The original Song Shan Shaolin Temple, located on Songshan Mountain in Henan Province, China, is legendary for its kung fu and the warrior monks who have trained there for centuries through successive dynaties and regimes. Throughout history, many famous martial arts heroes have come from this temple. Among all the styles recognized in the field of international martial arts, Shaolin kung fu is unique. It is characterized by its blending of explosive power and fluid movement. The system is based on relatively simple techniques that ultimately combine to form an impenetrable defense and an extremely effective counterattack.
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Houston Songshan Shaolin Temple |
There is now an opportunity here in Houston to learn the ancient martial art of Shaolin Kungfu under the guidance of Grandmaster (Dasifu) Shi De Shan, a 31st generation Shaolin monk. Dasifu has been teaching in Houston for the last 8 years. He came to Houston from China to spread the kung fu and teachings of Shaolin Chan. Now Houston students don't have to go to China'a Song Mountain to experience the legacy of the Shaolin Temple. The mountain has come to us here in Houston, TX.
Shaolin kungfu is not aggressive, but rather strong, fluid and peaceful. The Shaolin Order is actually the cradle of the Buddhist monastic movement westerners call Zen, known in Chinese as Chan. Chan is a form of Buddhism that rejects dogma and teaches spiritual self-development through meditation. For the Shaolin this meditative state is found in movement. Shaolin follows the Chinese proverb Chan Quan Yi Ti - Zen Fist One Body - meaning that martial arts and Buddhism become one in Shaolin. The purpose of Shaolin Kungfu is not domination or intimidation but to train an able body, a focused mind, and an awakened spirit.
Although students learn the ancient skills that have made Shaolin legendary worldwide as the pinnacle of martial arts, they also learn the attitude of compassion and peace that make Shaolin one of the oldest and most esteemed monastic orders of Chinese Chan Buddhism.
Songshan Shaolin Temple offers a quality and comprehensive fitness program. We challenge kids to be their best. Parents and students will see that Shaolin kungfu training has a big impact on reducing stress, symptoms of depression, and self esteem issues. Shaolin fosters a self-discipline and integrity that is often lacking in our modern culture. For students this all translates back into better grades in the classroom, more respect for parents and teachers, and for their fellow human beings.
Shaolin Kungfu is an activity that can be participated in by both boys and girls of all ages, as well as adults of any age. It is not an activity that kids and parents normally see in sports programs and parents and kids are sometimes a little apprehensive about it. But, once they see that we engage the children and that they are having fun parents and kids alike want to do it. Students will begin to develop strength, flexibility, and listening skills. We have many parents who are very involved and set an example for their kids by taking classes themselves. This encourages the students, it also give the parents another opportunity to spend some quality time with their children.
We invite the public to come and view a class, Tuesday through Sunday, to see for themselves what our school has to offer. Dasifu's goal is to provide quality and effective training in an an environment that is friendly, safe and fun for everyone, especially beginners and those new to martial arts. The temple has 10,000 square feet of air-conditioned training space, with qualified instructors who care about them. Classes are virtually injury free. We encourage cooperation rather than competition. Dasifu feels that discipline combined with a friendly, stimulating environment can bring out the very best in a person. This is the Shaolin Way. ~ Amituofo.
