Iron Shirt is a high level chi-kung, designed to build large amounts of chi (energy) around the organs protecting them from disease and injury.
This practice in times of antiquity was one of the most secret and respected practices giving its practitioners the ability to withstand, not only punches and kicks from assailants, but high level disciples are recorded to even be able to withstand knives, swords and sticks, even bow and arrows were said to bounce off a high level Iron Shirt Master.
In today's society with the presence of guns, Iron shirt main purpose is to give its practitioners, superhuman strength and super health. By packing chi into every space in the torso, serious students develop extremely strong organs, skin and muscles and at the very least or able to withstand punches and kicks from most people. As well as prevent and treat many of the chronic diseases that plague today's society.
Iron Shirt practice is therefore ideal for the serious martial artist, as well as a person who is interested living long while maintaining both their health and strength into old age.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it possible
to practice other schools of hard- and soft-nature Kung Fu in the same time?
Many schools discourage the mixing of qigong and some styles of practice,
however this method can be practiced safely with any other martial arts style as
well as qigong style. In fact will only be an aid to both.
Should
practitioners often use stick or fist to hit the body to increase the power?
For practitioners who are only intent on health well-being, they don’t need to
train in such way. But for those who have the thought for possible martial
application they should train in such way. Such training should only be done
under the guidance of a competent instructor.
How long should
one practice to see good results?
It depends upon the general physical conditions. In general, 100 days is a good
foundation period for a general practitioner to gain such achievements as
excellent physical conditions, strong chi flow, very little or no disease,
capability of withstanding general hits or kicks, nimble movements, quick mind,
etc.
Why practitioners should run Qi along certain course?
Iron Shirt is a special inner school of Kung Fu art which emphasizes the
cultivation and application of inner Chi. Without the sound formation of
internal chi system and its free flow through the proper
channels and vessels, Kung Fu practitioners are having the dream of a
never-ending spring of water without a fountainhead. It is very important to
open up the microcosmi Du and Ren Channels, as well as the macrocosmic Three Yin
Hand Channel, Three Yang Hand Channel, Three Yin Feet Channel and Three Yang
Feet Channel.
Why practitioners
should withhold muscle around Yuiyin acupoint sometimes?
The Ren Channel and Du Channel connect each other at Yuiyin acupoint (perineum)
and this is the place where Qi is apt to leak. So, by applying such method
practitioners can effectively prevent Qi from leaking out.
Why new practitioners often feel obstructed inwardly?
This is natural reaction at first. Beginning practitioners should
practice holding back breath in order to run Qi along certain channels. It is
more like to hold back breath when learn to swim under water. So, such process
is normal for any new practitioners and after a certain period of training they
can feel naturally, free of such obstruction
Does the
practice affect appetite?
Iron Shirt practice does not have a bad effect upon appetite. On the contrary,
it can greatly improve the appetite because both the harmonious operation
between internal organs and viscera and sound blood circulation among
superficial parts can quickly improve the functioning ability of most of
specialized human systems. As we mentioned before, the practitioners’ saliva is
much better than the general one for digestion.
Does Iron Shirt help to cure some chronic diseases?
Yes. Iron Shirt emphasizes the importance of inner energy cultivation (or
Qi cultivation). Qi is the invisible fountainhead of human’s existence. People
often use the sense organs—eyes, ears, tongue, nose, body and consciousness—to
think, to decide, to get own conclusion, etc. And in such way they often get to
know the superficial parts of the body and cannot see the things inwardly. Most
people know that generally people cannot change their constitution because it is
predestined by something before birth or gene. Yet, the Qi cultivation can
greatly change the constitution if practitioners really can follow the
system properly, step by step. Many qigong practitioners’ experience
verify that many chronic diseases can be cured unconsciously when in the
practice and such diseases generally are regarded incurable in western
hospitals.
Is it suitable for aged people?
Iron Shirt Kung Fu is not the traditional Chinese Kung Fu forms which may
involve many sophisticated movements as the name implies. In fact, it is a set
of Qigong exercises which puts much attention upon internal chi cultivation. So,
it can be used by people of all ages to restore youthfulness and effectively
treat most of chronic diseases and prevent diseases. And the most prominent
characteristic is it can slow aging if persisting in the practice for long.
People may use it
for self-defense. Can it be used for launching attack?
For self-defense, Iron Shirt practitioners can withstand most kinds of
attack upon the body. Obviously, when practitioners apply such power to launch
attack the results can be imagined: crash all invasion in an instant and exert
intangible dread to the enemy’s heart. Yet, the aim of such practice is not to
intimidate people and show off your power. The
strength developed by Iron Shirt practice has been described as superhuman and
when one can gather the tremendous chi power developed through its practice, the
attack launched can be quite devastating. Any practitioners should
exert caution whenever applying such art to launch attack and in most of cases
the successful self-defense is a signal enough to express your idea.