Take the 40 Day Shaolin Warrior Challenge

At the Shaolin Temple, our masters told us that it took 40 days before any lasting change would happen in our mind and body. Buddha sat for 40 days under the Bodhi tree before he gained enlightenment. Jesus and Mohammed fasted for 40 days before they went back into the world to share their teachings. Scientists have found that after 40 days, you can change the neural pathways in your brain to make lasting change.

If you are just starting out, or have been working with my DVDs for many years and want to reinvigorate your practice and transform your mind and body into a Shaolin Warrior then the 40 day challenge is for you.

It's 40 days of putting a stronger emphasis on your practice, of training more than you usually would - which may mean getting out of bed an hour earlier - , training 6 days a week, and doing some additional mind training throughout the day. After 40 days you will see a significant change in your mind and body.

The DVDs that you use are down to what level you are. You will need at least 1 kung fu DVD and at least 1 Qigong DVD or book as well as the Instant Health Bamboo or metal brush.

These are my 9 Guidelines to your 40-day challenge

Attitude Of Mind

Train where you are with what you have. The beauty of Shaolin is that apart from the bamboo brush, you don't need equipment. You just play my DVD and follow the training. You can follow it in a small flat or outside in the park. All you need is one thing, faith that you can do it.

Surrender to the teachings

One thing that slightly irritates me is the amount of questions I get asked by my Western students. I know that your education is different to mine but coming from a Zen Temple we put the emphasis on practice. If I asked my Master so many questions he would beat me! The more answers that I give, the more I take away from your own experience. Everything you seek is in the teaching if you can only surrender to it.

Practice AM & PM

In the midst of your busy life it's difficult to train twice a day but for the next 40 days this is what you must do in order to progress. Even if you only have 10 minutes in the morning, do a little Qigong and stretching and this will help your day flow better while reminding you that you are training to be a Shaolin Warrior. I like my main training to be in the morning, this sets me up for the day; I then do Qigong in the evening to revitalize my body and give me a deep and peaceful sleep. Find the way that is right for you.

Be A Shaolin Warrior In Your Life

Breath is the key that links the mind and the body. It's the key to a powerful martial art's practice.  A Shaolin Warrior is grounded and focused so keep reminding yourself to breathe throughout the day. If you have a digital watch, you can set a few alarms or get it to beep on the hour as a reminder for you to stop and breathe.

Eat Right

Check out my blog post about food. For these 40 days put an emphasis on eating well. Make sure you eat a big breakfast every day, don't drink any sugar drinks or eat processed food. Try to cook your own food.

Stay Connected

Doesn't matter whether you are religious or not, the experience of martial arts is an exchange with the Universe. The breath we breathe does not belong to us. The strength we gain comes not just from our practice but also from the teachings. We feel more connected to some things then others. You're reading this blog which means you are probably more connected to Shaolin training. Once you train you become part of the Shaolin Family. If I meet anyone from the temple, we call each other brothers unless I am older than him then he calls me Shifu. The West has more emphasis on being an individual. This is fine but don't use your martial arts to bolster your ego, use it to become a person of real strength who has the confidence to be humble.

Train Intelligently

The beauty of Shaolin is in its many exercises. What do I practice every week? The five basic kicks, the five stances, some traditional kicks and punches, bag work, pad work, exercises from my Circuit training and Bootcamp DVDs followed by Qigong.  Once you know the exercises from my DVDs, mix it up so that your body never gets used to any workout, this means your body will never get lazy and you will always be working to your optimal.

Let Your Body Become Your Doctor

 The more you train the more your body will naturally start to heal itself. Foods you used to be able to eat you will longer be able to eat, don't worry about this, this is natural. Your body has always talked to you but you are finally tuning into your body so that you can listen. This can only happen if you practice Qigong. You are not practicing Shaolin if you don't practice Qigong. Shaolin is like a bird; it needs two wings to fly.

Schedule Your Challenge

Write in your diary the day you will start. Throughout the 40 days make a note of the changes that you experience as well as what happens to your fitness levels. How many press-ups and squats can you do now? How many can you do after 40 days? How flexible are you now?  How flexible after 40 days? How about your focus and your peace of mind? Shaolin is as much about the mind as it is about the body.

Join the new Facebook page I've made for people training with my DVD so that you can join with your fellow Shaolin Warriors to share your journey and support each other. 

Remember. Great mind and bodies are not born that way, they are trained.  

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