The Shaolin weapons come in various shapes and forms. In ancient China, there were 18 major weapons. Besides blades, spears, swords, and cudgels there is also a variety of dual-wielding weapons, like double hammers.
CGTN YouTube Channel
This item from CGTN is an interesting insight into the weaponry of Shaolin, from ancient China.
Shaolin Kung Fu, also called Shaolin Wushu or Shaolin quan, is one of the oldest, largest, and most famous styles of wushu or kung fu. It combines Ch’an philosophy and martial arts and originated and was developed in the Shaolin temple in Henan province, China during its 1500-year history.
Wikipedia – Shaolin Kung Fu
The double hammer is quite the weapon in the right hands, as shown in this video item, which features some pretty extreme fitness workouts, including an early take on kettlebells, with a workout called “tossing stone padlocks”. We also see sprinting up stairs, and crawling down them, both used as methods to increase endurance.
There are some interesting lessons, though, for us all, for example “you can do some physical work in your daily life to bring out your potential” – in other words, find a way to build muscle and endurance doing useful things – in this case chopping logs, but think DIY or cleaning your house!
On a similar note, we can see the martial artist sewing to “calm down” – a relaxing hobby – and he explains that “not becoming obsessed” with something can help you to master it, “when you pick it up a while later, you will think in different ways.”
The idea being: take a break from very difficult activities, to completely shut off; and you will find they are easier when you return to them.
Enjoy this insight into ancient Chinese practices? Leave a comment, below.
