Eyeworld

89 EW IN OTHER NEWS by Liz Hillman EyeWorld Staff Writer He added that he's often asked what "belt" he is. "I have to explain that for Shaolin this is irrelevant. It is a life journey in improvement for which there is no end." According to The Power of Sha- olin Kung Fu: Harness the Speed and Devastating Force of Southern Shaolin Jow Ga Kung Fu, Shaolin Kung Fu came to China by an Indian monk, who taught the method as a way for those in monastic life at the Shaolin temple to strengthen their bodies for long meditation. 1 Dr. Chan more specifically explained that the monk, Ba Tuo, started Shaolin Kung Fu at the Shaolin temple at Mount Song in the Henan province of Chi- na in 495 A.D. The training is hard and gruel- ing—and at times includes being hit with a stick to toughen you up—but, as Dr. Chan pointed out, "life is full of tough challenges, too." Dr. Chan sees his Shifu for instruction once a week, but practices at home almost nightly. "Some people may remember the scene from the cartoon Kung Fu Panda where Po the Panda asks his Shifu to start his training at level zero. His Shifu declares, 'There is no level zero.' Po proceeds to show complete incompetence at Kung Fu to his new Shifu. His Shifu, with a bemused look on his face says quiet- ly, 'Congratulations, there is now a level zero.' "My own Shifu has had that same look on his face many times, usually followed by the comment, 'I have never seen any of my students do that before,'" Dr. Chan said, sharing one of his favorite memories from practicing Kung Fu. "It might July 2017 Ophthalmologist finds Kung Fu enhances focus and strength for his mind, body continued on page 90 Dr. Chan practices Shaolin Kung Fu. Source: Colin Chan, MD Surgeon returns to Chinese roots with martial arts W hile Colin Chan, MD, FRANZCO, ophthal- mic surgeon, Vision Eye Institute, Sydney, was growing up in Australia, he thought that fitting in meant his Chinese heritage should take a back seat. He admits, howev- er, that as he got older—and perhaps wiser—he realized honoring this heritage was important and that he wanted his two boys to be proud of it as well. Seven years ago when his oldest son was 5 years old, Dr. Chan went along with him to Shaolin Kung Fu lessons to encourage him. "I was keen for him to learn a traditional martial art to teach him 'old school' values such as resilience, respect, humility, and hard work. I also saw it as a unique opportunity for him to learn something I had always loved but never had the op- portunity or time to learn. "Shaolin Kung Fu is one of the oldest, biggest, and historically most important of the martial arts schools," Dr. Chan said, comparing it to Korean Taekwondo or Japanese Karate. Unlike other martial arts schools, Shaolin Kung Fu's main purpose is not fighting. "Shaolin Kung Fu aims to nur- ture and train the mind, body, and spirit to a state of well-being and harmony. The focus is to train not just the external, but also the inter- nal, or Qi energy. External training includes the hands, the eyes, the body, and stances. Internal training includes the heart, the spirit, the mind, breathing, and strength," Dr. Chan said. " Shaolin Kung Fu aims to nurture and train the mind, body, and spirit to a state of well-being and harmony. " —Colin Chan, MD

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