LAKELAND — Butterflies may be harmless, but butterfly swords “can ruin your day.” The 11- to 14-inch Bart Chum Dao swords, dubbed butterfly swords through the centuries because of the way a pair folds ...

“My name is Jigme Konchok Lhamo, and I am a Kung Fu nun.” During summer nights, on grounds illuminated by solar-powered lights, Lhamo and her sisters practice kung fu at the Druk Amitabha Nunnery near ...

“My name is Jigme Konchok Lhamo, and I am a Kung Fu nun.” During summer nights, on grounds illuminated by solar-powered lights, Lhamo and her sisters practice kung fu at the Druk Amitabha Nunnery near ...

Crazy Sword, Blind Fist and Queer Strikes are three kung fu fanatics who team up with Mung, the debonair master in white. Together the four real friends smash a massive kung fu gang led by Moose Face, ...

Swords swirl around their bodies, coming perilously close to piercing flesh. Blades flashing in the morning sun, the young women twirl, cartwheel and then kick in unison, finishing their graceful ...

In addition to kung fu practice with swords, sticks and flags, the women jog and run up and down stairs to boost their fitness. They even learn to break bricks with their hands. All of the physical ...

Editor's note: This story was reported and photographed in January, before the global pandemic. The text has been updated to reflect the activities of the nuns aimed at COVID-19 prevention. Jigme ...