Greek Shaolin Cultural Organization
少林希腊文化組织

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The Greek Shaolin Cultural Organization, in the constant effort to improve the everyday life of the modern man, and having particular sensitivity to the Disabled and their carers, made a unique initiative for Greece and visited the Panhellenic Association of Paraplegic of Macedonia Thraki, at their headquarters in Thessaloniki.

With the instructions of the EPOS Director, Master Stavridis Iordanis, the date of the meeting was set directly and so on Monday, May 22, 2017 at 13:30, ta presentation was made by the Director of Northern Greece, Mr. Vasilopoulos Ioannis of the Thessaloniki Cultural Center "True Path", who was accompanied by his student Mavridou Sophia.

The president of Macedonia Thraki branch, Mr. Avgoustidis George welcomed warmly and full of interest the EPOS representatives. With him was the treasurer of the association Ms. Basdekopoulou Maria, who attended with the same unflagging interest the presentation.

The purpose of the visit was the acquaintance with the soft arts of Shaolin such as Rou Quan and Qi Gong. A highly detailed and highly scientific analysis tailored to the needs of people with disabilities has been presented, proving how to provide concurrent help in the form of exercise not only to the Disabled but also to the caretaker, who is often forgotten in the abundance of the particular needs of the former.

It was explained that Shaolin Rou Quan [chin: Shàolín róu quán 少林 柔 拳] or "soft fist" and Shaolin Qi Gong [chin. Shàolín qìgōng 少林 气功] consist of mild, soft successive movements combined with diaphragmatic breathing, which aim to constantly develop the natural and vital energy reserves of the human body by offering a holistic (mental, physical) empowerment to the trainee. They are an integral part of the 1500 years old Shaolin Temple, which UNESCO recognized on 1 August 2010 as a Cultural Monument of Humanity and classified it as a World Heritage Site. The art of Shaolin Rou Quan is the ancestral form known to the general public as Tai Chi Chuan or more accurately Tai Ji Quan [tàijíquán 太极拳]. Shaolin Rou Quan and Qi Gong are in their primary form, something that is not the case with Tai Ji, which has been remarkably altered by the Chinese Sports Committee since 1956. The proposed Qi Gong exercises consist of unique sitting positions that have exclusively inherited by the Greek Shaolin Cultural Organization.

A detailed analysis has been made through authoritative scientific sources and studies demonstrating the therapeutic benefits of Rou Quan and Qi Gong in patients and their carers who together bear the difficulties of disabling diseases such as dementia ● arthritis (rheumatoid, ankylosing) ● cerebral Injuries ● fibromyalgia & chronic fatigue ● muscular dysplasia ● Parkinson ● depression & cognitive disorders ● cardiorespiratory conditions ● autism ● cardiovascular diseases ● respiratory failure not forgetting to report overall effect of these arts to the whole psyche carer and disabled as key to the harmony between their lives.

President Avgoustidis, delighted by the depth and approach of EPOS, pledged to convene members for group exercise in Qi Gong and Rou Quan to both disabled and their carers.

Student Mavridou Sophia presented an unarmed skill of Rou Quan and Qi Gong exercises, and made impression with the simplicity and ease of performing the gymnastics.

At the end of the presentation Mr. Avgoustides said. "We invite through this unique initiative the parallel exercise of disabled people and caregivers, offering much more than individual long-term benefits to psychosomatic health but bridging the relationship between one another and more harmonious cohabitation. The exercises are adapted very easily to the needs of each person so offering to both the required and desired wellness with minimal effort paid. We hope that this move will find the response it deserves. Thanks from our heart to the Greek Shaolin Cultural Organization."