A typical day at a traditional Shaolin Temple or one of the many martial arts academies surrounding it in Dengfeng is intense, disciplined, and deeply structured. While schedules vary from school to school, most students experience a blend of martial arts, conditioning, meditation, academics, and daily responsibilities.

For many students, especially younger disciples, training is not simply a hobby — it becomes a complete lifestyle built around discipline, respect, endurance, and self-cultivation.

Early Morning: Wake-Up and Conditioning

Most days begin very early.

• Wake-up is often between 5:00–5:30 AM
• Students clean dormitories and prepare uniforms
• Morning assembly or attendance
• Light stretching or meditation

Then comes conditioning.

Students may:

• Run several miles
• Sprint hills or temple stairs
• Perform horse stance training
• Stretch extensively
• Practice kicks repeatedly
• Strike bags, poles, or padded surfaces

The purpose is to build:

• endurance
• flexibility
• leg strength
• discipline
• mental toughness

At many schools, the morning conditioning is considered as important as the martial techniques themselves.

Morning Kung Fu Training

After breakfast, formal martial arts classes begin.

Students may train:

• traditional forms (Taolu)
• basics (Ji Ben Gong)
• stance work
• acrobatics
• jumps and aerials
• weapons
• partner drills
• sanda/kickboxing
• Chin Na
• meditation movement practices

Common weapons include:

• staff
• broadsword
• straight sword
• spear
• chain whip
• kwan dao

Training is often repetitive.

A student may repeat:

• one kick 500 times
• one stance for 20 minutes
• one movement line across the training yard repeatedly

The philosophy is:

“Basics create mastery.”

Midday Meal and Rest

Lunch is usually simple and practical:

• rice
• vegetables
• noodles
• soup
• tofu
• occasionally meat

Traditional schools often emphasize moderation and avoiding excess.

After lunch, students usually have:

• short rest periods
• school studies
• personal practice
• chores
• laundry or equipment care

Younger students attending full-time academies also study:

• Chinese language
• mathematics
• history
• cultural studies

Afternoon Training

The afternoon session is usually harder and longer.

This may include:

• sparring
• sanda
• application drills
• pad work
• wrestling
• endurance circuits
• partner conditioning
• weapon sparring
• forms refinement

At performance-oriented schools, students may train:

• synchronized demonstrations
• flexibility routines
• advanced acrobatics

At traditional schools, there is often stronger emphasis on:

• internal power
• breathing
• structure
• rooting
• meditation
• traditional applications

Evening Practice

Dinner is followed by evening practice or study.

Students might:

• review forms
• meditate
• practice Qi Gong
• stretch
• receive corrections from instructors
• perform temple chores

Some schools hold:

• Buddhist chanting
• seated meditation
• philosophy discussions

Lights-out may come surprisingly early because the next day begins before sunrise again.

The Reality of Shaolin Training

Popular movies often show only spectacular techniques, but daily life is usually:

• repetitive
• exhausting
• disciplined
• physically demanding

Students frequently train:

• in heat
• in snow
• while sore
• while tired

The training develops:

• patience
• humility
• resilience
• focus
• emotional control

Many practitioners say the hardest challenge is not the physical training —
it is learning consistency.

Traditional Shaolin Philosophy

At its core, traditional Shaolin training blends:

• martial skill
• Chan (Zen) philosophy
• meditation
• moral development
• self-control

This is why many practitioners describe Shaolin not merely as fighting, but as:

“Training the body to discipline the mind.”

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Mark Warner

CEO (carry everyting out) at Mark warners PMA

Tashi Mark Warner has trained in the martial arts for almost 50 years. In the early 70s, inspired by the likes of Bruce Lee, Tashi Mark started in Kenpo Karate under Richard Ladow. After serving in the US Army, traveling twice to Korea and once to Germany, Tashi Mark found inspiration in the JCVD movie Bloodsport and decided to one day open his own school. On April 8th 1998, his passion project was finally achieved and the doors finally opened. As Tashi Mark likes to say, "If you love what you do, you'll never work a day in your life." Also in 1998, Tashi Mark started training Northern Mantis Kung Fu and Shaolin Kung Fu with Sifu Scott Jeffery. In 1999 Tashi Deborah Mahoney, training with Tashi Mark, became the Black Belt Hall of Fame recipient for the KRANE rating to include all of New England.Since 2007, Tashi Mark has furthered his training, adding Dekiti Tirsia Siradas Kali with Grandmaster Jerson "Nene" Tortal, as well as Baringin Sakti Silat with Grandmaster Edward Lebe. Tashi Mark is a full-time martial artist.

"One of the greatest things in the martial arts is the transmission of knowledge to the next generation." - Tashi Mark Warner

Latest posts by Mark Warner (see all)

• A Day at Shaolin - June 16, 2026
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