Amazing! I am reading American Shaolin for the second time and decided to see if anything was posted youtube about it. Thank you for sharing these videos. I look forward to reading your new book I sure it will be as entertaining as your first!
@Bilawaski Hey I'm glad you found these. I'm so bad with imovie that it took me a week to edit them. Thanks so much for re-reading American Shaolin. I hope you enjoy "Tapped Out" as much.
Matthew Polly! I cant believe I found this video or even your account! I read your book at my highschool this year. Ive practiced shaolin wushu for a long time yet I never really found I book that got me to read it all the way like your book did. Seeing pictures of Shi deqing Ive always wanted to see him in action. Great video and awsome book!
@JY6HAO Thanks so much. I'm very happy you enjoyed the book and it kept you reading. It means a great deal coming from a fellow martial artist. Amituofo, Matthew
Bao Mosi! Ahhemm. Excuse me Lao Bao. Your book is bar none amongst my all time favorite reads. Deqing was by far one of the most interesting characters I enjoyed in your book. What is he up to these days? I'd like a way of finding out updates of how your friends from Shaolin are doing. By the way, if you are interested in writing a book about MMA, check out 2 books written by a guy named Sam Sheridan. 1st book is called a Fighters Heart. 2nd a Fighters Mind.
@kooledit Very kind of you to call me Lao Bao. And so happy to hear that you enjoyed my book. Deqing is a great character and a great guy. I haven't talked to him in a couple of years. But last I heard he was teaching at various schools in Europe. And thanks for the heads up about Sam. We know each other through mutual friends, so I've had a chance to check his work. He's got some really good moments in them.
@kooledit Ha! Brilliant of you to remember the "Lao Bao" nickname. I am very happy to hear that you enjoyed my book so much. I'm honored. I haven't talked to Deqing in a couple of years. But you reminded me that I needed to check up with everyone to see how they are doing. It would make for a good blog post. Thanks for the recommendations on Sam Sheridan. He and I know each other, so I've had a chance to look at his books. But I hope you'll find my MMA book as entertaining. Pub date: Nov. 17.
Hey, I actually don't know the name of that particular drill. It is a short form that the Shaolin monks used to close every performance. Very glad you enjoyed my book. Thank you for the kind words.
@ min 1.26, could you tell me the name of that form or drill you are doing? I have seen it before but I don't know what it's called. Loved your book, thank you for everything you give us. *deep bow*
So glad to hear you enjoyed the book. I've been working on a book about MMA, so I've been training and eating bitter. You can see a fight video if you search "Matthew Polly David Cexton" on youtube.
Bao Mosi! Ahhemm. Excuse me Lao Bao. Your book is bar none amongst my all time favorite reads. Deqing was by far one of the most interesting characters I enjoyed in your book. What is he up to these days? I'd like a way of finding out updates of how your friends from Shaolin are doing. By the way, if you are interested in writing a book about MMA, check out 2 books written by a guy named Sam Sheridan. 1st book is called a Fighters Heart. 2nd a Fighters Mind
Bao Mosi! Ahhemm. Excuse me Lao Bao. Your book is bar none amongst my all time favorite reads. Deqing was by far one of the most interesting characters I enjoyed in your book. What is he up to these days? I'd like a way of finding out updates of how your friends from Shaolin are doing. By the way, if you are interested in writing a book about MMA, check out 2 books written by a guy named Sam Sheridan. 1st book is called a Fighters Heart. 2nd a Fighters Mind
Bao Mosi! Ahhemm. Excuse me Lao Bao. Your book is bar none amongst my all time favorite reads. Deqing was by far one of the most interesting characters I enjoyed in your book. What is he up to these days? I'd like a way of finding out updates of how your friends from Shaolin are doing. By the way, if you are interested in writing a book about MMA, check out 2 books written by a guy named Sam Sheridan. 1st book is called a Fighters Heart. 2nd a Fighters Mind
absolutely loved your book! now i know you're a rhodes scholar, but it was refreshing to read such an honest and humorous story. american shaolin is hands-down my favorite book! hope you are doing well and i wish you the best of luck in the future!
Thank you, thank you, thank you for your kind words. I'm so happy to hear that you enjoyed my book. And I wish you all the best of luck in your future, as well!
last i heard Little Tiger was working as a business man in China. I wish Monk Deqing was here in America, but he seems to have done very well in Europe.
Thank you for your kind words about my book. So happy to hear that you enjoyed it.
I was walking down my local library, saw a Shaolin monk on the cover and wondered eh? I'm very happy I picked up your book. It's an awesome read and now on my list of favorites. Out of curiosity I typed in your name and youtube and boy am I glad I did. I had literally just finished the book, was left wanting more, and to find clips of your masters just made my day. To find out they all managed to succeed makes me extremely happy for them. I do have one lingering question though,
Read this book cover to cover almost non-stop. It is a great book, funny, insightful. Anyone practicing Chinese martial arts should get a copy. We owe everything to our Shaolin heritage.
you gotta be like fuckn zero percent bodyfat to do that and actually fit 100 perecent rip i mean in all america only about 5 percent of the people most of them are obese
wow it's not even funny how many people said what I was going to say "Amazing book!" =P
I can't believe you went to China and started training with monks...it's sounds completely ridiculous and misleading but you can't hide the fact that you were there with Dequing training!
He looks like a cool guy I'd love to speak with him just to see what he thinks about a, Native-American/French, American.
Thanks for the book I read it at work and enjoy every minute.
great book ,specially for people that trains gong fu,you did what most would like to do but only dream about it,iven training 7 star praying mantis for 5 yrs,we all think shaolin monks are superhumans,you show they are not,
thank you for sharing your experiences in such a secret place like the sil lium temple,and for taking the time to answer all the comments ,im abraham sanchez and like the monks i left my country(mexico)for a better future,now i live in austin,texas .hope to see the movie soon,i had to ask, dont do ma bu for hours?
Loved the book. It actually inspired me to take a Shaolin Kung Fu lesson (though the school was wayy to commercial for my tastes). Do you know anywhere in CT where I can find a legit instruction? Deqing is incredible by the way.
thanks for writing such an awesome book matt! it was the funnest school project i ever had to do. i always have eating bitter on my mind whenever i do anything in martial arts. deqing is so awesome. is he still in hungary?
thanks for you kind words. glad to hear i made school a little less boring. we used to throw pennies at our spanish teacher, not that i'm suggesting that. deqing is great, and as far as i know still in hungary.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading American Shaolin. Not only were your experiences entertaining, but the insight on Chinese culture was also very interesting! Thanks for sharing your experiences with the rest of us!
For anyone who has not yet read this book, I highly recommend it!
Matthew, I read your book a few months ago, I really enjoyed it. I've been training for 11 years now (just not in kung fu). Do you miss training with the monks?
Hey I just finished reading your book and it was an amazing read. I'm taking beginning Mandarin this semester and it really helped me get into Chinese culture even more. Thanks and keep up the good work!
Hey Mathew. I am currently reading your book. I am not very far in it though. I am just past the part about you going to the buddist temple with Monk Deqing so he can prove that there is still some Buddism in Shaolin. It is an amazing book so far and by far my fav. I have a question...What is your truthfull opinion on Bruce Lee? Do you think that Monk Deqing is better?
Thank you. I'm glad to hear you are enjoying it. Truthfully, I think Bruce Lee was an amazing martial artist. Incredibly fast. I think Monk Deqing had more gymnastic skill, but Bruce was probably the better fighter.
Yah. I saw Deqing doing all these amazing flips and rolls in the air and crazy stunts but they wouldnt really be that usefull in a fight. Bruce wasnt about show and everything he did was too improve fighting. I just couldnt put my finger on what made Deqing look so much better..So after learning Shaolin Kung Fu, What do think about other Martial arts like karate, taekwondo, and Eastern fight styles like Boxing and wrestling?
P.S. I think its awesome that you read and reply to questions on here..
Hah, wow, I read your book years ago, and thought I'd search to see if there were videos of any of the monks in it online. It never occurred to me that you'd have a youtube account yourself.
Your book inspired me to return to practicing martial arts, and was a hell of a good read besides. Cheers!
Hit your leg with something medium-hard (like a wooden staff) and then increase the hardness (stone). Practice chi-gong and use Chinese medicine for the bruises. That's how the monks do it.
Actually, the director filmed a long section with me about the Shaolin monks in America, but alas my part ended up on the cutting room floor. I guess I wasn't a photogenic as Doc Russell.
Wait wait wait....Are you training in the actual SPORT MMA or are you just taking 2 different kinds of martial arts that is COMBINED in MMA. How you find this out is pretty simple actually. Do you take two classes or one?
Bao Mosi, Your epic novel has inspired me to follow your footsteps of kick-assedness!...well not the traveling to Shaolin, but taking up kickboxing most definitely! I wrestled and played football for my high-school and loved it! I bet I'll love sanda! lol!
Just finished your book Matt, brilliant. Honestly its the first book i've read in several years (due to work/internet/xbox). Thanks for the video, great to put footage to the men you described in the book. Good luck and good health to you and your friends from Shaolin.
Thank you, thank you, thank you for your kind comments. Given my current addiction to Fallout 3, I appreciate anyone who takes the time to read my book. Amitoufo, Matthew
haha i hear that, i was pretty addicted to cod4 last year but thankfully the new one isnt as good. Do you still practive iron forearm? Im very interested in qigong, we have a tv show in the UK that showed the iron crotch stuff.
Matt, the book was great. Question: Did any of the monks object to you filming their movement and techniques? I study under a very high korean man who refuses to allow his movement and technique to be filmed.
Great book bro,me and my bothers at the Chicago Shaolin Temple have bought copies and discuss it at the temple,although one of my sifu's, Yan Yue did not like the pic on the cover,he said "that is not Shaolin temple"(refering to the monk with a burger king bag)
So glad you enjoyed the book. And please extend my apologies to your master about the cover. I knew it might be controversial. The photo was taken at the Shaolin Temple with a Shaolin monk but it was staged by the photographer for Burger King's vegi burger launch in Asia. He asked his teacher for a favor to carry the bag. I thought it captured the collision between East and West in a humorous way which was the point of the book. No offense was intended.
Oh its cool,as a photographer I knew what he pic was saying but my sifu didn't and his english wasnt good enough for me to explain the picture so where he would understand it but he is really cool and allows no room for imperfection when training he can also be seen on many documentary's and in books,if you check out a show by discovery channel called star wars science(its on youtube) you can see him, he turns his foot backwards when they discuss 11 requirements for being a warrior monk.
No, no kempo at the Shaolin Temple. Shaolin Kempo was created, I believe and don't quote me on this, in Hawaii during the '50s/'60s by Ed Parker. It derives more directly from Japanese Shaolin karate. So the monks were not really aware of it when the Temple was reformed in the '80s.
what should i do to train to get ready togo? i'm allready stretching like crazy and i'm making progress on getting my splits down, and i'm doing ALOT of situps and just a couple of days ago i got my six-pack to be see-able really good, but what else should i do? thanks!
I love your book!!! you are awesome! my dream is to become a Shaolin Monk but i don't know, my mom doean't like 'monks' at all cuz we are Christian and stuff and they worship Bhudha. But I love you guys you guys rock! Could i go there and like not worship Buhdha and just train? thanks!
Dude, you lived every guys dream, those guys are badass and i want to fight one just so i can get beat up by a real life Shaolin monk, then i could die happy. oh yeah your book is sick
By traditional shaolin you mean like the five animal styles, zui quan, tai chi, and sanda? Can a foreigner become a fulltime monk? what weapon forms do they teach?
traditional Shaolin forms include animal styles but they also include a number of other forms like small red boxing, etc. It does not include tai chi or sanda. They teach 18 different weapons. The biggest one is staff.
I studied at the Wushu Guan Training Center, which was the only available place a foreigner could study at when I was at Shaolin in 1992. Now there are multiple schools that teach foreigners at Shaolin and in Deng Feng.
Hey matt, I am thinking about going to the shaolin temple and i was wondering if you could answer afew questions for me. How much does a ticket to and from china cost? Do you chose to wear the shaolin robes or is that for people who decide to stay their for live? How long do you have to stay their inorder to become a 1st or 2nd degree? Will they let you practice other forms of martial arts during your stay?
Thank you for your kind comment on my book. I'm so glad you enjoyed it. To answer your questions:
1) Tickets from NYC to Beijing is around $1200. You'll still have to fly or go by train from Beijing to Zheng Zhou (say $250). And then a taxi or bus to Shaolin ($50-150)
2) Only monks wear robes. Students wear running suits. Foreigners wear whatever they want.
3)Shaolin doesn't have degrees. How good you get depends on time on personal skill and effort.
4) You can practice anything you want at Shaolin. They don't care. But they only teach traditional Shaolin kung fu. Chinese kickboxing, and modern wushu.
Perhaps matt can give more insight to this, but I thought that they only teach mondern wushu there now (leafwind! look into this modern and tradition are WAY different). And just wondering, Matt when was the last time you visited?
I think is cool have the Saolin in USA, but I dont think they can be the same as China, in USA is agenst law to not go to school, so the kids have to dedicate alot of the time to school and not Kung Fu. But I liked the staff Kata xD
Obviously the Chinese kids learn more kung fu at an earlier age because they didn't attend school, but they are starting to take classes for at least half-a-day. I think it'll be better for them in the long run.
As it seems the comments you receive are stuck on repeat, I feel I must continue the pattern.
Just the other night I finished your book after my friend lent me the book. She saw that on my myspace page under "Who you would like to meet" I put "A Shaolin monk", and thought I would enjoy your story. And I did, thoroughly. I was so sad when I was finished!
Thats awsome you train bjj and Muay Thai too.I just had the privlage of training with Cesar Gracie and he amazed me was wondering if you've ever trained with any of the Gracie's
I hear Cesar is amazing. I live in NYC, so the closest studio to me is Renzo Gracie's academy. They have some truly remarkable teachers and students. But then again I am but a lowly white belt, so what would I know?
I just finished your book last night. I feel like I spent the last week with old friends and now I miss everyone! During the moments I laughed out loud I was sure you could hear me, I nearly looked for your greeting to me directly in the text! More, more!!!!
I'm lucky enough to learn Tiger Crane in London. My Instructor told me about your book and I loved it, when I finished it I actually felt I was going to miss everyone! I'm off training in Fujian later this year and I will be sure to alway toast twice! Amituofo. Adrian.
I loved your book. I have read it three times back to back already. I envy your spirit. it takes a lot of guts to do what you did. You lived my dream. All i can say is i live in new york and now keep my eyes peeled so that one day i may be lucky enough to shake your hand.
Awsome book and vids matt. I train in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and whould love to take kung fu but there's not many places to learn it in manitoba was just wondering do train in anything else and if so wut.Peace out man
ahh i love your book! i went to chinese school and i also studied chinese history last year, so i loved being able to connect with the language and history you mentioned. thank you so much for posting these videos, it was a total stab in the dark when i searched them up! i especially wanted to see Deqing go through his forms; your descriptions did him justice :)
:) but i hope you don't think that's the only thing i connected to. i watched Kung Fu (pretty old school for a current 16-year-old), i have a black belt in karate, and i LOVE books that are witty and clever. American Shaolin is THE perfect book for me. and the awesomest thing about it? it's all real. :)
actually, i made it all up. all these videos are state of the art computer animation. Kidding. "Kung Fu" is very old school for a 16 year-old. Best wishes on your training.
hey its funny how you counter attacked tiger mans saying to you how you did his 18 generations. Hey hope im not spamming, hey is it ok if i just post what i think is funny about your book
hey love the book man, my friend let me borrow it and now im hooked. Hey monk deqing still do those performances i know its been like 15 years since 1993 since you been there.
Great to hear that you are enjoying the book. Monk Deqing now teaches in Europe. He has several schools in different countries. I don't think he performs regularly, but last time I saw him he still had the moves.
Good question! "Amituofo" is the way Shaolin monks said hello and good-bye. It was a formal greeting. It roughly translates as "May the Buddha Bless You." An even rougher translation might be: "Peace be upon you." Laowai is the term for white foreigners. It directly means: "Old outsiders" or "good outsiders." It is a polite term. The Chinese have several less complimentary terms for white boys like me.
i'm now on page 239 in your book :D i just love it! i'd be reading it in class for ssr and i'd just start laughing and my friends just look at me like i'm crazy =/ and they laugh at the cover where there's a monk holding a burger king bag, in the book i love how you told the trumpeter go to look and see if it was real, cause she was wondering if "it" was real
Thank you for your story, and sharing this teacher who moves like an explosion! He lives up to your description, very cool to see after reading about "the monk who can fly" - Once I was a peaceful hippy, but now I am studying Agro Hippy Kung Fu. Do you think one can become so flexible after the age of 21, who has not been "eating bitter" previously? Is there a way I can learn the stretches used in Shaolin without actually travelling there?
Ha! Agro Hippy Kung Fu. I like it. It's hard to get so flexible after 21, but it's possible to get much more flexible. The monks mostly use stretch kicks. If you look for video on Coach Ching you'll see some of them. But any stretching will do. Just takes a lot of it.
Does anyone know what is the difference in the North and south shaolin temples, forms? Can you tell if they are from northor south just by looking at their forms?
Matt! Your book has made me a better martial artist. I now eat bitter like Doritos. well, maybe not that much, but definitely more than i ever could or would allow myself to before. I wanted to thank you for this amazing work that inspired me, made me laugh constantly and made me appreciate suffering for your art more than ever. Do you keep in touch with any of the Monks? Any more books on the horizon?
Ha! Keep eating that bitter. Personally I find it gets harder to eat as I get older. But my next book is about mixed martial arts, so I'm back in the studio...suffering. And I do keep in touch with the monks. I talked to Deqing and Chenghao when the book came out. And I go out to dinner frequently with Lipeng. He lives in New Jersey.
mattpolly i'm not happy about you call my master "deqing" use Shi Xing Hong.... plzzz thank you. And i would like to have a question about what level are you? I'm level 4 and i had a compatation(can't spell it) in hungary.
I'll try in the future to use his Buddhist name. When I was at the Temple it was common to use someone's family name not their Buddhist name. I certainly meant no disrespect. Also at the Temple they did not use different "levels" but I always assume I'm a beginner.
hi matt, just finished reading the book. it was funny as hell man, had me laughing out at times, people thinking i was crazy. i always wanted to go shaolin temple and learn kung fu too when i was young. do you still practise kung fu?
Hey, thank you. I'm glad to hear you enjoyed the book and it made you laugh. I still practice kung fu, but not as intensely as I did when I was at Shaolin.
no way what i read this book on me hols you did what i have allways wanted to do i want to start learning kungfu so bad after reading your book. ive been doing karate for two years now matty you inspire me man thanks to you ive gooten better at me karate i would just like to say thanks the book was amazeing had no idea yoy had youtube and wow that deqing is somethink else one day i hope i can travel to shaolin like you did
Amazing! I am reading American Shaolin for the second time and decided to see if anything was posted youtube about it. Thank you for sharing these videos. I look forward to reading your new book I sure it will be as entertaining as your first!
Bilawaski 2 weeks ago
@Bilawaski Hey I'm glad you found these. I'm so bad with imovie that it took me a week to edit them. Thanks so much for re-reading American Shaolin. I hope you enjoy "Tapped Out" as much.
MatthewPolly 2 weeks ago
Matthew Polly! I cant believe I found this video or even your account! I read your book at my highschool this year. Ive practiced shaolin wushu for a long time yet I never really found I book that got me to read it all the way like your book did. Seeing pictures of Shi deqing Ive always wanted to see him in action. Great video and awsome book!
JY6HAO 5 months ago
@JY6HAO Thanks so much. I'm very happy you enjoyed the book and it kept you reading. It means a great deal coming from a fellow martial artist. Amituofo, Matthew
MatthewPolly 5 months ago
Bao Mosi! Ahhemm. Excuse me Lao Bao. Your book is bar none amongst my all time favorite reads. Deqing was by far one of the most interesting characters I enjoyed in your book. What is he up to these days? I'd like a way of finding out updates of how your friends from Shaolin are doing. By the way, if you are interested in writing a book about MMA, check out 2 books written by a guy named Sam Sheridan. 1st book is called a Fighters Heart. 2nd a Fighters Mind.
kooledit 10 months ago
@kooledit Very kind of you to call me Lao Bao. And so happy to hear that you enjoyed my book. Deqing is a great character and a great guy. I haven't talked to him in a couple of years. But last I heard he was teaching at various schools in Europe. And thanks for the heads up about Sam. We know each other through mutual friends, so I've had a chance to check his work. He's got some really good moments in them.
MatthewPolly 9 months ago
@kooledit Ha! Brilliant of you to remember the "Lao Bao" nickname. I am very happy to hear that you enjoyed my book so much. I'm honored. I haven't talked to Deqing in a couple of years. But you reminded me that I needed to check up with everyone to see how they are doing. It would make for a good blog post. Thanks for the recommendations on Sam Sheridan. He and I know each other, so I've had a chance to look at his books. But I hope you'll find my MMA book as entertaining. Pub date: Nov. 17.
MatthewPolly 5 months ago
"Fucking Deqing..."
Vinnie2co 10 months ago
Hey, I actually don't know the name of that particular drill. It is a short form that the Shaolin monks used to close every performance. Very glad you enjoyed my book. Thank you for the kind words.
Matthew
MatthewPolly 10 months ago
@ min 1.26, could you tell me the name of that form or drill you are doing? I have seen it before but I don't know what it's called. Loved your book, thank you for everything you give us. *deep bow*
procall28remedy 11 months ago
Just read your book (first epub I got for my kobo) realy enjoyed the insight and humour. Do you still find time to train and eat bitter :).
PatrickWilson47 1 year ago
So glad to hear you enjoyed the book. I've been working on a book about MMA, so I've been training and eating bitter. You can see a fight video if you search "Matthew Polly David Cexton" on youtube.
Amituofo,
Matthew
MatthewPolly 1 year ago
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@MatthewPolly
Bao Mosi! Ahhemm. Excuse me Lao Bao. Your book is bar none amongst my all time favorite reads. Deqing was by far one of the most interesting characters I enjoyed in your book. What is he up to these days? I'd like a way of finding out updates of how your friends from Shaolin are doing. By the way, if you are interested in writing a book about MMA, check out 2 books written by a guy named Sam Sheridan. 1st book is called a Fighters Heart. 2nd a Fighters Mind
kooledit 10 months ago
This has been flagged as spam show
@MatthewPolly
Bao Mosi! Ahhemm. Excuse me Lao Bao. Your book is bar none amongst my all time favorite reads. Deqing was by far one of the most interesting characters I enjoyed in your book. What is he up to these days? I'd like a way of finding out updates of how your friends from Shaolin are doing. By the way, if you are interested in writing a book about MMA, check out 2 books written by a guy named Sam Sheridan. 1st book is called a Fighters Heart. 2nd a Fighters Mind
kooledit 10 months ago
This has been flagged as spam show
@MatthewPolly
Bao Mosi! Ahhemm. Excuse me Lao Bao. Your book is bar none amongst my all time favorite reads. Deqing was by far one of the most interesting characters I enjoyed in your book. What is he up to these days? I'd like a way of finding out updates of how your friends from Shaolin are doing. By the way, if you are interested in writing a book about MMA, check out 2 books written by a guy named Sam Sheridan. 1st book is called a Fighters Heart. 2nd a Fighters Mind
kooledit 10 months ago
absolutely loved your book! now i know you're a rhodes scholar, but it was refreshing to read such an honest and humorous story. american shaolin is hands-down my favorite book! hope you are doing well and i wish you the best of luck in the future!
sidewaysman23 1 year ago
@sidewaysman23
Thank you, thank you, thank you for your kind words. I'm so happy to hear that you enjoyed my book. And I wish you all the best of luck in your future, as well!
MatthewPolly 1 year ago
Any idea what happened to Little Tiger? It's also too bad that Monk Dequing couldn't make it over to the US. He probably would've loved it here.
Chigeon 1 year ago
@Chigeon
last i heard Little Tiger was working as a business man in China. I wish Monk Deqing was here in America, but he seems to have done very well in Europe.
Thank you for your kind words about my book. So happy to hear that you enjoyed it.
Amitoufo,
Matthew
MatthewPolly 1 year ago
I was walking down my local library, saw a Shaolin monk on the cover and wondered eh? I'm very happy I picked up your book. It's an awesome read and now on my list of favorites. Out of curiosity I typed in your name and youtube and boy am I glad I did. I had literally just finished the book, was left wanting more, and to find clips of your masters just made my day. To find out they all managed to succeed makes me extremely happy for them. I do have one lingering question though,
Chigeon 1 year ago
@Chigeon same here
rtardx 1 year ago
Hey! Im reading ur book for summer reading for my school. Its really interesting i was lmao when i read the convo on pg96-97 lol.
ReiraRyugamine 1 year ago
Thanks. I'm so glad you enjoyed it.
MatthewPolly 1 year ago
Read this book cover to cover almost non-stop. It is a great book, funny, insightful. Anyone practicing Chinese martial arts should get a copy. We owe everything to our Shaolin heritage.
andrewtamporum 1 year ago
Thank you for your kind words about my book. I'm so glad to hear you enjoyed it. I wanted to inspire interest in Chinese martial arts.
Amituofo,
Matt Polly
MatthewPolly 1 year ago
What is the name of the book
alp4a 1 year ago
"American Shaolin"
MatthewPolly 1 year ago
you gotta be like fuckn zero percent bodyfat to do that and actually fit 100 perecent rip i mean in all america only about 5 percent of the people most of them are obese
bonds911 1 year ago
i want to become your apprentice
IonManCan 1 year ago
Ha! You should study with Deqing. He's the real deal.
MatthewPolly 1 year ago
I read "American Shaolin". That looks like Deqing, judging by the book. Explosive and expressive.
Beautiful. Thanks for sharing the magic with us, Lao Bao!
Clown7916 1 year ago
Thank you for your kind words. I'm very happy to hear you enjoyed the book.
MatthewPolly 1 year ago
Sorry for misspelling Deqing! =D
DynastyPercussion 1 year ago
wow it's not even funny how many people said what I was going to say "Amazing book!" =P
I can't believe you went to China and started training with monks...it's sounds completely ridiculous and misleading but you can't hide the fact that you were there with Dequing training!
He looks like a cool guy I'd love to speak with him just to see what he thinks about a, Native-American/French, American.
Thanks for the book I read it at work and enjoy every minute.
DynastyPercussion 1 year ago
Thank you for your kind words about the book. I'm so happy to hear that you enjoyed it. And, yes, Deqing is a very cool guy.
MatthewPolly 1 year ago
@MatthewPolly You're very welcome have a good time wherever you are...probably konocking somone out with KungFu. =P
Thanks
DynastyPercussion 1 year ago
@DynastyPercussion
DynastyPercussion 1 year ago
reading this book now. i love it!!!
dgk3188 1 year ago
Monk dequinq! everytime a part about him came in the book you just knew that he was the man
LOLanjello 1 year ago
great book ,specially for people that trains gong fu,you did what most would like to do but only dream about it,iven training 7 star praying mantis for 5 yrs,we all think shaolin monks are superhumans,you show they are not,
TheSurfer169 2 years ago
@TheSurfer169
thanks, i'm glad you liked the book.
MatthewPolly 2 years ago
thank you for sharing your experiences in such a secret place like the sil lium temple,and for taking the time to answer all the comments ,im abraham sanchez and like the monks i left my country(mexico)for a better future,now i live in austin,texas .hope to see the movie soon,i had to ask, dont do ma bu for hours?
TheSurfer169 2 years ago
hey matt, one of the things i noticed in your book was that almost all of the things said are repeated 2 or 3 times. why is that?
snoboarder4393 2 years ago
The Chinese repeat things out of politeness, like thank you, thank you, thank you for reading my book.
MatthewPolly 2 years ago
@MatthewPolly Yeah. Saying things once makes them seem curt right?
Clown7916 1 year ago
Hey Matt -
Loved the book. It actually inspired me to take a Shaolin Kung Fu lesson (though the school was wayy to commercial for my tastes). Do you know anywhere in CT where I can find a legit instruction? Deqing is incredible by the way.
theplatzers 2 years ago
Thank you. And yes Deqing is amazing. I'm afraid I don't know the CT kung fu scene. Most of legit monks are in NYC or on the West Coast.
MatthewPolly 2 years ago
thanks for writing such an awesome book matt! it was the funnest school project i ever had to do. i always have eating bitter on my mind whenever i do anything in martial arts. deqing is so awesome. is he still in hungary?
Anthony5555454 2 years ago
thanks for you kind words. glad to hear i made school a little less boring. we used to throw pennies at our spanish teacher, not that i'm suggesting that. deqing is great, and as far as i know still in hungary.
amituofo,
mp
MatthewPolly 2 years ago
Matt,
I thoroughly enjoyed reading American Shaolin. Not only were your experiences entertaining, but the insight on Chinese culture was also very interesting! Thanks for sharing your experiences with the rest of us!
For anyone who has not yet read this book, I highly recommend it!
DTSwatches 2 years ago
thank you so much for your kind words. i'm so happy you enjoyed the book.
amituofo,
matthew polly
MatthewPolly 2 years ago
Matthew, I read your book a few months ago, I really enjoyed it. I've been training for 11 years now (just not in kung fu). Do you miss training with the monks?
tkd4life 2 years ago
I do. I miss the purity of it. And I miss being that young and flexible.
MatthewPolly 2 years ago
I bet. Martial arts is great...how does what you practice now compare?
tkd4life 2 years ago
Hey I just finished reading your book and it was an amazing read. I'm taking beginning Mandarin this semester and it really helped me get into Chinese culture even more. Thanks and keep up the good work!
desertox 2 years ago
thank you, thank you, thank you. best of luck with Mandarin. i'm glad my book helped a bit.
MatthewPolly 2 years ago
Hey Mathew. I am currently reading your book. I am not very far in it though. I am just past the part about you going to the buddist temple with Monk Deqing so he can prove that there is still some Buddism in Shaolin. It is an amazing book so far and by far my fav. I have a question...What is your truthfull opinion on Bruce Lee? Do you think that Monk Deqing is better?
cody227 2 years ago
Thank you. I'm glad to hear you are enjoying it. Truthfully, I think Bruce Lee was an amazing martial artist. Incredibly fast. I think Monk Deqing had more gymnastic skill, but Bruce was probably the better fighter.
MatthewPolly 2 years ago
Yah. I saw Deqing doing all these amazing flips and rolls in the air and crazy stunts but they wouldnt really be that usefull in a fight. Bruce wasnt about show and everything he did was too improve fighting. I just couldnt put my finger on what made Deqing look so much better..So after learning Shaolin Kung Fu, What do think about other Martial arts like karate, taekwondo, and Eastern fight styles like Boxing and wrestling?
P.S. I think its awesome that you read and reply to questions on here..
cody227 2 years ago
I've gotten into Western boxing mixed with Muay Thai. I admire BJJ but don't find it that enjoyable to practice. Perhaps because I'm terrible at it.
MatthewPolly 2 years ago
Haha...Thanks for the replies. Your awesome, can't wait for your next book.
: )
cody227 2 years ago
Hah, wow, I read your book years ago, and thought I'd search to see if there were videos of any of the monks in it online. It never occurred to me that you'd have a youtube account yourself.
Your book inspired me to return to practicing martial arts, and was a hell of a good read besides. Cheers!
Desertopa 2 years ago
i love monk deqing!
do u still keep contact with them?
Carmelogrl 2 years ago
yes. he;s wonderful
MatthewPolly 2 years ago
hey Mathhew loved ur book.. can u giv me some tips on how to practice for iron leg thankx
XNarutoShippuudenxX 2 years ago
Hit your leg with something medium-hard (like a wooden staff) and then increase the hardness (stone). Practice chi-gong and use Chinese medicine for the bruises. That's how the monks do it.
MatthewPolly 2 years ago
Hey Matthew have you seen Shaolin Ulysses?Monk Deqing is in there as well as your other friend!
lordmemnochthedevil 2 years ago
Actually, the director filmed a long section with me about the Shaolin monks in America, but alas my part ended up on the cutting room floor. I guess I wasn't a photogenic as Doc Russell.
MatthewPolly 2 years ago
Hey, have you continued to train after you left the shaolin temple? Do you like train at a studio?
Livelife417 2 years ago
I'm working on my next book about MMA, so I'm training in the Brazilian jiujitsu and Thai kickboxing. Painful but interesting arts.
MatthewPolly 2 years ago
Brazilian kickboxing is mostly groundwork, right? I've never heard of Thai kickboxing, though...
mizugamisoul 2 years ago
Muay Thai... its amazing... but Im all for Capoeira
TheonlyNiyrulegend 2 years ago
Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is ground work,
Tianshanwarrior 2 years ago
Wait wait wait....Are you training in the actual SPORT MMA or are you just taking 2 different kinds of martial arts that is COMBINED in MMA. How you find this out is pretty simple actually. Do you take two classes or one?
USAmartialartss 2 years ago
Bao Mosi, Your epic novel has inspired me to follow your footsteps of kick-assedness!...well not the traveling to Shaolin, but taking up kickboxing most definitely! I wrestled and played football for my high-school and loved it! I bet I'll love sanda! lol!
TJhandford524 2 years ago
That's great to hear! So glad you enjoyed the book and that it inspired you. Both Sanda and Thailand's kickboxing are good styles to practice.
Best wishes on your future training,
Matt
MatthewPolly 2 years ago
Thanks! when is your next book coming out? Because I'm definitely buying it as soon as it hits the shelves!
TJhandford524 2 years ago
It will probably take another year to two. I'm a very slow writer. But I'll definitely let you know. Thanks so much.
MatthewPolly 2 years ago
oh, okay cool, cool! im going to pick up a copy when it's done! please keep me posted!
-TJ
TJhandford524 2 years ago
and have you gotten back to practicing kungfu?
SpeedPastYou 3 years ago
trying my best for my next book on MMA. trying not to be such a lard bucket. genetics and laziness are a byatch.
MatthewPolly 3 years ago
fantastic book, dude. love the end bit with coach cheng's comment on how he told you to gain a few pounds, not turn into a lard bucket.
SpeedPastYou 3 years ago
thanks so much. glad you enjoyed it.
MatthewPolly 3 years ago
Just finished your book Matt, brilliant. Honestly its the first book i've read in several years (due to work/internet/xbox). Thanks for the video, great to put footage to the men you described in the book. Good luck and good health to you and your friends from Shaolin.
roflman79 3 years ago
Thank you, thank you, thank you for your kind comments. Given my current addiction to Fallout 3, I appreciate anyone who takes the time to read my book. Amitoufo, Matthew
MatthewPolly 3 years ago
haha i hear that, i was pretty addicted to cod4 last year but thankfully the new one isnt as good. Do you still practive iron forearm? Im very interested in qigong, we have a tv show in the UK that showed the iron crotch stuff.
roflman79 3 years ago
do the monks (coach cheng and deqing ect) know about the book you wrote with them in it?
bubblewrapmonkey 3 years ago
yes, they all know. either i told them or their students told them. they are happy i wrote it.
MatthewPolly 3 years ago
shi xing hong is a lovely young man!
chengwen680420 3 years ago
Yes, yes, he is.
MatthewPolly 3 years ago
Matt, the book was great. Question: Did any of the monks object to you filming their movement and techniques? I study under a very high korean man who refuses to allow his movement and technique to be filmed.
standishtoo 3 years ago
Thank you. No, they didn't object. They perform all over the world, so they are very used to being photographed and filmed.
MatthewPolly 3 years ago
Hi, just wanted to say i LOVE your book so far- From someone who speaks Chinese, its really really funny :p
bubblewrapmonkey 3 years ago
thank you, thank you, thank you.
MatthewPolly 3 years ago
Great book bro,me and my bothers at the Chicago Shaolin Temple have bought copies and discuss it at the temple,although one of my sifu's, Yan Yue did not like the pic on the cover,he said "that is not Shaolin temple"(refering to the monk with a burger king bag)
lordmemnochthedevil 3 years ago
So glad you enjoyed the book. And please extend my apologies to your master about the cover. I knew it might be controversial. The photo was taken at the Shaolin Temple with a Shaolin monk but it was staged by the photographer for Burger King's vegi burger launch in Asia. He asked his teacher for a favor to carry the bag. I thought it captured the collision between East and West in a humorous way which was the point of the book. No offense was intended.
MatthewPolly 3 years ago
Oh its cool,as a photographer I knew what he pic was saying but my sifu didn't and his english wasnt good enough for me to explain the picture so where he would understand it but he is really cool and allows no room for imperfection when training he can also be seen on many documentary's and in books,if you check out a show by discovery channel called star wars science(its on youtube) you can see him, he turns his foot backwards when they discuss 11 requirements for being a warrior monk.
lordmemnochthedevil 3 years ago
how much total did u spend?
ur book was so inspiring now i wanna join xD
meowbluckmoo 3 years ago
it was about a grand per month.
MatthewPolly 3 years ago
Ha, in the middle of your book wondered if Dequing was on youtube anywhere and here you are. Good work Matthew, inspiring book thanks.
StevieC69 3 years ago
thanks, bro, i appreciate the kind words.
MatthewPolly 3 years ago
Hey matt I was wondering if whether or not they teach kempo at the shaolin temple as well?
leafwind07 3 years ago
No, no kempo at the Shaolin Temple. Shaolin Kempo was created, I believe and don't quote me on this, in Hawaii during the '50s/'60s by Ed Parker. It derives more directly from Japanese Shaolin karate. So the monks were not really aware of it when the Temple was reformed in the '80s.
MatthewPolly 3 years ago
ok thanks Matt!! ^_^
vipercaleb1 3 years ago
what should i do to train to get ready togo? i'm allready stretching like crazy and i'm making progress on getting my splits down, and i'm doing ALOT of situps and just a couple of days ago i got my six-pack to be see-able really good, but what else should i do? thanks!
vipercaleb1 3 years ago
work on your stances, horse stance, etc. it will strengthen your legs and help your forms.
MatthewPolly 3 years ago
I love your book!!! you are awesome! my dream is to become a Shaolin Monk but i don't know, my mom doean't like 'monks' at all cuz we are Christian and stuff and they worship Bhudha. But I love you guys you guys rock! Could i go there and like not worship Buhdha and just train? thanks!
vipercaleb1 3 years ago
you don't have to worship Buddha at the Shaolin Temple. You can just train in kung fu. I'm Christian. It wasn't a problem.
MatthewPolly 3 years ago
Oh wow just stumbled on this video. I loved your book! Awesome vid.
devilmaypout 3 years ago
Amituofo
MatthewPolly 3 years ago
Dude, you lived every guys dream, those guys are badass and i want to fight one just so i can get beat up by a real life Shaolin monk, then i could die happy. oh yeah your book is sick
sekirei7san 3 years ago
i'm sure they would oblige you. they have some sick fighters there. peace.
MatthewPolly 3 years ago
By traditional shaolin you mean like the five animal styles, zui quan, tai chi, and sanda? Can a foreigner become a fulltime monk? what weapon forms do they teach?
leafwind07 3 years ago
traditional Shaolin forms include animal styles but they also include a number of other forms like small red boxing, etc. It does not include tai chi or sanda. They teach 18 different weapons. The biggest one is staff.
MatthewPolly 3 years ago
Matthew are you from the wu chan shaolin school ?
hopestealer 3 years ago
I studied at the Wushu Guan Training Center, which was the only available place a foreigner could study at when I was at Shaolin in 1992. Now there are multiple schools that teach foreigners at Shaolin and in Deng Feng.
MatthewPolly 3 years ago
Hey matt, I am thinking about going to the shaolin temple and i was wondering if you could answer afew questions for me. How much does a ticket to and from china cost? Do you chose to wear the shaolin robes or is that for people who decide to stay their for live? How long do you have to stay their inorder to become a 1st or 2nd degree? Will they let you practice other forms of martial arts during your stay?
Thanks, peace!
Oh and your book is AWESOME!
leafwind07 3 years ago
Thank you for your kind comment on my book. I'm so glad you enjoyed it. To answer your questions:
1) Tickets from NYC to Beijing is around $1200. You'll still have to fly or go by train from Beijing to Zheng Zhou (say $250). And then a taxi or bus to Shaolin ($50-150)
2) Only monks wear robes. Students wear running suits. Foreigners wear whatever they want.
MatthewPolly 3 years ago
3)Shaolin doesn't have degrees. How good you get depends on time on personal skill and effort.
4) You can practice anything you want at Shaolin. They don't care. But they only teach traditional Shaolin kung fu. Chinese kickboxing, and modern wushu.
MatthewPolly 3 years ago
Perhaps matt can give more insight to this, but I thought that they only teach mondern wushu there now (leafwind! look into this modern and tradition are WAY different). And just wondering, Matt when was the last time you visited?
s1apshot56 3 years ago
I think is cool have the Saolin in USA, but I dont think they can be the same as China, in USA is agenst law to not go to school, so the kids have to dedicate alot of the time to school and not Kung Fu. But I liked the staff Kata xD
JudoGirl20 3 years ago
Obviously the Chinese kids learn more kung fu at an earlier age because they didn't attend school, but they are starting to take classes for at least half-a-day. I think it'll be better for them in the long run.
MatthewPolly 3 years ago
As it seems the comments you receive are stuck on repeat, I feel I must continue the pattern.
Just the other night I finished your book after my friend lent me the book. She saw that on my myspace page under "Who you would like to meet" I put "A Shaolin monk", and thought I would enjoy your story. And I did, thoroughly. I was so sad when I was finished!
Thanks so much for writing your story.
-Shannon
muffystopheles 3 years ago
all praise, even of a similar note is much appreciated. We writers live on it. (It makes up for the lack of money.)
So thank you. And there are a few Shaolin monks around in NYC, Houston, Jersey, and a bunch in the Bay area....
MatthewPolly 3 years ago
this is a great vidio man! btw there is it in usa shaolin temple? :))))))))))))))
egdqv13234 3 years ago
Ha!, it was filmed in the Shaolin village.
MatthewPolly 3 years ago
!!wohaa!!! ok man great vidio ;)))5/5!
egdqv13234 3 years ago
Thats awsome you train bjj and Muay Thai too.I just had the privlage of training with Cesar Gracie and he amazed me was wondering if you've ever trained with any of the Gracie's
scootfraze 3 years ago
I hear Cesar is amazing. I live in NYC, so the closest studio to me is Renzo Gracie's academy. They have some truly remarkable teachers and students. But then again I am but a lowly white belt, so what would I know?
MatthewPolly 3 years ago
I just finished your book last night. I feel like I spent the last week with old friends and now I miss everyone! During the moments I laughed out loud I was sure you could hear me, I nearly looked for your greeting to me directly in the text! More, more!!!!
Sunshine730fairy 3 years ago
Thank you so much. That's so wonderful to hear!
MatthewPolly 3 years ago
Thank you for your note. I'm very happy to hear that you enjoyed the book. And I wish you all the best with your Shaolin training.
MatthewPolly 3 years ago
I'm lucky enough to learn Tiger Crane in London. My Instructor told me about your book and I loved it, when I finished it I actually felt I was going to miss everyone! I'm off training in Fujian later this year and I will be sure to alway toast twice! Amituofo. Adrian.
LordFrontier 3 years ago
Thank you. It's great that you liked it. I wish you all the best with your training. Go easy on the "baijiu" in Fujian. Amituofo, Matthew
MatthewPolly 3 years ago
I loved your book. I have read it three times back to back already. I envy your spirit. it takes a lot of guts to do what you did. You lived my dream. All i can say is i live in new york and now keep my eyes peeled so that one day i may be lucky enough to shake your hand.
Pointofthesun 3 years ago
that's the nicest comment ever. thank you. i'm very glad you enjoyed the book. amituofo, matthew
MatthewPolly 3 years ago
Awsome book and vids matt. I train in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and whould love to take kung fu but there's not many places to learn it in manitoba was just wondering do train in anything else and if so wut.Peace out man
scootfraze 3 years ago
glad you liked the book and vids. Currently, I'm training in BJJ and Muay Thai to research a book on MMA. Great art forms.
MatthewPolly 3 years ago
ahh i love your book! i went to chinese school and i also studied chinese history last year, so i loved being able to connect with the language and history you mentioned. thank you so much for posting these videos, it was a total stab in the dark when i searched them up! i especially wanted to see Deqing go through his forms; your descriptions did him justice :)
beckerz526 3 years ago
that's great to hear that you found something in the book to connect to. I'm very happy you enjoyed it. And yes, Deqing is the best.
MatthewPolly 3 years ago
:) but i hope you don't think that's the only thing i connected to. i watched Kung Fu (pretty old school for a current 16-year-old), i have a black belt in karate, and i LOVE books that are witty and clever. American Shaolin is THE perfect book for me. and the awesomest thing about it? it's all real. :)
beckerz526 3 years ago
actually, i made it all up. all these videos are state of the art computer animation. Kidding. "Kung Fu" is very old school for a 16 year-old. Best wishes on your training.
MatthewPolly 3 years ago
hey man it was brave to protect johnny like that, but you shoulda brang him with you i wouldn't go to a triad person by myself
kastmaster101 3 years ago
hey its funny how you counter attacked tiger mans saying to you how you did his 18 generations. Hey hope im not spamming, hey is it ok if i just post what i think is funny about your book
kastmaster101 3 years ago
but of course.
MatthewPolly 3 years ago
hey love the book man, my friend let me borrow it and now im hooked. Hey monk deqing still do those performances i know its been like 15 years since 1993 since you been there.
kastmaster101 3 years ago
Great to hear that you are enjoying the book. Monk Deqing now teaches in Europe. He has several schools in different countries. I don't think he performs regularly, but last time I saw him he still had the moves.
MatthewPolly 3 years ago
what does amituofo mean and what is a laowai?
anjerlasayshi 3 years ago
Good question! "Amituofo" is the way Shaolin monks said hello and good-bye. It was a formal greeting. It roughly translates as "May the Buddha Bless You." An even rougher translation might be: "Peace be upon you." Laowai is the term for white foreigners. It directly means: "Old outsiders" or "good outsiders." It is a polite term. The Chinese have several less complimentary terms for white boys like me.
MatthewPolly 3 years ago
ahh, i was reading the book and i kept going what is amituofo and what is a laowai! my friend said a laowai was a foreigner
anjerlasayshi 3 years ago
it is the term for "white foreigners" They use different terms for Africans and non-white Asians.
MatthewPolly 3 years ago
haha would you like to tell me the term for non-white asians? :D
anjerlasayshi 3 years ago
ah, it's nothing bad. They usually use country names. Indian Person. Japanese Person.
MatthewPolly 3 years ago
oh, that's pretty cool, id sure like to visit the shaolin temple one day, i usually just go to china and go to guangzhou and toisan,guangdong
anjerlasayshi 3 years ago
I'm reading your book too - started reading yesterday and I can't put it down. Very funny, sounds like you had an amazing time.
anahataj 3 years ago
Thank you. I'm so glad you are enjoying it!
MatthewPolly 3 years ago
i'm now on page 239 in your book :D i just love it! i'd be reading it in class for ssr and i'd just start laughing and my friends just look at me like i'm crazy =/ and they laugh at the cover where there's a monk holding a burger king bag, in the book i love how you told the trumpeter go to look and see if it was real, cause she was wondering if "it" was real
anjerlasayshi 3 years ago
thank you. i'm very happy to hear my book made you laugh.
MatthewPolly 3 years ago
GREAT VIDIO ;)
egdqv13234 3 years ago
monk deqing is really good, was he posing for a picture?
anjerlasayshi 3 years ago
A TV crew was doing a special on the Shaolin Temple. And yes, he was probably the best at Shaolin at that Time, although Lipeng was also amazing.
MatthewPolly 3 years ago
ahh, i'd sure love to go visit shaolin temple someday
anjerlasayshi 3 years ago
Thank you for your story, and sharing this teacher who moves like an explosion! He lives up to your description, very cool to see after reading about "the monk who can fly" - Once I was a peaceful hippy, but now I am studying Agro Hippy Kung Fu. Do you think one can become so flexible after the age of 21, who has not been "eating bitter" previously? Is there a way I can learn the stretches used in Shaolin without actually travelling there?
namakrishna 3 years ago
Ha! Agro Hippy Kung Fu. I like it. It's hard to get so flexible after 21, but it's possible to get much more flexible. The monks mostly use stretch kicks. If you look for video on Coach Ching you'll see some of them. But any stretching will do. Just takes a lot of it.
MatthewPolly 3 years ago
how come he grows out his hair a little and all the other monks are completely bald?
efficiency27 3 years ago
He was the best, so the leaders cut him a little slack about how often he had to shave his head.
MatthewPolly 3 years ago
This is the best!
smileallday1125 4 years ago
Does anyone know what is the difference in the North and south shaolin temples, forms? Can you tell if they are from northor south just by looking at their forms?
scwushu 4 years ago
northern forms tend to have more high kicks. southern forms tend to be more compact. it is not absolute. but you can usually tell the difference.
MatthewPolly 4 years ago
southeren has more kicking in their form like high kicks and northeren has more low kicks
aznalan400 3 years ago
Matt! Your book has made me a better martial artist. I now eat bitter like Doritos. well, maybe not that much, but definitely more than i ever could or would allow myself to before. I wanted to thank you for this amazing work that inspired me, made me laugh constantly and made me appreciate suffering for your art more than ever. Do you keep in touch with any of the Monks? Any more books on the horizon?
Dimmaknyc 4 years ago
Ha! Keep eating that bitter. Personally I find it gets harder to eat as I get older. But my next book is about mixed martial arts, so I'm back in the studio...suffering. And I do keep in touch with the monks. I talked to Deqing and Chenghao when the book came out. And I go out to dinner frequently with Lipeng. He lives in New Jersey.
MatthewPolly 4 years ago
mattpolly i'm not happy about you call my master "deqing" use Shi Xing Hong.... plzzz thank you. And i would like to have a question about what level are you? I'm level 4 and i had a compatation(can't spell it) in hungary.
wriker92 4 years ago
I'll try in the future to use his Buddhist name. When I was at the Temple it was common to use someone's family name not their Buddhist name. I certainly meant no disrespect. Also at the Temple they did not use different "levels" but I always assume I'm a beginner.
MatthewPolly 4 years ago
Your book is difficult to find..
theshadowboy607 4 years ago
hi matt, just finished reading the book. it was funny as hell man, had me laughing out at times, people thinking i was crazy. i always wanted to go shaolin temple and learn kung fu too when i was young. do you still practise kung fu?
ug03038 4 years ago
Hey, thank you. I'm glad to hear you enjoyed the book and it made you laugh. I still practice kung fu, but not as intensely as I did when I was at Shaolin.
MatthewPolly 4 years ago
no way what i read this book on me hols you did what i have allways wanted to do i want to start learning kungfu so bad after reading your book. ive been doing karate for two years now matty you inspire me man thanks to you ive gooten better at me karate i would just like to say thanks the book was amazeing had no idea yoy had youtube and wow that deqing is somethink else one day i hope i can travel to shaolin like you did
n7633 4 years ago