Gong and also with Chinese boxing, long and short weapons – stick and sword.

Zen advocated the practice of sitting quietly and contemplating one’s morality.   The monks would then get up to practice after sitting quietly to ward off sleepiness and cachexia.

The Shaolin eighteen feats are the epitome of the mysterious Shaolin Kungfu.

 
Taken after the show and they don't even look hot!!!!

At Luna Park in Sydney on the Friday 13^th June, 2008, I attended a wonderful performance of a Shaolin Kungfu Performancers. 

They told the story called “Saving Orphan” which simply told the tale of a baby who was hidden by his mother after she was who set upon by bandits.  The child Huiguang, is subsequently found by a monk and brought up in Shaolin Temple learning great fighting skills until he is eventually reunited with his mother. 

The monks jumped at the chance to have their pictures taken

Whilst the story is simple, the visions are mesmerizing. 

The curtain goes up and I already have goose bumps. 

The stage is covered by a sea of thick white mist that swirls across the stage and down into the audience.  Standing in front of a traditional Chinese background is the troup of Kungfu fighters in shiny yellow gees punching out their Kungfu moves.
 

I jump in behind to get in the photo

This vision of these golden pillars slicing through the air with such power and strength catches us all by surprise and we know we are in for a great night. 

The show is entertaining, funny, sad and totally spectacular.  The monks jump, roll, fly and tumble effortlessly. 

The story is played out with real meaning and enthusiasm and the music is all enveloping.
 

The program tells me that Child Huiguang is Wang Sen.  This young boy did things with his body you thought were not humanly possibe. His performance was perfect. 

This little guy is unbelievable

Young Huiguang, Yu Fei, was equally as brilliant.  Try sitting in the lotus position and then doing a handstand on one hand!!!!!  

Grown Huiguang, Jia Honglei was also fantastic and his expert skills as a performer and with weapons was mind blowing. 

The star

Then there was the entertaining and amusing scene with the young monks and an earthen ware bowl.  Try holding a dessert bowl on your stomach and suck it on.  Then bend over backwards and place your hands on the floor and get a couple of people to lift the bowl up. 

This monk was lifted up high off the floor still sucking the bowl to his stomach!!!!

The Shaolin Kungfu monks were brilliant.

Before, during the intermission and afterwards, they rushed out to the foyer to sell T-shirts, beads, music and programs.  Naturally we bought.  Luckily for me I had thought to take my camera for some priceless photos.

After all that hard work, it's out to flog the goodies

What a fantastic night. 
We had seen  bodies moving with perfection.