In my early years of martial arts training, I can remember countless times when I would have a hard time in front of my teacher. I would practice daily and feel as though I was coming along very well, but if it was in front of my teacher it was as if I hardly practiced at [...]

Imagine awaking early in the morning to the sounds of nature. Soon after, you take a five-minute walk in the crisp morning air on the hilly grounds. Around you are various dorm buildings and housing among the beauty of large trees and an old country ranch look and feel, including the horses (keep an eye [...]

Our dojang is founded on the Ch’iang Shan Pa Kua Chang Motto: Wisdom; Benevolence; Sincerity; Bravery. The Motto was created by Lu Shu De, the son of Master Park’s teacher, Lu Shui Tian. When Master Park was establishing his official dojang back in the 1970s in Inchon, Korea, Lu Shu De came to his father [...]

Coming up through the many years I’ve practiced Chinese martial arts, one of the more unique qualities was that 80-90% of the time we practiced by ourselves. The repetition of the various hands forms, leg forms, and form sequences are necessary to develop a true “kung fu body”: loose, coordinated, connected, and focused. There is [...]

There’s an ancient saying in the martial arts, “The practice begins and ends with etiquette.” Some replace “etiquette” with “respect”, but it is the same. Without proper etiquette and the right environment so much will be missed from the practice. In fact, most traditional etiquette has been so lacking from most modern martial arts schools [...]

When I first met Master Park, I already had over seven years of Chinese martial arts (Shaolin Long Fist, Tai Ji, Xing Yi Quan, and Ba Gua Zhang) under my belt. I was the highest ranked student under my first teacher and was helping to run his school teaching for him. I also had the [...]

Shifu, (i.e. “Sifu”) translated literally means, “teacher-father” and so denotes a martial arts teacher in the position of a “father, or head, of the school.” Simply put, he is the Head, or Chief, Instructor. In the Japanese-related martial arts, the term Sensei, is used. Translated literally, Sensei means, “the one who comes before.” The teacher [...]

Lessons in Mindfulness is a powerful program to help students of any martial art understand the deeper philosophical aspects of the practice. It is a supplemental vehicle to help carry the practice from the training room and into the student’s everyday life. Instead of just going through the motions, the full spectrum of the physical [...]

It’s been said that all Asian martial arts – Japanese Jujitsu and Aikido; Korean Tang Soo Do and now Tae Kwon Do; Okinawan Karate; and even martial arts of the Philippines and Thailand, etc. – have their roots in Chinese Chuan Fa, known better today as Kung Fu, (literally “time and work”, or “acquired skill.”). [...]

To the average American, the logo that is used for our school is quite strange and has little meaning. Filled with what seems to be odd symbols and unknown Chinese characters, lack of exposure in this area can lead to a number of misconceptions or misunderstandings. People tend to fear what they do not understand. [...]