"How long is a short period of time? One year, two years, ten years?"

The question is rhetorical but still an answer to my own question about Shi Yanzi's teaching methods. It's the sort of cryptic answer that I would expect from a Buddhist Monk, as depicted in all those wonderful "Shaolin Temple" movies of my youth, and in many ways Shi Yanzi reinforces my idealised vision of these mythical Masters. A genuine Shaolin Monk (his Master is the Temple's Abbott Shi Yongxin), solidly built and superbly flexible, he is also quietly spoken and enviably serene in nature, except when his underlying passion for his art bubbles to the surface. Then his speech quickens and his tone becomes animated as he discusses the training principles that underpin Traditional Shaolin Kung Fu.

This brings us back to my original question - how does he cope with the fact that we Westerners want to see results in a short period of time? In truth, the question should have been reversed to read how do the students cope with his attitude to lessons, because Shi Yanzi may be courteous and caring, but when it comes to his teaching methods there is no compromise in his beliefs simply to pander to our Western temperament. To him, hard work and dedication are everything, and when he clarifies his answer it makes perfect sense - how long is a short period of time when you are becoming skilled in something of real quality?

If you become a truly superb Shaolin Kung Fu exponent in ten years, in reality isn't that a short period of time?

There are no short cuts in Shi Yanzi's methods and in the lessons that Neil Genge and I were allowed to sit in on, new students were told that the classes were hard, requiring dedication, and that he would rather they leave than approach their training half-heartedly. This was not arrogant rhetoric, rather the firmly held belief borne of his own experiences in the Temple, where the disciples were always having to prove to their Masters, through constant tests, that they were dedicated and really wanted to learn.

Shi Yanzi talks to his students regularly throughout the classes, to explain his reasoning, and points out that in a real fight you cannot tell your opponent to stop because you are tired, instead you must find the strength to continue or fail, and the way to achieve this is to work hard, then harder still. What point is good technique if you don't have the strength and stamina to utilise it properly, is one of his arguments as we discuss his lessons.

With this uncompromising work ethic in mind, the classes are structured around the fundamentals. Neil Genge took two of the three hourly sessions that night and commented that they were based on solid Shaolin basics, well taught. This was in keeping with Shi Yanzi's personal philosophy, that good Kung Fu, like a solid house, is built on strong foundations. With this in mind, students follow a carefully cultivated path of development, they cannot just jump in and do what they consider to be the exciting fighting techniques.

What we call a "beginners" class, Shi Yanzi lists as a "preparation" class, developing flexibility and self confidence. Whole body stretching is a core element within the Shaolin Temple, and confidence (as opposed to arrogance) is a key weapon for a Shaolin fighter. Shi Yanzi believes that the eyes are windows to the soul and can express both fear and confidence.

"When someone sees that you have no fear", he told me, "they often decide that they don't want to fight you."

The next stage is the meditation and Qi Gong [and Rou Quan] lesson, what we would term an intermediate level, to cultivate internal development, and an important part of Shaolin teaching. The students meditated in the traditional lotus position for almost fifteen minutes, which surprised Neil, as in his relaxed state it didn't seem that long to him.

This was followed by a warm up that included "washing the face", where the students rubbed their eyes, and "combed" their hair, as well as rubbing their hands, exercises, Neil told me, to promote overall health. The remainder of the lesson was devoted to a Qi Gong form, with the students trying to move the "chi" around their body. The exercise was controlled by Shi Yanzi, who broke the form down and told the students when to breathe in and out during the movements, breathing control essential to the success of the exercise. Afterwards, I asked Neil what he thought of the class;

Shifu meditating with students

"It was broken down well. It was the first time I'd done that specific exercise and he gave everyone there the chance to correct themselves. This class is important so that the students can control their breathing and stay in stances. Without the Qi Gong, they won't have the power and energy later on. I found that my hands were buzzing and that usually means that the chi was going down to the palms. I felt great. Excellent."

Shifu correcting a student during Rou Quan practise

The Foundation session was far more robust and would be classed as for "advanced" students, requiring far more physical stamina. Neil was particularly impressed with the discipline and strength of the students, especially considering that they had been training less than two years.

"Good students are a sign of a good teacher" was his comment after the lesson. The warm up was short, but intensely physical, Shi Yanzi at one point pumping out thirty, one handed knuckle press-ups. Despite the intensity, the students all managed the warm up with relative ease, only for the stretching session to be equally challenging. One student was mere inches from achieving front splits, a feat he achieved when Shi Yanzi stood on the back of his thigh! Amazingly, everyone seemed to be genuinely enjoying themselves and relishing the hard work. I was personally impressed by the fitness levels and determination, despite the wide age range, and there were as many women as men present.

Basic punching patterns followed, drilled in lines, with the students divided into two groups. The format was repeated with basic kicks, feet thudding into palms, the hands used both as a target and a measure of the power generated. Finally combinations were drilled to develop co-ordination. The exercises were designed to really stretch the legs and back whilst instilling discipline, the students trying to work as one unit. Shi Yanzi also talked to the students during the (rare) interludes and stressed the importance of reaction and strategy, the ability to adapt to any situation as you never know where you will need to use your skills or what your opponent is going to use against you.

The session finished with form work that was only marginally less tiring, but, as with the first class, the students left with a real sense of achievement and contentment. Once again I asked Neil what he felt about the training he had just received.

"It was hard. Very basic Shaolin training, just as you would get in the temple. I know you were shocked by the stretching but Shaolin training is harder than a lot of arts. Obviously, without doing any damage, (the student wasn't hurt) Shi Yanzi decided that he needed a little bit of a push, which he did, and he went all the way down. The drills gave me a really good work-out. He did a short form on the basic stances, front, back, and horse, and then the first Shaolin form. I overheard someone saying that this was their first lesson, but everyone picked it up. He didn't go too far so people got lost, and he made a point of going round and correcting people. He was teaching the correct way and as he said, if you didn't like it you could go."

My final question to a sweaty Mr. Genge was on a more personal note. Having spent time at the Shaolin temple himself, and the full day with Shi Yanzi (Neil also asked questions during my interview session), what were Neil's overall impressions of Shi Yanzi the man. "He's very powerfully built, and as we saw for ourselves, very, very flexible. He's very humble and straightforward and comes across as a very nice guy. Having said that, you know that if you're going to train with him, you've got to do it the correct way."

Warming up exercises during a Preparation class

If you are interested in training in Shaolin Kung Fu with Shifu Shi Yanzi he can be contacted on the following numbers:

Tel: 020 7687 8332
Fax: 020 7687 8331
Address: 207a Junction Rd
London N19 5QA

My thanks to Helena for setting up the day, and to Neil Genge for his invaluable knowledge and participation in the classes for my research.