A foreign practitioner practice the white crane kung fu. [Photo by Hu Meidong/chinadaily.com.cn]

In order to realize highly balanced and stable posture and physique, practitioners are instructed to place an object on their head.

As the White Crane martial art accentuates bursts of force and fast attacks within a short distance, practitioners are required to master a kind of subtle but extremely powerful arm strength. To grasp the prowess also requires repeated and backbreaking practice.

Wu Shixing, 18, who embarked on practice the martial art when he was eight, revealed another application of the art. The skill can be employed in many medical practices, such as setting broken bones, acupuncture and massage because they also requires similar subtle but potent strength.

Wu took to the White Crane martial art just because he marveled at its medical value. "It was my master who healed my grandfather's fractured bone."

While the art form has edged towards the international stage, Kang argued that media exposure is not far from enough. "Circulation of the art in foreign countries is still restricted to small circle of friend. Most foreign practitioners got to know the art accidentally from their Chinese friends. It is not sufficient, absolutely."