Greek Shaolin Cultural Organization
少林希腊文化組织

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Τhe Greek Shaolin Cultural Organization, in its constant effort of spreading the arts of Shaolin, showing sensitivity at all population groups too, has performed on Tuesday 10th November at 9:00am, an interactive presentation of Shaolin Rou Quan ( “soft fist”)  [chin: Shàolín róu quán 少林 柔拳] and Qi Gong. It took place at the ever welcome training area of Athletic Association for People with disabilities Εlpida (lit greek transl: hope). The director mr Mitsiopoulos Christos prior to discussions with GSCC, gladly welcomed master Miao Yuan- Vassilopoulos Ioannis who is an officially recognized martial arts master of EPOS.


The presentation was implemented under the frame of the long term inclusion of the arts of Shaolin Rou Quan and Qi Gong in the training of people with disabilities and their caretakers. There were the caretakers who attended initially along with members of the club and veteran athletes.

The session was preceded in a fully evidence-based scientific treatise of the GSCC with the benefits of such arts. The twofold beneficial nature of these exercises on body and mind was elucidated and how this sort of mechanism can bridge the relationship between a caretaker and a person with disabilities.

All participants were very receptive and attended a quite demanding session despite their age, starting with traditional Shaolin Qi Gong drills, and soon after that they familiarized themselves with Shaolin Rou Quan, which constitutes the predecessor and most ancient form of Tai Ji Quan.

During the session it was elaborated that Shaolin Rou Quan goes beyond any conventional aerobic exercise and some mechanisms were explained on its impact on neurodegenerative disorders and other such as Parkinsons, Alzheimer, arthritis and others…

It was explained and demonstrated on how versatile these exercises can be on each individual’s special needs/demands, regardless of age and body type.

There was a brief introduction on the history of Rou Quan, the principles and the culture of Shaolin, via its martial virtues (shaolin wu de) and the five skills (shaolin wu gong) that gradually develop in every practitioner of Rou Quan.


The director of the club Mr Mitsiopoulos thanked master Miao Yuan and the Greek Shaolin Cultural Organization and agreed to host and set up classes for practicing those arts of Shaolin for all ages and body types. He also committed to set up a presentation solely for people with disabilities. The vice president of the club and athlete mr Mazarakis George has attended the session too.  It should be stressed out that the club A.A.P.W.S.P ELPIDA is an official active member of the National Athletic Federation for people with disabilities.

In the end, there was a great interest towards the Shaolin culture and the ascetic life. Master Miao Yuan has shared some of his experience after his recent journey to Shaolin Temple.  Enough clarification was given, on the importance of our nutritional habits. Evidence-based data were provided regarding the multi beneficial vegetarianism, which constitutes too an integral part of the life of Shaolin.