Mystic Origins of the Martial Arts

Directed by Nancy Gimbrone

For centuries, only a chosen few learned the closely guarded secrets of the martial arts. Today, millions worldwide practice, from New York lawyers to African villagers-but few know the history of the esoteric disciplines they study. This action-packed program crosses the Orient to uncover the mystic origins of THE MARTIAL ARTS. Witness top masters of karate, judo, kyudo, and hapkido demonstrate their stunning skills and explore the many facets of the varied disciplines, including their rich spiritual heritage. Take an extremely rare glimpse inside China's Shaolin Temple, the birthplace of martial arts: within these ancient walls, monks demonstrate their unique style of kung-fu and perform astonishing feats through a 3,000-year-old practice called qigong. A&E takes an unforgettable journey into the enigmatic world of ancient combat, exposing the fabled origins and evolution of THE MARTIAL ARTS.