My encounter with a Shaolin Monk’s Iron Shirt Qigong at a Movie Screening

Jan Lucanus
2 min readAug 10, 2023
Tai Chi Coach Jan Lucanus teaches Qigong inspired by Shaolin Monk Shi Goulin

As a teen fighting my way onto the New York International San Shou Team under Beijing pro fighting Coach Li Ti Liang, I encountered Shaolin monk Shi Goulin several times. I was always impressed by his bright demeanor. Years later, while going to the opening screening of the incredible film Shaolin starring Andy Liu with my father, Shi Goulin was present doing a demonstration of Iron Shirt Qigong. My father and I were first to go up and test him as he charged his body with Qigong exercises similar to what I show in this class. He gently smiled in recognition of me, and I hit his belly as hard as I could. I was impressed how my and my father’s force dissipated in his body.

A few years later again, I was coaching the US Tai Chi Push Hands Team, and we did a demonstration in Chinatown with Grandmaster William C. C. Chen. Shi Goulin was present and this time sent his student to do an Iron Shirt Qigong demo. I observed the same Qigong preparation, filling his body with the breathwork, visualization, and intention. I ran up to test him with my father, and threw a Muay Thai knee into his belly. Once again, I was impressed with the lack of reaction to one of my strongest techniques. The Qigong that I show in this video takes into account these experiences, along with other variations and meditation techniques that all tie together here. This version is not the specific Iron Shirt Qigong, but it will prep your mind to travel to specific points in the body and expand to there for greater protection and healing.

Watch the full class here: https://youtu.be/kO4Ut6u0I2M

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Sending Love in All Directions.

More Chi,

Coach Jan Lucanus

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Jan Lucanus

Film, Tech & Tai Chi. CEO at ReelwUrld and Creative Impulse Entertainment. 2nd generation comic book philosopher. I also rap.