Bare-chested Wudang disciples practice kung fu in the snow

A Taoist master from the Wudang Mountains in Hubei province, Zhong Yunlong, recently revealed some photos of his disciples practicing their martial arts routine one snowy day. They are students at the Sanfeng Academy where Zhong, a 14th generation master of the Sanfeng school, teaches. He made the photos public on Jan 1. They were taken on Dec 26, 2012.

The students in the photos – bare-chested with their hair in buns – moved on palings or played with swords and spears in black trousers and white shoes. Their motions were elegant and well-composed. Zhong Yunlong said that it is common for a kung fu artist to wear an unlined coat when practicing in winter. After class that day, in the snow, several students practiced what they learned on their own without their shirts. "In those early days, the students showered with cold well water after practice in the Purple Heaven Palace," said Zhong.

Zhong Yunlong said that the extensiveness and profundity of Wudang kung fu lies in its long lasting practice. Every kung fu artist needs to go through basic training, including daily leg stretches, splits, backward bows and somersaults. They must also exercise by hopping, frog-jumping, waddling, creeping, squatting and doing sit-ups and push-ups. The artists would make enormous progress in physical strength after a period of practice like this. As a result, it is not difficult for them to practice kung fu in such cold weather.

Bare-chested Wudang disciples practice kung fu in the snow