Shaolin Kungfu was formed in the cultural environment of the Songshan Shaolin Buddhist Temple. It was historically formed faith-based to the Buddhist god. It fully embodies the wisdom of Chan Buddhism and the Wu (Kung Fu) practiced by the Shaolin monks. Shaolin Kung Fu embraces both the defensive and offensive skills of combat simultaneously though variations of routines. "Every block a strike and every strike a block". Routines can be combined allowing for a great amount of fluid combat variations. The routines were developed upon the ancient Chinese medical knowledge on the human body in the lines of human motion. It combines static and dynamic human movements which are stressed through routines. It provides a yin and yang balance, hardness and softness both physically and spiritually. "The chi follows the mind in harmony with the breath". Shaolin Kung Fu is in a way, a distillation of continuous refinement, innovation and development. It forms the most natural structure in line with the movement of the body for optimal combat performance.

Shaolin Kung Fu is composed of the manifestations of the traditional cultural system which has a complete set technical and theoretical qualities. The qualities include: the martial art skills, the routines, the wisdom of Chan Buddhism and its culture. Shaolin Kung Fu contains a very diversified technical system which differs greatly from the traditional "boxing" methods. According to historical records, Shaolin Kung Fu has the highest level of technical systems in the martial arts genre. The system has been passed down for generations through the ancient Kung Fu routines which total up to several hundred different sets. It also practices another 70 different skills such as: grappling, fighting, unloading bone, acupuncture, qigong and other categories of unique exercises. The skills are taught in accordance to the degree of difficulty in which students will learn as their experience increases.

Shaolin Kung Fu is manifested deep within the cultural connotations of the Chan wisdom. It embraces the Buddhist beliefs, including the belief in the strength and wisdom of faith. It relies in believing in the wisdom of the ancient Shaolin Kung Fu master Bodhidharma, who is the father of Chan Buddhism. Shaolin Kung Fu is the soul of Chan Buddhism. It is considered to be the original form of meditation introduced by the 6th century Indian monk Bodhidharma. It relies mainly on the Buddhist goal which is the extraordinarily divine desire to pursue wisdom. It is within these roots which sets Shaolin Kung Fu greatly apart from other martial arts. Chan, condensed by the Chinese ancient monks and outstanding literati elite group, is composed of the mysteries of the universe, the essence of life experiences and insights. As time progressed the quality of the content of the faith of Shaolin Kung Fu began to evolve into what is known, "Chan(meditation) Wu(Kung Fu)" in one system. Chan Wu became the mainstream way of thinking of Shaolin Kung Fu. Shaolin monks attributed the arts of Kung Fu as a daily practice in order to express their Chan Buddhism beliefs. Its practices provided a thorough way of life and empowered individuals with tremendous courage and wisdom. Chan Buddhism also contains similar beliefs as to those of Christians. The five basic precepts of Buddhism included: no killing, stealing, prostitution, drinking, and lying. The five basic precepts are the foundation of the environment found within the Shaolin Temple. Shaolin Kung Fu practiced being: dapper, modest, restrained, subtle and to be composed of exquisite interior strength both mentally and physically.

In everyday situations, people find their minds filled with confusion, worries, and afflictions. A disturbed, confused mind is not tranquil and pure as the mindset of Chan. Chan refers to a state of mind that is absorbed in meditation; it is about seeing the true nature of one’s own mind in being the master of all life's conditions.

Zen (meditation) is the guide of life. People are busy and tightly bound both physically and psychologically to various issues and commitments which results in limiting a person's ability to take control of their life. It is in meditation that a person's mind and body can relax and truly find themselves. Meditation allows a person to cleanse their mind of troubles and arrange what they want to do in life. It gives people the opportunity to analyze their past, present, and future. It allows people to visualize future endeavors and approach situations more appropriately. Meditating enhances a person's daily performance by reducing stress and anxiety allowing for a healthy lifestyle.

Shaolin Temple was built in 495 AD by Emperor Xiaowen of the Northern Wei Dynasty for the Indian monk Batuo. 32 years later, another Indian monk named Bodhidharma arrived at the Shaolin temple. He was the first monk to preach the Chan doctrines and thus was honored as the first Patriarch of Chinese Chan. Thereafter, the Shaolin Temple was recognized as the origin of Chan Buddhism.

Throughout its history, martial arts developed within the walls of the Shaolin Temple. Legend has it that Bodhidharma considered the monks weak and unhealthy after long periods of time in their meditation practices. As a result he developed martial arts to strengthen them, which formed the basis of Shaolin Kung Fu. The unique aspect of the Shaolin culture is the combination of Shaolin Kung Fu and Chan Buddhism.

Situated at the Song Mountain which is also known as the "Central Sacred Mountain", the temple was frequented by generals and emperors. Until its modern renaissance, the golden age of the monastery has been said to be during the Tang Dynasty (618-907 AD). At the beginning of the seventh century, a tiny army of 13 Shaolin monks were reputed to have saved the future Tang Dynasty emperor, Li Shimin. When he took power, Li showered favors, land and wealth on the temple thus, enabling it to thrive as a Kung Fu center with masters from around the country.

The Shaolin Temple peaked in the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) and began to decline in the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911). In its heyday, it housed more than 3,000 monks. The long history includes destructions and reconstructions, with the most devastating one in 1928 by warlord Shi Yousan, when a blaze raged for more than 40 days destroyed nearly all the temple’s classics and records. Upon successive renovation, most architectures of the Shaolin Temple have been restored or are currently under reconstruction.

The Shaolin Temple is under the leadership of venerable Abbot Shi Yongxing in Songshan, China. The Abbot was born in 1965 in An Hui, and raised in a Buddhist family. As a child, he was intelligent, enjoyed the peace of nature and fell in love with Buddhism. Later on, he became the 30th generation Abbot of the Song Shan Shaolin Temple, China.

In 1988 the Shaolin Kung Fu Monk Corps was founded, which promoted the traditional Shaolin culture. In 1993, Shaolin Charity Foundation was established with a mission to relieve people from poverty. In 1995, Shaolin Publishing House was established, which published the quarterly journal known as the, "Chan Dew", with the purpose of promoting the Chan(meditation) Wu(Kung Fu) culture.

In 1991, Master Shi Yongxing was appointed as a new Abbot and the Director of Shaolin Temple Management Committee. The new Abbot undertook a complete renovation project of the Shaolin Temple. He revived the Chan section allowing the Shaolin Temple to resume its original Buddhist atmosphere. Abbot Yongxing is also the President of the Henan Province Buddhist Association, and the Representative of the 9th, 10th, 11th and 12th Annual National People’s Congress of China.

In 2002, the Abbot organized and initiated the registration of Shaolin Kung Fu to protect the Shaolin Kung Fu culture's 1500 years of history. In 2003, the Shaolin Orphanage was opened to support the “Thousand Orphan & Light Opening” project. Within the same year the Abbot led a delegate to attend the “Songshan Shaolin Temple Day” ceremony established in San Francisco. The ceremony provided a great opportunity to promote cultural exchange between the two countries and was honored by the California State Assembly.

You can come to your first class wearing any athletic attire that allows for full range of motion. We have school T-Shirts and kung fu pants available for purchase.