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  • 18 Lohan Hands - List of special benefits

    18 Lohan Hands.jpg

    Dear family,

    The precious 18 Lohan Hands were the first systematic set of exercises taught by the Great Bodhidharma in the Shaolin temple about 1500 years ago and later evolved into a Kung Fu set called “Eighteen Lohan Fist”, which forms the prototype of Shaolin Kung Fu today.

    The first 8 exercises are well known as 8 Pieces of Brocade or Ba Duan Jin and practiced all over the world in countless variations.

    The main focus is one generating energy flow to promote good health and posture, although some exercises are very suitable for developing internal force and spiritual cultivation too. Some exercises are also good choices to work with other skills like Cosmic Shower or Bone Marrow Cleansing.

    Grandmaster Wong was so kind and generous to offer answering 10 Questions to the 18 Lohan Hands. You can find this thread here:


    Besides the holistic effects of Chi Kung (health, vitality, mental clarity, spiritual cultivation), the exercises also have special or thematic benefits which I summed up in the following list. I only included holistic benefits when they are especially emphasized in an exercise (like “vitality” for Pushing Mountains).

    The sources were my notes from the courses as well as Sifu’s and Anthony K Siheng’s websites.

    Sifu was so kind to confirm the entries and added some comments that can be found as quotes.

    Needless to say that the exercises have to be learnt from a master or at least a competent instructor to derive the benefits mentioned.

    Here is the list. For easy access I reduced the benefits to keywords. Related entries share a line.


    The 18 Lohan Hands:

    1) Lifting the Sky - Both hands lift sky
    all meridians
    Triple warmer, harmonizes 3 energy levels
    good posture, back, neck
    spiritual expansion
    allergies
    fear, confidence
    stress relief
    first aid for injuries
    tinnitus
    incontinence
    hemorrhoids

    recommended exercise for skills like Cosmic Shower and Bone Marrow Cleansing on the skin level

    “This exercise is considered a wondrous exercise in our school.”

    2) Shooting Arrows - Shoot arrows left right
    heart, high blood pressure
    lungs, respiratory problems
    vitality
    skin
    strong arms
    memory
    confidence

    3) Plucking Stars - Pluck stars change galaxies
    digestion, over-eating, diarrhea, constipation
    liver, blood, anger
    stomach, acid reflux
    spleen
    gall bladder, courage
    pancreas, diabetes
    yeast infections
    vaginitis, ovarian cysts
    8 wondrous meridians, longevity
    lower back
    tennis elbow

    4) Turning Head - Rotating winch
    bone marrow, nervous system, brain, neuralgia, Parkinson’s disease, stroke recovery
    head, head ache, migraine, ears, eyes, face
    neck, shoulders, spine, throat
    thyroid issues
    preventing colds and flus

    recommended exercise for Bone Marrow Cleansing on the bone marrow level

    “People may perform this exercise on their own at its physical level, but if it is to be performed at an advanced level, i.e. at the level of energy flow along the nerves, it must be learned from a competent teacher.”

    5) Merry-Go-Round - Big turning of the cosmos
    digestion, diarrhea, constipation
    stomach, worry, acid reflux
    spleen
    liver
    gall bladder
    pancreas, diabetes
    kidneys
    fear, anxiety
    rheumatism
    tinnitus
    back
    stimulates Mingmen, gives an energy boost

    6) Punching with wide eyes - Punch with eyes wide
    heart
    small intestine
    liver
    internal force, strong punches
    eyes
    fear, tension, anger, frustration, depression, confidence
    stress relief
    hemorrhoids

    “While this exercise if good for the heart, those with serious heart problem must perform it only under the supervision of a competent teacher or healer.”

    7) Carrying the Moon - Look back carry moon
    Back, neck, spine, herniated or bulging disks, good posture, scoliosis, sciatica
    bone marrow, nervous system, stroke recovery, neuralgia, Parkinson’s disease
    emotional cleansing
    hair loss
    fountain of youth, lets one look young and beautiful

    recommended exercise for skills like Cosmic Shower and Bone Marrow Cleansing on the organ level

    “While conventional doctors may advise patients with back or spinal problems not to bend their body backward, this exercise with bending the body backward is excellent for overcoming back and spinal problems, and this has been confirmed again and again by our students.”

    8) Nourishing Kidneys - Touch toes nourish kidneys
    kidneys, sexual vitality, vitality, intelligence, memory
    emotional and psychological problems, fear, confidence, determination, concentration
    lower back, sciatica
    bones
    muscles
    hair loss
    fertility
    incontinence

    9) Three levels to the ground - Three levels down ground
    heart, high blood pressure
    enhances chi flow
    vitality
    spiritual and physical strength
    strong and flexible legs, agility, knees
    weight loss
    can help breaking through the small universal chi flow

    “While this exercise is good for the heart, those with serious heart problem must perform it under the supervision of a competent teacher or healer.”
    “This exercise looks simple, but is excellent for the knees and the legs. Considering that many people over 50 have knee problems, this exercise is invaluable for elderly people.”

    10) Dancing Crane - Divine crane begins dancing
    strong and flexible legs, agility, knees, excellent for martial artists
    kidneys, kidney stones, sexual vitality, vitality, intelligence
    abdomen
    back
    weight loss
    8 wondrous meridians, longevity

    “This is one of the few exercises in all Chi Kung to open the 8 wondrous meridians and therefore promote longevity.”

    11) Carrying Mountains - Second son carries mountains
    back, chronic back pain, spine, herniated or bulging discs, good posture
    bone marrow, nervous system, neuralgia
    kidneys
    spleen
    liver
    8 wondrous meridians, longevity
    internal force, strong arms

    “This exercise is excellent for martial artists, especially female, who wish to have powerful arms but are not keen to bang their arms against poles.”

    12) Drawing Sword - Lohan draws saber
    shoulders, neck
    headache, migraine
    8 wondrous meridians, longevity
    spleen
    immune system
    arms, hands, tennis elbow

    “This is another one of the few exercises in all chi kung that promotes longevity.”

    13) Presenting Claws - Green dragon presents claws
    digestion
    pancreas, diabetes
    spleen
    back, neck
    bone marrow, nervous system
    bones
    muscles
    kidneys, kidney stones, fear, anxiety
    worry
    strong arms, hands, fingers
    dragon claw
    arthritis

    “This exercise is recommended for old people who wish to remain young.”

    14) Pushing Mountains - Fierce tiger pushes mountains
    kidneys, sexual vitality, vitality, intelligence, fear, memory
    depression, grief
    chronic fatigue syndrome
    internal force
    strong arms, hands, legs
    mental clarity and freshness
    bone marrow, nervous system
    back
    muscles
    tinnitus
    rheumatism, arthritis

    recommended exercise for Bone Marrow Cleansing on the meridian level (Phenomenal Big Universe)

    “This is a choice exercise for developing internal force.”

    15) Separating Water - Green dragon separates water
    heart
    lungs, COPD
    depression, grief, anxiety
    internal force
    back, good posture
    breast health, developing a lovely bust
    confidence
    allergies
    colds

    recommended exercise for Bone Marrow Cleansing on the flesh level

    “This is a very powerful exercise. One must take care not to over-train.”

    16) Big Windmill - Big windmill hand
    internal force
    liver
    spleen
    stomach
    pancreas, diabetes
    abdomen
    depression
    shoulders
    arms, hands, tennis elbow
    spiritual expansion

    17) Deep knee bending - Lift heels bend knees
    knees
    extremities, hands, fingers, legs, feet, toes, head
    muscles, sinews
    good physical and emotional balance
    rheumatism, arthritis
    varicose veins
    eliminating negative energy from the whole body, internal injuries
    can help breaking through the small universal chi flow

    18) Rotating Knees - Divine crane rotates knees
    knees, legs, agility
    kidneys, sexual vitality, vitality, intelligence, fear
    heart
    varicose veins
    eliminating negative energy from the whole body

    “This exercise is excellent for old people with knee problems.”


    We in Shaolin Wahnam are always looking for the best of the best and for cost-effectiveness, so I hope the list is helpful in choosing the most suitable exercise for your current aims and objectives and may also function as a record for posterity.

    Enjoy your practice!

    Best wishes,

    Leo
    Sifu Leonard Lackinger

    Shaolin Treasure House

    Shaolin Wahnam Wien & Shaolin Treasure House

  • #2
    Dear Leo,

    Thanks very much for the list (and pictures).

    Perhaps this could be 'stickied'?
    Sifu Andy Cusick

    Shaolin Wahnam Thailand
    Shaolin Qigong

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    "a trained mind brings health and happiness"
    - ancient wisdom

    Comment


    • #3
      Thank you so much Sifu for your work!

      Wonderful list, wonderful set of exercises, wonderful art!

      Comment


      • #4
        Dear Leo,

        Thank you so much for this great list

        With Shaolin Salute,
        Lee Wei Joo
        http://shaolinwahnammalaysia.com/

        Comment


        • #5
          Thank you, Sihing Leo, for this list.
          I read Sifu's Chi kung books - and also the book concerning the Lohan Hands, a former Wahnam member has published (I read this when he was still member).
          Having a shortlist of all benefits for every form, is very precious for those practicing the Lohan Hands (incl. me )

          Best wishes,
          Dorit
          ... alles, alles, alles ist doch auf Liebe aufgebaut ..." (Ellen Auerbach, 1997)

          Comment


          • #6
            Thank you for the wonderful list! It is an excellent reference.

            I have a funny little story about Green Dragon Presents Claws. For a few years, I had an unsightly wart/growth on the index finger of my right hand, almost half a centimeter in diameter and about half a centimeter in height at its peak. For fun, I practiced Green Dragon Presents Claws instead of Lifting the Sky for a few days. After two days, the growth was completely gone. My own mother could not believe it; there was no sign at all that the growth had ever been there (even the fibers that make up the fingerprints show no sign of distortion). This was after four failed attempts of using those "cold shock" wart removers.

            This might be considered a mere cosmetic effect or vanity, but the fact that something so large and ugly disappeared as mere side effect always makes me laugh.
            I like making silly videos (including kung fu ones!) every so often on YouTube and taking pictures of weird things on Instagram.

            Comment


            • #7
              Thank you, what an excellent resource.

              And Frederick, perhaps it was a symptom of something deeper that was cleared up rather than a purely cosmetic healing?
              Shaolin Wahnam USA

              "Every morning you are born again. What you do today is the most important thing".

              Comment


              • #8
                Nice job, Leo

                Thanks!
                Jeffrey Segal

                Comment


                • #9
                  The question was asked in the 18 Lohan Arts thread: Which exercise is your favorite?

                  Mine would have to be Dancing Crane.
                  Shaolin Wahnam USA

                  "Every morning you are born again. What you do today is the most important thing".

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    Thank you very much for your work Leo!

                    Engage and maintain joyful practice!

                    May all of you get the best benefits from what you do.

                    Anton Schmick
                    Shaolin Wahnam Germany Nord

                    shaolinwahnamchina.com
                    http://chikunghamburg.wordpress.com
                    http://shaolinwahnam-nord.de
                    http://kungfu-luebeck.de

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      Dear Leo,

                      Thank you for your work! It is much appreciated.

                      With love and respect,

                      Emiko
                      Emiko Hsuen
                      www.shaolinwahnam.jp
                      www.shaolinwahnam.ca

                      INTENSIVE & SPECIAL COURSES -- PENANG 2018
                      Taught by Grandmaster Wong Kiew Kit
                      4th generation successor of the Southern Shaolin Monastery
                      Small and Big Universe Course: Nov 21 to 25
                      Becoming a Shaolin Wahnam Kungfu Practitioner: Nov 26 to Dec 2
                      Cultivating Spirit Nourishing Energy: Dec 2 to Dec 8
                      Intensive Chi Kung Course: Dec 9 to Dec 13
                      To apply, send email to: secretary@shaolin.org

                      Comment


                      • #12
                        Great resource, thanks, Leo!

                        Best,
                        Andrew
                        Love, and do what you will.

                        - St. Augustine

                        Comment


                        • #13
                          Dear family,

                          In the 10 questions thread, Sifu added the martial significance of each exercise:


                          I think this fits here very well.

                          Best wishes,
                          o\

                          Leo
                          Sifu Leonard Lackinger

                          Shaolin Treasure House

                          Shaolin Wahnam Wien & Shaolin Treasure House

                          Comment


                          • #14
                            Thank you Leo!
                            George / Юра
                            Shaolin Wahnam England

                            gate gate pāragate pārasaṁgate bodhi svāhā

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                            • #15
                              Hey Leo thanks a lot for this list

                              Best regards,
                              Claude
                              Love is wonderful, because anyone with love in his heart wants to see everyone in bliss, everyone healthy and everyone availing freedom. This is the state of a man who considers the world as his family. Such are the wise man, the great souls. (Shri Shantananda Saraswati)

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