Buddha Kung Fu = All Shaolin Chi Mantis Kung Fu and Tai Chi Classes
Shaolin Chi Mantis is the Green Beret of the martial arts world. Perhaps it is much harder than the Green Berets. A Green Beret can be created in a couple of years. Master Zhen has been teaching since 1984 and not one student has gotten close to a Black Belt yet.
"A Shotokan Master from Japan was a student of mine in Utah for an entire year," explains Master Zhen Shen-Lang, "Spirit Wolf of Truth," founder of Shaolin Chi Mantis, Tai Chi Youth, and now Buddha Kung Fu. "That Shotokan Master was an excellent martial artist and one of my quickest learners -- however, he said to me towards the end of that year, "I could never make it to your Black Belt Level, this is much harder than Shotokan Karate.""
So, Buddha Kung Fu is Master Zhen's final compromise. "This is my last Kung Fu school I will make. I still believe in my first two schools, Shaolin Chi Mantis and Tai Chi Youth -- and I believe they still may flourish in the future -- but now, with Buddha Kung Fu, I have reduced the school to the most essential elements and weapons of Shaolin Kung Fu and made it more likely for people to reach the highest levels."
Zen from Zhen
The BUDDHA KUNG FU STUDENT MANUAL is done. A hundred photos are ready, and a hundred pages and a complete history of Buddha Zhen.
This is a new landmark Kung Fu book and perhaps unique for any student manual. The Buddha Kung Fu Student Manual can be purchased as a PDF download by students at www.BuddhaKUNGFU.com
The PDF of the Buddha Kung Fu Student Manual includes LINKS TO THE INTERNET when viewed on a computer so that additional information can be accessed and many webpages will be easier to find and use.
Students will be required to print out their Buddha Kung Fu Student Manuals and bring them to class for group reading discussions. All students get a SIGNATURE FROM Buddha Zhen on their student manual page that was just read so that the instructor can verify what the student has learned in class.
*Update March 2010:
Students at the CV Park classes in LaCrescenta, California, have been using the dozen computers provided here for free. This is even better than using the printed books, since we can all, as a class, on our individual computers, bounce around the internet using the links inside the Buddha Kung Fu Student Manual.
CV Park TAI CHI CLASSES on Saturdays and Sundays
12:30 to 2:00PM
Crescenta Valley Park "CV Park"
La Crescenta, California
Although classes are scheduled for use in the gymnasium, unless it is raining -- we will be usually be outside in the trees or under the patio, outside the gym.
Students are finding areas they prefer and "staking out" their own little patches of grass. "It's the best location I've taught in since moving back to California," states Master Zhen. "This year has a lot to be excited about. Buddha Kung Fu is an inspiration and motivating force for me."
YMCA TAI CHI KIDS CLASSES
3:30 to 4:30PM, Tuesdays
Verdugo Hills YMCA "VHY YMCA"
Tujunga, California 91042
We've tried a half dozen curriculums in these Tai Chi Kids classes. Obviously, the most fun were the classes with more relay races and "Ninja Star Dodge," where students try not to get hit by the rubber throwing stars I give out for special rewards. For the last two Halloweens I gave a rubber suction cup star to every student.
They really like it when I'm the target. Last Halloween I let the whole class of at least 10 students all throw simultaneously and individually at me. It was really fun for me too!
I noticed that they were more successful at hitting me when they worked as teams with a leader instructing who was to aim to the left, who aimed to the right... and then they scored more points.
See, Tai Chi Kids learn teamwork skills also!
