Shooting Arrows is the second of the 18 qigong exercises that make up the Shaolin 18 Lohan Hands. Also known as Shoot Arrows Left Right, 左 右 開 弓, and ZUO YOU KAI GONG, it is one of the more technical exercises in the set — but one that feels excellent once the form is correctly established.
Key Benefits of Shooting Arrows
When practiced as qigong — not merely as physical form — Shooting Arrows offers the following benefits:
- Especially beneficial for the lungs
- Improves all respiratory problems
- Can bring relief to those experiencing sadness, hypertension, or depression
- Benefits the skin
- Strengthens the arms
- Helps those who struggle with memory or lack confidence
Technical Notes: What Makes This Exercise Different
Shooting Arrows uses the One Finger Shooting Zen hand form — a specialised technique that distinguishes it from the more straightforward exercises in the set. Getting this hand form right matters.
The exercise also uses horse riding stance, as do several others in the 18 Lohan Hands. Sitting correctly into the stance is important — and while the principle is simple, the subtleties are best understood when shown directly by a qualified instructor.
A common mistake when first learning this pattern is performing it with too much force — more like a kung fu set than a qigong exercise. Virtually all qigong exercises are performed in a relaxed and gentle manner, and Shooting Arrows is no exception. This is exactly the kind of error that a teacher catches immediately and a self-taught practitioner may not notice for months.
An Important Note on Form vs. Qigong
The benefits above are only available when this exercise is practiced as qigong — with a Qigong State of Mind (QSoM) and genuine energy flow. Practicing the physical movements alone — the form — will not produce these results. The form is not the art of qigong.
For an exercise with specific technical requirements like Shooting Arrows, learning directly from a qualified qigong instructor is especially strongly recommended. If that isn’t possible, the next best option is to learn qigong online. Shooting Arrows is covered in full in my online course.
Next in the 18 Lohan Hands
The next exercise in the set is Plucking Stars Change Galaxies — exercise 3 of the 18 Lohan Hands.
