Islington Tribune - by TOM FOOT Published: 09 January 2009
Qi player: Arsenal scheme sees Shaolin Monk Master teach ancient art
WITH the Gunners shipping goals in the Premiership like never before, manager Arsene Wenger may soon be turning to a Shaolin Monk Master for tips on the art of defence. Shifu Shi Yanzi, who teaches Qigong at the Shaolin Temple in Tufnell Park, schooled Islington sixth form college students in Elthorne Park over Christmas as part of an Arsenal-funded coaching scheme. The 3,000-year-old practice of harnessing inner strength called “Qi” can help players with balance, co-ordination, calmness under pressure, and relaxed power.
For more information about the Shaolin Temple in Junction Road visit www.shaolintempleuk.org and to find out about coach training programmes run by Arsenal in the Community contact Samir Singh on 020 7704 4158 or ssingh@arsenal.co.uk