The Shaolin stick (or staff), known in Chinese as Shaolin Gun, is one of the most iconic and foundational weapons in traditional Shaolin Kung Fu. It represents not only physical skill but also the Shaolin spirit—discipline, humility, and balance between body and mind. For every Shaolin practitioner, the staff represents the beginning of weapon training and the gateway to understanding the deeper philosophy of Shaolin martial arts.
As a traditional Shaolin martial arts academy, we have trained countless students from around the world. Based on that experience, we’ve selected some Shaolin stick forms that everyone can learn. These forms build strength, coordination, and true understanding of Shaolin philosophy.
Why the Shaolin Stick is Important
The staff is described in the original source as “the stick a Shaolin monk soldier uses most, one of the most conventional weapons”. Its attributes in brief:
- It allows for wide sweeping attacks, extended reach and dynamic mobility.
- It develops rhythm, body coordination and effective timing.
- It serves both for physical conditioning (strength, flexibility, balance) and for practical combat application.
In other words, training the shaolin stick is not just about learning a weapon—it’s about developing the core foundations of Shaolin kung fu: rooted stances, body connection, fluid motion, and mindful intent.
Top 6 Shaolin Stick Forms Every Beginner Should Learn
According to the referenced material, the shaolin stick repertoire includes several distinct types. Here are a few major ones you should know, with practical pointers for beginners:
1. Qi Mei Stick (眉棍 Qi Mei Gun)
Purpose: Foundation form for balance, control, and striking precision
Focus: Range awareness, stance stability, and accurate targeting
This is one of the most classical and foundational staff forms in Shaolin training. Traditionally crafted from ash wood, the staff’s length reaches approximately eyebrow height—hence the name Qi Mei, meaning “eyebrow-level.” It teaches practitioners how to maintain a stable stance and strike with both accuracy and fluidity.
Beginner Tip: Keep your grip relaxed and ensure the staff stays aligned with your center line. Stability of the body brings power to every strike.
2. Yin Shou Stick (阴手棍 Yin Shou Gun)
Purpose: Develop basic control, defense, and smooth transitions
Focus: Stance stability, hand coordination, and rhythm
The Yin Shou Gun (“Hidden Hand Staff”) is a core beginner routine focusing on defense, grip control, and footwork. It teaches how to flow between blocking and countering with precision.
Beginner Tip: Keep movements tight and stable. Move the staff from your waist and hips rather than your shoulders—this builds real power.
3. Chu Ji Stick (初级棍 Chu Ji Gun)
Purpose: Reinforce basic staff mechanics and body coordination
Focus: Thrusting, sweeping, blocking, and continuous movement
The Chu Ji Gun (“Basic Staff Form”) introduces the essential movements used across all Shaolin weapon systems. This routine strengthens leg stability, grip control, and hand-eye coordination.
Beginner Tip: Practice slowly to ensure balance and accuracy. Gradually increase speed only when every motion feels stable and centered.
4. Zhen Shan Stick (镇山棍 Zhen Shan Gun)
Purpose: Develop strength, confidence, and full-body unity
Focus: Power generation, rooted stances, and martial intent
The Zhen Shan Gun, or “Mountain-Guarding Staff,” emphasizes solid strikes, strong postures, and spirited energy. It represents steadiness, defense, and determination—perfect for building a strong foundation before advancing to complex routines.
Beginner Tip: Breathe with each movement. Exhale when striking to direct energy outward; inhale when resetting to maintain calm focus.
5. Plum Blossom Stick (梅花棍 Mei Hua Gun)
Purpose: Enhancing multi-directional control and rhythm
Focus: Circular motion, transitions, and timing between offense and defense
Inspired by the resilience of the plum blossom, this form emphasizes balance and continuity. The movements are fluid yet firm, teaching practitioners how to adapt direction while maintaining structure.
Beginner Tip: Avoid stiff transitions. Let the stick’s momentum flow naturally from one move to the next—smoothness brings speed and power.
6. Shaolin General Staff Form (少林棍 Shaolin Gun)
Purpose: Core routine for developing Shaolin weapon fundamentals
Focus: Strength, rhythm, and overall coordination
This comprehensive form combines elements of the other staff techniques and serves as the cornerstone of Shaolin stick training. It sharpens reflexes, teaches strategic defense and attack, and cultivates discipline.
Beginner Tip: Master the basic strikes and blocks before focusing on speed. Repetition and patience are the true path to Shaolin mastery.
Practical Training Advice for Beginners
Here are actionable guidelines to help you train effectively with the staff:
- Choose the Right Staff
- Length should roughly match your height (close to shoulder to chin for beginners).
- Material: traditionally ash wood, but for training you might use rattan or light hardwood to begin safely.
- Weight: Ensure you can swing it smoothly without strain.
- Master the Basics Before Speed
- Focus on correct stance: feet shoulder-width or in horse/riding stance when required.
- Practice basic staff strikes: thrust, sweep, horizontal strike, block.
- Begin slowly to internalise body alignment, then gradually increase speed.
- Footwork and Stance Are Key
- The staff’s power derives from your legs and waist, not just arms.
- Practice passing weight smoothly from front to back, or side to side, in line with the strikes.
- Use low stances where appropriate for stability and power.
- Develop Rhythm, Flow & Awareness
- The staff is a ‘moving weapon’. It teaches rhythm in training and combat.
- Practice continuous flow drills: e.g., staff swings combined with stepping back/forward or circling.
- Pay attention to your surroundings (left, right, front, back)—the staff trains you to clear multiple angles.
- Conditioning & Flexibility
- Push-ups, squats, core strength, grip strength help your training.
- Stretch wrists, shoulders, hips so you can swing the staff freely and safely.
- Mindset & Discipline
- In Shaolin tradition, training the staff is also training the mind: focus, humility, respect for your weapon.
- Approach each session with intention—warm up, train with full awareness, cool down.
- Safe practice: start slow, use protective space around you, ensure others are clear of your swing zone.
Higher Forms of Shaolin Stick
1. Liu He Stick (六合棍 Liu He Gun)
Purpose: Integration of Shaolin’s internal and external principles
Focus: Coordination between body, mind, and energy flow
Known as the “Six Harmonies Staff,” this form reflects the essence of Shaolin philosophy—combining movement and stillness, intention and execution. It trains synchronization between upper and lower body, helping you generate power from your core instead of relying solely on arm strength.
Beginner Tip: Move with your entire body. The waist drives the staff, and breath controls the rhythm of attack and defense.
2. Monkey Stick (猴棍 Hou Gun)
Purpose: Building agility, quick transitions, and creativity
Focus: Low stances, sudden changes in rhythm, and flexible use of the stick
This lively, acrobatic form imitates the monkey’s movements—playful, agile, and full of energy. It involves crouching, leaping, and spinning, demanding both coordination and endurance. Practitioners learn to attack and evade with precision while maintaining control.
Beginner Tip: Keep your energy light but alert. Relax between movements, then explode with power at each strike.
Why Learn the Shaolin Stick?
Training the staff brings multiple benefits:
- Physical: Strengthens arms, shoulders, core, improves coordination and endurance.
- Technical: Gives you commanding reach and teaches you to control space and timing.
- Mental: Builds focus, discipline, and the martial spirit of Shaolin training.
When approached correctly, the staff becomes far more than a weapon—it becomes a tool for self-cultivation and martial development.
Conclusion
The journey of the Shaolin staff begins with the basics—Yin Shou Gun, Qi Mei Gun, Chu Ji Gun, and Zhen Shan Gun—and progresses to the advanced artistry of Liu He Gun and Hou Gun. Each form strengthens the body, focuses the mind, and awakens the authentic Shaolin spirit within.
If you’re inspired to start your Shaolin staff training, now is the perfect time. Join an accredited Shaolin martial arts academy or follow a structured Shaolin stick training program designed for beginners. With the right guidance, practice, and spirit, the stick will become not only a weapon—but a path to physical mastery and mental balance.
Contact authentic martial arts academy today. Discover authentic Shaolin staff training techniques, learn from certified masters, and experience the power of true Shaolin Kung Fu.
