Punching With Wide Eyes is the sixth of the 18 qigong exercises that make up the Shaolin 18 Lohan Hands. Also known as 怒 目 衝 拳 and NU MU CHONG QUAN, it is one of the more distinctive patterns in the set — and one with a notably broad range of applications.
Key Benefits of Punching With Wide Eyes
When practiced as qigong — not merely as physical form — Punching With Wide Eyes offers the following benefits:
- Massages and strengthens the heart through qi flow
- Beneficial for those experiencing depression, pent-up anger, or frustration
- Good for the eyes
- Helpful for those with haemorrhoids
- Valuable for martial artists looking to develop powerful, energy-efficient striking
Punching With Wide Eyes for Martial Artists
It may seem counterintuitive that punching while relaxed can contribute to more powerful strikes. The principle is straightforward: energy has difficulty travelling through tense muscles. The more relaxed you are while punching, the more freely your energy flows — and the more powerful the result. This pattern makes that principle tangible.
One technical note: keep your mouth open when you punch.
An Important Note on Form vs. Qigong
The benefits above — including the heart massage — are produced by qi flow, not by the physical movements themselves. This pattern only delivers its full effects when practiced as qigong, in a Qigong State of Mind (QSoM). Practicing the movements alone is practicing form, and form is not the art of qigong.
Of all the exercises in the 18 Lohan Hands set, this one most clearly illustrates why learning from video or text alone carries real risk. Practiced incorrectly, it can do more harm than good. Learning directly from a qualified qigong instructor is strongly recommended — or the Qigong15 online course for those without access to a local instructor.
Next in the 18 Lohan Hands
The next exercise in the set is Carry the Moon — exercise 7 of the 18 Lohan Hands.
