Enter the dragon, train like a superhero

On Sunday morning in a quiet lane of Koregaon Park, one could see about 30 people striking the air in sync with sharp, rhythmic exhales. This was the Shaolin Warrior Workshop, led by Hurssh Verma, who calls himself a Shaolin warrior monk and has trained in China for over five years. The intensive and immersive workshop was designed to strip away digital distractions and forge an unbreakable bond between body and spirit.

The participants were also introduced to the alert and active theory, Tai Chi and Qigong, the meditative practice that involves deep breathing and slow movements.

Beginning with hard and physically intense, and then moving to more focused, slow and meditative actions, the workshop saw Punekars from various fields getting involved. “This practice creates harmony, making you find that right equilibrium in your body. It is doable by anyone, irrespective of gender and age,” Hurssh added. By the end of the session, aching muscles were entirely eclipsed by a profound sense of inner peace and participants left carrying the spirit of a Shaolin warrior into their daily urban lives.