What is Yan Shou Gong?

A Martial Arts System

Formally, Yan Shou Gong is a form of Nei Gong, an internal martial arts system that originated in the Shaolin Temple in China.

As explained in History of Yan Shou Gong, Yan Shou Gong was condensed from more complex forms of Nei Gong.

As a martial arts system, Yan Shou Gong teaches practitioners to use their inner structures when moving, enabling them to perform moves that, to the external observer, appear either surprising or even impossible. Yet, newcomers can often perform these moves with a small amount of guidance.

As a martial art, it can be of interest to new and to seasoned practitioners. For seasoned practitioners, it can provide a strong compliment to existing training.

Good for Physical Health

Through understanding one’s physical structure and how energy moves within it (and beyond it), a practitioner naturally begins to use their body in ways that align better with its design. This has been witnessed leading to reductions in (or erradication of) structural pains such as back pain, and more.

Good for Mental Health

Our mental health is much more closely linked to our physical form than western culture has suggested. Simply learning how to use one’s body, how to breathe well and how to ground and root oneself to the ground can bring significant benefits to practitioners in terms of mental health.

Fast to Learn

Yan Shou Gong was specifically formulated with a busy western audience in mind. Forms can be done in two or three minutes rather than the hours some Nei Gong forms require, making it feasible to integrate Yan Shou Gong practice into an otherwise busy life.

A Testable System

One of Yan Shou Gong’s most powerful features is that it is immediately testable. Every move in the Yan Shou Gong forms have a ’test’. This test will give clear and direct feedback as to whether the move is being done correctly, facilitating rapid adjustment and correction. This significantly improves learning speed, making it possible to see positive impacts from practice in a relatively short time.