Although Chinese Martial Arts have been in existence for thousands of years, the famous Indian Buddhist monk Bodhidharma (DaMo) is often credited with the founding of Shaolin Kung Fu. About 1500 years ago, Bodhidharma traveled to China and eventually founded the now famous Shaolin Temple in the Songshan Mountains of Henan Province, Northern China.

Shaolin Kung Fu was developed as a way for the Buddhist monks of the monastery to keep physically fit while practicing their meditation. They also discovered that the martial arts were effective in defending the temple and repelling bandits and robbers. Thus, the Buddhist monks incorporated martial training into their Buddhist discipline.

Today, the Western world is discovering the health, physical, mental and spiritual benefits of practicing Shaolin Kung Fu. The practice leads to the coordination of the three components of the individual : the physical, mental and spiritual. It is an aerobic exercise that creates Yang energy, helping to relieve tension and stress. It helps sharpen the mind and create greater focus and concentration in the individual. Most importantly, with consistent training, Shaolin will cultivate great spiritual awareness.

The Shaolin Kung Fu program offered at Qi Elements adheres to the traditional teachings based in the Shaolin Temple in Henan, China. Under the tutelage of 31st Generation Buddhist and Shaolin Monk Shi De Shan, Sifu Yung teaches the student with a program that builds the individual step by step and that develops the physical, mental and spiritual components together from the outset. A strong foundation is built that includes traditional stance training, correct form and posture, basic Shaolin punching, blocking, kicking, and locking techniques and focus movements.

Shaolin Qigong training is practiced to enhance the student's Chi flow and skill development. Coordination and the development of speed and power is trained. The use of traditional Shaolin movements help you to focus on basic techniques that will be incorporated into the Shaolin forms. As you become more proficient in the Shaolin system, traditional weapons are taught including Long Staff, Short Staff, Broadsword, and Spear.

Throughout the training, the development of Chi and the circulation of the energy is emphasized. Students will learn to use internal power - Silk Reeling Energy. Correct breathing is taught. Explosion of power and the increase of speed in techniques are developed over time.

Buddhist Monk Shi De Shan has studied Shaolin Martial Arts for 24 years. He received the 31st Generation Disciple Degree from Mount Songshan Shaolin Temple in 1985. Since that time, Monk Shi De Shan has traveled and performed Wushu Kung Fu in China, the United States, Canada, and more than 30 other countries in Europe and Asia. He has also appeared in several martial arts movies and appeared in the 2002 PBS broadcast “Shaolin in America.” "DaSifu," as we call our Grandmaster, gives seminars at Qi Elements throughout the year and we visit his Shaolin Temple in Houston, TX for specialized training as well.