The meditative exercise of Yoga, originating from ancient India, has been given a unique modern twist by former Shaolin Monk Wang Bo. The California-based founder of Shaolin Temple Torrance has recently added a new discipline to the school’s curriculum, which he calls “Hungrymonk Yoga”.
Merging the practice of yoga with traditional Shaolin Kung Fu and Tai Chi, this new exercise is based upon the Five Elements of Metal, Wood, Water, Fire, and Earth. As described on the Hungrymonk Yoga Facebook page, the exercise strives to purify the mind and body of the practitioner with the movements being correlated to each of the Five Elements, along with strengthening the internal energies of Jing – the life force found in the body’s core – Chi – the breath of life – and Shen – the healing energy resulting from the unification of Jing and Chi.
Anyone interested in taking up Hungrymonk Yoga who doesn’t live near Torrance, California, however, can still take part the in the exercise, which is now also being taught online on hungrymonkyoga.com. Such a revolutionary merging of yoga and martial arts is definitely worth looking into, even more so for the fact that a Shaolin Monk is teaching it!
For more information on Wang Bo and Hungrymonk Yoga, visit the official website for Hungrymonk Yoga and Shaolin Torrance. Both can also be found on Facebook.
Shaolin Temple Torrance
Hungrymonk Yoga
