Three Systems of Training
Because of its eclectic background and its complex mixing of disciplines, our program offers three distinct venues of training: Chuan Fa Kenpo, Ju Jitsu and White Crane Tai Chi.
Chuan Fa Kenpo
Kenpo is a unique martial art having been founded several centuries ago in the Chinese Shaolin temple, thus bringing with it a certain air of mystery. As a martial art, Kempo is referred to as a Do. The Do is referred to in Buddhist Zen scripts as a path towards enlightenment. Lao Tzu, a priest of Taoism said "Mastering others requires force; Mastering the self requires enlightenment.." This phrases sums up the full circle towards which Kenpo strives. Although on its surface Kenpo can be seen as a unique form of self-defense, hidden beneath its physical exterior are levels where the mind an body become one. At this level, Kenpo's practitioners step from a simple form of fighting to a higher level of ability -- a level of enlightenment. Ying Kuchan, a Shaolin monk and master of Kenpo, after a lengthy period of meditation in a Zen rock garden, spoke of Kenpo saying; Kenpo is the power of adaptability and yielding; the harmony of all things working together.
On the surface, Kenpo's uniqueness lies in its comprehensive and diversified means of unarmed defense. Shaolin Kenpo is both an armed and unarmed system of combat. On an external level, Kenpo is a no holds barred fighting system of offensive and defensive methods with equal emphasis on; striking techniques with the hands and feet, immobilization and controls, projections and takedowns, as well as weaponry and various spiritual and healing arts. Shaolin Kenpo is a street wise defensive art that does not restrict its students in methodology. Clawing hands evolve into slashing feet. Cunning joint locks turn into devastating hip throws. Evasive blocks turn into breath closing chokes.
The possibilities are endless. The only true fighting systems are those where there are no rules applied. From the books of the Han dynasty we learn Nothing is impossible to a willing mind. And it is from this saying that we can derive the higher principles of Shaolin Kenpo. What sets Kenpo apart from boxing, wrestling, and Sunday night football is an emphasis on the centralization of body and mind. Many people are quite happy with only the surface value of Kenpo taking its studies for reasons of physical health, self-defense, or a Monday night hobby. But for the willing student, Kenpo tries to build a person's psychological persona as well as turning the ego self into the ego-less self. The true Kenpo is not a means of felling an opponent by force of hand or weapon, nor was it originally intended as a means of arms. Kenpo calls for a bringing of inner peace to the self, and the universe around us. A master of Kenpo is not only a master of self-defense, but a master of himself. In the end, the direction of Kenpo was best described by Bruce Lee when he commented on his art of Jeet Kune Do; To have no way as a way; To have no limitations as a limitation.
Ju Jitsu
Historically, the art of Ju jitsu was introduced to the art of Chuan Fa many hundreds of years ago. There is some relevant hgistory that shows it was directly introduced to the art from Japan. Others place it coming from the island of Okinawa during the 1st Japanese occupancy.
The JuJitsu program is comprised of a multi disciplined training program in Chuan Fa Ju Jitsu. Students learn the complex martial skills of ground fighting,striking and punching, standing ju jitsu and arnis escrima and Kajukenpo techniques. These different styles are then blended into a coordinated system of self defense as well as sport fighting. There is a great deal of training and conditioning involved. Lots of contact with partners and a great deal of interaction. Students can train for rank in this program but it is not necessary. Learn the tools to have fun and participate in the world of sport ju jitsu. Kosho-ryu kenpo was originally developed by the Koshopi monks of Japan who combined Ju Jitsu and other Japanese cultural tradition with the Shaolin Chuan Fa kung fu systems brought to Japan from China. Kosho-ryu is a spiritual/philosophical system that includes many of the martial arts known today. Much of what is now Kenpo came from Mr. James Mitose's Kosho-ryu. Mr. William Chow was a house boy and a student of Mr. James Mitose. Although a loyal and dedicated student Mr. Chow later altered the Kosho-ryu taught to him by Mr. Mitose adding techniques from the Chinese martial arts. Street fighters are generally not looked upon as great combat masters, but Mr. William Chow was both.
"The art of Chuan Fa is what the media often (and incorrectly) calls Kung Fu. Proper Chuan Fa embodies a tradition from which most of the significant schools of Karate, Tae Kwon Do, Thai Boxing and other "martial arts" have developed their technique. It is also a vision of human potential that is desperately needed in modern times. Chuan Fa teachings have directly influenced -- and may have, indeed, created -- the Japanese Art called Ju Jitsu, from which Judo came, and via this, the art of Aikido."
White Crane Tai Chi
White Crane Tai Chi is a method of interactive exercises that engage an individual’s physiological and physical systems and incorporates these systems into a primary program of wellness. It is a unique form of health giving non aerobic exercise for the improvement of the mind, body , and spirit. This program of safe patterned repetitive and directed exercise focuses on the individual’s wellness and wholeness.
Tai Chi, while gently paced requires discipline and effort. It is safe yet bold in its encouragement of new movement. It is the perfect exercise system for any age or ability level.
The Chinese characters for Tai Chi Chuan can be translated as the 'Supreme Ultimate Force'. The notion of 'supreme ultimate' is often associated with the Chinese concept of yin-yang, the notion that one can see a dynamic duality (male/female, active/passive, dark/light, forceful/yielding, etc.) in all things. 'Force' (or, more literally, 'fist') can be thought of here as the means or way of achieving this ying-yang, or 'supreme-ultimate' discipline.
Tai Chi, as it is practiced in the west today, can perhaps best be thought of as a moving form of yoga and meditation combined. There are a number of so- called forms (sometimes also called 'sets') which consist of a sequence of movements. Many of these movements are originally derived from the martial arts (and perhaps even more ancestrally than that, from the natural movements of animals and birds) although the way they are performed in Tai Chi is slowly, softly and gracefully with smooth and even transitions between them.
For many practitioners the focus in doing them is not, first and foremost, martial, but as a meditative exercise for the body. For others the combat aspects of Tai Chi are of considerable interest.
In Chinese philosophy and medicine there exists the concept of 'chi', a vital force that animates the body. One of the aims of Tai Chi is to foster the circulation of this 'chi' within the body, the belief being that by doing so the health and vitality of the person are enhanced. This 'chi' circulates in patterns that are close related to the nervous and vascular system and thus the notion is closely connected with that of the practice of acupuncture and other oriental healing arts.
Another aim of Tai Chi is to foster a calm and tranquil mind, focused on the precise execution of these exercises. Learning to do them correctly provides a practical avenue for learning about such things as balance, alignment, fine-scale motor control, rhythm of movement, the genesis of movement from the body's vital center, and so on.
Thus the practice of Tai Chi can in some measure contribute to being able to better stand, walk, move, run, etc. in other spheres of life as well. Many practitioners notice benefits in terms of correcting poor postural, alignment or movement patterns that can contribute to tension or injury. Furthermore the meditative nature of the exercises is calming and relaxing in and of itself.
Because the Tai Chi movements have their origins in the martial arts, practicing them does have some martial applications. In a two-person exercise called 'push-hands' Tai Chi principles are developed in terms of being sensitive to and responsive of another person's 'chi' or vital energy. It is also an opportunity to employ some of the martial aspects of Tai Chi in a kind of slow-tempo combat. Long-time practitioners of Tai Chi who are so-inclined can become very adept at martial arts. The emphasis in Tai Chi is on being able to channel potentially destructive energy (in the form of a kick or a punch) away from one in a manner that will dissipate the energy or send it in a direction where it is no longer a danger.
TAI CHI FORMS
Shaolin White Crane Tai Chi Chuan practices several traditional Tai Chi exercises:
This 'long' form (so-called to distinguish it from more recent 'short' forms) is traditionaly considered to consist of 108 movements. These movements derive from the martial arts. It develops all the basic principals of Tai Chi: balance; centeredness; empty vs. full (weighted & non-weighted); alignment; careful attention to precise movement; rootedness of the legs; flexibility of the waist; sinking one's energy to the 'tantien'; internal stillness; smooth movement rhythms, etc. It consists of three 'stages' of increasing length and difficulty.
The Tai Chi Chien Sword Form (32 movements without sword)
Traditionally the Sword Form is composed of 32 movements divided into four stages. It is very subtle, nuanced and graceful and was particular with the attention to the movements and positions of the hands as they are expressed by the sword and 'sword-finger'.
64 Movements –Dance of Life
This shortened pattern of exercise is based on the idea that certain movements can subtly exercise certain organic balances within the body. This form is designed to strengthen organs and bring the internal forces (Yin) back to balance with the Yang.
The Four Elements
Earth, Wind, Fire, Water – Contained in the earth element are the other elements not mentioned . This is an exercise form using mirror images of itself to awaken the energy or Chi in the Universe and send it back to man.
Push Hands
This practice is a two person exercise in sensitivity and responsiveness which is known as push hands. This can be done with either one or two hands and in its more advanced stages actively incorporates the movements of the Tai Chi Chuan form into a sparring martial-arts like exercise.
email: chuanfa@healyourselfholistic.com
Chuan Fa Kenpo Kenpo is a unique martial art having been founded several centuries ago in the Chinese Shaolin temple, thus bringing with it a certain air of mystery. As a martial art, Kempo is referred to as a Do. The Do is referred to in Buddhist Zen scripts as a path towards enlightenment. Lao Tzu, a priest of Taoism said "Mastering others requires force; Mastering the self requires enlightenment.." This phrases sums up the full circle towards which Kenpo strives. Although on its surface Kenpo can be seen as a unique form of self-defense, hidden beneath its physical exterior are levels where the mind an body become one. At this level, Kenpo's practitioners step from a simple form of fighting to a higher level of ability -- a level of enlightenment. Ying Kuchan, a Shaolin monk and master of Kenpo, after a lengthy period of meditation in a Zen rock garden, spoke of Kenpo saying; Kenpo is the power of adaptability and yielding; the harmony of all things working together. On the surface, Kenpo's uniqueness lies in its comprehensive and diversified means of unarmed defense. Shaolin Kenpo is both an armed and unarmed system of combat. On an external level, Kenpo is a no holds barred fighting system of offensive and defensive methods with equal emphasis on; striking techniques with the hands and feet, immobilization and controls, projections and takedowns, as well as weaponry and various spiritual and healing arts. Shaolin Kenpo is a street wise defensive art that does not restrict its students in methodology. Clawing hands evolve into slashing feet. Cunning joint locks turn into devastating hip throws. Evasive blocks turn into breath closing chokes. The possibilities are endless. The only true fighting systems are those where there are no rules applied. From the books of the Han dynasty we learn Nothing is impossible to a willing mind. And it is from this saying that we can derive the higher principles of Shaolin Kenpo. What sets Kenpo apart from boxing, wrestling, and Sunday night football is an emphasis on the centralization of body and mind. Many people are quite happy with only the surface value of Kenpo taking its studies for reasons of physical health, self-defense, or a Monday night hobby. But for the willing student, Kenpo tries to build a person's psychological persona as well as turning the ego self into the ego-less self. The true Kenpo is not a means of felling an opponent by force of hand or weapon, nor was it originally intended as a means of arms. Kenpo calls for a bringing of inner peace to the self, and the universe around us. A master of Kenpo is not only a master of self-defense, but a master of himself. In the end, the direction of Kenpo was best described by Bruce Lee when he commented on his art of Jeet Kune Do; To have no way as a way; To have no limitations as a limitation.
Ju Jitsu
Historically, the art of Ju jitsu was introduced to the art of Chuan Fa many hundreds of years ago. There is some relevant hgistory that shows it was directly introduced to the art from Japan. Others place it coming from the island of Okinawa during the 1st Japanese occupancy.
The JuJitsu program is comprised of a multi disciplined training program in Chuan Fa Ju Jitsu. Students learn the complex martial skills of ground fighting,striking and punching, standing ju jitsu and arnis escrima and Kajukenpo techniques. These different styles are then blended into a coordinated system of self defense as well as sport fighting. There is a great deal of training and conditioning involved. Lots of contact with partners and a great deal of interaction. Students can train for rank in this program but it is not necessary. Learn the tools to have fun and participate in the world of sport ju jitsu. Kosho-ryu kenpo was originally developed by the Koshopi monks of Japan who combined Ju Jitsu and other Japanese cultural tradition with the Shaolin Chuan Fa kung fu systems brought to Japan from China. Kosho-ryu is a spiritual/philosophical system that includes many of the martial arts known today. Much of what is now Kenpo came from Mr. James Mitose's Kosho-ryu. Mr. William Chow was a house boy and a student of Mr. James Mitose. Although a loyal and dedicated student Mr. Chow later altered the Kosho-ryu taught to him by Mr. Mitose adding techniques from the Chinese martial arts. Street fighters are generally not looked upon as great combat masters, but Mr. William Chow was both. "The art of Chuan Fa is what the media often (and incorrectly) calls Kung Fu. Proper Chuan Fa embodies a tradition from which most of the significant schools of Karate, Tae Kwon Do, Thai Boxing and other "martial arts" have developed their technique. It is also a vision of human potential that is desperately needed in modern times. Chuan Fa teachings have directly influenced -- and may have, indeed, created -- the Japanese Art called Ju Jitsu, from which Judo came, and via this, the art of Aikido."
White Crane Tai Chi
