Hanging out with the Shaolin Monks

Many schools in North America claim to teach Shaolin Kung-Fu, but few actually have any connection to the Shaolin lineage. Fortunately, our Sifu is an official disciple of the Songshan Shaolin Temple, and an official representative of the Temple in North America. We have the priveledge of being able to bring over Shaolin students from China as special guests at our demonstrations.

For the Living Arts Centre show this past weekend (July 24, 2004), we had two Shaolin Monks travel from China to perform with us: Shi Heng Jie and Shi Heng Zun, two instructors from the Shaolin Temple Wen Wu School of Fan Shan, Beijing. Their performance consisted of impressive weapon and hand forms characteristic of the Songshan Shaolin style, and amazing Chi Kung demonstrations of Bowl Sucking and Iron Head.

After the demo, Sifu asked if we wanted to take the monks to Niagara Falls the next day. He said he goes there once a month for every team he brings over from China, and is getting bored of it. Reluctant at first, we finally decided that it might turn out to be a fun experience.

Mike and Cass picked up these notes from Sifu before picking me up from the subway. The first note basically says "I am busy today, so my 3 students will take you to see the waterfall." The second note says "We will now go to get iced coffee." Shaolin Monks love their iced coffee, lol.

Armed with these useful notes, Mike's English-Mandarin dictionary, travel guides/phrase books, and Mikes basic crappy Mandarin, we went to pick up the monks from the Fort York Motel in Mississauga. From there, we went to Mississauga Chinatown Centre to pick up some bananas, lychee, and green tea for the monks. We also grabbed some quick photos.

From there, we went back to Mike's house to pick up some long sleeved shirts for the Monks to wear, and then headed off to Niagara.

On the way, those travel guides and dictionary proved to be very useful. The monks got to play around with Mike's iPod, choosing some of their favourite mandarin songs. :D I used Mike's travel guide to ask Shi Heng Jie to "Please sing me a song" (from the karaoke phrases chapter), and he bashfully declined. But we caught them singing along to the songs throughout the car-trip. hehehe

When we finally got to Niagara, Shi Heng Jie showed us that he was a CRAZY MOFO, by jumping onto a 2 ft ledge for this picture. Behind him is a 15ft drop into shallow water which flows right into the falls. Man, we tried to stop him, but he insisted.. CRAZY MAN... so badass!

We took many pictures. The monks love to pose. They are the masters of picture posing. They even taught us some new poses, and how to pose. We attracted alot of attention, but the monks didn't seem to mind.

Cass' new bodyguards.

Shi Heng Jie, Eagle Style

Shi Heng Zun, Snake Style