If you are a regular viewer of the show “Incroyable Talent” on M 6, his face will not be unfamiliar to you.
Mickaël Renaut, aka Shaolin YanYou, actually came on set during the last season to share his knowledge, particularly martial arts.
If it had aroused the interest of the jury, the editing of the show left a bitter taste, suggesting that it was deeply boring.
“I told them it was to pay tribute to my master who died last year, it was not broadcast,” he laments.
And yet, Mickaël's story is fascinating.
Now aged 42, Aubois was not predestined to become a Shaolin monk, except for his passion for martial arts.
“Judo and Jujitsu” from the age of 8.
Solitary, only child, the young Trojan became passionate about BMX until he became World Champion in Cologne, Germany.
Victim of a cruciate ligament rupture in 2004, Mickaël had his meniscus removed and lost any chance of playing a high-level sport.
“During my convalescence, I became interested again in the martial arts of my childhood, and one day, I saw that in Paris there was a Shaolin monk, from China, who gave lessons and organized trips of discovery.”
A life in harmony with nature, body and mind
Mickaël decides to leave with him.
A trip that he considers a revelation: “The temples in the mountains, these curved roofs, the incense that rises in front of the golden Buddhas, the monks who recite the sutras in deep calm, while practicing martial arts with enormous power, food, based on the virtues of what makes up the dishes rather than the pleasure of the mouth…”
Seduced by this monastic life, in the middle of nature, in harmony with body and mind, the young man makes frequent trips between Troyes and Paris to follow the precepts of this monk.
His determination allows him to be recommended within the temple.
“It is possible to visit it, and to go to nearby schools to learn martial arts, but to live inside the temple, to have my room there, to stay there, to be fully there, I was the first French and also the only Westerner,” he emphasizes.
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Apart from a few rare stays in France at Christmas, the one who calls himself Shi (for Buddhism) Yan (for the 34th generation of Shaolin) You (for the Western friend) rediscovers himself in life at the temple and the benevolence of Asian culture.
“We take care of each other, we are very united”, far from what characterizes the West today.
Mickaël Renaut, aka Shaolin YanYou, has just released his book “Three Years in Shaolin”, published by First Editions.
LP/Jonathan Sottas
His daily life consists of waking up at 4:30 a.m., followed, for an hour, by reciting sutras: “this is the teaching of Buddhism, which is to understand its psychological functioning.
Starting your days by remembering all this knowledge allows you to live them to the fullest,” he breathes.
Then a silent lunch with all the followers.
“We anchor ourselves in the present moment.
In the morning, we eat rice soups, salted vegetables, very traditional, as past generations did before the refrigerator and supermarkets existed.”
The rest of the day is made up of practicing martial arts, “kung fu to strengthen the body”, studying Buddhism or learning traditional Chinese medicine (acupuncture, plants, relaxation). muscular…) to heal a body bruised by exercises.
This quest for spirituality allows him to rediscover himself.
“My master Shi Yan Zhuang gave me explanations that shook my mind for more than a week, calling into question all my conceptions, all my visions.
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“Be a bridge between the West and the East”
World famous, the scene of numerous film shoots, the Shaolin temple is regularly visited by anonymous people, officials and celebrities.
Mickaël Renaut, lover of martial arts films, had the opportunity to meet actor Jackie Chan during the Asian Games.
“I was impressed to see his ability to practice martial arts vividly at 60 years old.
It made me understand that by continuing to train, over the years, I could still be very healthy.”
Accepted for three years, Shi YanYou ultimately stayed five years within the Shaolin temple before returning to Troyes in 2015. “Throughout my stay, my masters reminded me that if I was there, it was also for one day. open a center in France and share this culture, be a bridge between the West and the East.”
What we find in the traditional Chinese care center that he opened in Sainte-Savine, in the Trojan area, and also in his autobiography, “Three years in Shaolin”, published by First Editions (17.95 euros ).
“When I arrived there, I didn’t know how to speak the language.
I did not know anyone.
I didn’t know how we lived there,” he recalls.
“We had to start everything from scratch.
And when I returned to France, the same, I had nothing left.
I found myself on the street with a suitcase and some clothes.”
Which did not prevent Mickaël from becoming who he is.
“I wanted to demonstrate through this work that, whatever our difficulties, by persevering, we can succeed!
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