OP
MartialArtist
Guest
- Thread Starter
- #41
Exactly the point.
Ok, but can someone try to explain how "Shaolin Kempo" is legitament? I don't understand how that statement is correct.
7sm
7sm
OP
Chu-Chulain
Guest
- Thread Starter
- #43
My impression is that ALL the Chinese/ Japanese/ Korean Martial Arts are ultimately derived from training given by the Indian Monk Bhodidharma (spelling?) in meditation techniques. From this, you could infer that that the original form of Shoalin style (and all the subsequent derived styles) were based on Indian Yoga, which is still practised today in a fairly pure form!
This may sound odd to modern 'aggressive' stylists, but also consider that modern Tai Chi is really a watered down version of a more ancient internal style and is often likened to Yoga with movement.
I have also heard conjecture that the more aggressive hard styles that are typically studied today were generally considered the beginner pre-requisites to prepare the mind, body and spirit to study the more advanced and esoteric techniques. This theme is actually born out in many modern hard stlyes where manipulation techniques (locks, pressures points, throws, etc.) and power through breathing and chi/ki are only taught to higher ranks. Additionally this is also common practice in Yoga where advance breathing and energy (chi/ki) harnessing exercises are only undertaken once the person has reached a suitable physical capability.
I would suggest that the key is to follow your own path to whatever value you seek from whatever martial art you study, be it physical, mental or metaphysical. There is no point getting hung up in politics or disputes about my style this, versus your style that. Find a good school at a reasonable cost with an instructor you like and get on with it!
This may sound odd to modern 'aggressive' stylists, but also consider that modern Tai Chi is really a watered down version of a more ancient internal style and is often likened to Yoga with movement.
I have also heard conjecture that the more aggressive hard styles that are typically studied today were generally considered the beginner pre-requisites to prepare the mind, body and spirit to study the more advanced and esoteric techniques. This theme is actually born out in many modern hard stlyes where manipulation techniques (locks, pressures points, throws, etc.) and power through breathing and chi/ki are only taught to higher ranks. Additionally this is also common practice in Yoga where advance breathing and energy (chi/ki) harnessing exercises are only undertaken once the person has reached a suitable physical capability.
I would suggest that the key is to follow your own path to whatever value you seek from whatever martial art you study, be it physical, mental or metaphysical. There is no point getting hung up in politics or disputes about my style this, versus your style that. Find a good school at a reasonable cost with an instructor you like and get on with it!
OP
Chu-Chulain
Guest
- Thread Starter
- #44
I believe the idea is based upon the premise that the five animal Shaolin style was imparted to a Japanese practictioner and that all the Kenpo/Kempo variations are derived from that source.
I am currently studying a japanese kenpo style, but have previously studied Kung-Fu, Jiu-Jitsu and TKD. There are many similarities and many differences between different styles; Some emphasize one aspect over another (TKD kicking, Jiu-Jitsu locks and throws, etc...) but generally I have found more similarities than differences.
The Karate Kenpo I am studying appears to include both a hard Karate/ Japanese element (strong blocks and punches, etc.) but also has many elements that I remember from the Kung-Fu I studied in terms of variations of strikes, stances and combination techniques.
I have certainly enjoyed getting back into Martial Arts after a 15 year break, how much of my enjoyment is based on the style, versus the teacher, versus just plain adrenalin, I am not sure and not sure I care!
OP
chufeng
Guest
- Thread Starter
- #45
Chu Chulain wrote:
"but also consider that modern Tai Chi is really a watered down version of a more ancient internal style and is often likened to Yoga with movement."
REAL T'ai Ji Quan is not "watered down" anything !!!
It is a refinement of an older boxing method...
REAL T'ai Ji Quan is VERY powerful boxing...
If you haven't met anyone with real skill, don't generalize that to the rest of the martial arts community.
And...it does have the benefits of Yoga...but the movements are combat effective.
:asian:
chufeng
"but also consider that modern Tai Chi is really a watered down version of a more ancient internal style and is often likened to Yoga with movement."
REAL T'ai Ji Quan is not "watered down" anything !!!
It is a refinement of an older boxing method...
REAL T'ai Ji Quan is VERY powerful boxing...
If you haven't met anyone with real skill, don't generalize that to the rest of the martial arts community.
And...it does have the benefits of Yoga...but the movements are combat effective.
:asian:
chufeng
OP
Chu-Chulain
Guest
- Thread Starter
- #46
Hmmmm, guess I touched a raw nerve there, maybe needs some self-healing.
You clearly missed the spelling as 'Tai Chi' and the reference to modern, which is a watered down version and typically practised for health and well-being, as with modern Yoga. I certainly don't recall referencing T'ai Ji Quan or any other versions of internal chinese martial arts.
I personally have respect for all styles of martial arts and feel they all have something to offer. I also personally think some people (martial artists or otherwise) take themselves far too seriously and might benefit from some meditation and deep breathing
OP
chufeng
Guest
- Thread Starter
- #47
"I believe the idea is based upon the premise that the five animal Shaolin style was imparted to a Japanese practictioner and that all the Kenpo/Kempo variations are derived from that source."
I suggest you read a little history before putting forth such a premise...
regarding my other post...I agree that there is a lot of crap that passes itself off as Tai Chi...but when referencing Tai Chi on a Chinese martial arts forum, I assume (my mistake) that the reference refers to the martial art and NOT the New-age feel good stuff. If others view you as a credible resource, then making statements about Tai Chi being watered down (without qualifying what you mean) may mislead some.
You wrote : "Find a good school at a reasonable cost with an instructor you like and get on with it!" If there is only one school in town, what then? and, if someone doesn't know what to look for, how will that person know if it's good, bad, or otherwise?
Perhaps you can share HOW to spot a good school...
:asian:
chufeng
I suggest you read a little history before putting forth such a premise...
regarding my other post...I agree that there is a lot of crap that passes itself off as Tai Chi...but when referencing Tai Chi on a Chinese martial arts forum, I assume (my mistake) that the reference refers to the martial art and NOT the New-age feel good stuff. If others view you as a credible resource, then making statements about Tai Chi being watered down (without qualifying what you mean) may mislead some.
You wrote : "Find a good school at a reasonable cost with an instructor you like and get on with it!" If there is only one school in town, what then? and, if someone doesn't know what to look for, how will that person know if it's good, bad, or otherwise?
Perhaps you can share HOW to spot a good school...
:asian:
chufeng
I believe that post was directed at me, so I want to respond to it as well. I wasn't asking about Shoalin because I am looking to learn some system that calls itself Shoalin so I can go around and say I know Shoalin, I was asking because I don't believe a Sholain Kempo School can legitamently call itslef Shoalin. Shoalin referes to is leneage and I don't see how that could be correct. I currently study a style of Kung Fu, I am just wondering why so many people in so many different systems try to "claim" shoalin ancestry.
7sm
OP
Chu-Chulain
Guest
- Thread Starter
- #49
First I certainly had no intenion of offending anyone or denigrating any style and did not imbed such in my post. If people choose to read too much into free expressions of opinion and take personal offense based on preconceived prejudice, I can't help that...
On the topic of finding a good school, you only know if you enjoy a wine by tasting it. Of course it helps to get opinions from friends and acquaintances, but at the end of the day, the only way you can know if a style/ school suits you is to try it out for a month or two.
On the topic of Shaolin names and association, so what? Almost every modern martial art can claim some distance connection to the Shaolin monastery and styles; someone new someone else who trained someone who travelled to somewhere and met someone, etc....
Whether or not a school/ style claims some lineage does not matter, its what it offers to the student that counts. I think Bruce Lee expressed it as no one develops a taste for watered wine and I would hope most people can discern the truth and depth after trying something for a while and shouldn't really worry about the name?
The only instance where claims of names and association should be disputed, is where it is used as the basis for heavy marketing, high costs and 'hidden knowledge', etc. as expressed at the beginning of this thread. Then Buyer Beware!
On the topic of finding a good school, you only know if you enjoy a wine by tasting it. Of course it helps to get opinions from friends and acquaintances, but at the end of the day, the only way you can know if a style/ school suits you is to try it out for a month or two.
On the topic of Shaolin names and association, so what? Almost every modern martial art can claim some distance connection to the Shaolin monastery and styles; someone new someone else who trained someone who travelled to somewhere and met someone, etc....
Whether or not a school/ style claims some lineage does not matter, its what it offers to the student that counts. I think Bruce Lee expressed it as no one develops a taste for watered wine and I would hope most people can discern the truth and depth after trying something for a while and shouldn't really worry about the name?
The only instance where claims of names and association should be disputed, is where it is used as the basis for heavy marketing, high costs and 'hidden knowledge', etc. as expressed at the beginning of this thread. Then Buyer Beware!
You claim to not want to offend anyone so I want to point out just one thing. All of these statements have a hollier-than-thou, Yoda complex sound. And these type of statements tend to offend someone who has been studing a system for qute a while. That is why people jump on your posts. But I think you allready know that.
Allow me to address your latest post though. I don't believe at all that every modern MA can claim an ancestry to Shoalin. Shoalin only referes to where that system was created, at the Sholain Temple. I can't see how systems that were created prior to or at the same time as some that were created at Shoalin temple can claim that leaneage. And this is serious because it is a flase advertsiemnt and is very misleading to beginner MAist looking for a system. In todays society it has come to conjure up meanings and thoughts of a superior system and people use that to make money, and that, I guess just to me, is wrong.
Just My Opinion,
7sm
OP
Chu-Chulain
Guest
- Thread Starter
- #51
Well I guess you have me all figured out.
I don't know much and have little to offer in opinion, advice or experience to such a learned, esteemed and enlightened group of martial artists. I will retreat and leave you to argue over who's style is really Shaolin (or shoalin or whatever...) and who is following the true path versus evil, heretics and imposters.
It was fun while it lasted, but me, I'll go training and have some fun!
:yinyang:
I don't know much and have little to offer in opinion, advice or experience to such a learned, esteemed and enlightened group of martial artists. I will retreat and leave you to argue over who's style is really Shaolin (or shoalin or whatever...) and who is following the true path versus evil, heretics and imposters.
It was fun while it lasted, but me, I'll go training and have some fun!
:yinyang:
OP
chufeng
Guest
- Thread Starter
- #52
I wasn't offended...
I do think that distinguishing between Tai Chi (new age feel good stuff) and T'ai Ji (real martial arts) is ridiculous...it's all phonetic spelling of Chinese characters. If my pointing out that real T'ai Ji is powerful boxing, how does that make me overly sensitive?
No...I was not offended...
...I assumed (my mistake) that you were talking about martial arts. You assumed (your mistake) that I was upset...
Shorin is the Okinawan pronunciation of Shaolin...
Kempo is the Okinawan pronunciation of Kung Fu/Ch'uan Fa...
Shorin Kempo IS Shaolin Ch'uan Fa...and it directly came from the Fujien temple...BEFORE the temple was sacked...Yes, Kempo can be called Shaolin...but, as someone else said, "what difference does it make?"
:asian:
chufeng
I do think that distinguishing between Tai Chi (new age feel good stuff) and T'ai Ji (real martial arts) is ridiculous...it's all phonetic spelling of Chinese characters. If my pointing out that real T'ai Ji is powerful boxing, how does that make me overly sensitive?
No...I was not offended...
...I assumed (my mistake) that you were talking about martial arts. You assumed (your mistake) that I was upset...
Shorin is the Okinawan pronunciation of Shaolin...
Kempo is the Okinawan pronunciation of Kung Fu/Ch'uan Fa...
Shorin Kempo IS Shaolin Ch'uan Fa...and it directly came from the Fujien temple...BEFORE the temple was sacked...Yes, Kempo can be called Shaolin...but, as someone else said, "what difference does it make?"
:asian:
chufeng
You are incorrect about shoalin temple, and the reason it makes a difference is for the integrity of the arts.
los espaguetis is the spanish pronuniation of spaghetti
That doesn't make spaghetti spanish food.
7sm
los espaguetis is the spanish pronuniation of spaghetti
That doesn't make spaghetti spanish food.
7sm
OP
chufeng
Guest
- Thread Starter
- #54
If you say so...:idunno:
chufeng
chufeng
Matt Stone
Master of Arts
Perhaps petitioning the Mod Gods for help would allow a link to the discussion a few months back about the effect Shaolin (please note the spelling, folks... Shoalin, Sholain and other variations are incorrect - just three words: Spell Check ) has had on martial arts...
It is likely that Shaolin's only real impact on martial arts was in bringing practitioners of varying styles together under one roof where they could "play nice" and not be all too concerned with keeping their arts secret from each other.
Whatever.
If a style calls itself Shaolin something, and it is presented as a Japanese or Okinawan art, be wary... There are all too many folks out there looking to separate you from your $$$. Ask questions, and don't be afraid that you are going to violate some ancient cultural taboo against questioning a teacher... You live in the USA, and OUR tradition is "buyer beware." Good luck in your searching.
) has had on martial arts...It is likely that Shaolin's only real impact on martial arts was in bringing practitioners of varying styles together under one roof where they could "play nice" and not be all too concerned with keeping their arts secret from each other.
Whatever.
If a style calls itself Shaolin something, and it is presented as a Japanese or Okinawan art, be wary... There are all too many folks out there looking to separate you from your $$$. Ask questions, and don't be afraid that you are going to violate some ancient cultural taboo against questioning a teacher... You live in the USA, and OUR tradition is "buyer beware." Good luck in your searching.
Exactly my point! People tend to use the term Shaolin to increase prices, or offer a felling of superiority. That's just wrong no matter what term you are using to do it.
7sm
KennethKu
2nd Black Belt
- Joined
- Aug 3, 2002
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The Changing Faces Of Shaolin Kenpo
By Jeanne Capps
Ralph Castro approaches, his black hair generously flecked with well-earned gray. Flashing an infectious smile, he possesses a calm, friendly, sincere manner tinged with a playfulness that belies his 68 years. He begins greeting the 150-plus kenpo dignitaries who have gathered to witness the "passing of the baton" to his eldest son, Rob.
The younger Castro will gradually, under his fathers watchful eye, take over the day-to-day running of the Shaolin Kenpo Association, giving Ralph more time to enjoy the twilight of his life.
Not that the elder Castro is slowing down. Not by long shot. Don't even mention the word retirement because that word doesnt exist in his vocabulary.
"I have been giving thoughts to doing a biography on the shaolin system," Ralph admits. "We have been doing a lot of seminars as well having been approached to do videos on the system, but I am holding back right now while trying to find the right angles from which to approach it."
Make Way For The Ceremony
On this night, however, talk about books and videos make way for the ceremony of handing down the grandmastership from father to son. It is a ceremony that serves numerous purposes. First, it signals a styles natural family progression. Secondly, it announces to all that should something happen to Ralph, the successors name has been etched in stone.This is a sad sign of the times. On at least two occasions, grandmasters in full control of the organizations have unexpectedly died. What followed can be likened to a piranha feeding frenzy as senior students scratched and clawed for pieces of the organization.
Castro wanted to ensure these battles would be non-existent within the shaolin system. "In the early years I already had the planning stage set for myself, because of my dear friends that had passed away and the chaos that ensued. I learned from that," Ralph explains. "I said I am not going to let that happen to me. I am going to do it now because I would like to make sure things run right.
"The kenpo people, they know who Rob is," added the elder Castro. "He has competed in the (Ed Parkers Long Beach) Internationals and has taken firsts in sparring. He already has a reputation set. I have said that you support grandmaster Rob or you move on."
Building A Foundation
Pausing, Ralph Castro reflected on the years working with his son.
"When you mold your own child from the beginning, you are with him every day and every night. You have a closer bond and relationship with your own, so you feel secure that this is going to be your chosen.
"Yes, you may adopt a student and make him, say the leader of the clan. Or a top student, yes, if you have no one. But if you have a child that you have trained from the start, he has maintained the respect of the system, in other people and in himself, I think you are on your right way. I can say that, for my part as a teacher, father and I've got to say, friend I thought the choice I made was done through the guidance of the Lord.
"There are many times I have made mistakes. The system...there's good, there's bad and there's ugly. And the ugliness is when you make a bad mistake. I thank the Lord for his guidance, his precious gift to me, the blessings he has bestowed on my family and for my son."
With the induction ceremony for, and the performance by, grandmaster Rob Castro, a new era begins for the Castro family and the Shaolin system. But as one sees the future, one also cannot help but look back to see how far shaolin kenpo has come.
Originally from Honolulu, Hi., Ralph Castro was 21 when he began training with professor William Chow, considered the modern-day founder of the kenpo system.
"I had a chance one weekend to meet the professor and I went to his school," Castro remembers. "When the professor walked in, everyone else knew who he was but me. I looked at this man. He had calluses on knuckles. I thought 'Wow. I didn't say anything but I knew I had to see this man work out. In those days the school wasn't open to the public and my brother-in-law said that he didn't think I could watch. He was kneeling down on the floor conducting classes, and I was unfamiliar with the traditional part of how it was all done. I just walked in like a local boy, putting my arm around him and then looking at these guys working out and saying to myself, What the heck are they doing?'
"Professor stood up and said, 'Stop.' He looked at me and said, 'I'm going throw a punch. He did it so fast. That was when I backed up, being very humble.
"Professor Chows nickname was Thunderbolt and he did feel like a thunderbolt when he hit you. Some say it was because of his speed but some say it was because when he hit you from the front it felt like he hit you from the back. The man himself wasn't very tall but powerful. And he never taught the same technique twice."
The Years With Chow
So began the years of study under professor Chow.
"In my training with the professor I would train seven days a week and if there were eight days I would train eight days," he recalled. "Something my wife wasn't very happy about. But we worked it out. In fact, after I came to the Mainland, I felt miserable at not being able to train. My wife is the one who encouraged me to go out and train with a friend. I ended up working as a manager at a gas station but I wasn't content. She knew that I always thought about karate so she told me one evening, 'You ever thought about opening up your own school? Yeah, I mean you're not making good money and maybe the karate will help you. We'll take a chance on it', and I did. That is how I got started in 1958.
"Of course, my good friend Ed Parker helped me start up the business side of it. Shaolin kenpo wasn't shaolin kenpo back then but my style was different from his and he liked that. He gave me my black belt because at that time I didn't know if I would ever see professor again. But when I did see him again in the 1970s, he gave me my grandmastership. In 1981, during a visit to professor Chow in Hawaii, I officially began shaolin kenpo, under his approval. Although I had been teaching shaolin for a while, it was now sanctioned by the professor."
Since coming to the Mainland in 1958 and settling in Daly City, Calif., Ralph Castro has slowly built shaolin kenpo away of the public eye.
"For years we never really shared our system, wanting to keep it to ourselves," he noted. "But now we realize that we want others to share it, to help it continue to flourish so we started opening up more by doing more seminars. We opened the gate with a tour in Spain back in 1995. Since then we have been approached constantly to share our system."
The Magnificent 7
With 21 schools worldwide, including in Spain, El Salvador, California and Hawaii, the system has begun to flourish. All seven of Ralphs children April, May, Rob, Ralph "Boss" Castro III, June, July and Mia are involved in the martial arts, making the Castros a true "martial arts family".
At one time, in the 1970s they were called "The Magnificent Seven".
"We were the first family, in the early years, to choreograph the forms to music," Ralph admits with pride. "We were the family that used music for our demos long before it became the popular thing that it is now."
Adds Rob, "When we started competing there were no weight classes, no divisions of kata and forms. There was just age and male/female. Nowadays music is a part of competition.
"San Francisco has always been the base for shaolin kenpo," added Rob. "It has always been the Bay area. Whenever anyone hears of Ralph Castro or shaolin kenpo, it has always been Northern California. I look forward to being more involved. Great grandmaster will never retire. He will always have his hand in shaolin kenpo as long as he is able."
Although Rob admits being the son of a grandmaster comes with its own unique demands, the overall experience has been positive.
"It was karate, eat, sleep, karate," he maintains. "Because the school was my fathers way of making a living, we were all involved in it after school. Our average day was wake up, go to school, after school go to the studio where we worked out. As we got older we got more involved in the classes and into teaching so there were no extracurricular activities. This went on all throughout high school.
"In a way I felt I was robbed in the sense that I missed out being able to be on the football team and such but through the years I am actually glad that my dad did do that because it helped me, for one thing, to focus more on myself and it has been good on my children. As a kid, I had a lot of temptations but the martial arts gave me a reason for not following those temptations. I took the straight path and it has taken me to where I am now."
Rob also said there are other positive aspects with being involved in the martial arts at such as young age.
"As a young boy, I remember family friend, Bruce Lee, teaching me a form at our school," he explained. "I forgot it long ago but to have spent time with a man who is credited by many for opening martial arts up to the world and who was so knowledgeable was a thrill. Also as an older teen, I got to spend time with professor Chow."
Rob recalled an incident during a visit, which left a lasting, if not painful, impression.
"I went with a friend to Hawaii and got to visit with professor Chow," he recalled. "At his house I noticed a hanging bag and I went up to it. I mean it was a canvas-type bag, not very big, maybe half the size of a regular kicking-type bag. You know, normally when you see a bag you maybe give it a little tap, one or two. Well, his bag was as solid as concrete. I hit it, not realizing what was in it. Nowadays, I always make sure to lightly tap someone elses bag before really hitting it."
Throughout his martial arts life, Ralph Castro has guided shaolin kenpo through a strict set of fundamental principles.
"Everything we do in life can be done correctly or incorrectly, but if the guidance and wisdom is there then that person will have a strong foundation," he insisted. "If every child knew the foundation of what martial arts has, the respect, then everything would be fine. There would be no more fighting. I want people to understand that shaolin kenpo is designed for everyone. For understanding, confidence, security, peace and comfort."
Jeanne Capps last wrote about the first Kenpo Gathering in the June, 1999 issue.
By Jeanne Capps
Ralph Castro approaches, his black hair generously flecked with well-earned gray. Flashing an infectious smile, he possesses a calm, friendly, sincere manner tinged with a playfulness that belies his 68 years. He begins greeting the 150-plus kenpo dignitaries who have gathered to witness the "passing of the baton" to his eldest son, Rob.
The younger Castro will gradually, under his fathers watchful eye, take over the day-to-day running of the Shaolin Kenpo Association, giving Ralph more time to enjoy the twilight of his life.
Not that the elder Castro is slowing down. Not by long shot. Don't even mention the word retirement because that word doesnt exist in his vocabulary.
"I have been giving thoughts to doing a biography on the shaolin system," Ralph admits. "We have been doing a lot of seminars as well having been approached to do videos on the system, but I am holding back right now while trying to find the right angles from which to approach it."
Make Way For The Ceremony
On this night, however, talk about books and videos make way for the ceremony of handing down the grandmastership from father to son. It is a ceremony that serves numerous purposes. First, it signals a styles natural family progression. Secondly, it announces to all that should something happen to Ralph, the successors name has been etched in stone.This is a sad sign of the times. On at least two occasions, grandmasters in full control of the organizations have unexpectedly died. What followed can be likened to a piranha feeding frenzy as senior students scratched and clawed for pieces of the organization.
Castro wanted to ensure these battles would be non-existent within the shaolin system. "In the early years I already had the planning stage set for myself, because of my dear friends that had passed away and the chaos that ensued. I learned from that," Ralph explains. "I said I am not going to let that happen to me. I am going to do it now because I would like to make sure things run right.
"The kenpo people, they know who Rob is," added the elder Castro. "He has competed in the (Ed Parkers Long Beach) Internationals and has taken firsts in sparring. He already has a reputation set. I have said that you support grandmaster Rob or you move on."
Building A Foundation
Pausing, Ralph Castro reflected on the years working with his son.
"When you mold your own child from the beginning, you are with him every day and every night. You have a closer bond and relationship with your own, so you feel secure that this is going to be your chosen.
"Yes, you may adopt a student and make him, say the leader of the clan. Or a top student, yes, if you have no one. But if you have a child that you have trained from the start, he has maintained the respect of the system, in other people and in himself, I think you are on your right way. I can say that, for my part as a teacher, father and I've got to say, friend I thought the choice I made was done through the guidance of the Lord.
"There are many times I have made mistakes. The system...there's good, there's bad and there's ugly. And the ugliness is when you make a bad mistake. I thank the Lord for his guidance, his precious gift to me, the blessings he has bestowed on my family and for my son."
With the induction ceremony for, and the performance by, grandmaster Rob Castro, a new era begins for the Castro family and the Shaolin system. But as one sees the future, one also cannot help but look back to see how far shaolin kenpo has come.
Originally from Honolulu, Hi., Ralph Castro was 21 when he began training with professor William Chow, considered the modern-day founder of the kenpo system.
"I had a chance one weekend to meet the professor and I went to his school," Castro remembers. "When the professor walked in, everyone else knew who he was but me. I looked at this man. He had calluses on knuckles. I thought 'Wow. I didn't say anything but I knew I had to see this man work out. In those days the school wasn't open to the public and my brother-in-law said that he didn't think I could watch. He was kneeling down on the floor conducting classes, and I was unfamiliar with the traditional part of how it was all done. I just walked in like a local boy, putting my arm around him and then looking at these guys working out and saying to myself, What the heck are they doing?'
"Professor stood up and said, 'Stop.' He looked at me and said, 'I'm going throw a punch. He did it so fast. That was when I backed up, being very humble.
"Professor Chows nickname was Thunderbolt and he did feel like a thunderbolt when he hit you. Some say it was because of his speed but some say it was because when he hit you from the front it felt like he hit you from the back. The man himself wasn't very tall but powerful. And he never taught the same technique twice."
The Years With Chow
So began the years of study under professor Chow.
"In my training with the professor I would train seven days a week and if there were eight days I would train eight days," he recalled. "Something my wife wasn't very happy about. But we worked it out. In fact, after I came to the Mainland, I felt miserable at not being able to train. My wife is the one who encouraged me to go out and train with a friend. I ended up working as a manager at a gas station but I wasn't content. She knew that I always thought about karate so she told me one evening, 'You ever thought about opening up your own school? Yeah, I mean you're not making good money and maybe the karate will help you. We'll take a chance on it', and I did. That is how I got started in 1958.
"Of course, my good friend Ed Parker helped me start up the business side of it. Shaolin kenpo wasn't shaolin kenpo back then but my style was different from his and he liked that. He gave me my black belt because at that time I didn't know if I would ever see professor again. But when I did see him again in the 1970s, he gave me my grandmastership. In 1981, during a visit to professor Chow in Hawaii, I officially began shaolin kenpo, under his approval. Although I had been teaching shaolin for a while, it was now sanctioned by the professor."
Since coming to the Mainland in 1958 and settling in Daly City, Calif., Ralph Castro has slowly built shaolin kenpo away of the public eye.
"For years we never really shared our system, wanting to keep it to ourselves," he noted. "But now we realize that we want others to share it, to help it continue to flourish so we started opening up more by doing more seminars. We opened the gate with a tour in Spain back in 1995. Since then we have been approached constantly to share our system."
The Magnificent 7
With 21 schools worldwide, including in Spain, El Salvador, California and Hawaii, the system has begun to flourish. All seven of Ralphs children April, May, Rob, Ralph "Boss" Castro III, June, July and Mia are involved in the martial arts, making the Castros a true "martial arts family".
At one time, in the 1970s they were called "The Magnificent Seven".
"We were the first family, in the early years, to choreograph the forms to music," Ralph admits with pride. "We were the family that used music for our demos long before it became the popular thing that it is now."
Adds Rob, "When we started competing there were no weight classes, no divisions of kata and forms. There was just age and male/female. Nowadays music is a part of competition.
"San Francisco has always been the base for shaolin kenpo," added Rob. "It has always been the Bay area. Whenever anyone hears of Ralph Castro or shaolin kenpo, it has always been Northern California. I look forward to being more involved. Great grandmaster will never retire. He will always have his hand in shaolin kenpo as long as he is able."
Although Rob admits being the son of a grandmaster comes with its own unique demands, the overall experience has been positive.
"It was karate, eat, sleep, karate," he maintains. "Because the school was my fathers way of making a living, we were all involved in it after school. Our average day was wake up, go to school, after school go to the studio where we worked out. As we got older we got more involved in the classes and into teaching so there were no extracurricular activities. This went on all throughout high school.
"In a way I felt I was robbed in the sense that I missed out being able to be on the football team and such but through the years I am actually glad that my dad did do that because it helped me, for one thing, to focus more on myself and it has been good on my children. As a kid, I had a lot of temptations but the martial arts gave me a reason for not following those temptations. I took the straight path and it has taken me to where I am now."
Rob also said there are other positive aspects with being involved in the martial arts at such as young age.
"As a young boy, I remember family friend, Bruce Lee, teaching me a form at our school," he explained. "I forgot it long ago but to have spent time with a man who is credited by many for opening martial arts up to the world and who was so knowledgeable was a thrill. Also as an older teen, I got to spend time with professor Chow."
Rob recalled an incident during a visit, which left a lasting, if not painful, impression.
"I went with a friend to Hawaii and got to visit with professor Chow," he recalled. "At his house I noticed a hanging bag and I went up to it. I mean it was a canvas-type bag, not very big, maybe half the size of a regular kicking-type bag. You know, normally when you see a bag you maybe give it a little tap, one or two. Well, his bag was as solid as concrete. I hit it, not realizing what was in it. Nowadays, I always make sure to lightly tap someone elses bag before really hitting it."
Throughout his martial arts life, Ralph Castro has guided shaolin kenpo through a strict set of fundamental principles.
"Everything we do in life can be done correctly or incorrectly, but if the guidance and wisdom is there then that person will have a strong foundation," he insisted. "If every child knew the foundation of what martial arts has, the respect, then everything would be fine. There would be no more fighting. I want people to understand that shaolin kenpo is designed for everyone. For understanding, confidence, security, peace and comfort."
Jeanne Capps last wrote about the first Kenpo Gathering in the June, 1999 issue.
ummm, wow. I'm just talking abotu Shaolin Kempo alltogether. Actually I'm talking about Shaolin mainly and the many different arts that now claim heratige to Shaolin.
7sm
7sm
Black Tiger Fist
Green Belt
Ok, lets clear somethings up here.7starmantis said:
Not every style claiming Shaolin is trying to fool someone or make money off the name. If it is a kenpo/kempo style ,then of course it's not a shaolin style ,but ppl use shaolin kempo for their own reasons.
Many styles like Shaolin Hung Fut or Shaolin Black Tiger use the name shaolin for different reasons. Sil Lum Hak Fu Muhn or Shaolin Black Tiger was not created at the shaolin temple ,but it was created from the same Shaolin Tiger Claw system ,that led to the creation of Hung Gar.
Su Hak Fu created black tiger from his knowledge of the Shaolin Tiger Claw system ,that he learned from a shaolin monk. Later after creating his black tiger system Su Hak Fu taught it to shaolin monks. This is where the title of shaolin black tiger came from ,although it was not created there.
At one time black tiger was the highest level of shaolin training.
Now this is where other styles get their shaolin roots. The Shaolin Temple was a meeting point for many rebels and masters hiding from the govt'. While in the temple many exchanged their arts and teachings with each other and the monks in the temple.
So by this interchanging of styles and masters many unknown arts became popular because of their time in shaolin. It's because of their time at shaolin that these arts aquired the shaolin name.
So, it's not that these arts are trying to fool anyone or gain popularity off the name ,it was applied to them by others.
jeff
