TOTNES-BASED Matt Bindon, an instructor in Shaolin Kung Fu, has just taken part in the first ever show and demonstration of real Shaolin Kung Fu in Southampton.
Matt (pictured), who has been training in Authentic Traditional Kung Fu for nearly 30 years, was part of ‘The Wisdom of Shaolin’ exhibition event which was produced and directed by Shi Yanming Chen a 34th Generation Shaolin Warrior Monk, who is head of the UK Shaolin Temple based in Southampton.
Matt, a 35th Generation Shaolin Warrior Disciple, said the show made history as it was the first ever event with purely western practitioners displaying a variety of demonstrations involving weapons, fight sequences and the story of how Shaolin Kung Fu began thousands of years ago!
Matt was the only practitioner from the South West taking part. He demonstrated feats of Iron Body Qi Gong, showing a large audience how years of practice, along with proper mental training, allows him to withstand bricks being broken on his head and body with a sledgehammer,
Wood was also broken on most parts of his body, which at times had the crowd on the edge of their seats!
UK Shaolin Temple offers classes in Kung Fu, Qi Gong. Tai Ji and Chan Buddhism, bringing authentic Shaolin Culture to the UK.
Matt runs the Shaolin Temple Devon in Totnes. More information on Shaolin Kung Fu can be found on ukshaolintemple.co.uk